SCBWI

Society of
Children's Book Writers
and Illustrators

Pennsylvania: East

Pennsylvania: East

WEBINAR SERIES: Query Grind

Date/Time
Date(s) - 01/11/2021 - 05/20/2021
7:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Category(ies)


Query Grind

3-Webinar Series for MG & YA authors

January 11–March 4–May 20, 2021

@7pm

Join us for one, or all three!

Do you have a middle grade or young adult manuscript ready to query? Join us for Query Grind as three industry professionals take a look at how to put the final polish on your work before you submit.

A limited number of Query Package critiques are available. See the registration below for more information.

(Presentations will be recorded and the recording link provided to all participants registered prior to the event. See each webinar for registration cutoffs.)

SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE:

The Equity and Inclusion Team of Eastern PA SCBWI is honored to announce two full scholarships with the complete 3-query critique package to be awarded to story creators whose work promotes the mission of the Equity and Inclusion Team. These stories should allow all children to embrace and celebrate their own experiences as well as foster appreciation for the richness of other cultures in our world.

 

To apply, please email the following with “Query Grind Scholarship” in the subject line to epa@scbwi.org:

 

A brief letter of introduction, explaining how you/your manuscript connects to the mission of the Equity and Inclusion Team

A 5-page sample from your manuscript

 

Application deadline: December 27, 2020.

 

Current SCBWI members who reside in Eastern PA will be considered first, but current members from other regions may also apply. Please note that if no applicants meet the requirements, Eastern PA SCBWI reserves the right not to award the scholarships for this event.

January 11: WRITING THE QUERY LETTER THAT GETS NOTICED with Literary Agent Danielle Chiotti, Upstart Crow Literary
This short class will walk you through all of the most important elements of a query letter and help you craft the perfect pitch to capture the attention of agents and editors. It will walk you through the most important elements of a pitch and show you the four most important questions to answer in your book description.
Danielle will be offering a limited number of query-package critiques for this event. See ticket information below to register for this opportunity.
*Registration for the live webinar link closes 5am the morning of the event.

Get to know your instructor:

Danielle Chiotti has worked in publishing for eighteen years. Formerly an editor, she joined Upstart Crow when it was founded in 2009, specializing in young adult and middle grade fiction, as well as cookbooks and select nonfiction. Thanks to her extensive editorial background, she enjoys working closely with authors to develop projects. She welcomes first-time authors with a unique voice and point of view.

 

 

 

 

March 4: TACKLING FIRST PAGES with Literary Agent Samantha Fabien, Root Literary

In this webinar, I’ll discuss the intentions and goals for the first pages of manuscripts. I will share tips to achieve those goals across various genres and age-ranges including examples from published books. Attendees will leave the webinar with actionable feedback and more confidence in how to start their manuscript whether it’s for the first sentence or for the first chapter.

Samantha will be offering a limited number of query-package critiques for this event. See ticket information below to register for this opportunity.

*Registration for the live webinar link closes 5am the morning of the event.

Get to know your instructor:

Samantha Fabien is a literary agent at Root Literary. She previously worked as both a literary agent and the international rights manager at Laura Dail Literary Agency.  After attending the Columbia Publishing Course in 2016, she went on to intern and work part-time at three agencies: Ayesha Pande Literary, Writers House, and Chalberg & Sussman. From there, Samantha fostered her love for sharing diverse, lasting, and inclusive stories with the world. Samantha also works with events and organizations like DVcon, #Edits4BlackSFF, SCBWI, Gotham Writers, and The New York Writing Room among others.

May 20: NAVIGATING THE AUTHOR/AGENT RELATIONSHIP with Literary Agent Reiko Davis, DeFiore & Co. Literary

You’ve written a wonderful manuscript, crafted a query letter that you’ve submitted to agents, and now you’re fielding interest from an agent who wishes to discuss representation with you. What are the next steps? This seminar explores the ins and outs of the relationship between author and agent, beginning with the preliminary conversation you have with one. We will discuss the process of signing with an agent, preparing a project for submission to editors, and beyond. We will cover communication, author/agent agreements, the editorial process, contract negotiation, and the agent’s role once a project is sold to a publisher. This seminar will be a 60-minute presentation followed by 30 minutes of Q&A with attendees.

