PSI CONFIRMED EVENTS FOR 2023 (updated 5/3/2023)
(others to be added as they are confirmed)
"Ashley Belote: the Road to Success in Children's Books" presentation.
at The Hub in West View (North Hills) 6:30pm Thursday evening May 18, 2023435 Perry Highway (US 19), West View, PA 15229
All Full and Affiliate members invited. An Inside Look at Children's Publishing:
Author/Illustrator and PSI member Ashley Belote will be joining us to discuss her experiences in the picture book business on Thursday, May 18th. Ashley Belote is the illustrator of FRANKENSLIME and VALENSLIME by Joy Keller (Feiwel & Friends/Macmillan, 2021). She is the author-illustrator of THE ME TREE (Penguin Workshop, 2021), LISTEN UP, LOUELLA (Feiwel & Friends, 2022), and A PARTRIDGE IN THE WE TREE (Penguin Workshop, 2022). Her forthcoming picture books include WITCH & WOMBAT (Random House Children's Books, 7/4/23), DON'T WASH WINSTON (Feiwel & Friends, 2024), and SHEEPWRECKED (Random House Children's Books, 2024).
Ashley is a West Virginia native, and earned her BA from Alderson Broaddus University. She earned her MA in Arts Administration from the University of Kentucky. Her graduate study included a children’s literature and illustration course, The Whole Book Approach, through Simmons College at the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, and she studied traditional animation under the direction of Don Bluth. She also serves as the Illustrator Coordinator for the Carolinas chapter of SCBWI. Ashley is represented by Moe Ferrara of BookEnds Literary Agency.
The session will cover a wide range of topics pertinent to the picture book industry including creating ideas that will sell, an overview of the market, and an inside look at the children's publishing business. She will discuss strategies that have worked for her, and go into detail about working with and getting an agent, working with editors/art directors, and how to best present yourself as a professional in this business. We will discuss key factors for illustrators' success from social media presence to networking and everything in between. The session will have a follow up Q&A, and Ashley's books will be available for purchase following the session.
Summer Socials
PSI usually takes the three summer months and moves our socials to different evenings of the month at member's home/studios.
Our June social will be held at President James Mellett's home/studio at 500 South Meadowcroft Ave, Pittsburgh PA 15228.
Thursday evening June 8, 2023, Time 6:30PM. Watch this space!
PSI will provide basics and a members will bring pot luck sides and desserts and beverages, gladly accepted.
The July and August socials are being organized-three locations are currently being discussed-Homestead, Brentwood and Westview. Stay tuned to this space and the PSI calendar on this page for updates as well as Basecamp announcements for the final plan for the rest of the summer.
J. Gough's Tavern
Please come on out to J. Gough's Tavern in Squirrel Hill next week and share your current work, have a drink, enjoy some PSI complimentary snacks from the delicious J. Gough's menu, or just hang out and visit with other members. Give us some of your thoughts on what PSI should plan for 2023. Bring a friend if you don't want to come out alone. We'd love to see everyone. Members usually start arriving around 6:30 PM. Plenty of on street parking or you can use the Giant Eagle lot across the street.
Meetings
Social Meetings held almost every month on a weekday at 7pm
Think Happy Hour! Since 1996, PSI has hosted socials to relieve freelance isolation and expose everyone to the work of other members. Join us for informal shop talk along with great food and drink at different centrally located restaurants or at member home/studios. Appetizers supplied by PSI. All members and prospective members welcome!
The “Business of Illustration” Meetings
This fast-paced program series cycles through member's home/studios and various studio spots around Pittsburgh. The night typically includes a presentation by a member or outside speaker, speed reviews (bring your portfolio), and networking. Attendees should bring a beverage and/or a snack to share. Locations and featured artists are posted on the PSI website and distributed via Basecamp announcements. One annual event to circle is the “PSI Goes to the Chapel” program event at The Chapel pavilion in Riverview Park on a Saturday in September TBA. Speakers, catered picnic, social time, etc.
©2015 Pittsburgh Society of Illustrators | Pittsburgh, PA 15222 | Contact Us | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use