Middle Grade Fall Workshop with Julie Scheina

September 6th, 2023 - December 1st, 2023

with Julie Scheina

Group started

A two and half-month workshop for writers seeking story-level feedback on their Middle Grade projects to take their work to the next level.

In this workshop, you will work with senior development editor, Julie Scheina, and a small group of writers (up to 3 others) on the first 12,500 words of your novels in process, over two rounds. The workshop includes written feedback from Julie and your peers, live calls to debrief each round, and a group discussion board where Julie will answer questions.

The workshop begins with an introductory group call to meet the other members and discuss workshop expectations. Then you will submit the first 7,500 words of your project for feedback, plus a short synopsis (this is for your readers and will not be critiqued). You have three weeks to read and post your written critiques of participants work. Round 1 critiques are followed by a group debrief call where you can dig into questions about the notes and/or brainstorm with Julie about revisions. You will then submit your next 5000 words for peer and professional feedback. The group concludes with a one-on-one call. 

Participants may opt to share a third submission for critique from Julie and optional peer critique. This is an additional charge and you will be able to make this choice at the end of the workshop. Additional submissions may be either the next section of your project or a revision of material you submitted earlier in the workshop. 

What to expect from your written critiques: Julie will provide a detailed critique on your pages addressing character development, plot development, pacing, and sentence-level writing tips to take your story to the next level. 

*This workshop has a zero tolerance policy against racist, sexist, harassing, or otherwise offensive behavior. Writers who engage in this behavior against the instructor or fellow writers, or present material that promotes this behavior, will be removed from the workshop without a refund.

Notes

Who this workshop is for: This workshop welcomes writers working on MG fiction stories. Julie is excited to read submissions in prose across genres.

Focus: Children's - Middle Grade - Contemporary fiction - Children'…

Group size: 4 writers

Submissions:  Round 1: first 7500 words plus a synopsis; Round 2: 5000 words. 

Fee

Members: $310; Non-members: $375

About Julie Scheina

Julie Scheina is the owner of Julie Scheina Editorial Services, LLC and a former senior editor
at Little, Brown Books for Young Readers. Julie has over seventeen years of experience editing
acclaimed and bestselling books for children and young adults. She has edited more than
200 titles across a variety of genres, from picture books and poetry collections to middle grade
and young adult novels, and she brings this depth of experience and industry knowledge to
every project.
Books that Julie has edited have spent more than 125 combined weeks on the New York
Times bestseller list and include #1 New York Times bestsellers, a Lambda Literary Award
finalist, a William C. Morris Young Adult Debut Award finalist, an Andre Norton Award for
Young Adult Science Fiction and Fantasy nominee, an Edgar Award nominee, Bram Stoker
Award nominees, and a New York Times Best Illustrated Children’s Book. Julie also has
a free resource for writers, Your Editor Friend, a series of weekly letters filled with writing
guidance, revision advice, and encouragement.

Schedule:

  • Wed, Sept 6th, 6-6:30 pm ET -- Intro call
  • Fri, Sept 8th -- Round 1 submissions due
  • Fri, Sept 29th -- Critiques due
  • Thurs, Oct 5th, 6-7:15pm ET -- Debrief call on Zoom
  • Tues, Oct 24th -- Round 2 submissions due
  • Wed, Nov 8th -- Critiques due
  • Mon, Nov 13th, 6-7:15pm ET -- Debrief call on Zoom
  • Week of Nov 27th to Dec 1st --Individual 15/20 min calls to be organized with Julie