Advanced Picture Books with Karen Boss, Winter/Spring 2025

February 27th, 2025 - May 23rd, 2025

with Karen Boss

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In this workshop, picture book writers will work with editor Karen Boss and a curated group of peers to revise a manuscript over two submission rounds. In Round 1, writers will submit two stories for written peer and professional critique. For Round 2, writers will revise and resubmit one of these stories. Both rounds conclude with a live group debrief call where writers get a significant amount of individual time discussing their work with Karen. In addition, Karen will host a discussion each round to allow writers to ask questions and discuss industry/craft topics. These discussions will be hosted in our group workspace, and writers can chime in on their own time (they are not live).

While the workshop allows significant time for revision and critique, the time tends to pass quickly, and participants should be mindful of their schedules when considering this group.

<p>Writers may take one picture book workshop per season. This workshop will count as your winter season and spring/summer season workshop. If you take this group, you will be able to apply for a workshop again in fall.<br></p>

Notes

Who this workshop is for: <p>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.&nbsp;<br></p>

Focus: Children's - Picture Books - Fiction - Children's - Picture…

Group size: 6 writers

Submissions: <p>There will be two rounds of submissions. In Round 1, writers will submit 2 picture book stories. In Round 2, they will submit a revision of one of these stories. Fiction stories should be under 900 words and nonfiction stories should be under 1500 words including any backmatter (you may submit partial backmatter if you hit the limit).</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&nbsp;ahead of a workshop start: you will be credited the full amount of the workshop, less a $15 change fee.</li><li>Under 2 months to 15 days ahead of a workshop start: you will be credited for the full workshop cost less a $15 charge if we are able to replace you. If we can't replace you, you will receive a credit for 50% of the workshop cost.</li><li>Withdrawals within 2 weeks&nbsp;of a workshop start will not be credited even if you are able to be replaced. Your payment will go towards our scholarship program.&nbsp;</li></ul>

Fee

Members: $340; Non-members: $390

About Karen Boss

Karen Boss is a senior editor at Charlesbridge. She holds an MA in Children’s Literature from Simmons University and is a mentor in their MFA program. Karen also has an MA in higher education administration and worked at colleges and in the nonprofit sector for 15 years. She edits fiction and nonfiction picture books, middle grade, and YA. In her free time, Karen watches far too much television, and she often plans “Auntie Karen adventures” for her four nieces (Sonia, 14; Sage, 11; Olive, 7; and Morgan, 5). 

Schedule:

  • Thurs, Feb 27 - Submissions due (2 manuscripts)
  • Thurs, Mar 20 - Critiques due
  • Thurs, Mar 27, 4-6:15pm ET - Debrief call
  • Thurs, May 1 - Round 2 Submissions due (1 manuscript, revised)
  • Mon, May 12 - Critiques due
  • Mon, May 19, 4-6pm ET - Debrief call