A Café Chat with Agent Susan Hawk, by Kristen Strocchia

Agent Susan Hawk from Upstart Crow Literary will be joining our SCBWI chapter at the Pocono Remix 2023 retreat this April at the Highlights Foundation. Susan will run a workshop titled Great Openings, provide critiques for those who have signed up, and participate in the panel, pitch roundtable, and mock slush pile events. In preparation for this event, Kristen Strocchia had a virtual chat with Susan for EasternPennPoints. Here’s what they had to say.

A Café Chat with Agent Susan Hawk, by Kristen Strocchia

Kristen: Hi Susan! Welcome to our virtual Sweet Spot café where we can chat about all things MSWL over a spot of virtual tea. I’d like a cup of cranberry-lime honeysuckle cold brew. How about you?

Susan: That sounds delightful! A bit more prosaic, but I’m a PG Tips person. Every morning I grab my beloved cherry red teapot, fill it to the brim, brew the tea dark, add milk and drink cup after cup as the day goes by.

Kristen: Mmm, that does sound good! Today we’re meeting at the corner of Literary and Commercial. What’s one piece of advice you have for authors & illustrators trying to find this sweet spot?

Susan: Let’s start by defining terms. If literary fiction is focused on character and employs artful language of some kind, and commercial fiction is more driven by plot and tends to prioritize action over character, the sweet spot between the two would be a book that features nuanced, layered characters, is written in distinctive style, and pulls the reader right into a well-developed, thrilling plot.

Kristen: I love how that confluence of definitions makes for the perfect advice. So, give us the dish on delish. In your opinion, what makes writing delicious? And how do you strike the balance between fresh/original and familiar/relatable?

Susan: Deliciousness has to do with relishing something. If you don’t want to drop one bite of a delicious slice of pie, you don’t want to lose one word of a delicious book. As for the balance between fresh and familiar, this starts with knowing the market well, for books obviously, but in a wider sense too—knowing what kind of premise feels different than what you’re seeing on bookstore shelves as well as on screens big and small. At the same time, as the saying goes, there are no new stories. The most unique of premises won’t come to life unless it’s well told, and allows the reader to see themselves in the characters—to relate to them—in some way.

Kristen: We’ve all heard that laughter can be a great way for readers to connect to our characters. So, let’s spill the tea on humor if we can. What’s one thing that makes it work?/makes it fall flat?

Susan: Oh gosh, I don’t think there’s one thing—there are so many different kinds of humor. There’s wordplay, there’s high jinks, there’s something droll or witty, and so much more. Often, something seems funny in that it’s unexpected—a juxtaposition of two (or more) things that don’t seem to go together. But before we get too deep into analysis—I think of E.B. White’s comment, “Humor can be dissected, as a frog can, but the thing dies in the process and the innards are discouraging to any but the purely scientific mind.”—I’ll say this: I’m a fan of humor that’s generous of spirit, that invites the reader into the moment, and draws very few lines between people.

Kristen: Pass the post-its—that belongs on my inspiration wall. And I love that you talk about agenting as the sweet spot between being a book marketer, a librarian, and an avid reader. Do you think these experiences have made you an editorial agent? And if so, what kind of edits can a prospective author or illustrator client expect to work through with you?

Susan: I don’t know that those experiences made me an editorial agent—I think being editorial is a necessity of the marketplace—but they certainly influence the way I approach a manuscript and the kind of feedback I give. My job as the agent is to consider what elements of the project make it most appealing to its audience, and to work with the writer to find ways to develop those elements as fully as possible before it goes on sub. The editorial process is always different as each book is different, but I often focus on how to deepen characters, ensure there are strong stakes in the story, and layers that evoke an emotional reaction in the reader. One request that’s almost always in my edit letters: tighten, tighten, tighten! Cutting is often exactly what a story needs to sparkle.

Kristen: Oooh, like cutting a gemstone creates the sparkle. Love it! At Pocono, you’ll be talking about crafting great manuscript openings. But what’s one thing you look for in a great query letter opening?

Susan: An interesting question! The answer is quite specific and different than what I look for on the opening page of a manuscript. I appreciate seeing the following information: your book title, the category and genre (i.e. YA horror or MG historical), word count, and one or two comparison titles (a book that feels related to yours through its category, genre, theme, or tone). Think of it like this: if the world of children’s lit were depicted on a map—with the continent of YA, within that the country of Fantasy, within that the town of Portal Fantasy, etc—I like to know where I am on that map, as I start your query. It’s incredibly helpful for me to be “situated” like this before I start reading about your particular characters and story.

Kristen: Since we started at the corner of Literary and Commercial, it seems fitting to end with that brilliant map analogy. But before we go, it’s name-dropper time. Answer in a sentence or less…

A secondary figure from a classic/popular novel whose story you’d love to read: Estella Havisham from Great Expectations.

A character lingering in your thoughts at present: Fern and Rosemary – I know that’s two, but they are so intertwined you can’t say one – from Karen Joy Fowler’s We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves.

A favorite book at the intersection of literary and commercial: The Dory Fantasmagory chapter books by Abby Hanlon. These chapter books are hysterical, accessible, and an excellent example of bringing a very specific character to bold and happy life on the page.

A layered story that is equally funny and heartbreaking: Right now, I’m super excited about a new client’s novel, Reasons to Hate Me. A wickedly funny and witty YA novel about a neurodiverse 17-year-old, trying to recover from a devastating friend break-up. I cannot wait for people to read this book!

A favorite concept picture book: I’m going to cheat and name an author-illustrator rather than one book: Elise Gravel (not my client). Silly, smart conceptual books that you’ll want to read again and again!