Reiko will be offering a limited number of query-package critiques for this event. See ticket information below to register for this opportunity.
 *Series registration closes 5am on Thursday, May 20.

Get to know your instructor:

Reiko Davis has been an agent at DeFiore and Company since 2016, prior to which she was a literary assistant at Miriam Altshuler Literary Agency. She focuses on literary and upmarket fiction and narrative nonfiction, as well as middle grade and YA literature. A graduate of Brown University and the Columbia Publishing Course, she grew up in Kansas City and now lives in New York. Her award-winning clients include Devi S. Laskar (The Atlas of Reds and Blues), Genevieve Plunkett (Prepare Her), Shannon Sanders (PEN/Robert J. Dau Prize for Emerging Writers), Lucy Jane Bledsoe (Running Wild), Lindsey Klingele (The Truth Lies Here), Andrea Debbink (The Wild World Handbook), Brittany Geragotelis (The Infamous Frankie Lorde), Alan Gelb (Seven Steps to Confident Writing), and Micah Perks.

Query-Package Critiques with Associate Literary Agent Karly Caserza, Fuse Literary

Karly will be offering query-package critiques only. See ticket information below to register.

Get to know your critiquer:

Associate Agent Karly Caserza was born in the Philippines and immigrated to Northern California as a child. She obtained her Business Marketing degree and has been a Freelance Graphic Designer for over 10 years. In addition to designing a wide range of print and web promotional material for clients, Karly creates book covers for Short Fuse and promotional graphics for Fuse authors.
Professionally, Karly began her career in the publishing industry as a reader for Tricia Skinner at Fuse Literary. Her responsibilities quickly grew and she was promoted to Literary Assistant, a role that also included a spot on the production team of Short Fuse.
Karly is also the Marketing Coordinator of the San Francisco Writers Conference, held every President’s Day weekend. In her spare time, Karly is an Adobe Technical Trainer, freelance graphic designer, Young Adult author, video game geek, and art noob.

Karly has a deep love for characters with a strong voice and seeks out stories she can get lost in. Diversity in genre fiction is a major bonus. She specializes in picture books (fiction and nonfiction), middle grade, and young adult genre fiction (fantasy, science fiction, and contemporary).

Query Package critiques: For MG & YA manuscripts only (at an additional cost; submission deadlines detailed below)

Have your Query Package critiqued by 3 of our faculty–Danielle Chiotti, Samantha Fabien and Karly Caserza–with time to revise in between submissions. A limited number of single Query Package critiques will also be available with each webinar.

Format your work in 12 point font, with one-inch margins. Send…

  • 1-page query letter, double spaced
  • 1-page synopsis, single spaced
  • First 20 pages of a manuscript, double spaced

Include all 3 items–query letter, synopsis & manuscript pages–in the same document; please don’t send more than 1 document.

⇒Please include your name on every page of your work as a header or a footer, as well as identifying information on page one: first & last name, email address, title, genre.

⇒Please SAVE YOUR FILE as Webinar Faculty Last Name_Your Last Name_TITLE OF MANUSCRIPT as a PDF or DOC or DOCx.

    Example: Chiotti_Strocchia_PURPLE CARROTS

⇒Then send your file to Kristen at epawebco@gmail.com. The subject should read: Webinar Faculty Last Name_Your Last Name_TITLE OF MANUSCRIPT (same as saved file name).

Deadlines for Query Package submissions for each webinar as follows:

  • Query Grind part 1 [Monday, January 11, 2021] submissions due by Friday, January 8.
  • Query Grind part 2 [Thursday, March 4, 2021] submissions due by Friday, March 12.
  • Query Grind part 3 [Thursday, May 20, 2021] submissions due by Friday, May 21.

