Advanced Picture Books, with Naomi Kirsten

January 8th, 2025 - February 7th, 2025

with Naomi Kirsten

Group full

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.

You may participate in one picture book workshop in winter season (includes workshops with Jan 6-Apr 14 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 - Fiction - Children's - Picture…

Group size: 9 writers

Submissions: 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. For writers working on poetry collections, the word count max will be similar to that for fiction picture books.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: $135; Non-members: $165

About Naomi Kirsten

Naomi Kirsten is a freelance editor and creative consultant. During her 16 years as an editor at Chronicle Books, Naomi acquired and edited hundreds of titles, including picture books, cookbooks, novelty books, board books, games, stationery, and toys, focusing on smart, commercial, and art-driven perspectives. Naomi’s notable and award-winning books include New York Times Notable Book There Must Be More Than That!; New York Times Notable Book and Society of Illustrators Gold Medal winner The Bear’s Song; New York Times Best Illustrated Book The Boring Book; Neighbors, winner of the 2021 BolognaRagazzi Award Opera Prima 2021; Two New Years, winner of the Sydney Taylor Book Award and the National Jewish Book Award in 2024; The Book That Can Read Your Mind, which was shortlisted for Barnes & Noble’s Best Picture Book of the Year in 2024; and Junior Library Guild Selection and international bestseller I Didn’t Do My Homework Because…, which has 22 foreign editions to date.

Naomi regularly speaks on publishing industry topics, product ideation, and the creative process. She has been an instructor and presenter at international conferences, webinars, and illustration schools, including Mimaster Illustrazione in Milan, the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI), Signs & Lines in Milan, and the Bologna Book Fair Illustrator Survivor’s Corner.

Schedule:

Wed, Jan 8 - Submissions due
Wed, Jan 29 - Critiques due
Tues, Feb 4, 1-3:15pm ET - Debrief call
Fri, Feb 7- Group closes