Kristen: Thank you so much for taking the time to chat today! We’re so looking forward to meeting you in person at our Pocono Retreat in April.


Susan Hawk is an agent at Upstart Crow Literary, a boutique literary agency she joined after twenty-five years working across many areas of the children’s book world. She represents writers and illustrators of books for kids and teens, board books through YA, as well as graphic novels and non-fiction (also for children and teens). Her clients include Ruth Spiro (author of the BABY LOVES books, selected for Amazon’s 20 Best Children’s Books of the Year), Rachel Elliott (author and illustrator of the graphic novel THE REAL RILEY MAYES), and Rachael Allen (Georgia YA Author of the Year, and author of the forthcoming YA novel, HARLEY QUINN: RAVENOUS).


Pocono Remix 2023 Retreat Info

Our annual retreat is back and in-person! It will be a weekend of amazing faculty, craft talks, industry insights, and the chance to meet with fellow creators all set at the beautiful Highlights Foundation in Boyd’s Mills, PA.

Posted in Cafe Chat, Events, General, Interviews, Pocono Retreat, Uncategorized, Workshops, writing craft, Writing Tips | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Write Down Ideas, by C.J. Bolognese-Warrington

Having a light bulb moment is such a great feeling, whether it’s a shiny new idea or a way through a revision. But watch out, because sometimes those ideas can slip away just as easily as they appear if you don’t write them down! Look for comics by C.J. Bolognese-Warrington on the third Friday of each month here on the EasternPennPoints blog.

Write Down Ideas


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 colors and quirky characters, which offer a glimpse of his view of the world. When not at his drawing desk, C.J. can be found on long walks with his wife and dog, debating whether pasta or pizza is best.

Posted in Comics, General, Uncategorized, Writing Tips | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

A Café Chat with Agent Marietta Zacker, by Jenny Krumrine

Agent Marietta Zacker of Gallt & Zacker Literary Agency will be joining our SCBWI chapter at the Pocono Remix 2023 retreat this April at the Highlights Foundation. Marietta will give the opening keynote speech, run a workshop titled The Marriage of Words and Illustrations in Books for All Ages, provide critiques for those who have signed up, and participate in the panel, pitch roundtable, and mock slush pile events. In preparation for this event, Jenny Krumrine had a virtual chat with Marietta for EasternPennPoints. Here’s what they had to say.

A Café Chat with Agent Marietta Zacker, by Jenny Krumrine

Jenny: Hi, Marietta. Welcome to the EasternPennPoints virtual café! Thank you so much for your involvement in our upcoming Pocono Remix 2023! 

Marietta: I am very excited for the Pocono Remix and grateful that you asked!

Jenny: This year, you are the opening keynote speaker. Would you mind talking a bit about where your passion for children’s books comes from and some of your proudest moments?

Marietta: Aside from Abuelo—who I channel often and who no doubt helped me understand the power and beauty of storytelling—my passion comes from witnessing what stories do to human beings, young children and young adults in particular.

Whether it’s witnessing a person touched by a story, or the conversation between a group of people after sharing a story, or a community coming together because a story has given them deeper insight—I know firsthand that stories transcend the superficial and bind human to human in special ways.

I am so very proud of clients whose words and illustrations do exactly that—this year, that’s true of THAT FLAG written by Tameka Fryer Brown, HELLO, MISTER BLUE by Daria Peoples, SEARCH FOR A GIANT SQUID by Amy Seto Forrester and Andy Chou Musser, the next Make Way for Fenway book: FENWAY AND THE LOUDMOUTH BIRD written by Victoria J Coe, BREAKING THE MOLD by Dana Alison Levy, WHEN SEA BECOMES SKY by Gillian McDunn, and QUEENS OF NEW YORK by E.L. Shen, among many others. Definitely proud of all my clients’ work!

Jenny: You said it—the work of these authors and illustrators transcends the superficial. I see that a few of these titles have just become available and others will be out in the very near future. Definitely a lot to look forward to.

You’ll also be leading a workshop on “The Marriage of Words and Illustrations in Books for All Ages.” Can you give us a teaser? What do you hope creators will gain from attending your workshop?

Marietta: I want people to remember that, at our core, what we should be focusing on is the art of storytelling, which is much more than just words on a page. Even in a YA novel, the image on the cover, at a minimum, evokes a certain emotion and presents an entry into the story the author is trying to tell. Of course, that’s an easier statement to make about picture books or even graphic novels, but I suggest that we all think about our work more holistically and include the imagery that goes along with it, regardless of the age group. After all, a picture is worth a thousand words!

Jenny: Ah, I can’t wait to hear more on this.

In addition to agenting, you are also an author in ALLIES: REAL TALK ABOUT SHOWING UP, SCREWING UP, AND TRYING AGAIN, published by DK Children in 2021. Can you tell us about this book and the impact these true stories can have on young readers’ lives?

Marietta: I appreciate you asking about ALLIES—it is such an important book. Mostly because of my fellow co-authors who shared their own personal stories. To know that young adults can see themselves and feel validated because of these stories, and to know that after reading the book they can also find ways of coping or acting differently when connecting with other human beings, makes ALLIES a unique anthology. We often talk about the importance of allyship, but putting that into practice is not necessarily easy. Contributors to the anthology dug deep into their own histories in order to help the reader walk a path that helps them understand and appreciate what true allyship looks like. The authenticity in the storytelling is powerful and, we hope, impactful.

Jenny: Lovely—like it says in the Amazon description, “This book is for everyone.”

