Advanced Picture Books, with Kelly Barrales-Saylor

April 25th, 2025 - May 27th, 2025

with Kelly Barrales-Saylor

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.

<p>You may register for one picture book workshop in spring/summer season.</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. (limited spots available for this category)</p>

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

Group size: 8 writers

Submissions: <p>Submit one fiction picture book under 900 words or one nonfiction picture book under 1550 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;</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: $135; Non-members: $165

About Kelly Barrales-Saylor

Kelly Barrales-Saylor is the executive editor of Ten Speed Press’s new children’s imprint. For the previous 8 years, she served as the editorial director of Sourcebooks eXplore, a children's nonfiction division of Sourcebooks. She has acquired and published hundreds of books throughout her career, including series such as Baby University by Chris Ferrie as well as numerous New York Times bestsellers like P Is for Pterodactyl by Raj Haldar, Chris Carpenter, and Maria Beddia, and hilarious nonfiction titles like Butt or Face? by Kari Lavelle. Kelly's goal is to publish books that affect people’s lives in a positive way by making them laugh, helping them learn something new, or just creating shared moments at bedtime. When she’s not working, Kelly can be found cooking, gardening, reading celebrity memoirs, or watching the Chicago Sky or da Bears.

Schedule:

  • Fri, Apr 25 - Subs due
  • Fri, May 16 - Critiques due
  • Fri, May 23, 12-2:05pm ET - Debrief call
  • Tues, May 27 - Group closes