Advanced Picture Books (Nonfiction), with Olivia Swomley

October 21st, 2024 - November 22nd, 2024

with Olivia Swomley

Group full

You'll submit your nonfiction picture book at the group start, then spend the next weeks critiquing peer stories. The editor 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 editor to dig into feedback, brainstorm next steps, and discuss any writing questions.

Our goal with these events is to help writers strengthen the project submitted and to push their storytelling craft.

You may participate in up to one picture book workshop in fall season (includes workshops with Aug 15-Dec 1 start dates.

Notes

Who this workshop is for: This workshop is an advanced group. You must be an Inked Voices member, and you must meet one of the following for this advanced group: 1) picture book traditionally published or under contract; 2) agented (or previously agented in the past 3 years); or 3) querying and getting requests for additional PB manuscripts. (limited spots available for this category)

Focus: Children's - Picture Books - Nonfiction

Group size: 9 writers

Submissions: 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.Changes and Withdrawals Policy: <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. </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. </li></ul>

Fee

Members: $123; Non-members: $160

About Olivia Swomley

Olivia Swomley is an editor at Candlewick Press, working predominantly on nonfiction titles for the MITeen and MIT Kids imprints. In collaboration with MIT Press, the imprints publish engaging and ambitious books with a focus on STEAM themes for kids ages 0-18. Olivia especially enjoys editing books that celebrate discovery, creativity, and the intersection of art and the humanities with scientific content. Some of her projects include Star Sailor, the autobiography of a former NASA astronaut and Administrator; Maker Girl and Professor Smarts, a graphic novel series about two kids who use science as a superpower; Become an App Inventor, a guide to making apps from MIT’s Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Lab; and Discovering Life’s Story, a series on the history of biology. Olivia is a graduate of Haverford College, where she majored in Spanish and Comparative Literature and worked as a bookseller at Children’s Book World. She’s also a graduate of Hamline’s MFA program in Writing for Children and Young Adults, where she won the T.A. Barron Fantasy Award and the Anne Tewes Schwab Award for her critical thesis, “Deathly Seduction: Monstrous Female Bodies in Young Adult Literature.” Olivia is from the Boston area; when she’s not reading, she’s thinking about her next meal or trying to convince her dog, Amanita, to stop chasing bunnies.

Schedule:

Mon, Oct 21 - Submissions due

Mon, Nov 11- Critiques due

Mon, Nov 18, 7-9:15pm - Debrief call

Fri, Nov 22 - Group closes