Last question: What major changes have you noticed in the children’s book market in the past decade or so? What are some don’t-miss titles that best illustrate these new directions?

Marietta: Admittedly, the changes I’ve witnessed are connected to the expanding ways that creatives choose to express their stories. In part because creatives push in new directions, publishing professionals have to find ways to talk about projects with their teams in order to expand the definitions of storytelling. I mean, it wasn’t that long ago when talking about graphic novels was somewhat taboo (leave that to the comics world, they used to say). In that storytelling style alone, we represent some amazing creatives. Take a look at ISLA TO ISLAND by Alexis Castellanos, MISS QUINCES by Kat Fajardo, CRUMBS by Danie Stirling, NARWHAL AND JELLY and TATER TALES by Ben Clanton, ACCURSED VAMPIRE by Madeline McGrane, and MARSHMALLOW AND JORDAN by Alina Chau.

On a lighter note, signing all contracts electronically was an absolute game changer, so I’m certainly grateful for that major change in the industry!

Jenny: Thank you so much for hanging out with me today! See you at Pocono Remix 2023!

Marietta: Thank YOU!


Marietta Zacker has worked with books, authors, and illustrators throughout her career — studying, creating, editing, marketing, teaching, and selling. She supports independent bookselling, believes in libraries, and takes pride in her work as a Latina in the world of publishing. In 2021, her short story COUNTING ON ESTEBAN anchored the anthology ALLIES, published by DK. She is co-owner of and literary agent at Gallt and Zacker Literary Agency and considers herself the luckiest person on earth to be Mami to the three fabulous humans and wife to an exceptional spouse. You can find her at www.galltzacker.com and www.mariettazacker.com.


Pocono Remix 2023 Retreat Info

Our annual retreat is back and in-person! It will be a weekend of amazing faculty, craft talks, industry insights, and the chance to meet with fellow creators all set at the beautiful Highlights Foundation in Boyd’s Mills, PA.

Posted in Cafe Chat, Events, General, graphic novels, Interviews, middle grade, Picture Books, Pocono Retreat, Uncategorized, Workshops, young adult | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

A Café Chat with Author Leah Henderson, by Rona Shirdan

Author Leah Henderson will be joining our SCBWI chapter at the Pocono Remix 2023 retreat this April at the Highlights Foundation. Leah will run a workshop titled Learn Character, Learn Voice, provide critiques for those who have signed up, give the Saturday keynote speech, and participate in the industry swap discussions. In preparation for this event, Rona Shirdan had a virtual chat with Leah for EasternPennPoints. Here’s what they had to say.

A Café Chat with Author Leah Henderson, by Rona Shirdan

Rona: Hi Leah! Let’s grab a booth by the window here in the EasternPennPoints Café. I’m going to have the avocado toast and a cup of green tea. Can I get you something?

Leah: I’d love a cup of roasted matcha tea with a drop of agave. Thanks!

Rona: It’s wonderful to catch up with you again. I know you’ve been busy!

You’ve been writing for quite a while now and have received great recognition for your work. Congratulations! When did you first realize that you wanted to write for children?

Leah: First off, it’s always great getting to catch up with you. And thank you, this journey has definitely been an interesting one so far!

I come from a family that absolutely loves to tell stories, and hear stories. So I have always been surrounded by story and storytellers, but I didn’t truly turn to writing for children until graduate school. There, one of the writing for children professors encouraged me to consider her class. At the time, I wasn’t sure what she saw in my work (I was writing for adults), or why she was encouraging me to take the leap to children’s, but I’m so glad she did. I quickly became enamored with kidlit and the kidlit community, starting with my classmates. They were truly wonderful people, excited about every aspect of children’s books. Their excitement and love for them was definitely contagious in the most wonderful ways.

Rona: You’ve written middle grade novels, a few young adult anthologies, as well as picture books. Which genre do you prefer writing? Which book was the most difficult to write?

Leah: I think my brain naturally gravitates towards middle grade. It is such an amazing time in a young person’s life when so many discoveries are being made about ourselves and the world around us. It’s a fruitful period to dive in and explore again.

As far as difficult to write goes…um, aren’t they all? Ha!

But, One Shadow on the Wall presented unique challenges for me, for so many reasons, mainly because I had no clue what I was doing. It was my first attempt at a middle grade. Plus, I was writing about an experience outside of my own, and I was very fearful that my words could do harm in some way. Stepping into someone else’s shoes is never easy, and should always be done with sensitivity, listening ears, and watchful eyes. I was always extremely mindful of trying to tell an authentic story. While I was constantly making missteps and mistakes, I was also trying to research, observe, and ask every question to try and correct them. It was a long and uncertain process. But I learned so much about myself and the craft of writing from it. Whereas, Together We March was difficult in a completely different way. While I love research and history, it was hard to read over and over again about the injustices that spurred so many to march. Some of that history, and those truths of humanity are just brutal. But they were moments I wanted to understand.

Rona: Do you have a regular writing routine and a special place to write?

Leah:
I wish I could say I have a regular writing routine, but I won’t start fibbing. When I do tuck in to write, it is usually first thing in the morning, before I truly let the world in. I will have my cup of tea, candles lit, and even in the summer a cozy throw over my legs. As far as a special place goes, I love to travel, so I will try and make a special little corner wherever I am in the world.

Rona: When you’re not writing, do you find time to read? What’s on your list of books to read right now?

Leah:
Reading for pleasure, what’s that? I read all the time, but reading for pleasure is something I don’t do often enough! There are so many wonderful books on my to-read pile.

I’m about to crack open Zetta Elliott’s latest in the Dragons in a Bag series, The Enchanted Bridge, Frank Morrison’s Kick Push, and Standing in the Need of Prayer written by the amazing Carole Boston Weatherford.

