Middle Grade Fiction First Pages with Andrea Cascardi

October 21st, 2021 - November 16th, 2021

with Emily M. Bailey

Group started

In this intimate workshop, you'll receive a written critique of your opening 15 pages (3750 words) from literary agent Andrea Cascardi of Transatlantic Agency, plus get the opportunity to speak to Andrea individually in the live group call that follows critiques. You'll also exchange critiques within your group of up to 7 writers. 

How it works

You'll submit your pages at the group start, then spend the next weeks critiquing peer stories. Andrea will submit her notes near the critique deadline. After critiques are complete, we host a 2-hour group debrief, in which each writer gets 15 minutes of individual time with Andrea to dig into feedback, brainstorm next steps, and discuss any writing questions. 

Our goal with these events is to help writers become stronger storytellers. That said, each opening pages event we offer also comes with a submission opportunity.

About the group workshop format

Participants should be sure they have at least 1 hour to give for critiquing each person's manuscript (plus reading time). Because this is a group of 7, this means you should have at least 6 hours available for your peers' stories.

This makes for an intense workload for the few weeks of peer critique. However, we've also found that this format accelerates learning because you are able to read a professional's feedback on each story you have read and critiqued, and you will listen to each one-on-one in the debrief. Many writers have told us that listening and learning from the professional's notes to others has been just as beneficial to their learning as the feedback on their own work.

Andrea Cascardi and Inked Voices are pleased to offer a spot, free of charge, to a writer from a diverse background. Apply by 9/26. https://inkedvoices.typeform.com/to/i3SwyMeR

Notes

Who this workshop is for: Middle Grade fiction writers interested in market and editorial feedback and interested in meeting other MG fiction writers. Agent workshops are especially geared towards writers who are at or near the querying stage.

Focus: Children's - Middle Grade - Contemporary fiction - Children'…

Group size: 8 writers

Submissions: There will be one submission of your first 3750 words (approximately 15 pages) at the workshop start. Participants should also plan to share their pitch/short summary with their pages. Your pitch is not included in the word count and will not be critiqued.

Fee

Members: $95; Non-members: $112

About Emily M. Bailey

Andrea Cascardi has held senior editorial positions at Random House and Disney Publishing, and was an agent with Transatlantic for ten years before returning to the Publisher role at Egmont USA. As an editor she acquired and edited Caldecott Honor and Coretta Scott King winner Tar Beach by Faith Ringgold, the Raffi Songs to Read series, and Pura Belpre winner Before We Were Free by Julia Alvarez among many other award-winning books. As an agent she represented many bestselling and award-winning titles including Clare Vanderpool’s Newbery winner MOON OVER MANIFEST and Printz Honor winner NAVIGATING EARLY, e.E. Charlton-Truillo’s Stonewall winner FAT ANGIE, New York Times Bestseller NUBS: A MUTT, A MARINE, AND A MIRACLE, and Texas Bluebonnet winner TEN RULES YOU ABSOLUTELY MUST NOT BREAK IF YOU WANT TO SURVIVE THE SCHOOLBUS by John Grandits.

For Andrea’s submission interests, please see www.andreacascardi.com.

Schedule:

Thurs, Oct 21st - Submissions due
Wed, Nov 10th - Critiques due
Sun, Nov 14th, 4-6pm ET - Debrief call
Tues, Nov 16th - Group ends