A Meet & Greet is a gathering of kid-lit writers and illustrators. Like-minded people come together to chat, network, share news and resources, socialize, and learn from one another. In short, it’s a no-pressure (usually FREE of charge) way to expand your kid lit kin. Past Meet & Greets have included meet-ups at local coffee shops; gatherings after author visits and book festivals; and pre-arranged book store and guest speaking events and studio tours. And now we’ve gone virtual! Check here for upcoming events in your area.
Who plans Meet & Greets? YOU!
If you are interested in planning a Meet & Greet, contact Heather Stigall at scbwiepaCGC@gmail.com to talk about ideas and to advertise your event on the EPA blog and Meet & Greet page.
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Eastern PA SCBWI
Peer Critique “Open Mic” Night
WHAT: Join Critique Group Coordinator, Heather Stigall,
and other EPA members
to give/receive LIVE critiques on your manuscript
WHEN: Tuesday, October 19, 2021, 7:00 – 9:00 PM
WHERE: Zoom (link will be provided when you RSVP)
WHO: Eastern PA SCBWI members who want to experience a live “Open Mic”-style peer critique group
HOW MUCH: FREE!
RSVP: Heather Stigall, SCBWIepaCGC@gmail.com
by midnight 10/18/21
DETAILS: Please read below for an explanation of how this event will work so we don’t have to spend too much time the night of the event explaining details.
*On the night of the event, after a brief introduction, the moderator will share her screen to reveal a submission.
*The author/illustrator of the submission will read their pages aloud.
*The moderator will allow 10-12 minutes for other attendees to offer constructive criticism** on the work.
*If time allows, the author can ask follow-up questions.
*This will continue for no more than 8 submissions.
* If time allows, we will conclude with some general Q&A about critiquing or critique groups.
*Other notes:
*Only 8 attendees will have their work critiqued,
but there will be no limit to attendees who wish to critique and observe
*You must RSVP to Heather at SCBWIepaCGC@gmail.com
by midnight the day before the event in order to attend.
* The event will NOT be recorded
*The first 8 people who RSVP and want to submit work
will have their pages critiqued by peers who attend the meeting
(you do not have to submit; if you are one of the first 8,
Heather will give you the option when you RSVP).
*If you are one of the first 8 to respond and wish to have your work critiqued, you will receive instructions on when and how to send your submission
(Heather’s hope is that this will become a regular event.
If so, she will be sure to give priority to authors/illustrators who have not had the opportunity to share at a prior event).
*You may submit in any children’s genre (board book/BB, picture book/PB, graphic novel/GN, chapter book/CB, middle grade/MG, young adult/YA) and may submit a text-only manuscript OR dummy.
All experience levels welcome!
**Please remember to provide your peers with constructive criticism which can be defined as a “helpful, well-reasoned opinions and actionable suggestions, including both positive and negative comments, in a friendly way.”
For more on how to GIVE and RECEIVE critiques, please read the document entitled “Critiquing Guidelines for Writers” that can be found on our Critique Group Resources page here: https://epa.scbwi.org/local-critique-group/critique-group-resources/
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UPCOMING EVENTS
We start each session with a 10 minute session to plan what you want to do for the night, get the day’s thoughts out of your brain to clear your mind for quality words, or to just get started.
We then have two 40 minute sessions, with a prompt to help you out. You don’t need to use the prompts, but sometimes they can help spark something. Feel free to use them or not, or save them for another day!
If you can’t stay the whole time, or can’t make it on time, still register and join us when and for as long as you can!
Register in advance for this meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0rd-CrpzMuHtAvOT7y5Ojuh0_1vMXCZfbp
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We will have coffee, tea, and light snacks amid some beautiful works of art. Feel free to BYOB as we discuss all things kid lit.
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PAST EVENTS
PAL Virtual SATURDAY MORNING MIXER
When: Saturday, June 26, 2021
Where: In your home via Zoom
Organized by: Lindsay Bandy
PAL Virtual Meet & Greet
When: Thursday, Ma y 27, 7:00 PM
Where: In your home via Zoom
Organized by: Lindsay Bandy
EPA PAL Coordinator, Lindsay Bandy, met with other PAL members to chat about upcoming opportunities for local PAL members.