Rona: I know you enjoy traveling and that you’ve traveled extensively. What has been your favorite place to visit so far?

Leah:
Oh my goodness, that is a question I will NEVER be able to answer. I’ve gone to over 65 countries and each experience imprinted on me in some way. But I will say strolling and imagining on the dirt and cobbled roads of Timbuktu – where Black intellectuals shared their knowledge with the world – was truly life-changing and magical. As a fish, nothing quite tops unexpectedly swimming with dolphins in Oman and scuba diving with sea turtles (anywhere). But meeting an angel along the winding roads of the Amalfi Coast has definitely stayed with me too. I’m telling you, each place has a story!

Rona: How has your love for adventure come through in your characters and their stories?

Leah:
You’ll get a piece of me in every book I write. Growing up, seeing and exploring our possibilities was a HUGE thing in my family – and still is. So my characters and the nonfiction projects I gravitate towards are all about seeing and experiencing those possibilities and adventures, with the hope that young readers will come to understand through my characters and my words that there are possibilities out in the world for them too.

Rona: I’m very excited that you plan to join us at our Pocono Remix retreat in April. What can we look forward to learning about in your upcoming presentation on “Character and Voice”?

Leah: I look forward to being with you all as well. As a character-driven writer, I love talking about all things voice and character. For me, they truly go hand in hand, so we will look at how that relationship comes together to help strengthen stories, creating truly unique, and hopefully unforgettable characters readers will remember long after the book is closed. That’s one of the best parts of all this – bringing characters to life. Through questions, exercises and shifts in perspective, we will explore how to enliven our characters for each and every story we write.

Rona: Do you have any advice for writers who are just getting started?

Leah:
The first thing I always say, and that I still need to hear, is be kind to yourself. This business is a true rollercoaster ride filled with so many twists and turns, and ups and downs. Make sure you are giving yourself what you need to maintain a healthy balance with the work and the business.

Find your community within the kidlit community. Especially people of like minds, with similar paths/interests on this journey. They are the ones who will understand exactly where you are coming from at different moments on the ride. They help lift you up when you need it, and cheer on your successes – both large and small – because they truly get it.

When reviewing your own work, remember the power and magic of revision. You will get there. You just need to keep putting in the effort (but stepping away to replenish your creative well when needed is also important), so don’t get too hard on yourself if you are not there yet! Keep swimming!

Rona: How would you like your work to impact the children who read your books?

Leah:
Overall, I would love for kids to find a friend in my stories. But I also want them to recognize that there are possibilities out in the world for them. Most importantly, I want them to know from my work that their experiences and emotions are seen and that they matter.

Rona: Thank you so much for taking time to chat with me today. I’m looking forward to seeing you at the retreat!

Leah:
Thank you so much for having me. I’m looking forward to meeting everyone at the retreat as well!

You can learn more about Leah Henderson and her upcoming workshops and events by visiting her website (http://www.leahhendersonbooks.com/)


Leah Henderson is the author of several critically acclaimed books for young readers including The Magic in Changing Your Stars (an SCBWI Golden Kite Award finalist), One Shadow on the Wall, Daddy Speaks Love, A Day for Rememberin’, and Together We March (an SCBWI Golden Kite Award finalist). Leah holds an MFA in Writing and is on faculty in Spalding University’s graduate writing program.


Pocono Remix 2023 Retreat Info

Our annual retreat is back and in-person! It will be a weekend of amazing faculty, craft talks, industry insights, and the chance to meet with fellow creators all set at the beautiful Highlights Foundation in Boyd’s Mills, PA.

Posted in Cafe Chat, character development, Events, General, Interviews, middle grade, Picture Books, Pocono Retreat, Uncategorized, Workshops, writing craft, Writing Tips | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

A Café Chat with Editor Irene Vázquez, by Laura Parnum

Levine Querido editor Irene Vázquez will be joining our SCBWI chapter at the Pocono Remix 2023 retreat this April at the Highlights Foundation. Irene will run a workshop titled Whose Line is it Anyway? Finding your Voice through Revision, provide critiques for those who have signed up, and participate in the Friday panel, Saturday pitch roundtable, and Sunday mock slush pile events. In preparation for this event, Laura Parnum had a virtual chat with Irene for EasternPennPoints. Here’s what they had to say.

A Café Chat with Editor Irene Vázquez, by Laura Parnum

Laura: Hi, Irene! Welcome to the EasternPennPoints virtual café. The great thing about a virtual café is you can “order” anything you want and pretend you are anywhere in the universe while we chat. It’s cold out, so right now I’m imagining sitting in a puffy armchair in front of a cozy fireplace, and I’m going to order an entire triple-layer chocolate cake. How about you?

Irene: Ooh, triple-layer cake sounds enticing. I’ll have a black coffee and a slice of tiramisu.

Laura: Let’s go back in time. I fell in love with writing when I was in third grade. When did your editorial passion spark?

Irene: My love for books goes back as far as I can remember. I’m an only child, and my family moved to a new city when I was seven years old, and books were so important to me during that pivotal time – I was definitely a Percy Jackson super-fan. But my love for editorial can probably be traced to college. I’d been writing for several years at that point, and I’d served in a couple of editorial roles on my high school newspaper, but serving as managing editor of my college’s feminist magazine is where my love for editing took flight. I grew to love working on a project from the early brainstorming phases, helping a writer hone in on their vision, giving them suggestions for things to read that I thought they might find fruitful, and serving as a sounding board for them as their writing progressed.

