EASTERN PA SCBWI AUTHOR & ILLUSTRATOR CRITIQUE GROUPS
Critique groups can be a key resource in your journey as an author and/or illustrator. I find surrounding myself with creative people inspires me. They help me brainstorm ideas when I’m stuck and see flaws in my work. But they also point out my strengths as a writer and offer me support when I need it most.
But critique groups work best if the group is a good fit and all members challenge themselves to make the experience valuable for others. The group leader’s job is to coordinate and communicate the group’s rules and meeting times so that members come prepared and participate in a way that breeds a positive and supportive community. I hope you find a group that helps you be the best writer and/or illustrator you can be. And I doubly hope you’ll make the effort to be that partner for others.
Here are some RESOURCES you might find helpful regarding critique groups.
Please Note: You must be an active SCBWI member in order to join an SCBWI Critique Group. Please make sure your membership is up-to-date. Leaders, please make sure to ask any prospective members if they are active SCBWI members before allowing them to join your group.
EPA SCBWI Critique Groups are often held on a monthly basis, in communities throughout Eastern Pennsylvania. Each group is unique, shaped by the talents and focus of the Critique Group Leader and participants.
On this site you will see a list of critique groups throughout Eastern PA. If the group is open to new members, please contact the leader directly. If you do not see a group open in your area or an online group that meets your needs, please contact the Critique Group Coordinator, Heather Pierce Stigall, at scbwiepaCGC@gmail.com the subject line: Critique Groups. I will contact you about other possibilities. If you would like to start your own critique group, I will need the following information:
1) Region: The EPA county where the group will meet or “online” if a virtual group
2) Group name: Optional (The Group Leader can select the name or, once formed, the group can decide.)
3) Genres: List all formats that you would like to critique. BB=Board Book, PB=Picture Book, CB=Chapter Book, MG=Middle Grade, YA-Young Adult, NA=New Adult; fiction/non-fiction, Poetry
4) Writers/Illustrators:Do you want writers/and or illustrators to join?
5) Contact Person: Your name
6) Contact email: Your preferred email address
7) Meeting Place: You can be more general, for example, “Barnes & Noble, Fairless Hills” or “Zoom”
8) Meeting Time: Please give a sense of weekday/weekend, day/evening, and meeting frequency.
9) Open to New Members: Yes or No
10) Additional notes including submission guidelines: Optional (see below for examples)
Below you’ll find a listing of critique groups within Eastern PA. We ask that groups help us keep this information current by emailing changes to Heather Pierce Stigall at scbwiepaCGC@gmail.com
UPDATE AS OF JUNE 2020:
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.
SCBWI recommends virtual events until further notice.
We are asking all critique groups to meet virtually or online.
ONLINE GROUPS LISTED FIRST, THEN ALPHABETICALLY BY CITY or REGION
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Region: ONLINE – Eastern PA
Group name: to be decided by group members
Genres: MG
For Writers
Contact Person: Abbie James
Contact email: abigail9404@hotmail.com
Meeting Place: Zoom
Meeting Time: monthly; time to be decided by group members
CLOSED to New Members
Additional notes including submission guidelines: Members will email up to 10 pages from manuscript to other group members at least one week before scheduled Zoom meeting. Members will offer written comments on manuscripts and discuss during Zoom.
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Region: ONLINE — Eastern PA
Genres: PB
For Writers and Writer-Illustrators
Contact Person: Regina Madden
Contact email: sugarbarefoot@aol.com
Meeting Place: Zoom
Meeting Time: Monthly; Tuesday evenings
Open to New Members? YES
Additional Notes: Deadline to submit manuscripts is a week before each meeting; return written critiques the Saturday before each meeting. Meet via Zoom to ask clarifying questions and have further discussion.