*Series registration closes 5am on Thursday, May 20. See each webinar above for other registration cutoffs.

Bookings

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Ticket Information

NON-MEMBER SINGLE WEBINAR REGISTRATION - $25.00
Non-member, May 20, 2021 webinar with Reiko Davis


MEMBER SINGLE WEBINAR - $15.00

This price is only available for SCBWI members.

Member, May 20, 2021 webinar with Reiko Davis


Event Extras

Critiques

              The SCBWI Anti-Harassment Policy
              To register for an SCBWI event, you are required to acknowledge our Anti-Harassment Policy.
              Scroll to the bottom to read the policy.

              You will then be able to click the checkbox indicating that you have read our policy.

               

              The Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) is dedicated to providing a safe and harassment-free environment for all of its members and will take any and all necessary steps to address and prevent harassment at events associated with SCBWI. Harassment under this policy may include verbal comments, written comments, displayed images, or behaviors such as intimidation, stalking, body policing, unwelcome photography or recording, sustained disruption of talks or other events, inappropriate physical contact, unwelcome sexual attention or advances, and bullying or coercion. 

              The SCBWI Member Anti-Harassment Policy applies to all situations of harassment or intimidation at any SCBWI Event. An “SCBWI Event” is any event, meeting or activity that is authorized by an SCBWI Regional Manager to be sponsored by, or affiliated with, SCBWI. SCBWI events may include, if properly authorized by an SCBWI Regional Manager, the Annual Summer Conference in Los Angeles, the Annual Winter Conference in New York, regional conferences, meetings and meet-ups. This SCBWI Member Anti-Harassment Policy also applies to “SCBWI On-Line Interactions,” which include Zooms, Webinars, online meetings, communications and content posted on, or directed towards, SCBWI’s Social Media accounts or sent through any of the communication tools available on SCBWI’s website, www.scbwi.org. SCBWI’s Social Media accounts under this policy include the official SCBWI accounts on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest, Tumblr and LinkedIn.

               

              Code of Conduct

              All participants in SCBWI Events and SCBWI On-Line Interactions, including faculty, volunteers, staff, and attendees, are required to comply with the following anti-harassment code of conduct. The SCBWI Anti-Harassment Policy prohibits harassment, including but not limited to the following behaviors:

              • Intimidation, stalking, or following;
              • Sustained disruption of talks or other events;
              • Unwelcome sexual attention or advances;
              • Abusive verbal comments;
              • Quid pro quo– sexual harassment that occurs when one in an authority position requests sex or a sexual relationship in exchange for professional consideration or favors;.
              • Harmful or prejudicial verbal comments, written comments, or visual images related to gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, race, religion, socio-economic status, disability, age, appearance, body size, or other personal characteristics;
              • Inappropriate use of nudity and/or sexual images
              • Unwelcome or uninvited attention or contact
              • Physical assault (including unwelcome touching or groping);
              • Real or implied threat of physical harm;
              • Real or implied threat of professional or financial damage or harm;
              • Body policing, unwelcome photography or recording;
              • Doxing
              • Harassment does not include respectful disagreement or reasonable and respectful critique made in good faith. SCBWI continues to welcome and appreciate presentation of appropriate controversial ideas, free speech, and creative artistic expression. SCBWI encourages members to hold one another accountable to the Code of Conduct as stated in this part of the Policy and to take the perspectives of others seriously when a disagreement arises.

              We expect all participants at SCBWI activities, meetings, and networking events to abide by this Anti-Harassment Policy in all venues, including sanctioned events, ancillary events, unofficial events, and social gatherings.

