Picture Books, with editor Catherine Laudone (2 rounds), Fall 25

August 21st, 2025 - November 13th, 2025

with Catherine Laudone

Apply

In this workshop, picture book writers will work with Catherine Laudone and a curated group of peers to revise a manuscript over two submission rounds. In Round 1, writers will submit two stories for written peer and professional critique. For Round 2, writers will revise and resubmit one of these stories. Both rounds conclude with a live group debrief call where writers get a significant amount of individual time discussing their work with Catherine.

In addition, this group has a special emphasis on group discussions. Catherine will lead a discussion each round, plus two additional discussions over the course of the workshop. These will focus on craft and the industry and may include exercises for you to try. These discussions will be hosted in our group workspace, and writers can chime in on their own time (they are not live).

<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: <p>This workshop is geared towards picture book writers who are farther along in their journey. This includes agented writers, writers who have published picture books, and writers who are in the query trenches.<br></p>

Focus: Children's - Picture Books - Fiction

Group size: 4 writers

Submissions: <p>There will be two rounds of submissions. Writers will begin by submitting two stories. After the first round, writers will select a single story to work on for the second round of the workshop.</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 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 21 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 cannot replace you, you will receive a credit for 65% of the workshop cost.&nbsp;</li><li>Withdrawals within 21 days of a workshop start: If we can replace you, you will receive a credit for 75% of the workshop price. If we cannot replace you and the group meets its minimum, you will receive a credit for 50% of the workshop cost. If we cannot replace you and the group is below its minimum, you will not receive a credit.</li></ul>

Fee

Members: $380; Non-members: $450

About Catherine Laudone

Catherine is a senior editor at Beach Lane Books / Simon & Schuster. She acquires and edits picture books and middle grade titles featuring underrepresented voices with a special focus on stories with neurodivergent and disabled main characters. Across the board, she loves stories about intergenerational relationships, family, friendship, community, identity, and the joy and wonder of being a child. Specifically for picture books, she is looking for “modern classics”—character-driven stories with lots of heart and a fresh spin on timeless themes. She loves twist endings and characters that make you laugh or cry. For illustrations, she is drawn to cozy art with a commercial appeal. For nonfiction picture books, Catherine is looking for biographies featuring positive role models and untold real-life legends and accessible narrative nonfiction with a nature or STEM tie-in. Catherine is not the best fit for picture books with potty humor, concept picture books, poetry collections, or super meta concepts. Catherine is also a published author. Her picture book debut She Kept Dancing: The True Story of a Professional Dancer with a Limb Difference tells the story of coauthor Sydney Mesher, the first Radio City Rockette with a limb difference. She Kept Dancing is a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard selection and one of ten 2025 Towner Award nominees. Catherine has an MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults from Vermont College of Fine Arts. When not editing or writing, she enjoys baking, traveling, and playing with her cat Biscotti. To learn more, follow her on Instagram (@catherinelaudone) and visit www.catherinelaudone.com. 

Schedule:

  • Thurs, Aug 21 - Submissions due (two manuscripts)
  • Thurs, Sept. 18 - Critiques due
  • Thurs, Sept 25, 7-8:45pm ET - Debrief call (25 min per writer)
  • Sun, Oct 26th - Submissions due (revision of Round 1 manuscript)
  • Sun, Nov 9 - Critiques due
  • Thurs, Nov 13, 7-8:25pm ET - Debrief call (20 min per writer)


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.