New York: Metropolitan 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.
The Magic of Chapter Books and Early Readers with Kari Allen
May 13, 2025
1 event
Online event
Unlimited seats
Have you written something that’s not a picture book and don’t know what it is? Are you interested in engaging our youngest readers? Join author Kari Allen for a workshop on creating early chapter books and early readers. Kari will talk about the form, ways to engage readers, how to play within the constraints of the format, and how these kinds of books are used by her Second Grade readers. Participants will leave with a stronger understanding of early chapter books, a list of mentor texts, and hopefully some ideas!
May Write/Sketch Field Trip to MoMA PS1
May 31, 2025
1 event
Unlimited seats
MoMA PS1 (22-25 Jackson Ave, Queens, NY 11101)
Join your fellow SCBWI Metro NY members to informally explore the modern and experimental art of MoMA's Queens branch, MoMA PS1! Museum is free admission for NY state residents! Meet at front entrance. Can't find us at the meetup location? Text or call (732)610-8520
Using Layouts to Take Your Picture Book to the Next Level
Jun 02, 2025
1 event
Online event
Unlimited seats
Sure, word count matters, but what’s much more important is pacing. Is your book too long here but too short there? Does the ending just happen with little fanfare? Is there too much dialogue? And what is "book math" and why do you need to know what it is? Veteran picture book editor Carter Hasegawa will show you how revising with layouts can help you turn a good picture book into a great one. He’ll discuss: -the difference between pagination and layouts -page turns and spreads -book dummies -pacing -wordless pages/books -and yes, word count This webinar will include teaching and time for questions. It will be recorded and made available to registrants for 30 days following the event. Carter is also opening up a special submission opportunity for those who register and attend the event! Information on how to submit to Carter, will be given following the event. Carter Hasegawa has been in the children’s book world for nearly 20 years—as a book seller for various indies across the US, as an editor at Candlewick Press, and now, as a literary agent at Tugeau2 Art and Literary Agency. “The thing I’ve always loved about children’s literature,” he says, “is that beyond the sheer range of incredible stories, it’s always served as a sort of testing ground for me: of new ideas, of new experiences, of new viewpoints, of emotional extremes.” Some of his favorite books include Watercress, My Papi Has a Motorcycle, Big, Tar Beach, Wednesday Wars, Ender’s Game, The Perks of Being a Wallflower, The Notorious Benedict Arnold, and SO MANY others. Carter is also an active mentor/speaker for SCBWI, The Writing Barn, Inked Voices, and more. Originally from Seattle, he now lives in Boston with his librarian wife and their two young sons.