Laura: And now you’re an assistant editor at Levine Querido! What paths led you to your current position?

Irene: Our Em Querido list publishes high-quality children’s literature in translation from around the world, so my first interactions with LQ came in the form of writing reader’s reports on French graphic novels on a freelance basis (I speak and read French and Spanish). I really enjoyed working with Nick Thomas, and I began thinking about publishing as a potential career path. I interned for a summer just as LQ was publishing their inaugural list, and completely fell in love with the kind of books that they were putting out – high quality, diverse, imaginative, literary books. Arthur was kind enough to make me a return offer when I graduated from college, and I’ve been here ever since.

Laura: What’s the best part about working at Levine Querido?

Irene: Working with such a small team means that everyone has a hand in everything, which I really enjoy. We have such a collaborative ethos; everyone gives feedback on every jacket design, on each TikTok we make. I think that ethos shines through in every aspect of our process. I also love how imaginative this whole team is; Arthur really empowers us to follow where our creativity and imagination leads.

Laura: You’ll be joining us at our 2023 Pocono Retreat in April. Can you give us a sneak peak into what you’ll be presenting about?

Irene: Voice is an elusive element of one’s manuscript, but so many agents and authors say that they’re looking for a strong voice! My workshop will explore 1) what voice actually is and 2) how you can dive deep into your writing to figure out what that voice is and revise with that in mind.


Laura: Time for our Lightening Round! Let’s make it all about books! What’s a recent book that made you . . .

Laugh out loud: Control Freaks by J.E. Thomas

Cry happy tears: Book Lovers by Emily Henry

Cry sad tears: Transcendent Kingdom by Yaa Gyasi

Stay up too late: Smile: A Memoir by Sarah Ruhl

Phone a friend (to recommend it): Too Bright to See by Kyle Lukoff

Laura: Thanks so much for chatting with me today! I’m looking forward to hanging out and learning so much from you at our Pocono Retreat!


Irene Vázquez is an Assistant Editor and Publicist at Levine Querido. Irene graduated from Yale with a BA in Ethnicity, Race, and Migration and English. Irene read the Percy Jackson series out of order in elementary school by accident and has been passionate about children’s books ever since. Outside of LQ, Irene is a poet and journalist who likes drinking coffee, watching women’s basketball, and reminding folks that the South has something to say.


Pocono Remix 2023 Retreat Info

Our annual retreat is back and in-person! It will be a weekend of amazing faculty, craft talks, industry insights, and the chance to meet with fellow creators all set at the beautiful Highlights Foundation in Boyd’s Mills, PA.

Posted in Cafe Chat, Events, General, Interviews, Pocono Retreat, Uncategorized, Workshops | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Member News—February 2023

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

The Way We Say Hello by Andrea Denish

Author Andrea Denish’s newest picture book, The Way We Say Hello, illustrated by BlueBean released on February 7 from Starry Forest Books. A young child searches for the best way to welcome a new baby to their family as they ask, “A special day. A special place. How will you greet a special face?” With rhyming text, heartwarming art, and educational facts about cultures and customs around the world, The Way We Say Hello takes you as far as Tibet and as near as your front yard as you learn greeting after greeting. Along the way, you’ll also discover how to welcome the world into your heart in different languages, gestures, and places. You can say “namaste,” “howdy,” or “annyeong.” You can use a traditional greeting like the Māori hongi or European cheek kisses. You can use sign language to greet those who are hard of hearing, or send a card to someone far away. Perfect for new big siblings, baby showers, and kids curious about different cultures and languages. There are so many ways to greet someone new, no matter where they’re from or what language they speak—so how will YOU say hello?


Book Release

Woven of the World by Katey Howes

Author Katey Howes’s newest picture book, Woven of the World, with illustrations by Dinara Mirtalipova, released on February 7 from Chronicle Books. As rhythmic as the swish of a loom, and as vibrant as a skein of brightly dyed wool, this lyrical picture book shares the history and practice of weaving through the centuries and around the world, as imagined by a young weaver learning her craft. Her family’s weaving practice helps her feel connected to the past and hopeful for the future. It shows her that each of us is a tapestry: a unique, rich, and beautifully interwoven combination of traits and traditions, with a pattern that is still emerging. At once a celebration of a time-honored art and a meditation on the ways we are interconnected, this artfully woven narrative gathers the threads of weaving as a technical skill, a cultural tradition, and as a metaphor for how our lives are knit together, into a radiantly intertwined whole. Woven of the World was also recently awarded a special mention in nonfiction in the Regazzi Awards at the Bologna Book Fair.


Book Release

Tim Canny with his book, Birb Goes Twerp

Author-illustrator Tim Canny recently wrote, illustrated, and self-published a mini-picture book titled Birb Goes Twerp (Jan 23, 2023) under his pen name, Francis S. Poesy. It is an all-ages mini-picture book that takes a humorous look at animal sounds based on the internet slang for “bird.” He calls it a mini-picture book, not only because of its size but also as it was inspired by the self-published/DIY comics popularly called mini-comics. An initial review called it “Simple, clean, and whimsical. A classic combination sure to please kids of all ages!” Copies of the book are available in physical, PDF, and EPUB format on Gumroad at https://mulberryandbliss.gumroad.com/. You can find out more on his website at http://www.mulberryandbliss.com and follow him on Twitter (@tcanny) and Instagram (@timcanny).


Upcoming Book Release

Between Now and Later by Stephanie Henson

Author Stephanie Henson’s newest book, BeTween Now and Later, will release on March 15 from Buzgaga Books. A collection of Social Emotional Learning–inspired short stories for tweens meant to inspire, inform, empower, and entertain. Topics such as building confidence, maturity, responsibility, navigating friendships, and overcoming challenges are just a few elements of focus. There are also stories that are just meant to be enjoyed!


