Picture Books with freelance editor Naomi Kirsten (2 rounds), Fall 25
September 16th, 2025 - December 11th, 2025
with Naomi Kirsten
In this workshop, picture book writers will work with Naomi Kirsten 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 Naomi.
In addition, this group has a special emphasis on group discussions. Naomi will lead two discussions 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).
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.
<div>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.</div>
Notes
Who this workshop is for: <p>The workshop is an advanced group for agented and traditionally published children's book authors and writers in the query trenches. We expect strong peer critiquing skills as much as we are looking for writing experience. Writers are expected to give critiques rooted in storytelling craft: plot, characters, pacing, voice, et cetera.<br></p>
Focus: Children's - Picture Books - Fiction - Children's - Picture…
Group size: 5 writers
Submissions: <p>Fiction stories should be under 900 words and nonfiction stories should be under 1550 words including any backmatter (you may submit partial backmatter if you hit the limit). </p><p><span style="font-family: "Open Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-weight: 700;">Changes and Withdrawals Policy: </span></p><p>There will be two rounds of submissions. Writers will begin by submitting two stories. After the first round, writers will select one of their Round 1 stories to work on for Round 2.</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 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. </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 Naomi Kirsten
Naomi Kirsten is a freelance editor and creative consultant. During her 16 years as an editor at Chronicle Books, Naomi acquired and edited hundreds of titles, including picture books, cookbooks, novelty books, board books, games, stationery, and toys. Naomi’s notable and award-winning picture books include New York Times Notable Book There Must Be More Than That!; New York Times Notable Book and Society of Illustrators Gold Medal winner The Bear’s Song; New York Times Best Illustrated Book The Boring Book; Neighbors, winner of the 2021 BolognaRagazzi Award Opera Prima 2021; Two New Years, winner of the Sydney Taylor Book Award and the National Jewish Book Award in 2024; The Book That Can Read Your Mind, which was shortlisted for Barnes & Noble’s Best Picture Book of the Year in 2024; and Junior Library Guild Selection and international bestseller I Didn’t Do My Homework Because…, which has 22 foreign editions to date.
Naomi regularly speaks about the picture book market and development, product ideation, and the creative process. She has been an instructor and presenter at international conferences, webinars, and illustration schools, including Mimaster Illustrazione in Milan, the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI), Inked Voices, Orange Beak, Signs & Lines in Milan, and the Bologna Book Fair Illustrator Survivor’s Corner.
For more about Naomi, visit naomikirsten.com.
Schedule:
- Tues, Sept 16 - Submissions due
- Tues, Oct 7 - Critiques due
- Tues, Oct 14, 2-4:15 ET - Debrief call (25 min per writer)
- Tues, Nov 18 - Submissions due
- Tues, Dec 2 - Critiques due
- Tues, Dec 9, 2-3:50 ET - Debrief call (20 min per writer)