Intensive: From “Quiet” to Acquired: How to Prepare and Position Your Picture Book for Submission Success

March 2nd, 2025 - March 3rd, 2025

with Naomi Kirsten

Register

Writers are often told their work is “too quiet.” But what does “too quiet” really mean? Every project is different, yet when it comes to a “quiet” designation, there are often key qualities informing that assessment. 

The good news is that it IS possible to submit a “quiet book” and secure a spot on a publisher’s list. In fact, “quiet books” often result in starred reviews, “best book of the year” designations, ALA awards, and springboards for series. “Quiet” can actually be your picture book’s hidden strength AND a quality that sets it apart.

In this intensive, we will explore the hallmarks that may lead to a book being dismissed as “too quiet.” As we explore case studies of published “quiet books,” we will consider the following:

  • How and why the narrative and overall style of successful “quiet books” work
  • How to lean into “quiet” and fully embrace your chosen narrative and stylistic approach
  • Or, how to push a book beyond “quiet” in terms of craft so that the narrative or idea effectively communicates its need in the market
  • How to best position a “quiet book” when presenting to an agent for representation or a publisher for publication 


Deliverables:

  • 3-hour live intensive, including instruction, an in-class exercise and time for Q&A
  • Participants will receive a handout that summarizes the key points, the in-class exercise, and a few additional exercises to undertake after the intensive.
  • The class will be recorded and the replay will be available for 2 months (ending May 2). 


Join us from anywhere–this class will be held on Zoom. You will receive your Zoom invitation one week ahead of the class start date.

Notes

Who this workshop is for: <p>The class material is for picture book creators at all levels.</p>

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

Group size: 100 writers

Submissions: <p>There are no critiques with this workshop.&nbsp;</p>

Fee

Members: $50; Non-members: $80

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. Naomi’s notable and award-winning picture 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 about the picture book market and development, 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), Inked Voices, Orange Beak, Signs & Lines in Milan, and the Bologna Book Fair Illustrator Survivor’s Corner.

For more about Naomi, visit naomikirsten.com.

Schedule:

Live Sunday, March 2nd, 2-5pm ET

The intensive will be recorded with replay available through May 2, 2025.