Picture Books, with agent Saba Sulaiman, Fall 25
August 11th, 2025 - September 8th, 2025
with Saba Sulaiman
Member registration opens
June 9th at 10:30 (EDT).
Non-member registration opens
July 13th at 10:00 (EDT).
You'll submit your pages at the group start, then spend the next weeks critiquing peer stories. The agent will submit their notes near the critique deadline. After critiques are complete, we host a live group debrief over Zoom, in which each writer gets individual time with the agent to dig into feedback, brainstorm next steps, and discuss any writing questions. In addition, the agent will lead a group discussion in the group workspace.
Our goal with these events is to help writers become stronger storytellers.
<p>You may register for one picture book workshop in fall season. If there is extra space 1 month ahead of the workshop start (6 weeks for multi-round groups), you may register for another.</p>
Notes
Who this workshop is for: Writers are expected to be at an intermediate level of picture book writing craft or above. Writers may have achieved this through self-study of books and exercises, or organized instruction such as classes, workshops, or webinars. Writers should be familiar with elements of craft such as characterization, plot, internal arc, and pacing, in order to offer craft-rooted feedback to their peers.
Focus: Children's - Picture Books - Fiction - Children's - Picture…
Group size: 8 writers
Submissions: <p>Fiction submissions should be under 900 words; nonfiction should be under 1550 words including backmatter. If your backmatter runs longer, please submit the headers for sections that are not included and omit your bibliography. <br></p><p><span style="font-family: "Open Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-weight: 700;">Changes and Withdrawals Policy: </span></p><ul><li>2 months or more ahead of a workshop start: you will be credited the full amount of the workshop, less a $20 change fee.</li><li>Under 2 months to 14 days ahead of a workshop start: If we are able to replace you, you will be credited for the full workshop price less a $20 change fee. If we can't replace you, you will receive a credit for 50% of the workshop cost. </li><li>Withdrawals within 14 days of a workshop start: If we can replace you, you will receive a credit for 50% of the workshop price. If we cannot replace you, you will not receive a credit. Your fee will go towards our workshops and scholarships. </li></ul>
Fee
Members: $125; Non-members: $155
About Saba Sulaiman
Saba Sulaiman is a senior agent at Talcott Notch Literary Services, a boutique agency located in Milford, CT. She holds a BA from Wellesley College and an MA from the University of Chicago, where she studied modern Persian literature. In children’s fiction, she is building her Picture Book, Middle Grade and Young Adult lists, and is particularly (although not exclusively) interested in contemporary realistic stories. Being an immigrant who is constantly negotiating her own identity and sense of belonging in a place she now calls “home,” she is committed to highlighting more diverse voices with compelling stories to tell; stories that demonstrate the true range of perspectives that exist in this world, and address urgent and often underexplored issues in both fiction and non-fiction with veracity and heart. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram @agentsaba and learn more about her at sabasulaiman.com
Schedule:
- Mon, Aug 11th - Submissions due
- Fri, Aug 29th - Critiques due
- Thurs, Sept 4th, 3-5:05pm ET - Debrief call
- Mon, Sept 8th - Group closes