Advanced Picture Books (Nonfiction), with Catherine Laudone

<p><span id="docs-internal-guid-e7540f32-7fff-aad2-bbae-d7ce5b5cb9c0"><span style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">You may participate in up to one picture book workshop in fall season (includes workshops with Aug 15-Dec 1 start dates.&nbsp;</span></span><br></p>

Submissions: <p>Submit one nonfiction picture book under 1500 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.</p><p><span style="font-family: &quot;Open Sans&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-weight: 700;">Changes and Withdrawals Policy:&nbsp;</span></p><ul><li>2 months or more ahead of a workshop start: you will be credited the full amount of the workshop, less a $20 change fee.</li><li>Under 2 months to 14 days ahead of a workshop start: If we are able to replace you, you will be credited for the full workshop price less a $20 change fee. If we can't replace you, you will receive a credit for 50% of the workshop cost.&nbsp;</li><li>Withdrawals within 14 days of a workshop start: If we can replace you, you will receive a credit for 50% of the workshop price. If we cannot replace you, you will not receive a credit. Your fee will go towards our workshops and scholarships.&nbsp;</li></ul>

Members: $123; Non-members: $160

About Catherine Laudone

Catherine is a senior editor at Paula Wiseman 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 one of ten 2025 Towner Award nominees. 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.