Picture Books (R&R), with Catherine Laudone, Winter 2026

February 18th, 2026 - May 22nd, 2026

with Catherine Laudone

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In this workshop, picture book writers will work with Catherine 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 Catherine. In addition, Catherine 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 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 a 2025 Towner Award nominee. 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:

  • Wed, Feb 18 - Submissions due (1 manuscript)
  • Wed, Mar 11 - Critiques due 
  • Wed, Mar 18, 7-9:05pm ET - Debrief call (19 min per writer; call is all individual turns)
  • Wed, April 22 - Revisions due
  • Mon, May 11 - Critiques due 
  • Mon, May 18, 7-9pm ET - Debrief call (17 min per writer; last 10 min for general Q&A)
  • Fri, May 22 - Group closes