Pocono & the Three Bears 2026: Trying Out Chairs—Pitch Tank Panel

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What is it?

This is a FREE opportunity to receive live feedback in a large group session on one Illustrator Assignment piece.

• SUNDAY, 9:20 AM: Trying Out Chairs—a Pitch Tank panel with ALL FACULTY—Feedback will be focused on/may include discussion about fit for the type of work that the publishing house publishes or that the agency acquires, the similarities and/or standout qualities of this work as compared to other published illustrators, the successfulness of the piece to solve the assignment problem, as well as initial thoughts on the appeal and positioning of this work in the current market.

NOTE: A variety of manuscript pitches will also be reviewed during this session. We regret that there may not be time to review all illustration assignment submissions.

How to participate:

Free with registration

• Create ONE Illustration for the Illustrator Assignment prompt: The Moment of Surprise
• Display it in the portfolio showcase for a chance to be selected to receive assignment feedback in this large group session.

Deadline:

• Bring your completed illustration assignment with you to the retreat (DO NOT SEND AHEAD).

What to bring:

• One completed illustration for the Illustrator Assignment prompt: The Moment of Surprise
• Bring a small easel to display your illustrator assignment piece in the portfolio showcase area.

How selection works:

• The faculty will peruse the portfolio showcase at their leisure throughout the weekend and will each choose their favorite illustrator assignment pieces.
• Faculty selections will be prioritized in the pitch queue for Sunday's session.

What is it?

This is a FREE opportunity to receive live feedback in a large group session on the pitch for your manuscript/illustrated work (submitted anonymously).

• SUNDAY, 9:20 AM: Trying Out Chairs—a Pitch Tank panel with ALL FACULTY—Feedback will be focused on/may include discussion about fit for the type of work that the publishing house publishes or that the agency acquires, the similarities and/or standout qualities of this work as compared to other published authors, the successfulness of the pitch to hook industry professionals, as well as initial thoughts on the appeal and positioning of this work in the current market.

NOTE: A variety of Illustrator Assignment pieces will also be reviewed during this session. We regret that there may not be time to review all manuscript/illustrated work pitch submissions.

How to participate:

Free with registration

Deadline:

• Send your anonymous pitch to our Co-Regional Advisor Kristen Strocchia, [email protected], by 11:59 PM ET Friday, 4/10/26.
• Please put “Pocono 2026_Pitch Tank” in the subject line of your email.

What to send:

For ALL CATEGORIES, please send ONE DOCUMENT:

• For author-only and translator pitches: 250-word max
• For author-illustrator pitches: 250-word max + up to 3 sample illustrations in the same document
• DO NOT INCLUDE YOUR NAME or other identifying information on the page please. However, translated works should include a 1- to 2-sentence note about the source work.

How to format your submission:

⇒For all submissions, format your work in 12-point font, with one-inch margins, and double spacing (US Letter paper size).

⇒Please include title, category, and genre in your pitch. DO NOT INCLUDE YOUR NAME or other identifying information on the pages please.

⇒Please SAVE YOUR FILE as a Word doc or PDF as follows: Pocono 2026_Pitch Tank_CATEGORY_GENRE (Information in ALL CAPS to be added by you. Categories include picture book [PB], middle grade [MG], young adult [YA], graphic novel [GN])

⇒For example, if sending a middle grade Sci Fi sample, you would save the document as follows: Pocono 2026_Pitch Tank_MG_SCIFI

Can an author-illustrator participate in BOTH the Illustrator Assignment AND submit a pitch to the Trying Out Chairs: Pitch Tank panel?

Yes! Author-illustrators may participate in both. However, only the illustrator assignments selected by the faculty will be queued to review during this session, and we regret that there may not be time to review all manuscript/illustrated work pitch submissions.