Picture Books, with agent Julie Romeis Sanders, Group 2, Winter 2026
February 18th, 2026 - March 20th, 2026
with Julie Romeis Sanders
You'll submit your pages at the group start, then spend the next weeks critiquing peer stories. The agent will submit their notes near the critique deadline. After critiques are complete, we host a live group debrief over Zoom, in which each writer gets individual time with the agent to dig into feedback, brainstorm next steps, and discuss any writing questions. In addition, the agent will lead a group discussion in the group workspace.
Our goal with these events is to help writers become stronger storytellers.
You may sign up for 1 "winter 2026" PB workshop. 30 days ahead of group start, you may sign up for a 2nd group if you are able to give thorough peer critiques in each group.
Notes
Who this workshop is for: <p><span>Writers are expected to be at an intermediate level of picture book writing craft or above. Writers may have achieved this through self-study of books and exercises, or organized instruction such as classes, workshops, or webinars. Writers should be familiar with elements of craft such as characterization, plot, internal arc, and pacing, in order to offer craft-rooted feedback to their peers.</span></p>
Focus: Children's - Picture Books - Fiction - Children's - Picture…
Group size: 8 writers
Submissions: <p>Fiction submissions should be under 900 words; nonfiction should be under 1550 words including backmatter. If your backmatter runs longer, please submit the headers for sections that are not included and omit your bibliography. <br></p><p></p>
Fee
Members: $140; Non-members: $165
About Julie Romeis Sanders
Julie Romeis Sanders joined SteelWorks Literary as an agent in the spring of 2025. Julie’s career in publishing has spanned nearly 25 years and includes a range of experiences including editing, bookselling, teaching, and freelancing. Julie was a founding member of Bloomsbury USA in 2001, helped launch Chronicle’s first fiction for older readers in 2009, and edited their first Caldecott in 2013. Her keen eye for debuts including Rick Yancey, Victoria Jamieson, Aaron Reynolds, and Jennifer “JC” Cervantes, has led to many creators getting started on stellar careers. Through it all, Julie has honed her eye for books kids love along with her passion for supporting creators throughout the creative process. At SteelWorks Literary, Julie hopes to bring all these experiences together to help build a community of writers and illustrators who are as eager to create lasting contributions to children's literature as she is. She is currently seeking authors and author/illustrators who are creating for ages 0-12.
Schedule:
- Wed, Feb 18 - Submissions due
- Wed, Mar 11 - Critiques due
- Wed, Mar 18, 3-5:15pm ET - Debrief call
- Fri, Mar 20 - Group closes