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Pocono à la Mode 2024: Itinerary

Friday, April 19—Unless otherwise noted, sessions located in the Barn

2:00-2:30 PM Registration & Setup silent pitch displays

2:30-3:25 PM Welcome plus Get to Know the Pros & FAQ Panel

3:30-4:25 PM Cohort Breakouts

  • Getting Started (Newbies) with author-illustrator Vashti Harrison; located in the Farmhouse Living Room
  • Moving Through the Middle (Middlers) with literary agent Jennifer Laughran; located in the Barn
  • Onward & Upward (PALs) with editor TBA & art director Brian LaRossa; located in the Lodge

4:30 PM Tour of Campus–optional (leaves from the Barn)

Check in to lodging

5:30 PM Appetizers

Silent Pitch showcase open

6:00 PM Dinner (w/ slideshow)

7:00 PM Bookshop with signings

7:30 PM Hub Social



Saturday, April 20—Morning begins in the Barn

7:00 AM Early Bird Meetups (on your own or meetup with some friends)

  • Self-led Inspiration Walk - The Word Garden
  • Self-led Write in/Draw in - The Barn Loft

8:00 AM Breakfast (w/ slideshow)

8:45 AM Announcements

9:00-9:45 AM Keynote–Part 1 plus Q & A with author-illustrator Vashti Harrison

Morning Workshops & Critiques Running Concurrently

10:00-10:55 AM     Workshop #1 with literary agent Jennifer Laughran

Critiques (10:00 AM-12:00 PM)

  • Vashti Harrison - Farmhouse Office
  • Brian LaRossa - Farmhouse Dining Room

11:00-11:55 AM     Workshop #2 with editor TBA

12:00 PM Lunch (w/ slideshow)

1:00-1:55 PM Roundtables

  • Agent & Editor—small group practice pitching session
  • literary agent Jennifer Laughran- the Barn
  • editor TBA - the Farmhouse Living Room
  • Art Director—AD assignment feedback
  • art director Brian LaRossa - the Lodge

Afternoon Workshops & Critiques Running Concurrently

2:00-2:55 PM     Workshop #3 with art Director Brian LaRossa

Critiques (2:00-4:00 PM)

  • editor TBA - Farmhouse Office
  • Jennifer Laughran - Farmhouse Dining Room

3:00-3:55 PM     Workshop #2 with author-illustrator Vashti Harrison

4:00-5:25 PM Choose Your Own Retreat Time

  • Peer Critique-A-Thon - groups may meet up in the Barn and disperse to a breakout area of their choice 
  • PAL Clubhouse - PAL members can meet and chat in The Lodge Great Room
  • Retreat Time - on your own

5:30 PM Appetizers

Silent Pitch showcase open

6:00 PM Dinner (w/ slideshow)

7:00 PM Silent Auction winners announced

Bookshop with signings

7:30 PM Sundae Social


Sunday, April 30—Morning begins in the Barn

7:00 AM Early Bird Meetups (on your own or meetup with some friends)

  • Self-led Inspiration Walk - The Word Garden
  • Self-led Write in/Draw in - The Barn Loft

8:00 AM Breakfast (w/ slideshow)

8:45 AM Announcements

9:00-9:45 AM Keynote–Part 2 plus Q & A with author-illustrator Vashti Harrison

10:00-10:55 AM Mock Pile

  • Agent & Editor—small group feedback on anonymous, mock query submissions
  • literary agent Jennifer Laughran- the Barn
  • editor TBA - the Farmhouse Living Room
  • Art Director—small group feedback on anonymous, mock postcard submissions
  • art director Brian LaRossa - the Lodge

11:00-11:55 AM Cohort Breakouts

  • Getting Started (Newbies) with literary agent Jennifer Laughran; located in the Farmhouse Living Room
  • Moving Through the Middle (Middlers) with editor TBA & art director Brian LaRossa; located in the Barn
  • Onward & Upward (PALs) with author-illustrator Vashti Harrison;  located in the Lodge

12:00 PM Lunch

Farewell!