               

              Reporting Procedures

              Any person who believes there has been a violation of the SCBWI Anti-Harassment Policy can report the offense in one or all of the following ways:

              • Certain SCBWI Events, including the Annual Summer Conference in Los Angeles and the Annual Winter Conference in New York, will designate one or more Safety Team Members who will be available during the conference to provide a safe space for members to report an incident. The Safety Team Member will report directly to the conference director or regional advisor in charge.
              • A complainant may submit a complaint under this policy to the Director of Community Marketing and Engagement, the Director of Illustration and Artist Programs and/or your Regional Manager.
              • SCBWI has a dedicated email address for reporting any potential incident of harassment under this policy. Anyone who chooses to report an incident can find the Anti-Harassment Report Form on the SCBWI website (About > Anti-Harassment) or use the following link: https://www.scbwi.org/anti-harassment-report-form/. Reports should include the substance of the complaint, date, and whenever possible, a list of witnesses or a reference to the relevant URLs, if the offense occurred through an SCWBI On-Line Interaction.

              SCBWI will investigate all complaints subject to the SCBWI Anti-Harassment Policy. If the policy applies, SCBWI will investigate the matter and take whatever action is necessary and appropriate to prevent a recurrence and protect the environment at SCWBI Events. If a complaint is made anonymously, please note that SCBWI will not be able to follow up on an anonymous report with the complainant directly, as SCBWI will not have contact information for the anonymous complainant. Moreover, anonymous complaints may hinder SCBWI’s ability to investigate the complaint.  SCBWI will take steps to protect the confidentiality of the complaint, to the extent possible.  However, complete confidentiality may not be possible in all circumstances.  SCBWI will make every attempt to respond to a named complainant in a timely fashion.

              If appropriate, SCBWI may report the incident to local authorities.

               

              Non-Retaliation

              The SCBWI Anti-Harassment Policy prohibits retaliation against a member of the SCBWI community for reporting harassment, intimidation or discrimination, or for participating in an investigation relating to any complaint made under this policy. The sanctions for retaliation are the same sanctions available to address any other violation of the SCBWI Anti-Harassment Policy.

               

              Sanctions

              SCBWI takes all allegations of harassment seriously. Complaints will be investigated by SCWBI if they fall within the scope of SCWBI’s Anti-Harassment Policy. Depending on the results of the investigation, SCWBI will determine whether a sanction is appropriate.

              Sanctions for faculty, speakers, volunteers, staff or board members may include any of the following:

              • warning the party involved that the particular behavior is inappropriate and must be ceased;
              • immediate removal from a particular event;
              • denial of access to SCBWI spaces and venues on a temporary or permanent basis;
              • withholding of a contracted honorarium;
              • prohibition from future speaking engagements;
              • prohibition from future faculty appointments;
              • expulsion from SCBWI; and/or
              • removal from the Board of Advisors or Board of Directors, when appropriate.

              Sanctions for attendees, members, and guests can include any of the following:

              • warning the party involved that specified behavior is inappropriate and must be ceased;
              • immediate removal from a particular event, without refund;
              • denial of access to SCBWI spaces and venues on a permanent or temporary basis;
              • termination of SCBWI membership, without refund; and/or
              • prohibition of future SCBWI membership.

              If the conduct at issue involves one of SCBWI’s employees, SCBWI will utilize whatever corrective action is appropriate based on the result of the investigation and subject to SCBWI employment policies and practices.

               

              Confidentiality

              SCBWI will make every reasonable effort to conduct all investigations into allegations of harassment, intimidation, or discrimination in a manner that will protect the confidentiality of all parties and witnesses. Notwithstanding the above, confidentiality is not absolute, and those with a legitimate business reason to know and be informed of the allegations will be so informed. Parties to the complaint should treat the matter under investigation with discretion and respect the reputation of all parties involved.

                  

              If you wish to file a complaint or an anonymous complaint, CLICK HERE to access the Anti-harassment Report Form.

              If you have questions regarding this policy, you may send an email to averysilverberg@scbwi.org. Please include the words "Anti-Harassment Policy" in the subject line. 

               

              I have read and accepted the SCBWI Anti-Harassment policy.

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