Advanced Picture Books, with agent Sean McCarthy (3 rounds + pitches), Winter 2026

January 7th, 2026 - May 22nd, 2026

with Sean McCarthy

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In this workshop, writers will submit two projects for critique in Round 1, then focus on one of these two stories for revision in the second and third rounds of the workshop. Writers will also submit three pitches in Round 3: the pitch for the manuscript they have worked on, plus two additional pitches. 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. In addition, the pro will lead a discussion once each round on the group discussion boards.

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 register for one picture book workshop in winter season. If there is extra space 1 month ahead of the workshop start (6 weeks for multi-round groups), you may register for another.&nbsp;</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>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). Pitches in round 3 should be a short paragraph.</p>

Fee

Members: $420; Non-members: $470

About Sean McCarthy

Sean McCarthy began his publishing career as an editorial intern at Overlook Press and then moved over to the Sheldon Fogelman Agency. He worked as the submissions coordinator and permissions manager before becoming a full-time literary agent. Sean graduated from Macalester College with a degree in English-Creative Writing, and is grateful that he no longer has to spend his winters in Minnesota. He is drawn to flawed, multifaceted characters with devastatingly concise writing in YA, and character-driven work or smartly paced mysteries/adventures in MG. In picture books, he looks more for unforgettable characters, off-beat humor, and especially clever endings. He is not currently interested in issue-driven stories or query letters that pose too many questions.

Schedule:

  • Wed, Jan 7 - Round 1 Submissions due (submit 2 manuscripts)
  • Tues, Jan 27 - Round 1 Critiques due  
  • Wed, Feb 4 - Round 1 call, 4-6:20pm ET (26 min per writer)
  • Mon, Mar 9 - Round 2 Submissions due (revise 1 of the Round 1 fulls)
  • Mon, Mar 23 - Round 2 Critiques due 
  • Tues, Mar 31 - Round 2 Debrief call, 4-6pm ET (22 min per writer)
  • Mon, Apr 27 - Round 3 submissions due (revise your round 2 manuscript + submit the pitch for your workshop manuscript and two additional pitches)
  • Mon, May 11 - Round 3 critiques due 
  • Tues, May 19, 4-6pm ET - Round 3 Debrief call (22 min per writer)