Advanced Picture Books (R&R), with Carina Licon

April 15th, 2025 - June 30th, 2025

with Carina Licon

Group full
In this workshop, picture book writers will work with Carina and a curated group of peers to revise a manuscript over two submission rounds. In Round 1, writers will submit one story for written peer and professional critique. For Round 2, writers will revise and resubmit their story. Both rounds conclude with a live group debrief call where writers get a significant amount of individual time discussing their work with Carina. In addition, Carina 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>You may register for one picture book workshop in spring/summer season.</p>

Notes

Who this workshop is for: <p>This workshop is geared towards picture book writers who are farther along in their journey. This includes agented writers and writers who have published picture books. There is up to 1 spot in this group for writers who are querying and getting requests for more work.<br></p>

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

Group size: 6 writers

Submissions: <p>For Round 1, 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>For Round 2, you will submit a revision of your Round 1 story.</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: <u>if we are able to replace you</u>, 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: $245; Non-members: $290

About Carina Licon

Carina Licon is an associate editor at Henry Holt Books for Young Readers (Macmillan Children’s) from El Paso, TX. She is actively seeking compelling middle-grade and young adult fiction across genres with complex characters who sit at the heart of a story and leap off the page.

In picture books, she seeks: books that explore difficult experiences/emotions in nuanced ways; books that center BIPOC and queer joy; intergenerational households/settings; the fun, imaginary, and magical; the humorous, goofy, and silly; the tender, touching, and sweet.

Overall, she’s looking for stories that lift a mirror to the experiences of diverse children and young adults who feel big and overwhelming things–love, grief, joy, and everything in between.

Schedule:

  • Tues, Apr 15 - Submissions due
  • Wed, Apr 30 -  Critiques due 
  • Wed, May 7, 4-6:05pm ET - Debrief call (19 min per writer)
  • Thurs, June 5 -  Revisions due
  • Thurs, June 19th - Critiques due 
  • Thurs, June 26th, 4-6pm ET - Debrief call (17 min per writer)
  • June 30 - Group closes