Winter/Spring 2024- Advanced Picture Book Writing, with Stephanie Fretwell-Hill

January 8th, 2024 - May 20th, 2024

with Brooke McIntyre

Group started

In this 3-round workshop, picture book writers will work with a literary agent and a curated group of peers to revise and polish a manuscript towards submission. At the start of the group, writers will submit two picture book manuscripts, plus two pitches for written critique. After the initial round, writers select one of their two full manuscripts for revision in rounds two and three. Each round includes a debrief call where writers get one-on-one time with the professional to discuss their questions, brainstorm trouble spots and get feedback on their revision ideas. All group members listen in.

Peer learning is a significant element in our workshop design. In all rounds, writers peer critique one another's work in addition to receiving feedback from the professional. Writers are able to see the professional critiques of their peers' work. Our debrief calls are done as a group. Many tell us that this peer learning is as valuable as the critiques and discussion of their own work. We encourage writers to dig in to help each other, much in the spirit of a critique group, for the length of a workshop. 

While the workshop allows significant time for revision and critique, the time tends to pass quickly, and participants should be mindful of their schedules when considering this group. 

<p>You may take up to one picture book workshop in the winter season (start dates 1/1-4/14).</p>

Notes

Who this workshop is for: <p>The workshop is geared towards picture book writers who are farther along in their journey. This includes writers who are in the picture books query trenches (and practiced writers preparing to do so), as well as agented and/or published writers.<br></p>

Focus: Children's - Picture Books - Fiction - Children's - Picture…

Group size: 5 writers

Submissions: <p>There will be two rounds of submissions. In Round 1, writers will submit 2 picture book stories. In Round 2, they will submit a revision of one of these stories. Fiction stories should be under 900 words and nonfiction stories should be under 1500 words including any backmatter (you may submit partial backmatter if you hit the limit).</p><p><span style="font-family: &quot;Open Sans&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-weight: 700;">Changes and Withdrawals Policy:&nbsp;</span></p><ul><li>2 months or more&nbsp;ahead of a workshop start: you will be credited the full amount of the workshop, less a $15 change fee.</li><li>Under 2 months to 15 days ahead of a workshop start: you will be credited for the full workshop cost less a $15 charge if we are able to replace you. If we can't replace you, you will receive a credit for 50% of the workshop cost.</li><li>Withdrawals within 2 weeks&nbsp;of a workshop start will not be credited even if you are able to be replaced. Your payment will go towards our scholarship program.&nbsp;</li></ul>

Fee

Members: $350; Non-members: $425

About Brooke McIntyre

Stephanie Fretwell-Hill is a literary agent with a sales and editorial background. After starting her career in foreign rights at Walker Books in the UK, Stephanie moved home to Atlanta as an acquiring editor at Peachtree Publishers. Most recently, she joined Red Fox Literary where she represents authors and illustrators of picture books, middle grade, and YA fiction and non-fiction. During her ten + years in the publishing industry, she has had the privilege of working with respected colleagues and award-winning authors and artists from around the world.

Schedule:

Jan 8th – Round 1 submissions due (2 manuscripts + 2 pitches)
Jan 29th - Critiques due
Tues, Feb 6th, 4-6:15pm ET - Debrief call 
Fri, Mar 8th - Round 2 submissions due (1 of your two full manuscripts)
Fri, Mar 22 - Critiques due
Wed, Mar 27th, 4-6pm ET - Round 2 Debrief call 
Mon, Apr 29 - Round 3 Submissions due (a revision of your Round 2 manuscript)
Wed, May 8th - Critiques due
Tues, May 14th, 4-6pm ET - Round 3 Debrief call