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Region: ONLINE–Eastern PA
Genres: MG and YA (fiction only)
For: Writers only
Contact Person: Kielly Dunn
Contact email: dunnkielly@gmail.com
Meeting Place: ONLINE
CLOSED to New Members
Additional notes including submission guidelines: This group will do written critiques. Every month, we’ll submit work to a shared Google folder during the first week of the month, then take the rest of the month to write critiques. Up to 2,500 words per monthly submission. We will do occasional virtual meetings (every 3 months or so) to check in, get to know one another, and discuss our work.
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Region: ONLINE–EASTERN PA
Group name: BIC Group
Genres: MG fiction, YA fiction
For: Writers
Contact Person: Jeanne Moran
Contact email: authorjeannemoran@gmail.com
Meeting Place: Online
Meeting Time: Monthly on a weekday evening, time and day to be determined by members
CLOSED to New Members
Additional notes including submission guidelines: This group is limited to five serious MG and YA novelists whose goal is publication. Up to 10 pages of a WIP can be submitted a week before the meeting. Critique will be shared verbally and through comments on the returned manuscript.
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Region: ONLINE–EASTERN PA
Group Name: Pen & Paintbrush
Genres: PB (fiction & nonfiction)
Writers/Illustrators: Writers & Author-Illustrators
Contact Person: Rebecca W. Chester
Contact email: rebeccawchester@gmail.com
Meeting Place: Zoom
Meeting Time: Monthly on the third Thursday @ 7pm
CLOSED to New Members at this time
Additional Notes: Work for critique is added to a shared Drive folder one week prior to the monthly meeting. Members review and make notes on mss in preparation for discussion. Following the meeting, detailed written critiques are shared with the author within two days.
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Region: ONLINE–EASTERN PA
Group Name: C & A: Critiques & Accountability
Genres: Fiction & Non-Fiction BB & PB
Writers/Illustrators: Writers (author-illustrators are welcome)
Contact Person: Virginia Law Manning
Contact email: vl_law@yahoo.com
Meeting Place: we will meet virtually on Zoom or a similar format
Meeting Time: to be determined by members (please let me know your preference when you email)
CLOSED to New Members
Additional Notes: I am looking to start a new critique group for motivated SCBWI members who have been writing & revising manuscripts for several years, read picture books regularly, and are active in the children’s book community. I am especially interested in finding members who are teachers, librarians, or booksellers, or who have young children at home. Interested members should have strong critique skills and be eager to receive constructive criticism on their work. The name of the group, C & A: Critiques & Accountability, was chosen because I hope members will encourage each other to focus on their writing and the structure of deadlines and meetings will keep us accountable.
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Region: ONLINE–EASTERN PA
Genres: CB, MG, YA (Fiction only)
Writers/Illustrators: Writers Only
Contact Person: Emily Fillingham
Contact email: Emily.fillingham@gmail.com
Meeting Place: ONLINE
Meeting Time: Once a month, depending on availability of members
CLOSED to New Members
Region: ONLINE–EASTERN PA
Genres: Fiction, Non-fiction, and speculative fiction MG=Middle Grade and YA-Young Adult
Writers/Illustrators: Writers Only
Contact Person: Alyssa Reynoso-Morris
Contact email: alyssareymorris@gmail.com
Meeting Place: ONLINE
Meeting Time: Last Saturday or Sunday of the Month
CLOSED to New Members
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Region: ONLINE–EASTERN PA
Genre: CB, MG, & YA
Writers/Illustrators: Writers
Contact Person: Alice Berger
Contact email: Alice.berger@yahoo.com
Meeting Place: Online
Meeting Time: N/A
Additional Notes: We’ll submit work to an online forum during the first week of every month, then take the rest of the month to write critiques. Feel free to submit complete stories (one per month), sections of a larger work, or revisions from a previous submission. Up to 2,500 words per monthly submission.
CLOSED to New Members
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Region: ONLINE–EASTERN PA
Genre: PB & BB
Writers/Illustrators: Both can join!
