Eastern PA Webinar: Beyond the Surface—Crafting Authentic Invisible Representation in Children’s Books with literary agent Eva Scalzo
Aug 27, 2026
Online event
Invisible identities shape the lives of countless young readers, yet they often go unrecognized or are portrayed inaccurately in children’s literature. This workshop explores how to authentically represent experiences that aren’t immediately visible—such as bilingualism, chronic conditions like diabetes or epilepsy, and neurological or psychological differences including dyslexia, ADHD, or depression. We’ll discuss how to avoid stereotypes, build fully realized characters, and integrate these identities naturally into story. A limited number of MY, YA, & NIV CRITIQUES available at an additional cost.
Quick Facts
HOST REGION: Eastern Pennsylvania
CONTACT: Kristen Strocchia [email protected]
COST:
- Premium Members: $15 USD
- Preview Plan: $25 USD
CRITIQUES: available at an additional cost; scroll down for more information
RECORDING
The webinar will be recorded, and the recording will be available for one month following the event. Attendees will receive a link and a password by email about two days after the event.
REGISTRATION CONFIRMATIONS
Upon completion of payment, you will receive a payment confirmation by email. You will also find a registration confirmation on the website that will include event-specific details. Go to your Member Home and click on My Events under the black bar at the top of the page. All events you have registered will be displayed on this page. If there are additional meeting details (i.e. Zoom links for virtual events or materials required for the event), this information will be found under the green Meeting Info button.
REFUND POLICY
Registration fees for webinars and virtual events are nonrefundable because recordings are available for 30 days following the broadcast. For more information on our refund policy, click here. By registering for this event, you agree that you have read and understand the refund policy for this event.
Meet the Faculty
About Eva
Eva Scalzo is a lifelong romance reader—ever since discovering Sweet Valley High in the fifth grade—and proudly inherited her grandmother’s collection of vintage Harlequins. A Leo Sun, Libra Moon, and Scorpio Rising, she brings charisma, diplomacy, and emotional depth to everything she does. She holds a B.A. in Humanities from the University of Puerto Rico and an M.A. in Publishing and Writing from Emerson College. Her background in scholarly publishing sharpened her strengths in client and portfolio management, and her voracious reading keeps her attuned to market trends. An active member of AALA and SCBWI, Eva serves on the AALA Board of Directors, acts as Editor-in-Chief of the AALA Newsletter, chairs the Social Media Subcommittee, and contributes to the Communications and People of Publishing Conference Committees. Eva joined Speilburg Literary in 2013 and began representing clients in 2018. She manages careers and builds a list that includes #1 New York Times, USA Today, Indie, and international bestsellers. She gravitates toward voice-driven YA and romance with heart, humor, and hope—stories where falling in love leads to self-discovery. She loves high-concept premises, lush and escapist settings, sharp banter, and joyful tones that embrace emotional depth. She actively welcomes queer and diverse voices, including stories featuring invisible chronic conditions, and champions books that celebrate love in all its forms.
MG, YA, and Novel in Verse Critiques Available: (at an additional cost)
ADDITIONAL COST:
- Premium Members: $60 USD
- Preview Plan: $65 USD
For all submissions, format your work in 12 point font, with one-inch margins, and double spacing. (US Letter paper size-Include all materials in the same document; please don’t send two documents.)
- For Middle Grade and Young Adult (MG/YA): Please send up to 10 pages of your manuscript and a one-page, single-spaced synopsis (in the same document).
- For Novels in Verse (NIV): Please send up to 2,500 words of your manuscript and a one-page, single-spaced synopsis (in the same document).
- For Translated works: Please follow the above guidelines specific to the category of your project and include a brief note about the source work (in the same document).
How to format your submission:
⇒For all submissions, format your manuscript in 12-point font, with one-inch margins, and double spacing (US Letter paper size). Include your synopsis in the same document (please don’t send two documents).
⇒The following formatting exceptions may be used for Novels in Verse (NIV) submissions only:
- You may format your NIV manuscript using either 1.15, 1.5, or double spacing. This spacing choice should be used standard throughout the manuscript sample.
- You may only vary from your standard spacing choice when needed for the visual presentation of a particular poem.
- You may only use a font size other than 12-point when needed for the visual presentation of a particular poem.
⇒Please SAVE YOUR FILE as Webinar Faculty Last Name_Your Last Name_TITLE OF MANUSCRIPT as a PDF or DOC or DOCx.
Example: Scalzo_Strocchia_PURPLE CARROTS
⇒Then send your file to Kristen at [email protected]. The subject should read: Webinar Faculty Last Name_Your Last Name_TITLE OF MANUSCRIPT (same as saved file name).
Submission deadline: Friday, August 28, 2026.
We anticipate critiques to be returned on or about Tuesday, September 29, 2026.