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.
SCBWI recommends virtual events through 2021.
We are asking all critique groups to meet virtually or online.
If you’d like to participate in a virtual/online critique group, please contact the group leader listed on this page.
If you’d like to LEAD a virtual/online critique group, please email SCBWI.wpa.membership@gmail.com
Many virtual/online critique groups work by exchanging emails. We’d also like to offer any new or exisitng groups that contain at least ONE SCBWI member the chance to use our Zoom platform to host their group meeting. This requires some familiarity with technology, so please email Elizabeth Pagel-Hogan directly if you’d like to use this option.
Members Looking for Groups:
Please email scbwi.wpa.membership@gmail.com if you’re looking for a group or want to help build a group!
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NEW GROUP! PB Critique Group- Mars/Cranberry/surrounding areas
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Online YA Critique Group
Openings: Limited
Contact: Jenny Birch (jennifersbirch at gmail.com)
Email exchange
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Zoom North Hills Picture Book Critique Group
Openings: Yes
Day/Time: Third Thursdays from 6pm – 8pm – upcoming dates – August 18, September 15, October 20
Location: Panera Bread, William Flinn Hwy, Allison Park, PA 15101
Genre/Ages: Bring Images and Dummy Books to be critiqued!
Contact: Julianna Zito – wpa-ic@scbwi.org
Links: https://wpa.scbwi.org/illustrator-meet-ups/
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Zoom 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.
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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[at]gmail.com
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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
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Bethel Park Picture Book Illustrators/Writers
Openings: Yes
Day/Time: Postponed
Location: Panera Bread South Park Shops
5243 Library Rd, Bethel Park PA 15102
Contact: Kris Sacco
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Peters Township
Openings: No
Day/Time: Mondays, 7:00 to 9:00 pm;
Every other Wednesday, 10:00 am-Noon
Location: Peters Township Public Library
Virtual Option: occasionally will meet virtually with Google hang out
Genre/Ages: PB to YA, fantasy, finction and NF
Contact:
Mondays: David Amaditz chairnomor@verizon.net
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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
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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
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