“Critique Groups” Virtual MEET & GREET
When: Monday, May 17, 7:00 PM
Where: In your home via Zoom
Organized by: Heather Stigall
EPA Critique Group Coordinator, Heather Stigall, opened the floor for discussion and took questions about critique groups–how to start a new group, how to make your group the best it can be, what to do when various issues arise, and more.
“Critique Groups” Virtual MEET & GREET
When: Tuesday, March 9, 7:00 PM
Where: In your home via Zoom
Organized by: Heather Stigall
EPA Critique Group Coordinator, Heather Stigall, provided an overview of critique groups and shared the nuts and bolts about how to start a new group. She addressed participant questions and concerns on all things critique group.
Where: Newtown Bookshop, Newtown, PA
Organized by: Virginia Law Manning
Local writers and illustrators networked and learned about the upcoming Eastern PA SCBWI Pocono Retreat. In addition, bookstore owner Kathy Morrison gave a short presentation on Valentine’s Day books for children and sales of A.L.A. winners in independent bookstores.
CHESTER/DELAWARE/MONTGOMERY COUNTY
GREATER SCRANTON AREA
GREATER SCRANTON AREA
When: April 7, 2019
Where: Zummo’s Coffee House & Eatery, Scranton, PA
Organized by Joanne Roberts & Fawn Contreras
Eastern PA members gathered to calm their nerves before attending the EPA’s annual conference, The Pocono Mountain Retreat
GREATER SCRANTON AREA
When: March 8, 2019
Where: Books-a-Million, 100 Viewmont Mall, Scranton, PA
Organized by: Alison Green Myers, scbwiepa@gmail.com by 3/1/19
Writers and illustrators drank coffee, browsed books, and chatted with fellow members about current works-in-progress. Some even shared up to 500 words of a current work-in-progress during the get together.
SOUTH CENTRAL PAWhen: Sunday, February 10, 2019, 2:00-4:00 PM
Where: The Bookery at the Bosler Library, 158 W High St (intersection of High and West Sts.), Carlisle, PA
Organized By: Melissa Sheperd
DELAWARE COUNTYWhen: Friday, February 8, 2019, 12:30-2:00 PM
Where: Cafe Isla, 24 South Plum Street, Media, PA
Organized By: Berrie Torgan-Randall
When: Monday, November 12th from 5:30 to 7:30 PM
Where: Newtown Bookshop, 2835 S. Eagle Road, Newtown, PA 18940. https://www.newtownbookshop.com/
Special Guests: Author Frank Murphy and Store Owner Kathy Tholey Morrison
Organized by: Virginia Law Manning, Illustrator Coordinator, epa-ic@scbwi.org
On Monday, November 12, 2018, author Frank Murphy and bookseller Kathy Tholey Morrison, engaged a group of writers and illustrators at the Newtown Bookshop in Bucks County, PA and demonstrated a healthy author/independent bookseller relationship. Kathy inspired us with personal words of support and Frank offered insights about writing non-fiction for children. EPA members and non-members enjoyed an evening of book talk, networking and celebrated Love Your Bookstore Week! For more information about this holiday for booklovers and the Love Your Bookstore Challenge, please visit http://www.loveyourbookstore.com/
Frank Murphy is the author of fun historical fiction/biography books for children, including six leveled readers published by Random House in the popular Step into Reading series. In July 2019, Sleeping Bear Press will publish A Boy Like You written by Frank Murphy, illustrated by Kayla Harren.
Group photo courtesy of Frank Murphy.
PRINCETON, NJ
When: Saturday, September 22, 2018 at 4 PM following the Princeton Children’s Book Festival
Where: The Alchemist & Barrister, 28 Witherspoon Street, Princeton, NJ
RSVP: Virginia Law Manning at epa-ic@scbwi.org
For those of us who love children’s books, the annual Princeton Children’s Book Festival is a dream come true. Each year eighty children’s book authors and illustrators congregate at this outdoor festival. Writers, illustrators, parents and children have the opportunity to hear them speak and meet them one-on-one. Copies of their books are available for sale with proceeds benefiting the Princeton Public Library.
