SCBWI Pennsylvania: West

Looking to explore your passion for writing or illustrating children's books? As a member you'll gain access to an array of helpful resources, including information on upcoming events, opportunities to connect with other professionals in the industry, and valuable insights on the art of creating and publishing children's books.

Are YOU going to the 2024 Winter Conference? Meet the regional team for SCBWI PA West, who went to last year's Winter Conference, learned a lot, and are excited about the upcoming Winter Conference! This is a great opportunity to learn about benefits of going to the conference in person, associated costs, suggestions and more!

Are you writing a biography? Do you need to interview a subject matter expert for your article, story, or book? Author Elizabeth Pagel-Hogan will share with you tips and techniques on how to request and conduct an interview. In this webinar, she’ll help you brainstorm on how to connect with interview subjects, offer tips on how to prepare for the interview, suggestions for the actual interview, and answer your questions about following up after the interview. Elizabeth has written numerous biographies for magazines and books and worked as a freelance writer for newspapers and magazines.

Come mix and mingle with us for a final holiday hurrah at the brand-new (behind-the-bookcase) Ineffable Ca Phe Speakeasy, located at 3920 Penn Ave, Pittsburgh PA 15224. Cocktails, chatter and holiday cheer will be in abundance! Bring cash for the bar. A silent auction with multiple gift baskets will be held, as well. See you there!

Elizabeth Pagel-Hogan and Stacy Innerst will shine a light on the picture book making process on Sunday, April 21 at Blueberry Hill Activity Center. Author Elizabeth Pagel-Hogan will be focusing on picture book manuscripts and the creation of book dummies, and Illustrator Stacy Innerst will be giving a talk on creating picture books. Both of these faculty members will also be offering individualized critiques!

Sketchy Characters is a group of Picture Book writers and artists. We meet in person monthly for writing and sketching and exercises, coffee and casual conversations. Our illustrators work in both digital and traditional mediums. We also talk about upcoming event ideas. This is a supportive community of artists committed to the Kid Lit craft – join us!

Meet with us for a casual, all-inclusive night of drawing and brews at Trace Brewing in Bloomfield (4312 Main St, Pittsburgh PA 15224) Upcoming dates: Sept 11 at 7pm, Oct 9 at 7pm, and Nov 13 at 7pm. Open to members and non-members alike!

The best way to get inspired to write is to read, and to read lots of different kinds of books! SCBWI PA West is launching a book club with a monthly online zoom meeting to discuss our reading. We would love to have you join us!