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2024

Eastern PA SCBWI

A Meet & Greet is a gathering of kid-lit writers and illustrators. Like-minded people come together to chat, network, share news and resources, socialize, and learn from one another. In short, it’s a no-pressure (usually FREE of charge) way to expand your kid lit kin. Past Meet & Greets have included meet-ups at local coffee shops; gatherings after author visits and book festivals; and pre-arranged book store and guest speaking events and studio tours. And now we’ve gone virtual! Check here for upcoming events in your area.
Who plans Meet & Greets? YOU!

If you are interested in planning a Meet & Greet, contact Heather Stigall at scbwiepaCGC@gmail.com to talk about ideas and to advertise your event on the EPA blog and Meet & Greet page.

# **UPCOMING EVENTS**


 

### **Wake-Up Write-In**

[![](https://epa.scbwi.org/files/2018/01/pexels-lisa-fotios-851213-300x200.jpg)](https://epa.scbwi.org/events/epa-scbwi-meet-greet-at-the-princeton-childrens-book-festival/)
Increase your productivity by joining fellow kidlit writers at our morning write-in!
Bring your writing project at any stage (brainstorming, outlining, drafting, or revising).
We’ll write during timed sprints and chat during brief breaks.
 
**Now TWICE a month!**
from **9:30 – 11:30 AM** (EST)
Next Wake-Up Write-Ins are:
**Monday, May 1, 2023**
**Wednesday, May 24, 2023**
 
**Register in advance for this meeting:**
**[https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUtfuyprT4iGNBl9FXYBvE0-CR_RNs6stLg](https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUtfuyprT4iGNBl9FXYBvE0-CR_RNs6stLg)**

**Once you register, you’ll receive a confirmation e-mail**
**with the link and PASSWORD to get in once the event starts.** 

If you have any questions,
please feel free to contact  **jenniferraudenbush@gmail.com***
 

**\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\***
 

### **Zoom into Picture Books!** 

[![](https://epa.scbwi.org/files/2018/01/picture-book-300x169.jpeg)](https://epa.scbwi.org/events/epa-scbwi-meet-greet-at-the-princeton-childrens-book-festival/)
A picture book discussion group
where we dive in and discuss a different picture book each month.
During the forty minutes we will discuss…
 Different aspects of the book including themes, characters, voice, etc.
Things we learned from the book that will help us as writers or illustrators
**Monthly, on a Friday or Saturday** 
**from 8 – 8:40 PM (EST)**
*Next Zoom into Picture Books is*
**Next Meeting will be:** 
**May 27, 2023**
 
**To register, email Jenny Pease**
**and put Zoom into picture books in the subject line**
**Email: Jenniferpease@authorjenniferp.com** 
**You will receive the zoom link and the title of the book through email.**
\*\*\*Please make sure to read the book before the zoom discussion. We will not be reading the book during the meeting.\*\*\*

If you have any questions or suggestions of books to discuss,
*please feel free to contact*  
***Jenniferpease@authorjenniferp.com*** 

**\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\***

### **Butt-in-Chair-a-Thons**

[![](https://epa.scbwi.org/files/2018/01/writing-sprint-typewriter.jpg)](https://epa.scbwi.org/files/2018/01/writing-sprint-typewriter.jpg)
What is a BIC-A-Thon you ask?
Well, it stands for Butt-In-Chair-A-Thon, and it’s time for writers to get their butt in the chair and get some good quality writing and editing time in. Illustrators you are more than welcome, too!
Joyce Schriebman and I began them back in July of 2020, with a few writers looking for some time to make our selves sit and write, and be accountable for the craft we love.
**Every month, from 8:00 P.M. EST until, well, the time’s up!**
*Next BIC-a-Thon is*
**May 18, 2023**
**from 8:00 P.M. EST until about 10:30 P.M. EST**
**(they’re free!).** 
We start each session with a 10 minute session to plan what you want to do for the night, get the day’s thoughts out of your brain to clear your mind for quality words, or to just get started.
We then have two 40 minute sessions, with a prompt to help you out. You don’t need to use the prompts, but sometimes they can help spark something. Feel free to use them or not, or save them for another day!
If you can’t stay the whole time, or can’t make it on time, still register and join us when and for as long as you can!
 
