Join SCBWI and PEN America for Free Online Workshops

You Are A Writer is a series of free online workshops for early career writers. Inspired by beloved components of PEN America’s Emerging Voices Fellowship, the series will introduce topics that are foundational to understanding and launching a literary career.

CLICK HERE to register on the PEN America website.

Children’s and Young Adult authors are being impacted by a rise in educational censorship that is impacting classrooms, libraries, and communities across the country. Our 2024 You Are A Writer series is dedicated to insights from writers who are defending the freedom to read and write while and navigating the business of books for children, young readers, and new adults. Whether you’re thinking about writing your first book, have a question about the publishing business, or looking to connect with other writers across the country, these workshops will provide insights on the best practices and possibilities of the business of contemporary literature for the readers who will shape our future.

January 10, 2024: Book Bans & Their Aftershock

Abdi Nazemian, Author (ONLY THIS BEAUTFUL MOMENT, LIKE A LOVE STORY)

Padma Venkatraman, Author (BORN BEHIND BARS, THE BRIDGE HOME) 

Adib Khorram, Author (KISS & TELL, DARIUS THE GREAT IS NOT OKAY) with Phil Bildner (A HIGH FIVE FOR GLENN BURKE, RIP & RED SERIES)moderating

January 17, 2024: Adaptations of Young Adult Literature for Film & TV

Moderator: Eddie Gamarra, Producer (THE MAZE RUNNER)

Angie Thomas, Author (THE HATE YOU GIVE, CONCRETE ROSE, ON THE COME UP, NIC BLAKE AND THE REMARKABLES)

Marlene King, Writer/Producer (adapted PRETTY LITTLE LIARS and THE PERFECTIONISTS for TV)

January 24, 2024: Hear From The Editors

Stacy Whitman, Editor (Tu Books/Lee&Low)

Bria Ragin, Editor (Joy Revolution/Delacorte, Penguin)

Sydnee Monday, Editor (Kokila)

January 31, 2024 So You Want to Write a Children’s Book: Where Do You Begin?

Elana K. Arnold, Author (THE BLOOD YEARS, BAT SERIES)

Melissa de la Cruz, Author (BLUE BLOODS SERIES, THE HEADMASTER’S LIST)

Aditi Khorana, Author (HORIZAN SERIES, THE LIBRARY OF FATES)