Contact Person: Caitlin Eslinger
Contact email: Weddcaitlin@gmail.com
Meeting Place: Online
Meeting Time: We would send out manuscripts at the beginning and middle of the month
CLOSED to New Members
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Region: ONLINE–EASTERN PA
Group Name: TBD
Genre: Primarily CB, MG, YA
Writers/Illustrators: Writers
Contact Person: Chris Low
Contact email: chrislowauthor@gmail.com
Meeting Place: ONLINE
CLOSED to New Members
Additional Notes Including Submission Guidelines: We’ll submit work to a shared google folder during the first week of every month, then take the rest of the month to write critiques. Feel free to submit complete stories (one per month), sections of a larger work, or revisions from a previous submission. Up to 5,000 words per monthly submission.
Region: ONLINE–EASTERN PA
Group Name: The Highlighters
Genre: Mostly PBs, but some members also write poetry, MG, and CB
Writers/Illustrators: Writers
Contact Person: Becky Scharnhorst
Contact email: beckyscharnhorst@gmail.com
Meeting Place: ONLINE
CLOSED to new members
Additional Notes: We send manuscripts out at the beginning of every month and sometimes in the middle of the month.
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Region: ONLINE–EASTERN PA
Group Name: WNYR – Writing Non-Fiction for Young Readers
Genre: All categories of NF (birth to YA)
Writers/Illustrators: Writers
Contact Person: Rani Iyer
Contact email: iyerani@gmail.com
Meeting Place: ONLINE
Open to new members? YES
Additional Notes: The group will have a max. of 10 writers. It is open to published & non-published writers. The critiques will be submitted via online forum. All members submit once per month during open period of submission (kept open for a week to 10 days). If you miss submitting critiques or new materials, you must drop out. Members can submit revisions or parts of longer work. Word limit for submission is 2,000 words max, from single manuscript. NO critiques in November or December but restarts promptly on Jan 2. Min of three members, max of 10 required to run this group.
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Region: ONLINE–LANCASTER/EASTERN PA
Group Name: Java & PB
Genre: PB
Writers/Illustrators: Writers
Contact Person: Katie Caprino
Contact email: kathryncaprino@hotmail.com
Meeting Place: ONLINE
CLOSED to New Members
Additional Notes: we send manuscripts out at the beginning of each month
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Region: BERKS COUNTY
Group Name: We can figure something out (Though, the acronym WCFSO might be fun to pronounce…)
Genres: Mostly PB, but BB and CB if we’d like!
Writers/Illustrators: Writers
Contact Person: Erik Ammon
Contact Email: erik@erikammon.com
First Meeting place: Zoom for now, but eventually in person.
Meeting Time: We can figure this out month by month, or make a set time/ day, but if we meet during the week it’d have to be at night.
Open to new members? YES
Additional Notes: I’m hoping to start a virtual group that will someday meet somewhere in person. I will keep this group at 4-5. Once we have a group, we can figure out the other logistics (times/dates/how to send, etc.). I feel like I have a couple manuscripts that are “close”, and I’m looking for creators in the same boat.
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Region: BERKS COUNTY
Group Name: Reading Writers
Genres: MG and YA
Writers/Illustrators: Writers
Contact Person: Lorraine Storms
Contact Email: lryanstorms@gmail.com
First Meeting place: Currently online; once restrictions are lifted, Panera Bread, Reading
Meeting Time: Contact Lorraine for details
Open to new members? YES
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Region: BUCKS COUNTY (Newtown, New Hope)
Genres: PB, CB, MG, YA
Writers/Illustrators: Both
Contact Person: Barbara Clark
Contact Email: bnknclark@gmail.com
Meeting Place: Corner Bakery Cafe, Newtown, PA 18940
Meeting Time: Weekday, during the day; monthly
Open to New Members? YES
Additional Notes: Members email manuscripts to all group members one week prior to meetings.
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Region: BUCKS COUNTY (Warrington)
Group name: Pencilvania Children’s Book Writer Critique Group
Genre: PB, MS, Poetry (Open to any children’s book genre)
Contact Person: Ali Pichardo
Contact Email: apichardo56@gmail.com
Meeting Place: Wegmans, Warrington, PA
Meetings: Fridays; weekly
CLOSED to new members. Ali Pichardo is happy to share her tips on how to start your own group.
