SCBWI

Society of
Children's Book Writers
and Illustrators

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

Members Looking for Groups:

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NEW GROUP! PB Critique Group- Mars/Cranberry/surrounding areas

Openings:      Yes
Day/Time:     New group- TBD after new member interest
Location:        Zoom- until in person meeting is able to resume
Genre/Ages:   Picture book writers
Contact:         Jen Helwig: jenhelwig[at]me.com

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Online YA Critique Group 

Openings: Limited

Contact: Jenny Birch (jennifersbirch at gmail.com)

Email exchange

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North Hills Picture Book Illustrator Critique Group

Openings: Yes

Day/Time: Third Thursdays from 6:30pm – 8:30pm – upcoming dates –  Mar 16, April 20, May 18, June 15

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/


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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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