Our chapter hosts events throughout the Westchester region. We hope to see you at one soon!
*Until our region’s social distancing recommendations change, we will cease holding in-person events. Check out SCBWI’s digital events hosted by regions across the country.
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July 31 – August 1, 2020
Summer Spectacular 2020
SCBWI’s annual summer event is happening online this year. Check out the fantastic lineup of speakers and workshops here.
Please review our PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT & POLICIES prior to registration. By registering or RSVPing to any SCBWI-hosted event, you agree to comply with our policies.
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Sat, Apr 18, 2019
Straight Through the Heart: How to Make Readers Fall in Love With Your Characters
Join Senior Editor at Henry Holt Books for Young Readers Tiff Liao for an intensive on characters — “With every book I edit, I always start with one big question: what does the character want? Your character motivation is the heart of the story and will inform every element in your book including voice, plot, pacing, and world-building. Over the course of this intensive, I’ll show you how to dig deep into your character to establish a motivation that is compelling, believable, and urgently drives the story forward from page to page.”
*UPDATE: due to social distancing guidelines in our area, we are moving this event to a webinar
Location: Remote | Time: 1pm-4pm (purchase: here)
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Sat, Mar 28, 2019 |
CANCELED (This event will be rescheduled once our region can safely meet)
Get Submission Ready: Prepare Your Pitch!
In the second workshop in their submission series, Literary Agents Gina Maccoby and Jennie Dunham will cover key elements of the pitch to make it pique the interest of potential readers.
Location: First Baptist Church, White Plains | Time: 1pm-4pm
Tickets: SCBWI Member: $65 | Non-Member: $85
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Mar 14, 2019
Illustrator Workshop & Reception with Ellice Lee (Free!)
Update: due to the covid-19 outbreak in Westchester, we are moving this event online. Details will be sent to all registered members!
Free for all SCBWI members! Join Art Director Ellice Lee for an illustration workshop and Q&A, followed by a social reception for our logo contest. The shop talk will cover best practices when working with an art director.
RSVP: HERE
February 7-9, 2019
SCBWI Winter Conference: more info here
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Sat, January 11, 2020
Agents Panel w/ Wendi Gu, Christa Heschke, & Monica Odom
If your New Year’s resolution involves signing with your dream agent, then this event is for you. We’ve partnered with Manhattanville College to bring a panel of top children’s book agents to Westchester – hosted at historic Reid Castle. We’ll delve into all things publishing with Wendi Gu of Greenburger Associates, Christa Heschke of McIntosh & Otis, and Monica Odom of Odom Media Management in a moderated discussion with time for questions at the end.
Location: Reid Castle at Manhattanville College | Time: 2pm-3pm
Tickets: SCBWI Member: $15 | Non-Member: $30 (purchase here)
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Wed, January 15, 2020
Virtual Chapter Meeting
This free, community event is open to members. Hear about the events we have planned for 2020, meet your fellow members, and talk shop about our favorite thing: children’s books.
Location: Remote | Time: 8pm-9pm | RSVP here
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Sat, November 2, 2019
Work-For-Hire Submissions With Senior Acquisitions Editor Michelle Bisson
Learn the ins and outs of work-for-hire submissions to children’s publishers: what to do, what not to do, how to research the right place for your book or series and how, when, what, and to whom to submit. Senior Acquisitions Manager at Capstone Michelle Bisson will go over the basics and answer your in-depth questions.
Location: First Baptist Church, White Plains | Time: 2pm-4pm
Tickets: SCBWI Member: $25 | Non-Member: $40 (purchase here)
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Sat, October 5, 2019
Chappaqua Children’s Book Festival
Stop by our booth booth at this free, all-day festival in Chappaqua. Members interested in reserving time at our table or dropping off book promotion materials, sign up here.
Visit CCBF website for more info.
Location: Bell Middle School | Time: 10am-4pm
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Wed, Sept 25, 2019
Virtual Chapter Meeting
Get a preview of upcoming events and meet your fellow chapter members at this remote meetup.
RSVP here and you will receive a Zoom webinar invite closer to the date.
Location: Zoom webinar (remote) | Time: 8pm
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Sat, September 14, 2019
Get Submission Ready Workshop: Part 1
Get ready to query! Once the hard work of writing a children’s book manuscript is finished, the equally hard task of preparing to present it to publishing professionals is the next challenge. In this half-day workshop, Literary Agents Gina Maccoby and Jennie Dunham will give a presentation about writing a synopsis featuring key elements to include and what to leave out. Then, they will lead an intensive, hands on workshop which provides a critique of participants’ query letters.
