Happy Holidays! Come to our in-person Holiday Critique Boutique! Pick one or more of P.A.L. members for a twenty minute critique on your work-in-progress. These valuable critiques can help you craft a better manuscript from those who are published traditionally. Please send your work a week before the event to give time for the guest to read your work. Give yourself a gift from professional and friendly PAL members!
On Saturday, December 14
Have a 20-minute critique with one or more of the following PAL members:
Maria Adcock, Roseanne B. Frank, or Selene Castrovilla.
Premium Members Pay: $80 for each critique with PAL members. Pick one, two, or three of of these amazing and outstanding PAL members.
Premiums Users Pay: $100 for each manuscript critique with PAL members. Pick one, two, or three of these amazing and outstanding PAL members.
The time is from 1 and 4 PM.
Send your manuscripts by December 7 to longislandny@scbwi.org.
Include your preferred time(s) and name of the expert you want to critique your work
We will do our best to accommodate your choices.
Picture Books: Send the whole manuscript. No dummies
Middle Grade or YA novels: Send the first 5 pages, along with a two paragraph synopsis.
We will send you a schedule prior to the event. Please make sure you arrive 10 minutes before your scheduled time.
If you have any questions please contact us at longislandny@scbwi.org
Maria Wen Adcock
Maria Wen Adcock is the author of IT'S CHINESE NEW YEAR, CURIOUS GEORGE (2023) and the picture book MY NAME IS AI LIN (July 1, 2025). She is a critique group moderator for SCBWI Long Island and is represented by The Seymour Agency. Maria is a first-generation Chinese-American writer and founder of the award-winning Bicultural Mama parenting blog. She has appeared on The Dr. Oz Show, Bloomberg News, Newsday, News12, and Huffington Post. She is a board member of Multicultural Kid Blogs, an organization supporting diverse parenting bloggers, and co-host of the annual publishing event Multicultural Children’s Book Day. She also works at the local library in the children’s department. Maria resides on Long Island with her husband and two children.
Requests to refund registration fees for in-person activities will be decided on a case-by-case basis, except for events that have specific refund policies. When an event has its own refund policy, it will be clearly stated on the event information page. By registering for an event, you acknowledge that you have read and accept the event’s refund policy. Because fees paid to professionals for manuscript critiques, portfolio reviews, intensive programming, mentorships, pitch evaluations, and other exclusive offerings are contracted in advance, these fees cannot be refunded.
Roseanne B. Frank
Roseanne B. Frank is the social media coordinator for SCBWI Long Island. She is also the new editor & acquisitions for Blue Whale Press.
Publishing credits include: Picture books ALICE IN THE PALACE with Clear Fork Press
Soon to be released: O’WIN & THE MOON with Wonder House Books,
Roseanne is a P.A.L. (published and listed) author and moonlights as a freelance editor and writing consultant, and hosts Elements of Picture Book Writing workshops for libraries.
Selene Castrovilla
Selene Castrovilla is a P.A. L. award-winning nonfiction and fiction author who is dedicated to uncovering hidden truths about both our nation's history and about ourselves. Through reflection, we can be our own change.
George Washington’s Spectacular Spectacles
Seeking Freedom
Revolutionary Friends: General George Washington and the Marquis de Lafayette
Revolutionary Rogues: John André and Benedict Arnold
By the Sword
Melt, Book One of the Rough Romance Trilogy
https://selenecastrovilla.com/history-with-heart
https://selenecastrovilla.com/podcast%3A-life-in-jest-1
Requests to refund registration fees for in-person activities will be decided on a case-by-case basis, except for events that have specific refund policies. When an event has its own refund policy, it will be clearly stated on the event information page. By registering for an event, you acknowledge that you have read and accept the event’s refund policy. Because fees paid to professionals for manuscript critiques, portfolio reviews, intensive programming, mentorships, pitch evaluations, and other exclusive offerings are contracted in advance, these fees cannot be refunded.