Middle Grade Fiction First Pages with Alyson Heller
February 3rd, 2025 - March 7th, 2025
with Alyson Heller
You'll submit your pages at the group start, then spend the next weeks critiquing peer stories. Alyson will submit her notes near the critique deadline. After critiques are complete, we host a 2-hour group debrief, in which each writer gets 15 minutes of individual time with Alyson to dig into feedback, brainstorm next steps, and discuss any writing questions.
Our goal with these events is to help writers become stronger storytellers. That said, each opening pages event we offer also comes with a submission opportunity.
<p>You may take one middle grade workshop per season. Winter season includes workshops beginning January 1st - April 14th 2025. If there is space in a workshop 1 month prior to it starting, you may register for a second workshop.<br></p>
Notes
Who this workshop is for: <p>This workshop is for agented writers (MG writing) and advanced writers who are querying and getting requests for their full. No first drafts please.<br></p>
Focus: Children's - Middle Grade - Contemporary fiction - Children'…
Group size: 7 writers
Submissions: <p>There will be one submission of your first 3750 words of prose (approximately 15 pages) at the workshop start. Participants should also plan to share their pitch/short summary with their pages. Your pitch is not included in the word count and will not be critiqued.</p><p><span style="font-family: "Open Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-weight: 700;">Changes and Withdrawals Policy: </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. </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: $140; Non-members: $165
About Alyson Heller
Aly is an Executive Editor with Aladdin Books, an imprint of Simon and Schuster Children’s Publishing. She joined the Aladdin team in 2008 after a two-year stint in the Simon & Schuster Associates Program. She has had the privilege of working with amazing authors and illustrators in the picture book, chapter book and middle-grade spaces, with a soft spot for contemporary middle grade fiction. On both the non-fiction and fictional side, she has a particular affinity for diverse stories and creators. You can find her on X @EditorAlysonH.