The group will be small so that every participant will leave with individualized feedback.
This workshop is part one in a two-part series on pitches. Participants may attend either or both workshops as the topics are separate but related.
Location: First Baptist Church, White Plains | Time: 1pm-5pm
Tickets: SCBWI Member: $75 | Non-Member: $100 (purchase here)
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Sat, Jun 8, 2019
First Page Impressions With Nicole Fiorica of S&S McElderry Books
In order to get busy editors and agents to look beyond those all-important opening paragraphs in a manuscript, writers need to get a lot of things right. Assistant Editor Nicole Fiorica of S&S’s imprint McElderry Books will be doing a First Pages Session with a twist. To help provide context, we are changing the rules to a traditional first page session by allowing room on the page to write a basic pitch of your book. This will give Nicole a better idea of whether the elements of your beginning match your overall concept.
Location: First Baptist Church, White Plains | Time: 2pm-4pm
Tickets: SCBWI Member Participant: $30 | SCBWI Observer: $10 (purchase here)
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Thu, May 9, 2019
Member Social in Larchmont
Meet local members of our chapter over guacamole this May at Tequila Sunrise in Larchmont – happy hour drink specials will be available. Hosted by volunteer member Cindy Dircks (who vouches for the guacamole!).
Location: Tequila Sunrise, 145 Larchmont Ave, Larchmont | Time: 7pm-9pm
RSVP: westchesterny@scbwi.org
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Sat, Apr 6, 2019
Writer and Illustrator Wellness Day
Creating stories can be a very solitary sport. If you’re spending hours at a time staring at a screen, holding a pencil, or sitting at a desk, it’s time to get moving — both in the physical and inspirational sense! Unplug and meet up with your fellow writers and illustrators for a day of wellness. Workshops will include:
- * Simple stretches for common aches and pains with Caryna Wong
- * Essential oils to spark creativity, energy, and focus with writer Jodi Kendall
- * Meditation writing prompts with writer Laurie Calkhoven
Location: First Baptist Church, White Plains | Time: 1:30pm-4pm
Tickets: Free for SCBWI members (reserve a spot here) | $10 non-members (purchase here)
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Sun, March 3, 2019
Chapter Meeting
Connect with your fellow local members and help plan our goals for the year at our first 2019 chapter meeting (more info).
Location: Grinton Branch Library, Yonkers | Time: 1pm-3pm
Tickets: Free for members (RSVP here)
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Sun, January 27, 2019
Agents Panel at Hudson Valley Writers Center
If your New Year’s resolution involves signing with your dream agent, then this event is for you. We’ve partnered with Hudson Valley Writers Center to bring a panel of top children’s book agents to Westchester – hosted at HVWC’s historic space in Sleepy Hollow. We’ll delve into all things publishing with Susan Hawk from Upstart Crow Literary, Penny Moore of Aevitas Creative Management, and Alexandra Levick of Writers House in a moderated discussion with time for questions at the end.
Location: Hudson Valley Writers Center, Sleepy Hollow | Time: 4pm-5:30pm
Tickets: $15 for members (purchase here) SOLD OUT
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Sat, November 17, 2018
Publicity 101: How to Market Your Children’s or YA Book With Susanna Reich
Your book is going to be published! Now what? This workshop will cover publicity and marketing basics, including how to write a press release, build media contact lists, establish an online presence, work with a publicist, organize a book launch, and more. Publicity begins long before pub date. Don’t delay! For both new and established authors.
Location: First Baptist Church, White Plains | Time: 2pm-4pm
Tickets: $25 members | $35 non-members (purchase here)
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Sat, September 29, 2018
Chappaqua Children’s Book Festival
Stop by our booth booth at this free, all-day festival in Chappaqua. Details TK soon, but visit the website for more info.
Location: Bell Middle School | Time: 10am-4pm
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Fri, September 7, 2018
SCBWI Westchester Illustrators Gallery Reception
See the work of illustrators from our chapter hanging at Muddy Waters Coffee & Cafe! This special gallery organized by ARA Kimberly Marcus will be on display beginning September 1, and a reception will take place on the 7th.
Location: Muddy Water Cafe, 52 Main Street, Tarrytown | Time: 6pm-7pm
Tickets: Free!