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Region: CHESTER COUNTY (West Chester)
Genres: Mainly kid lit, but all genres welcome
Writers/Illustrators: Both
Contact Person: Lesley Grigg
Contact Email: mail@lesleygrigg.com
Meeting Place: West Chester, PA
Meeting Time: Weeknights
Open to new members: Currently on hold until in-person restrictions lift
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Region: CUMBERLAND COUNTY (Harrisburg)
Genres: PB and CB
Writers/Illustrators: Writers
Contact Person: Susan Sempeles
Contact Email: write.now@comcast.net
Meeting place: New Cumberland Public Library, New Cumberland, PA
Meeting Time: Saturday afternoons; monthly
Open to new members? YES
Additional notes: Members meet in person.
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Region: DELAWARE COUNTY
Genres: PB
Writers/Illustrators: Writers and writer/illustrators
Contact Person: Tim Canny
Contact Email: timcanny@verizon.net
Meeting place: Lawrence Park Shopping Center, Broomall
Meeting Time: Saturday mornings; monthly
OPEN to new members? YES
Additional notes: Ideal Membership: Pre-published and published picture book writers and illustrators looking to publish their work traditionally. Critique Group Goal: To be a supportive group, helping each other as we work toward publication.
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Region: KING OF PRUSSIA/MALVERN
Genres: PB/CB
Writers/Illustrators: Both
Contact Person: Robin Jordan
Contact Email: Robinamjordan@gmail.com
Meeting Place: Barnes and Noble, Wayne
Meeting Time: Weekday, during the day; monthly
CLOSED to New Members
Additional Notes: Notes: This is a critique group for experienced and dedicated authors.
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Region: LACAWANNA & SURROUNDING AREAS
Genres: BB/PB/Early Readers
Writers/Illustrators: Writers Only
Contact Person: Josette Abruzzini
Contact Email: Josette.abruzzini@gmail.com
Meeting Place: While the weather is nice we plan to meet at local parks, then move to indoor cafes come winter. Since we are planning on trying new locations it’s best to email Josette and find out where and when we are meeting for the month
Meeting Time: Friday evenings; monthly (for now–this may change to Sundays or another day as it meets the needs of group members)
Open to New Members? YES
Additional Notes: Notes: We will be exchanging our manuscripts via email the week before we meet so we will have the critiques ready to discuss at the meeting. When submitting your email please be use 12 pt font, and be sure to include your name and title on each page. We are going to be open to allowing children to attend if you cannot arrange a sitter.
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Region: LANCASTER
Genres: all genres
Writers/Illustrators: Illustrators
Contact Person: Sheri Hansen
Contact Email: sherichansen@gmail.com
Meeting Place: Prince Street Café
Meeting Time: Monday evenings; please email Sheri for specifics
CLOSED to New Members
Additional Notes: This is a new group open to any illustrator who is looking for group feedback, professional community, and the fun and challenge of developing our art ideas together.
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Region: LANCASTER
Group Name:
Genres: PB, CB, MG, YA
Writers/Illustrators: Yes
Contact Person: Eva Polites
Contact Email: evapol@comcast.net
Meeting Place: Panera, Fruitville Pike, PA
Meeting Time: Tuesdays
CLOSED to New Members
Additional Notes: Let’s get together!!!
