Picture Books (R&R), with editor Carina Licon, Winter 2026

January 14th, 2026 - April 3rd, 2026

with Carina Licon

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In this workshop, picture book writers will work with Carina and a curated group of peers to revise a manuscript over two submission rounds. In Round 1, writers will submit one story for written peer and professional critique. For Round 2, writers will revise and resubmit their story. Both rounds conclude with a live group debrief call where writers get a significant amount of individual time discussing their work with Carina. In addition, Carina will host a discussion each round to allow writers to ask questions and discuss industry/craft topics. 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.

<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.</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 and writers who have published picture books. There is up to 1 spot in this group for writers who are querying and getting requests for more work.<br></p>

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

Group size: 6 writers

Submissions: <p>For Round 1, submit one fiction picture book under 900 words or one nonfiction picture book under 1550 words (including backmatter). If your backmatter runs longer, please submit the headers for sections that are not included. There is no need to include a bibliography.&nbsp;</p><p>For Round 2, you will submit a revision of your Round 1 story.</p>

Fee

Members: $265; Non-members: $310

About Carina Licon

Carina Licon is an associate editor at Henry Holt Books for Young Readers (Macmillan Children’s) from El Paso, TX. She is actively seeking compelling middle-grade and young adult fiction across genres with complex characters who sit at the heart of a story and leap off the page.

In picture books, she seeks: books that explore difficult experiences/emotions in nuanced ways; books that center BIPOC and queer joy; intergenerational households/settings; the fun, imaginary, and magical; the humorous, goofy, and silly; the tender, touching, and sweet.

In middle grade and young adult, she seeks: complex, whipsmart protagonists; contemporary YA horror and thrillers in the vein of Courtney Summers; spooky, atmospheric MG; gothic YA horror or fantasy; stories about mental health; coming-of-age stories; friendship stories; intergenerational BIPOC stories; stories of everyday life in a BIPOC household (especially Latinx); romance with lots! of! angst!; contemporary, grounded fantasy OR high fantasy with strong real world/relatable themes.

Overall, she’s looking for stories that lift a mirror to the experiences of diverse children and young adults who feel big and overwhelming things–love, grief, joy, and everything in between.

She is not a good fit for high fantasy multi-book series or in-verse novels.

Schedule:

  • Wed, Jan 14 - Submissions due
  • Mon, Feb 2 - Critiques due 
  • Mon, Feb 9, 4-6:05pm ET - Debrief call (19 min per writer)
  • Mon, Mar 9 - Revisions due
  • Mon, Mar 23 - Critiques due 
  • Mon, Mar 30, 4-6pm ET - Debrief call (17 min per writer)
  • Fri, April 3 - Group closes