Critique Groups/Meet-Ups
Hello Writers and Illustrators,
We want to support you in your writing and illustrating. Critique groups are an essential way to improve your craft. They are also incredibly helpful for learning about the business of writing and illustrating for children. If you’d like to participate in a critique group, please contact the group leaders listed on this page. If you’d like to LEAD a critique group, please reach out – wpa@scbwi.org
PB Critique Group for Writers Seeking Traditional Publication
Openings: Yes Day/Time: TBD / Flexible Location: Northern Tier Library, Gibsonia Genre/Ages: Picture book writers (text only) Contact: Jen Helwig: jenhelwig@me.com
Online YA Critique Group
Openings: Limited Contact: Jenny Birch (jennifersbirch at gmail.com)
North Hills Picture Book Illustrator Critique Group
Openings: Yes Day/Time: Third Thursdays from 6:30pm – 8:30pm – upcoming dates – May 18, June 15, July 20, August 17 Location: Eat n Park (Shaler/Etna) 930 Butler St, Etna, PA 15223 Genre/Ages: Picture Books – Illustrators and Author-Illustrators Contact: Julianna Zito – wpa-ic@scbwi.org Links: https://wpa.scbwi.org/illustrator-meet-ups/
North Hills Critique Group
Openings: Yes Day/Time: Fluctuates – based on group poll in a Slack Group Location: As of March 2020, meeting via Zoom. Genre/Ages: Mostly PB, some magazine, some MG Contact: Nicole M (manages scheduling) Contact SCBWI.wpa.critiquegroups@gmail.com if interested in joining via Slack.
Online PA PB Critiques
Openings: Yes Day/Time: Ongoing Group Procedures: Manuscripts are due the 15th of each month via Google Docs and critiques are due by the 30th of each month. This group is written feedback only, we don’t have Zoom meetings. Contact: Jeff Checcio – jcheccio@gmail.com
Squirrel Hill Picture Book Illustrators
Openings: Yes Day/Time: Postponed Location: Panera Bread, 3401 Boulevard of the Allies, Pittsburgh, PA 15213 Genre/Ages: Bring Images and Dummy Books to be Critiqued Contact: Brittany Ashcraft – ashcraftbrittany@gmail.com
South Hills Picture Book Makers
Openings: Yes: Open to Writers and Illustrators Day/Time: First Thursdays – 6 - 8 pm Location: Galleria Mall – upstairs seating area by Panera Bread, 1500 Washington Rd, Pittsburgh, PA 15228 Contact: Kris Sacco – kristinesacco59@gmail.com
Peters Township
Openings: No Day/Time: Mondays, 7 to 9 pm; every other Wednesday, 10 am - Noon Location: Peters Township Public Library Virtual Option: occasionally will meet virtually with Google Hang Outs Genre/Ages: PB to YA, fantasy, finction and NF Contact: David Amaditz chairnomor@verizon.net
Beechview
Openings: No Day/Time: 3rd Saturday of the month, 1:00-3:00 pm Location: Genre/Ages: Middle Grade historical fiction / YA historical fiction / YA Scifi Contact: Audrey Iacone
State College, PA: Penncraft
Openings: Yes Day/Time: every other Thursday (from Aug 22, 2019) Location: At the State College Wegmans at 7 pm Contact: Megan Gregor megamoo72@hotmail.com