Upcoming Book Release and Launch Party

In the Palm of My Hand by Jennifer Raudenbush

Author Jennifer Raudenbush’s debut picture book, In the Palm of My Hand, illustrated by Isabella Conti, releases from Running Press Kids (Hachette) on March 14, 2023, and is now available for preorder. On an ambling walk, a child discovers they hold the promise of larger worlds—forests and meadows—in the palm of their hand. An acorn becomes a tree within a woodland wonderland. A grain of sand becomes a sandcastle in a kingdom of imagination. By exploring nature’s tiniest details, they learn even small things, including them, contain infinite potential.

Eastern PA SCBWI members are invited to the book launch party for In the Palm of My Hand at the Orwigsburg Area Public Library on March 18, 2023, at 1:00 p.m. Preorder info, email sign up, and all of Jennifer’s links can be found here: https://linktr.ee/jenraudenbush.


Deal Announcement

Author-illustrator Meg Auchenbach’s debut picture book, If You Are an Artist, in which children are enouraged to daydream, wonder, create, imagine, and celebrate all that it means to be an artist, will be released in Spring of 2024 by Peter Pauper Press. John Rudolph of Dystel, Goderich, and Bourret negotiated the deal for world rights.


SCBWI 2023 Winter Conference Appearance

Kira Barrett presents her marketing plan for her board book, Avocado Mustache, at the Piranha Pit event during SCBWI’s 2023 Winter Conference in New York.

Author Kira Barrett was one of six participants selected by SCBWI to present her marketing plan for her board book, Avocado Mustache, at the SCBWI Piranha Pit event during the 2023 Winter Conference in New York. Avocado Mustache (Honey Hollow Press, January 2019) is inspired by the fun, messy foodie faces that babies and kids create during mealtime! This delightfully silly children’s book is perfect for all ages. Have you ever had an Avocado Mustache? Do you get Sweet Potato Sideburns? Or end up with Mac ‘n’ Cheese Mutton Chops? What’s your look? You can find out more about Kira and the book at https://www.avocadomustache.com.


Book Translation

Author Heather Pierce Stigall recently announced that her picture book, Paisley’s Big Birthday will be translated into Romanian. Paisley’s Big Birthday is being published by Clavis Publishing in 2023 and is illustrated by Natallia Bushuyeva. Today is Paisley’s birthday, right? Then why doesn’t she feel any older? She still has trouble reading, still has trouble jumping in the Hopstacle Course, and is still in Bunnygarten. When will she finally be big? A sweet story about having patience as we grow. For everyone ages 4 years and up.


Agent Signing

Author Jennie K. Brown recently signed with two agents! Lauren Spieller at Folio Lit will represent Jennie for her adult works and Uwe Stender at Triada US will represent Jennie for picture books, MG, and YA projects.


Upcoming Publication

Illustrator Rebecca Hoenig recently announced that she is one of fourteen illustrators who contributed to The House We Sheltered In and The Masks We Wore, two stories that start from each end of a flippable book written by poet Freeman Ng. This dual-volume picture book celebrates the joys of homebound life and the collective heroism of our fight against COVID-19. The book will be coming soon in spring 2023 through Three Daughters Press. For more information, check out the website: https://pandemicpb.com.


If you have good news to share, please send it to epa-ra2@scbwi.org to be included in next month’s Member News column or fill out our “Good News Survey.”

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Introducing Our New Eastern PA SCBWI Blogmaster: Kristen Rashid

Introducing Our New Eastern PA SCBWI Blogmaster: Kristen Rashid

We are so excited to introduce Kristen Rashid, the newest member of our Eastern PA SCBWI volunteer team! Kristen joined SCBWI in 2018 and has been an active member of our Eastern PA region. Kristen is inheriting the role of Blogmaster from Laura Parnum, who will continue to serve as Co-Regional Advisor for Eastern PA SCBWI. Please join us in welcoming Kristen by saying hello in the comments!

A little about Kristen:

Eastern PA SCBWI Blogmaster Kristen Rashid

Kristen is a board certified art therapist, licensed professional counselor, and Asian-American picture book writer from Philadelphia, PA. She has been leading two critique groups for PB creators for many years, and is the recipient of a 2023 12×12 Challenge scholarship. Kristen’s writing often has SEL components with a STEAM focus, and features kids of color engaging in their everyday lives. She draws story inspiration from her child art therapy work, and from her two daughters with whom she regularly enjoys bedtime read alouds, car ride audio books, family critique group meetings, and library visits. Connect with her on Twitter @KrisRashid.

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A Café Chat with Author-Illustrator Sharee Miller, by Jenny Krumrine

Author-Illustrator Sharee Miller will be joining our SCBWI chapter at the Pocono Remix 2023 retreat this April at the Highlights Foundation. Sharee will run a workshop titled Lessons drawn from writing: How writing made me a better illustrator (and vice versa), provide critiques for those who have signed up, and deliver the closing keynote speech. In preparation for this event, Jenny Krumrine had a virtual chat with Sharee for EasternPennPoints. Here’s what they had to say.

A Café Chat with Author-Illustrator Sharee Miller, by Jenny Krumrine

Jenny: Hi Sharee, welcome to the EasternPennPoints virtual café! It’s so nice to “meet” you now, but I’m really looking forward to meeting you in person at the upcoming Pocono Remix 2023! Have you attended this event in years past?

Sharee: This is my first time attending this event but my second time being back at the Highlights Foundation.