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Mon, Jul 16, 2018
Write / Sketch Night
Need motivation to work on your current project? Your kidlit community is here to support you. Hosted by member Judy Shemtob, these monthly meet ups are held in B&N’s education room (in the back).
Location: Eastchester NY Barnes & Noble | Time: 7:15pm-9:15pm
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Mon, Jun 18, 2018
Write / Sketch Night
Need motivation to work on your current project? Your kidlit community is here to support you. Hosted by member Judy Shemtob, these monthly meet ups are held in B&N’s education room (in the back).
Location: Eastchester NY Barnes & Noble | Time: 7:15pm-9:15pm
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Mon, May 14, 2018
Write / Sketch Night
Need motivation to work on your current project? Your kidlit community is here to support you. Hosted by member Judy Shemtob, these monthly meet ups are held in B&N’s education room (in the back).
Location: Eastchester NY Barnes & Noble | Time: 7:15pm-9:15pm
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Sat, May 12, 2018
Editor Panel With Kait Feldmann & Sarah Jane Abbott
Update: This event will be moderated by PAL member Eric Velasquez
Join Sarah Jane Abbott, Assistant Editor at Simon & Schuster’s Paula Wiseman Books and Beach Lane Books, and Kait Feldmann, Associate Editor at Scholastic’s Arthur A. Levine Books, for a panel that will cover all things picture books and writing for young readers. Writers and illustrators of all levels welcome! Award-winning picture book author and illustrator Eric Velasquez will lead the conversation. (For faculty bios + more information, go here).
Location: First Baptist Church, 456 North St, White Plains, NY | Time: 2pm-4pm
TICKETS: $25 members | $35 non-members (purchase here)
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Mon, April 30, 2018
Write / Sketch Night
Need motivation to work on your current project? Your kidlit community is here to support you. Hosted by member Judy Shemtob, these monthly meet ups are held in B&N’s education room (in the back).
Location: Eastchester NY Barnes & Noble | Time: 7:15pm-9:15pm
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Tue, April 24, 2018
Social Meet & Greet At The Voracious Reader
What questions do you have for booksellers? Meet Francine Lucidon, owner of The Voracious Reader, at her charming indie bookstore’s tea shop. This event is hosted by Lucidon and local PAL member Amalia Hoffman. Tea, coffee, and baked goods will be available for purchase. Limited seating is available, so kindly RSVP to reserve a space!
Location: A Proper Cup, 1997 Palmer Ave, Larchmont, NY
Time: 11am-12pm
TICKETS: Free event | RSVP required: westchesterny@scbwi.org
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Sat, March 10, 2018
Chapter Meeting | #2
Back by popular demand! We are hosting another chapter meeting in Armonk for those who couldn’t make the Warner Library date. We will have time to socialize, introduce our initiatives, and discuss what goals and programming members hope to see in our region. Drop ins (both members and non-members) welcome – but if you plan on attending, please RSVP to westchesterny@scbwi.org so we can estimate a head count.
Location: North Castle Public Library (Gallery Room), 19 Whippoorwill Rd E, Armonk, NY
Time: 2pm-4pm
TICKETS: Free event | RSVP: westchesterny@scbwi.org
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Mon, Feb 12, 2018
Write / Sketch Night
Is your New Year’s resolution to get your butt in the chair and work? Your kidlit community is here to support you. We’ve reserved the education room (in the back) at B&N.
Location: Eastchester NY Barnes & Noble | Time: 7:15pm-9:15pm
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Mon, Jan 29, 2018
Write / Sketch Night
Is your New Year’s resolution to get your butt in the chair and work? Your kidlit community is here to support you. We’ve reserved the education room (in the back) at B&N.
Location: Eastchester NY Barnes & Noble | Time: 7:15pm-9:15pm
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Sat, Jan 20, 2018
Chapter Meeting
Join us for our first chapter meeting, where we will have time to socialize, introduce our initiatives, and discuss what goals and programming members hope to see in our region. Drop ins (both members and non-members) welcome – but if you plan on attending, please RSVP to westchesterny@scbwi.org so we can estimate a head count. We’ll be in Room C upstairs. The library opens at 10am, but the side door (near the parking lot) will be open for attendees. Hope to see you there!
Location: Warner Library, 121 North Broadway, Tarrytown, NY | Time: 9am-11am
