Pennsylvania: East Regional events
Serious about improving your craft? SCBWI's regional events provide opportunities for professional growth and help you connect with a supportive, creative community.
Webinar: Editor Says—Chapter Book & Early Graphic Novels with editor Emily Daluga
Nov 03, 2025
1 event
Online event
Unlimited seats
THE SPACE BETWEEN PICTURE BOOKS AND MIDDLE GRADE: For young readers, the jump from reading picture books alongside caregivers to reading middle-grade books on their own can be a huge leap. This is a vital time in childhood development, but since the pandemic, we’ve seen kids struggling more and more with making this transition and reading for fun independently. Thankfully, there are many different kinds of books that can help bridge this gap—including beginning readers, chapter books, longer-form picture books, and even early reader graphic novels. In this presentation, we’ll talk about the transition readers make from picture books to middle grade stories, the different kinds of books for this age group, and how writers can craft stories for that stick with kids and help to turn them into life-long readers
Webinar: Agent Says—Chapter Book & Early Graphic Novels with literary agent Rachel Orr
Nov 13, 2025
1 event
Online event
Unlimited seats
NEW FRONTIERS: EXPLORING OPPORTUNITIES IN THE SPACE BETWEEN PICTURE BOOKS AND MIDDLE GRADE NOVELS: Picture books and middle-grade novels will always be beloved mainstays in the world of children’s literature. Yet it’s exciting to see the new categories that have arisen in order to bridge the gap between these two genres. From early readers and chapter books—to a wide range of illustrated and paneled graphic novels—there’s more of a selection now than ever for any level and interest, especially for those kids who might not be so inclined to crack a spine. Rachel Orr of Prospect Agency will trace the journeys of several projects from her author and illustrator clients that have landed in this space—some intentionally, but many serendipitously. She’ll also provide some tips for forging one’s own way into this new frontier.
Eastern PA Webinar: Arting When Able—What to Do When You Can't Be Creative
Jan 05, 2026
1 event
Online event
Unlimited seats
Webinar description: You've probably heard the advice to write every day. While this approach works for some of us, it can be actively harmful to others, creating a culture of shame if we don't live up to expectations. Eric Bell is a disabled writer who's found an alternate approach: doing as much as he can when he's able, and being kind to himself when he isn't. Eric will talk about his "Five Things" method: five broad categories of tasks he tries to do at least three of us every day, as a means of being kind to his limitations.
Eastern PA Critiques with author Eric Bell
Feb 10, 2026
1 event
Available seats 13
Join us for the FREE webinar Arting When Able—What to Do When You Can't Be Creative on Monday, January 5th with author Eric Bell. Then, add-on a PB, MG, YA, or a Query Letter critique. Spots are limited and are available at an additional cost.
Eastern PA Webinar: Querying From Both Sides of the Trenches
Feb 12, 2026
1 event
Online event
Unlimited seats
SUBMISSION SHINE 2026 PARTICIPANTS ARE AUTOMATICALLY REGISTERED FOR THIS EVENT!! Webinar Description: Literary agent Monica Rodriguez started her publishing career as a querying writer, this webinar examines lessons learned from both sides of the query aisle as an agent and an author. From one side, this class will help you get your manuscript ready to query, and how to track your submissions as you head into the query trenches. From the other side of the aisle, you'll get insights from an agent on how the querying process looks for them and what agents are looking for when they're reading your submission. There will be a Q&A afterwards. A limited number of Illustration Portfolio, PB, CB, MG, YA, & GN CRITIQUES available at an additional cost.
Eastern PA Online Critique Intensive: Submission Shine 2026
Feb 19, 2026 - Feb 21, 2026
7 event
Online event
Available seats 4
Event Description: So, you have a handful of manuscripts or illustration styles ready to query. Which one should you lead with? Is your other work strong enough to hook an agent if they request to see more? And what will an agent think about the variety of work you bring? Whether you have multiple submission-ready picture book manuscripts, write across age categories, have a variety of illustration pieces and illustrated works, or a combination of all of the above, Submission Shine is an opportunity to talk with one agent about four submission-ready works AND your writing/illustrating career as a whole. Plus, a webinar to help you prepare as you begin querying AND additional feedback from a peer critique group of other Submission Shine participants.
Eastern PA Webinar: Not a Yes, Not a No—How to Handle an R&R with editor Sally Morgridge
Mar 24, 2026
1 event
Online event
Unlimited seats
Webinar Description: What is a "revise & resubmit" request, and what do you do when you get one from an agent or editor? This path to publication is more common than you might think, but it doesn't always look the same. This webinar will take creators through the ins and outs of R&Rs from all angles—why an author might do one, what risks might occur, how an editor thinks about them, and what the ultimate outcome might look like. You'll be prepared for any scenario involving an R&R! A limited number of PB & MG CRITIQUES available at an additional cost.
Eastern PA Webinar: 10 Game-Changing Things Authors and Illustrators Should Know with literary agent Lilly Ghahremani
Apr 13, 2026
1 event
Online event
Unlimited seats
POCONO & THE THREE BEARS 2026 PARTICIPANTS ARE AUTOMATICALLY REGISTERED FOR THIS EVENT!! Webinar description: How do the latest industry developments and practices affect you and your writing? What do publishers discuss behind closed doors? What is no one telling you? In this session, we’ll talk about what creators need know about today’s book market, from advances to publication timelines, morality clauses to AI and more. If these phrases aren’t familiar, you’re not alone—and more reason to attend! Join us for a timely discussion as we tackle the biggest secrets of our book market. It’s a lively time in publishing, so we’ll have lots to discuss! Please bring your questions, as this session will end with Lilly’s signature juicy Q+As, to help you get the most from it.
Pocono & The Three Bears 2026: In Search of Just Right
Apr 24, 2026 - Apr 26, 2026
31 event
Available seats 70
The Highlights Foundation Retreat Center
Take a walk with Goldilocks as we stumble through the woods and into The Barn at the Highlights Foundation. Find just the right chair for working on craft. Enjoy just the right food for networking with fellow creators. And stay in just the right cabin for a creative retreat to remember. Whether you're just getting started or you're Published and Listed (PAL), gain valuable tools for the journey ahead and perspective on finding the path that's just right for you.