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

Back to Free Opportunities for Illustrators

Back to Free Opportunities for Authors & Translators

What is it?

This is a FREE opportunity to receive live feedback in a large group session on your Illustrator Pitch.

• 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, how well the pitch showcases the illustrators strengths, 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 illustrator pitch submissions.

How to participate:

Free with registration: Choose one of the following options for your Illustrator Pitch piece—

• Option 1: Submit up to 3 of your strongest portfolio pieces or the 3 that you feel best represent who you are as an illustrator
• Option 2: Submit a 1-page illustrated list of "100 Things I Like to Draw" (examples can be found on Google)

Deadline:

• Send your anonymous illustrator 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 Option 1 you may send up to 3 separate files. For option 2, please send one 1-page file.

• Save your illustrator pitch as either a .jpg, .png or PDF file (5 MB max)
• Do not include your name or other identifying information on the illustrations.

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.