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Region: LANCASTER COUNTY
Group Name: Lititz Area Children’s Writing Critique Group
Genres: PB, CB, MG, YA, NA – Fiction & Nonfiction
Writers/Illustrators: Writers & Writer-Illustrators
Contact Person: Diane Guscott
Contact Email: dianeguscott@gmail.com
Meeting Place: Currently online; once restrictions are lifted, Cafe, Lititz, PA
Meeting Time: Sundays; monthly
Open to New Members? YES
Additional Notes: Contact Diane for details
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Region: LANCASTER COUNTY (Lititz-Area)
Genres: PB, CB, MG, YA – Fiction & Nonfiction
Writers/Illustrators: Writers & Writer-Illustrators
Contact Person: Pradeep Velugubantla
Contact Email: pradeep.velugubantla@gmail.com
Meeting Place: Lititz Area Mennonite School
Meeting Time: Sunday afternoons; monthly
Open to New Members? Contact Pradeep Velugubantla
Additional Notes: We share our work-in-progress by email a week before our monthly in-person meeting. When we meet, we offer verbal and written feedback to the author in the form of encouragement and constructive critique. Our guidelines are available on request. Our group is limited to six active members. Please Contact Pradeep Velugubantla for information on membership availability.
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Region: LEHIGH VALLEY/ NORTHAMPTON COUNTY
Genres: PB, CB, MG, YA
Writers/Illustrators: Yes
Contact Person: Mark Magro
Contact Email: mmagro26@gmail.com
Meeting Place: Barnes & Nobles, Freemansburg Ave., Bethlehem, PA
Meeting Time: Once per month on a weekday evening
Open to New Members? YES
Additional Notes: While open to new members, we are currently looking to add a Young Adult or Middle Grade writer only.
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Region: LYCOMING COUNTY/WILLIAMSPORT
Genre: PB, CB, MG, YA Fiction and nonfiction
Writers/Illustrators: Writers only
Contact Person: Tammy Burke
Contact Email: deirsprite@gmail.com
Meeting Place: James V. Brown Library, Williamsport
Meeting Time: Monday evenings; monthly
Open to new members? YES
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Region: MONTGOMERY COUNTY
Group Name: Write On!
Genres: BB, PB, CB, MG, Poetry
Writers/Illustrators: Writers & Illustrators are welcome to join
Contact Person: Sally Silverman & Suzanne Shockley
Contact Email: sallysilverman@comcast.net OR suzanneshockley2@gmail.com
Meeting Place: via Zoom
Meeting Time: Monthly; first Tuesday of each month; 7-9 PM
Open to New Members: YES
Additional Notes & Submission Guidelines: Submissions via Word document due the week before each meeting
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Region: MONTGOMERY COUNTY (Royersford/Limerick/Collegeville/Norristown/King of Prussia)
Genres: PB (fiction and non-fiction), CB, MG, YA
Writers/Illustrators: All welcome
Contact Person: Steve Silbiger
Contact Email: silbigers@gmail.com
Meeting Place: Towne Book Center, Collegeville, PA
Meeting Time: Tuesday evenings; monthly
CLOSED to New Members
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Region: MONTGOMERY COUNTY
Group Name: Bucks-Mont Children’s Writers
Genres: PB, CB, MG, YA
Writers/Illustrators: All writers
Contact Person: Wendy Greenley
Contact Email: wendy@wendygreenley.com
Meeting Place: Barnes & Noble, North Wales, PA
Meeting Time: Mornings; twice per month
CLOSED to New Members
Additional Notes: Manuscripts are exchanged a week in advance online. Comments and manuscripts returned at the meeting. Group size is limited. No “drop ins.”
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Region: MONTGOMERY COUNTY
Group Name: Main Line Writers Group
Genres: PB, CB, MG
Writers/Illustrators: Writers
Contact Person: Sarah Heaton
Contact Email: thebestsarahinthewholewideworld@hotmail.com
Meeting Place: Rosemont, PA
Meeting Time: Weekday days; monthly
CLOSED to New Members
Additional Notes: Submit to the group 1 week ahead of time. We meet in person to discuss each other’s work.
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Region: PHILADELPHIA–CENTER CITY
Genres: Picture Book
Writers/Illustrators: Writers
Contact Person: Lois Wickstrom
Contact Email: reluctantspy@gmail.com
Meeting Place: Currently online (location TBD once safe to do so)
Meeting Time: Group 1–Friday evenings, monthly; Group 2–Tuesday evenings 1-2 times/month
Open to New Members: YES
Additional Notes: If you are interested in joining this group, please contact Lois. Once we have a few members we can determine the best time/day to meet.
