About the Event
Eastern PA SCBWI's Pocono Retreat is back! This three-day, in-person event held from Friday, April 25 through Sunday, April 27, 2025 at the Highlights Foundation in Millville, PA, is a great opportunity for all kid lit creators no matter where they are in their creative journey. Faculty includes two literary agents, one editor, and one art director, who will share their knowledge in presentations, panels, and breakout sessions as well as offering one-on-one critiques and casual opportunities to chat during the weekend.
Deadline to apply for the scholarship is December 2, 2024.
General registration will open January 12, 2025.
Full event details can be found at https://www.scbwi.org/events/pocono-believe-2025-all-aboard
SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION:
Eastern PA SCBWI and its Equity and Inclusion Team are honored to offer one Equity and Inclusion/Financial Need Scholarship for our 2025 Pocono Retreat held at the Highlights Foundation April 25-27. The scholarship will cover the cost of registration for the full weekend event, meals and accommodations for the duration of the retreat, and one free critique with a faculty member of your choice for a total value of $812 (based on premium member rates and early bird pricing).
Please read the following information carefully to apply for the scholarship:
The full scholarship for the 2025 Pocono Retreat will be awarded to a writer or illustrator who self-identifies as a member of a community that is traditionally underrepresented in the field of children’s literature (including but not limited to people of color, people with disabilities, people from the LGBTQIA+ community, Native people, and people from ethnic, cultural, and religious minorities) and/or a writer or illustrator who has a financial hardship (and would not otherwise be able to attend).
To apply for the scholarship, please email the following with “2025 Pocono Retreat Scholarship” in the subject line to epa@scbwi.org:
1. A brief letter of introduction explaining why you are applying for the scholarship, a little bit about your creative journey, and, to your level of comfort, explaining how you qualify or self-identify as a member of a community that is underrepresented in the field of children’s literature and/or the nature of your financial need/circumstances.
2. A five-page sample from your chapter book/middle grade/young adult manuscript; OR one full picture book manuscript; OR the first half spread plus the next two full spreads of your picture book dummy; OR three portfolio-ready illustrations.
Notes:
- The samples do not need to reflect experiences within an underrepresented or marginalized community. Our goal, and mission, is to uplift and support the creators.
- Please also indicate if you would only be able to participate in the program if you receive the funds from the Equity and Inclusion Team due to financial hardship.
Deadline to apply for this scholarship: December 2, 2024
Scholarship applicants will be informed of the decision on or before December 15, 2024.
In the event that equally qualified applicants apply, priority may be given to an Eastern PA SCBWI member. Please note that if no applicants meet the requirements, Eastern PA SCBWI reserves the right not to award the scholarship for this event.
If you have any questions, please email epa@scbwi.org.