**Register in advance for this meeting:**
[https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUqcuivqDMqHt3eRgrcnrbbOEUw8kzswz48](https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUqcuivqDMqHt3eRgrcnrbbOEUw8kzswz48)
 
**Once you register, you’ll receive a confirmation e-mail**
**with the link and PASSWORD to get in once the event starts.** 
 
If you have any questions,
please feel free to contact me at **erik (at) erikammon (dot) com***
*Thanks, and we hope you’ll join us!*
***Erik Ammon***

**\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\***

### **Eastern PA SCBWI Peer Critique “Open Mic” Night**

 
[![](https://epa.scbwi.org/files/2018/01/zoom-gathering-300x200.jpg)](https://epa.scbwi.org/files/2018/01/zoom-gathering.jpg)
**WHAT:** Join Critique Group Coordinator, Heather Stigall,
and other EPA members
to give/receive LIVE critiques on your manuscript
**WHEN:** **Wednesday, April 12, 6:45 – 9:00 PM**
**WHERE:** Zoom *(link will be provided when you RSVP)*
**WHO:** Eastern PA SCBWI members who want to experience a live “Open Mic”-style peer critique group
**HOW MUCH:** FREE!
**RSVP:** Heather Stigall, [SCBWIepaCGC@gmail.com](mailto:SCBWIepaCGC@gmail.com)
by **Midnight, 4/11/23**
DETAILS: *Please read below for an explanation of how this event will work so we don’t have to spend too much time the night of the event explaining details.***
\*On the night of the event, after a brief introduction, the moderator will share her screen to reveal a submission.
\*The author/illustrator of the submission will read their pages aloud.
\*The moderator will allow 10-12 minutes for other attendees to offer constructive criticism\*\* on the work.
\*If time allows, the author can ask follow-up questions.
\*This will continue for no more than 7 submissions.
\* If time allows, we will conclude with some general Q&A about critiquing or critique groups.
 
***\*Other notes:***
\*Only 7 attendees will have their work critiqued,
but there will be no limit to attendees who wish to critique and observe
\*You must RSVP to Heather at [SCBWIepaCGC@gmail.com](mailto:SCBWIepaCGC@gmail.com)
by midnight the day before the event in order to attend.
\* The event will NOT be recorded
\*The first 7 people who RSVP and *want* to submit work
will have their pages critiqued by peers who attend the meeting
*(NOTES: You do not have to submit; if you are one of the first 7,*
*Heather will give you the option when you RSVP.*
*When possible,* *Heather will give priority to authors/illustrators who have not had the opportunity to share at a prior event).*
 \*If you are **one of the** **first 7** to respond,
and wish to have your work critiqued,
you will receive instructions on when and how to send your submission
\*You may submit in any children’s genre (board book/BB, picture book/PB, graphic novel/GN, chapter book/CB, middle grade/MG, young adult/YA) and may submit a text-only manuscript OR dummy.
**All experience levels welcome!**
*\*\*Please remember to provide your peers with constructive criticism which can be defined as a “helpful, well-reasoned opinions and actionable suggestions, including both positive and negative comments, in a friendly way.”*
For more on how to GIVE and RECEIVE critiques, please read the document entitled “Critiquing Guidelines for Writers” that can be found on our Critique Group Resources page here: [https://epa.scbwi.org/local-critique-group/critique-group-resources/](https://epa.scbwi.org/local-critique-group/critique-group-resources/)*

Eastern PA Meet & Greets

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Brandywine River Museum Meet & Greet

Meet & Greets