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Region: PHILADELPHIA (Rittenhouse/Fitler/Grad Hospital/Logan Sq area)
Genres: PB
Writers/Illustrators: writers & illustrators
Contact Person: Michael Toledano
Contact Email: michaelstoledano@gmail.com
Meeting Place: Fitler Square Park when the weather is nice; Over Google Meets when weather is lousy
Meeting Time: Once a month during the week. Ideally sometime between 10am-3pm
CLOSED to New Members
Additional Notes: Please contact Michael for more information
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Region: PHILLY–ONLINE
Group Name: Philadelphia Picture Book Critique Group
Genres: PB
Writers/Illustrators: writers & writer-illustrators
Contact Person: Kristen Rashid
Contact email: kristenrashid@gmail.com
Meeting Place: Google Meet (for now)
Meeting Time: Monday evenings, monthly
Open to New Members? YES
Additional Notes:
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Region: PHILLY—WESTERN SUBURBS
Group Name: Lancaster Ave Writers’ Group
Genres: MG and YA
Writers/Illustrators: Writers
Contact Person: Laura Parnum
Contact e-mail: lparnum@msn.com
Meeting Place: Panera Bread, Wynnewood, PA
Meeting Time: usually Thursday evenings; monthly
CLOSED to new members. This group is currently closed to new members.
Additional notes: Members submit 10-30 pages (one member at a time) on a rolling basis every two weeks for critique. We use an online critique format, adding comments to Word documents, which we share using Slack. We also use Slack to communicate questions, comments, suggestions, tools, and writerly resources (such as contests, conferences, and news). We meet once a month to catch up in person, discuss updates in our writer lives, and enjoy one another’s company!
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Region: POCONO MOUNTAINS
Genre: My writing focus: Board Books, Picture Books. (Group Genre: OPEN)
Writers/Illustrators: ALL WELCOME!
Contact Person: Kelly Jean Gillow
Contact Email: kellygillow@countryhomelearning.com
Meeting Place: Country Home Learning & Art Center, Brodheadsville, PA
Meeting Time: Thursday evenings; monthly
Open to New Members? YES
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Region: SCHUYLKILL COUNTY
Genre: PB, CB, MG,
Writer/Illus: Writers, Illustrators and writers/illustrators
Contact Person: Valeria Wicker
Contact email: wickerillustrations@gmail.com
Meeting Place: To be discussed, preferably Pottsville or Orwigsburg public libraries
Meeting Time: Once per month
Open to New Members? YES
Additional: Members should have basic knowledge in children’s literature, structural components such as story arc, current illustration and industry trends. Each member will be forwarding their work by email at least one week before the meeting. Writers/ illustrators may forward their dummies if possible. Illustrators only: JPEG images 200dpi or less. Must be willing to read all members work, provide feedback and commit to attend most meetings.
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Region: SOUTHERN WAYNE COUNTY
Group Name: Writer Forge
Genres: All genres welcome! [At present, the group mostly consists of PB, MG, and YA writers]
Writers/Illustrators: Yes [Again, mostly writers at this time.]
Contact Person: Kristen Strocchia
Contact Email: kcstrocchia@gmail.com
Meeting Place: online only at this time
Meeting Time: Once Thursday per month.
Open to New Members? Yes
Additional Notes: Manuscript submissions due to group the Monday before we meet. Approximately 20-minute for each member to listen to and discuss feedback. Critique notes emailed after meeting.
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That’s it for now, if you didn’t find a group in your area or you’re interested in starting one, please email EPA Critique Group Coordinator Heather Pierce Stigall at heatherstigallcm@aol.com
Thanks and talk to you soon!
Happy writing & illustrating,
Heather Stigall
Critique Group Coordinator Eastern PA SCBWI