Advanced Picture Books, with Miloni Vora (Fiction and Nonfiction)

February 12th, 2025 - March 10th, 2025

with Miloni Vora

You'll submit your 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. In addition, the editor will lead a group discussion in the group workspace.

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

<p>You may participate in up to one picture book workshop per season. Winter season includes groups with Jan 6-Apr 14 start dates.&nbsp;<br></p>

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. (up to 1 spot available for this category)

Focus: Children's - Picture Books - Fiction

Group size: 6 writers

Submissions: <p>Submit one fiction picture book under 900 words or 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.&nbsp;<br></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>

Fee

Members: $145; Non-members: $175

About Miloni Vora

Miloni Vora is an Assistant Editor at Atheneum Books for Young Readers. Miloni joined Simon & Schuster in January of 2022, after interning at W. W. Norton, the Feminist Press, and various agencies. She assists Caitlyn Dlouhy on a range of picture books, middle grade, and young adult, and has worked on titles such as Twenty-Four Seconds From Now… by Jason Reynolds, Rebellion 1776 by Laurie Halse Anderson, and You Are Loved by Sujean Rim among many others.Regardless of genre and format, she loves stories with strong, spunky, characters that make her laugh (and cry). She specifically enjoys multigenerational family stories, stories about language and connection, and stories about healing and hope. Her favorite fantasy books are ones rooted in inclusive worldbuilding, particularly from non-European cultures, and featuring multiple protagonists who use humor as a coping mechanism. For middle grade, she loves reading shenanigans featuring the class nerd and the class clown, and for picture books she loves everything from grumpy toddlers to stories filled with stunning, lyrical prose. 

Schedule:

  • Wed, Feb 12 - Submissions due 
  • Fri, Feb 28 - Critiques due 
  • Wed, Mar 5, 7-8:45pm ET – Debrief call 
  • Mon, Mar 10 – Group closes