What a great feeling when you find an audience that appreciates your stories and point of view. Look for comics by C.J. Bolognese-Warrington on the third Friday of each month here on the EasternPennPoints blog. Christopher-James Bolognese-Warrington is an illustrator/graphic designer who, along with his wife, owns Kelsey and C.J. Creative Studio. Prior to starting their own studio, C.J. graduated with a BFA in Illustration from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia and spent 10 years as an in-house graphic designer and illustrator. C.J. creates whimsical illustrations with bright ..read more

Eastern PA SCBWI presents: First Page Center Stage – LIVE! Registration opens June 6, 2024 Scholarship Window Now OPEN through May 22! The scholarship application period is open now through May 22, 2024, for our First Page Center Stage – LIVE! event About the event: A full day of feedback and sessions focused on those oh-so important first impressions. Whether you’re a novelist, picture book writer, or illustrator, agents, art directors, and editors want to be wowed by your first pages or portfolio pieces. So why not learn from the pros? This event, which will take place in person on  ..read more

The Eastern PA SCBWI is hosting Penn PALs Day on June 15th 2024, a virtual event with offerings geared towards published and listed authors and illustrators. In preparation, Lindsay Bandy interviews the presenters for this event: Kira Barrett, Sherene Strausberg, Shannon Anderson, and Annette Whipple. Penn PALs Day Interviews, by Lindsay Bandy Lindsay: We are excited to host our very first virtual, full-day conference tailored especially to the needs of published (and soon-to-be published) authors and illustrators! Our knowledgeable faculty has stopped by the Eastern Penn Points Café to give y ..read more

Joanne Roberts interviews illustrator and author Mike Malbrough, in advance of the upcoming webinar on May 13, 2024 titled True to Character (From Any Angle). Café Chat with Author Illustrator Mike Malbrough, by Joanne Roberts Joanne: Good morning, Mike. Welcome to the Eastern Penn Points Café, where our menu is as diverse as our bookshelves. Are there any fictional snacks you’d like along with your coffee? Mike: I would really enjoy those low-carb, sugar free sour gummy worms that taste just like regular sour gummy worms. You know, the ones that have 6 grams of plant protein and actually cle ..read more

Not every story goes the full distance, but hopefully you still gain something from the process when a particular story ends up not working out. Look for comics by C.J. Bolognese-Warrington on the third Friday of each month here on the EasternPennPoints blog. Christopher-James Bolognese-Warrington is an illustrator/graphic designer who, along with his wife, owns Kelsey and C.J. Creative Studio. Prior to starting their own studio, C.J. graduated with a BFA in Illustration from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia and spent 10 years as an in-house graphic designer and illustrator ..read more

Twice a year we change the banner on our website, blog, and social media to feature illustrators in our region. Thank you to all who submitted banner entries this year! And the winners are… Laurie Sawyer and Reagan Lehman Spring/Summer banner, illustrated by Laurie Sawyer Laurie Sawyer, a University of the Arts graduate, is transitioning from her role as a graphic designer to pursue her genuine passion: illustration. Proficient in both traditional watercolor and digital mediums, she delights in infusing her characters with vitality and weaving enchanting narratives. Eager to embark on her inau ..read more

Member News is a monthly feature on the EasternPennPoints blog. We want to celebrate our Eastern PA SCBWI members’ good news and help spread the word far and wide. Send us your children’s book–related news—book deals, releases, awards, author or illustrator events (signings, launch parties, appearances), etc. If you’d like your news to be included in next month’s column, please email Laura Parnum at epa-ra2@scbwi.org or fill out our “Good News Survey” before the 20th of the month. Here’s some exciting news from our members this month! Book Release Sophie’s Monster Goes to Shul b ..read more

Senior Agent Jennifer Laughran, of Andrea Brown Literary Agency, will be joining our SCBWI chapter at the Pocono à la Mode 2024 retreat this April at the Highlights Foundation. Jennifer run a workshop, provide critiques for those who have signed up, participate in breakout discussions, and more. In preparation, Kristen Rashid had a virtual chat with Jenn for EasternPennPoints. Here’s what they had to say. A Café Chat with Agent Jennifer Laughran, by Kristen Rashid Kristen: Hi, and welcome to our virtual café! Before we begin, would you like to put in an order? I think I’ll have a ch ..read more

Can you relate to trying to jumpstart the creative process however possible? Where are you finding inspiration lately? Look for comics by C.J. Bolognese-Warrington on the third Friday of each month here on the EasternPennPoints blog. Looking for Inspiration Christopher-James Bolognese-Warrington is an illustrator/graphic designer who, along with his wife, owns Kelsey and C.J. Creative Studio. Prior to starting their own studio, C.J. graduated with a BFA in Illustration from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia and spent 10 years as an in-house graphic designer and illustrator. C ..read more

Heather Stigall interviews Kaitlyn Sanchez, literary agent at Bradford Literary, in advance of the upcoming webinar on April 3rd titled Think Like an Agent: How to Analyze Feedback, Responses, and Other Books to Make Your Book Stronger. Café Chat with Agent Kaitlyn Sanchez of Bradford Literary, by Heather Stigall Heather: Welcome back to Eastern PA’s virtual café, Kaitlyn! Here we can order anything your tastebuds desire. What will you be having today? Kaitlyn: Ohh, thanks so much! Can I get some macarons and herbal tea?! Heather: Coming right up! Herbal tea sounds delicious. I’ll have mine w ..read more