SCBWI NY METRO NEWSLETTER


Check out what's new this month around the NY Metro and beyond!

IMPORTANT UPDATES


Want to get more involved Volunteering with the NY Metro region?

Some exciting positions on the Regional Team will soon be available for eligible SCBWI NY Metro region Premium Members to apply. We will send separate emails about the positions and call for applications soon. Keep an eye on your inbox and feel free to email nymetro@scbwi.org with any questions.



Critique Partner Database

Are you looking for a critique partner? Then check out the NY METRO Critique Partner Database! Click on the link below to fill out the survey. Once you complete the survey, a link to the database will be sent to you. You can specify what, where, when, and how you critique! REGISTER

Upcoming SCBWI NY Metro Events 

The True Ugly Duckling Book Launch

Join NY Metro Member Sandra Nickel for a reading of her new book, followed by an interview with Antonio Gonzalez Cerna, Vice President and Executive Director, Marketing & Publicity at Levine Querido. Treats will be provided!


WHEN: Thursday, April 2, 6PM

WHERE: Books of Wonder, 42 West 17th Street NYC REGISTER



Field trip to Erin Entrada Kelly Event at The New School

Join your fellow NY Metro chapter members on a field trip to an in-person speaker event with two-time Newbery Medalist Erin Entrada Kelly, hosted by the New School's Creative Writing Program. After the event, our group will debrief on what we learned and socialize! RSVP so we know to save a seat for you! Also register for free on The New School’s website!


WHEN: Wednesday April 15, 5:30-8:00PM (Speaker starts at 6PM)

WHERE: The New School, 66 West 12th Street, Room 407, NY, NY 10011



Critique Group Connection Mixer

Finding a critique group is essential to your writing life. You’ll get fresh eyes and different perspectives, strengthen your craft, spark new ideas, and discover where your draft might be unclear. And just as important, you’ll find community because writing is solitary work and can get lonely.

So come and join us to meet other collaborators who are eager to connect, revise, and cheer you on. We’ll talk about how critique groups work, and how to participate. You’ll also have plenty of time to mingle and meet potential critique partners!


WHEN: Thursday, April 16, 2026 6-8pm

WHERE: Will be shared after registration



April Member Meetup at Brooklyn Bookstore Crawl Afterparty

Participate in the annual Brooklyn Bookstore Crawl (April 18-25th), then celebrate with fellow members and other indie bookstore lovers at the Center for Fiction's Brooklyn Bookstore Crawl Afterparty. RSVP so we know to look out for you at what will surely be a lively event!


WHEN: Saturday, April 25, 2026 5-8pm

WHERE: Center for Fiction, 15 Lafayette Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11217



Recurring NY Metro Meet-Ups


Did you know: Recurring meet-ups are run by member volunteers! Want to start a neighborhood or virtual meet-up? Contact us here!


NEW! Illustrators Meet-Up Group

Join us every Monday from 6 to 7:30pm to draw, share our work, and nerd out about all things Children’s books. Whether illustrating is a passion or your career, we’d love to have you. We can’t wait to create with you! Contact madelineonordstrom@gmail.com or elenacarmichaelauthor@gmail.com for more information.

SCBWI NY Metro Book Club


Sign up for our Discord group here to join us as we read and discuss children's books from a craft perspective. Writers and Illustrators welcome!

Upcoming KidLit NY Metro Events

(Unaffiliated with SCBWI)


April 7, 6pm @ Books of Wonder

Author Sarah Beth Durst in conversation with author, Chloe Gong for a celebration of a brand-new fantasy novel, The Far Away Inn. RSVP


April 11, 11:30am @ Word On Warren

Come join author/illustrator Vashti Harrison as she reads her book Big. Info


April 11, 2pm @ Books of Wonder

Join author Michael Sampson and illustrator Lauren Phelps for the launch of their amazing new middle grade novel, JoJo the Tornado Dog: A Tale of Rescue, Courage, and Family. RSVP


Apr 14, 4pm @ Books Are Magic (225 Smith St location)

Afternoon Kids Event with Linda Sue Park for Just One Gift in conversation with authors Karina Yan Glaser. RSVP


April 26, 11:30am @ Books of Wonder

Storytime with Author Maya Myers and illustrator Jennifer K. Mann with their picture book Good Morning, Morning! RSVP


Member Good News!

SCBWI NY Metro member Wendy Lu's debut middle grade novel Casting April is now available for preorder! Support Wendy and PRE-ORDER to get your copy right when it hits shelves!


Are you an SCBWI NY Metro member who has good news to share? Email us at nymetro@scbwi.org or fill out this google form here!

Upcoming Events from Other SCBWI Regions


April 4: Back to the Trenches/Finding Another Agent (SCBWI Arizona) REGISTER


April 11: PB 'n' J Day: a Picture Book Intensive (SCBWI New Mexico) REGISTER


April 11: Creating Sensory, Emotional, and Community Connections with Suzanne Morgan Williams (SCBWI Nevada) REGISTER


April 14: Stories as Springboards (SCBWI Wisconsin) REGISTER


April 16: Children’s Books in Translation w/ Mariana Llanos (SW Texas) REGISTER


April 21: Revise and Strengthen Your Picture Book Manuscript with Intention with Heidi E.Y. Stemple (SCBWI NY West/Central Upstate) REGISTER


May 2: Storytelling Through Pictures w/ Andy J Pizza (SCBWI Alaska) REGISTER


May 15-17: SCBWI New England Spring In-Person Conference @ Stamford, CT   **(An easy public transit commute from NYC!)** REGISTER


Volunteer with Us!


Did you know the SCBWI NY Metro Chapter is run completely by member volunteers? Below are a few volunteer positions we are looking for:


  • PAL Coordinator:
  • Are you a Published and Listed (PAL) author and/or illustrator? We’d love to have you come on board and brainstorm/coordinate events and programming geared specifically to PAL members.


Email us at nymetro@scbwi.org to get involved, to share your own ideas on how to help out, or just to learn more!

If you no longer wish to receive these emails, please use the unsubscribe feature at the bottom of this email