Jenny: What are you looking forward to most about the first in-person Pocono retreat since the start of the pandemic?

Sharee: I’m looking forward to being back in this inspiring space and getting to connect with other authors and illustrators. Whenever I get to be in a room full of other creative people, I feel reenergized and inspired!

Jenny: You’ll be leading an Illustrator Workshop called “Lessons drawn from writing: How writing made me a better illustrator (and vice versa).” Can you share a little bit with us now about your process and what we can look forward to learning more about at your workshop?

Sharee: I often switch between writing and illustrating when I start my projects. Even when I’m just illustrating a project, I like to take detailed notes to fully understand the world the author is creating. Writing activates another part of your creative brain. Making a plan before you illustrate can be a beneficial step even before sketching.

Jenny: I find it inspiring to learn about the career path of impactful creators like yourself. Can you tell us about yours?

Sharee: I studied illustration at Pratt Institute where I had the pleasure of learning about picture books from Pat Cummings. Once I graduated, I began in the fashion industry designing graphics for children’s t-shirts. I self-published my first book PRINCESS HAIR which was later traditionally published by Little Brown, who also publishes all my author/illustrator books. I recently finished my debut Graphic novel CURLFRIENDS: NEW IN TOWN, which comes out this October! I’m currently writing book two in the series while juggling a few other illustration projects.

Jenny: One of the events at the Pocono Remix that I’m looking forward to is the Silent Pitch. This is a free event where creators display a several-sentence pitch for one of their projects, alongside either illustration samples or an aesthetics/mood board. Do you have some advice for how creators can help their work “speak for itself” at the Silent Pitch?

Sharee: This is such a great event. I’m excited to see everyone’s work. Being able to share what your story is about in a few short sentences is hard, but I think leading with the part you’re most excited about will get others excited to know more.

Jenny: Before we go, I wanted to be sure to mention to our blog-readers how much fun your personal website is. There’s a lot to explore, including your Teaching Tips for your picture book MICHELLE’S GARDEN: HOW THE FIRST LADY PLANTED SEEDS OF CHANGE, home-school bundles, activity pages, and digital downloads of free phone wallpapers!

Sharee: Yay! I hope everyone enjoys my freebies and checks out my society6 shop!

Jenny: Thank you so much for hanging out with me today! 

Sharee: Thanks for having me!


Sharee Miller is an award-winning author-illustrator. She works both traditionally and digitally to create fresh and colorful characters that inspire joy and celebration. She is most known for her acclaimed picture book Don’t Touch My Hair. She is currently working on her debut middle-grade graphic novel series titled Curlfriends and illustrating the graphic novel adaptation of One Crazy Summer by Rita Williams-Garcia.


Pocono Remix 2023 Retreat Info

Our annual retreat is back and in-person! It will be a weekend of amazing faculty, craft talks, industry insights, and the chance to meet with fellow creators all set at the beautiful Highlights Foundation in Boyd’s Mills, PA.

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The Importance of a Critique Group, by C.J. Bolognese-Warrington

This month’s comic is in appreciation of critique groups and critique partners. We are immensely grateful for those extra eyes on our work to help point out plotholes, shine the light on inconsistencies, or offer amazing insights and suggestions. Look for comics by C.J. Bolognese-Warrington on the third Friday of each month here on the EasternPennPoints blog.

The Importance of a Critique Group


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 colors and quirky characters, which offer a glimpse of his view of the world. When not at his drawing desk, C.J. can be found on long walks with his wife and dog, debating whether pasta or pizza is best.

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A Café Chat with Art Director Aram Kim, by Berrie Torgan-Randall

Art Director Aram Kim will be joining our SCBWI chapter at the Pocono Remix 2023 retreat this April at the Highlights Foundation. Aram will run a workshop titled Who’s This?: Creating Characters Your Readers will Fall in Love With, and will provide feedback for illustrators who have signed up to participate in the art director assignment to, “create a character and show them in a setting that tells a story about the character.” In preparation for this event, Berrie Torgan-Randall had a virtual chat with Aram for EasternPennPoints. Here’s what they had to say.

A Café Chat with Art Director Aram Kim, by Berrie Torgan-Randall

Berrie: Annyeonghaseyo (hello) Aram. It’s so good to be with you again. Aram and I sat together at a book festival and she was our guest Art Director for one of our Picture Book Masterclasses. Aram will be joining us at our upcoming Pocono Retreat. Would you like something to drink from our virtual cafe?

Aram: Annyeonghaseyo, Berrie! So good to talk with you again! I will have an Iced Cappuccino, please. (I normally order a black iced coffee, but I want to be fancy.)

Berrie: It looks like Korean New Years was celebrated on January 22nd this year. Are there special traditions that you follow and are featured in your books?

Aram: I am usually not big on cooking holiday food, but I always cook tteokguk, a special rice cake soup for Seollal (Korean Lunar New Year’s Day). It’s simple but very delicious. If I skip eating tteokguk on Seollal, I will feel off for the entire year! Especially this year, I got to eat tteokguk three times and it was great! I cooked the first one, my friend cooked the second, and the third one was from a restaurant. All very delicious. I of course had to include cooking tteokguk in my Lunar New Year book as well.

Berrie: You are an Art Director for Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group and also an author and illustrator. How do you strike a balanced work environment?

Aram: It was always my quest and struggle to create a balanced work environment, which somewhat ironically I only succeeded during the pandemic. Because we’re still allowed to work from home, the time and energy I save from not commuting in a crowded subway give me a lot of leeway. I’m not tired after I sign off from work at the end of the day and I can jump into my illustration work after a few hours of rest. When I was still commuting to work, I struggled to find time and energy to work on my own books because I got so tired once I returned home from work. I bought an iPad mini before the pandemic so that I could draw in the subway during the long commute. Although I haven’t commuted for the past three years, I still use the iPad mini to work on illustrations.