Following the festival, please join fellow SCBWI members at The Alchemist & Barrister for food, drinks and lively book discussion.
The Princeton Children’s Book Festival begins at 11 AM and ends at 4 PM on Saturday, September 22nd. The event is located at Hinds Plaza directly in front of the Princeton Public Library at 65 Witherspoon Street, Princeton, NJ. Here’s the link for more information, https://www.princetonlibrary.org/childrens-book-festival/
At 4 PM, we’ll be meeting in the back room of the Alchemist & Barrister. The address is: 28 Witherspoon Street, Princeton, NJ. Here’s the link to the restaurant’s website, http://theaandb.com/ Attendees are responsible for food and drink purchases.
The book festival is a free, outdoor, rain-or-shine event.
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When: Saturday, September 29, 2018, 3:00-4:45 pm
DELAWARE COUNTY
When: Wednesday, August 1, 2018 at 10 AM
Where: Children’s Book World, 17 Haverford Station Rd, Haverford, PA 19041
Organized by Heather Stigall at HeatherStigallCM@aol.com
Heather Hebert, manager of Children’s Book World, spoke with writers and illustrators at a special Meet & Greet event. She spoke to the group about what goes into running an independent children’s book store–things like her process of buying/displaying books, arranging store events, supporting author/illustrator school visits, and more.
A little about Children’s Book World from their website: Children’s Book World is an independent, full-service children’s bookstore featuring a comprehensive inventory, knowledgeable staff, and exciting events. Children’s Book World opened its doors for the first time in July, 1989—and now, over twenty-five years later, we’re going strong! For more information about Children’s Book World, including author/illustrator events, summer reading program, and other resources, go to http://www.childrensbookworld.net
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BUCKS COUNTY
When: Friday, February 9, 2018 at 10 AM
Where: Towne Book Center, 220 Plaza Drive, Suite B-3, Collegeville, PA 19426
RSVP: Virginia Law Manning at vl_law@yahoo.com
Two special guests joined us on February 9th at the Towne Book Center in Collegeville, PA. First, EPA member Jennifer Hanson Merutka gave us a tour of children’s section and talked about her role as the store’s book buyer. Then, author Nancy Viau shared her thoughts on author school visits, including how to make connections, secure speaking events and engage and entertain children.
Nancy Viau’s picture books include Pruitt and Soo (TBA), First Snow (Sept. 2018), City Street Beat, Look What I Can Do! and Storm Song. She is also the author of novels for kids ages 8-12: Beauty and Bernice (Sept. 2018), Just One Thing!, Samantha Hansen Has Rocks in Her Head and Something is Bugging Samantha Hansen (2019). A former teacher and kid-at-heart, Nancy loves to visit schools to share her journey to publication and the writing process. She is employed by the Cape May County (NJ) Library System as an assistant librarian, and when not reading or writing, she travels wherever her frequent flyer miles take her.
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DELAWARE/CHESTER/MONTGOMERY COUNTY
When: Tuesday, October 10, 2017 at 1:00 PM
Where: Pour Richard’s Coffee Co, 36 Berkeley Rd, Devon, PA 19333
RSVP: Heather Stigall at HeatherStigallCM@aol.com
Writers and illustrators in the Delaware, Chester, and Montgomery County areas met to sip, snack and chat. We shared resources and publishing news, talked about upcoming writing/illustrating events, and networked. We started a contact list and created a Facebook page so we could continue to stay in touch.
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PRINCETON, NJ
When: Saturday, September 23, 2017 at 4 PM
Where: Alchemist & Barrister, 28 Witherspoon Street, Princeton, NJ
The annual Princeton Children’s Book Festival is a wonderful opportunity to meet your favorite authors and illustrators while browsing new children’s books. After this free event, SCBWI members gathered at the Alchemist & Barrister pub to discuss all things kidlit.