Many of our Critique Group regulars members will remember Hai Tao as we worked on her middle-grade manuscript, CATTAIL, a semi-autobiography about growing up in China during the Cultural Revolution. Not only is the main character…

Today sees the release of BECCA & BUBBE'S BUCKET LIST (Rocky Pond Books) by Laura Gehl and illustrated by Eastern Up's own Sarah Lynn Baker (who, just as impressively, is the Executive Director of SCBWI). Kirkus says that Sarah's "lovely, soft-hued illustrations…"

Maryellen Annese landed in the Winner's Circle at this year's 50 Precious Words picture book writing contest. Her story, ANNE MOORE: THE FIRST TO ARRIVE, took 10th place out of…

Late March saw the release of Diane Zahler's THE QUEEN'S GRANDDAUGHTER (Roaring Brook). Earning starred reviews from Kirkus and Publishers Weekly, Bookpage calls it "Middle grade historical fiction at its…”

Writing a picture book is as much an art form as creating the illustrations. It’s even been said that they’re the hardest books to write because you have to say so much in so few words. There’s no room for error. Fortunately, our Illustration Co-Ordinator, Sarah LuAnn Perkins (author-illustrator of ON A RAINY DAY), will be leading a fun but intense picture book workshop…

April is Autism Awareness Month, meaning it's a busy 30 days for Carolyn Huston. Siena University will feature her in the April edition of their alumni magazine and then interview her on…

Kerry McQuaide, in her last month as EasternUp’s Regional Advisor, was named SCBWI’S Featured Illustrator of the Month. An image from her book, THE BIGGEST, HIGHEST WAVE (Peter Pauper Press), greeted visitors from around the world…

April 7th sees the release of Julie Gonzalez's next book, DON'T SPLASH GRANDPA! (Sourcebooks Jabberwocky and illustrated by Srinidhi Srinivasan). This 40-page, rhyming picture book…

The New York Library Association had it’s annual conference and trade show in Syracuse, NY Nov. 7th and 8th, 2024. SCBWI Eastern NY was there promoting our authors and our READ LOCAL program.

Thank you to the authors and illustrators who manned our booth!

Our Falling Leaves Masterclass Retreat is a car ride or train ride away in the Adirondack Mountains. And along with a lake and a forest full of trees, we have a limit of 35 attendees with four editors and one agent as faculty.

The weekend includes a one-on-one critique with one faculty member, masterclass-level workshops, peer critiques, free time for kicking back in an Adirondack chair with a warm drink, taking a lakeside hike, or reading by the fireplace in the lodge. It has been over 15 years since our first Eastern NY SCBWI Falling Leaves master class retreat and we're still going strong!

Class description: Nonfiction picture books are often an easier sell. There are so many potential markets, and facts are less subjective than fiction. But Emotional Nonfiction takes nonfiction to a whole new level, playing with format and weaving the strategies of fiction into facts to help young readers fall in love with our world. If you can make someone care, they will follow you anywhere.

SCBWI Eastern NY Member Spotlight on Children’s Author, Lesa Cline-Ransome.

SCBWI Eastern NY Member Spotlight on writer and illustrator, John Ebbert.

Get to know Sarah Luann Perkins, SCBWI Eastern NY Illustration Coordinator, what inspires her writing and illustrations, and what she loves to draw!

This is Part 2 in the Aspiring Writer Series.

Q: “Is there anything you offer for aspiring writers that don’t know where to begin? It’s always been a dream of mine to write a children’s book. I have sat down to start writing and I feel like I don’t know what I am doing. I’d be grateful for any help.”

A: Getting started is so overwhelming! But here’s the best place to start.

Get to know Kimberly Sabatini, Co-ARA of SCBWI Eastern NY, as she gives writing advice and describes her fabulous Middle Grade works-in-progress!

Interview with Co-ARA volunteer, Kyra Johnston.

If you are an illustrator and you are wondering how you gain attention for your work, look no further! SCBWI offers illustrators many ways to gain the attention of art directors, editors, and agents and join a community of other kidlit illustrators and find some illo-buddies online.

Here are just a few!

How to use interview techniques to improve your character development and creative writing skills.

(Photo Credit: Susan Weber from UnSplash)