Berrie: What is a must-have on an illustrators website/portfolio?

Aram: Children who are deep in their emotions! The viewers need to be able to feel what the kids in the illustrations are feeling whether it’s joy, anger, excitement, or annoyance. Also, do include varied emotions for sure! Including the environments/settings is also very important. I often get a portfolio with characters only – I need to see if the illustrators can create the entire environments where the story is happening.

Berrie: How do you choose your illustrators for projects with Macmillan? Do you follow illustrators on Instagram or Twitter?

Aram: I do! I drifted away from Twitter but I am on Instagram. I couldn’t handle multiple social media platforms so I chose Instagram as it’s much more image centered. Finding illustrators on social media is one way. I also save artists’ samples coming from either the agents or directly from artists. Agency newsletters are very handy because they periodically send out new illustrator samples. I have a list of artists saved that I go through when there are available projects. The designers in Macmillan share the artists they find during our team meetings, and we also have meetings with editors where we introduce the illustrators we would like to work with.

Berrie: How did you find your agent, or did she find you?

Aram: My agent Erica Rand Silverman organized Queens Museum Book Festival in 2016, which was the very first book event I ever participated in as a published author/illustrator. We met through the event and we continued to talk. She was an agent of Mika Song, whose art I saw in the SCBWI Bulletin magazine and I really loved it, so I wanted to work with her. Neither of us was in a hurry though so we talked throughout the next year or so and I signed with her about a year later.

Berrie: Can you share some of your illustration techniques for our illustrators? Do you use a certain program to illustrate your bright, colorful, characters?

Aram: I used to create my line works and textures on paper, scan them in, and work with Photoshop, but as I said earlier, I was struggling to find time to work. I started using an iPad mini so that I could work in the subway. iPad mini is the size of a moleskin sketchbook so it’s very portable, although the small size can also be a downside. I tried using Procreate because so many artists were using it, but Procreate had a lot of limitations in terms of the number of layers and the file size, especially for iPad mini. Adobe Fresco didn’t have a limit, so I started using it. Once I finish most of the work on the iPad mini, I finish it up with Photoshop on my computer. During the process, I print the art out several times. I notice things more easily on paper than on screen. I think it’s important to see them printed on paper as the final product we’re creating will eventually be on paper.

Berrie: Can you give our members a glimpse into the Art Director Assignment for the upcoming Pocono Retreat?

Aram: Yes! Since we’re going to talk about CHARACTERS, the assignment will also be about creating characters. I often feel that creating characters is not taken seriously enough. Creating a character is not about coming up with a cute character – it’s about building the entire world for the character. The assignment would be creating/bringing a character in a setting which can tell the readers about who the character is.

Lightning round!

Berrie: Do you have a cat? Does it ride a bus? (This question is in reference to your book Cat on the Bus)

Aram: Hahaha, I used to have a cat who hated riding anything! I don’t have a cat at the moment but I often do cat sitting for friends so that I can be around them.

Berrie: What’s your favorite place to get Korean food in New York?

Aram: In Koreatown in mid-Manhattan, I like BCD Tofu House’s very down-to-earth tofu stew and their nice banchan (side dishes) selection. They serve no frill food while everything else in Koreatown feels like it’s getting fancier and fancier. My favorite restaurant used to be Cho Dang Gol in the same area where they made their own tofu. I still love them, but I haven’t been there for quite some time because they are so popular and I hate waiting in lines! Their food is very homey and comforting.

Berrie: I’m the year of the rabbit – how about you?

Aram: Oh this is your year!! I’m the year of the dog.

Berrie: Thank you for meeting me in our virtual cafe and I’ll see you at the Eastern PA SCBWI Retreat at the Highlights Foundation.

Aram: I can’t wait!! Let’s have a real coffee together then.


Aram Kim is a writer, illustrator, and designer of children’s picture books. She was born in Ohio, raised in South Korea, and now lives in Queens, NY, happily surrounded by diverse food and culture. By day, she is an Art Director at Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group where she designed and oversaw many award-winning picture books including 2021 Caldecott Medal Winner We Are Water Protectors and 2021 Caldecott Honor Winner A Place Inside of Me. She has worked with both debut illustrators and established illustrators on a wide range of children’s books. As an author/illustrator herself of acclaimed picture books, she is closely connected with illustrators and enjoys learning from them and working with them.

When she is not working as an art director, Aram writes and illustrates her own stories. Her published books include Cat on the Bus (Children’s Choice Reading List 2017, New York Public Library Summer Reading List 2018), No Kimchi for Me! (JLG Gold Selection 2017, Bank Street College’s Best Children’s Book of the Year 2018, A Baker’s Dozen Award 2018), Let’s Go to Taekwondo! ( JLG Gold Selection 2020), and Sunday Funday in Koreatown ( JLG Gold Selection 2021). Her most recent book is Tomorrow Is New Year’s Day (JLG Gold Selection 2022), which is about Seollal, a Korean celebration of Lunar New Year.

To find out more about Aram’s work:
 www.AramKim.com
Follow Aram on Instagram: @aramkimart


Pocono Remix 2023 Retreat Info

Our annual retreat is back and in-person! It will be a weekend of amazing faculty, craft talks, industry insights, and the chance to meet with fellow creators all set at the beautiful Highlights Foundation in Boyd’s Mills, PA.

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