April Picture Book Opportunities

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Update April 17, 2023: Something has gone wrong with the April post, and most entries are missing. Sorry for the inconvenience. Please refer to the Picture Book Support Page for April, and to the SCBWI Regional Webinars page, for events this month.

APRIL EVENTS

• Challenges, Contests, Mentorships, & Awards
• Webinars & Conferences
• Multi-Week Courses

REGISTER IN APRIL FOR LATER

HAPPEN EVERY MONTH

• For Everyone
• For Illustrators
• For Writers

To see what’s coming up the rest of the year, and what’s available all year ’round, visit the PICTURE BOOK SUPPORT resource page.

Fee or free? Here’s a key:
(free) – no fee to enter or to participate
($) – fee to enter or to participate
(*See note) – look for *explanation within the blurb

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Challenges, Contests, Mentorships, & Awards

See also HAPPEN EVERY MONTH

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Multi-Week Courses

Courses lasting more than a day or two.

Intensive Picture Book Workshop ($)
Work with a developmental editor in SIX 30-minute Zoom meetings as you write and revise your fiction or nonfiction picture book. April 1 – May 31, 2023. Led by Anastasia Suen, author (and ghostwriter) of 400+ books for children, teens, and adults.

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HAPPEN EVERY MONTH

For Both Illustrators and Writers

12 x 12 Picture Book Chat (free)
Join 12 x 12 Challenge Founder Julie Hedlund each month as she hosts picture book creators who read their books and discuss their path to publishing. Plus, they’ll answer your questions during a live Q&A session.

PBParty New Draft Challenge (free)
Usually the third Thursday of each month, unless it conflicts with a pitch party, so check web site. All day, Eastern Time. Hosted by Mindy Alyse Weiss.

 

For Illustrators

Color Collective (free)
Weekly Twitter challenge for illustrators where you make work based on a single color.

 

For Writers

Ditty of the Month Club (DMC) (free)
Practice writing in rhyme and submit your poem. A new challenge each month, plus interviews. Hosted by Michelle H. Barnes on Today’s Little Ditty website.

Making Picture Book Magic ($)
A 4-week course with short, daily lessons. Options for working with a small class or on your own. New enrollments begin the first of every month. Taught and hosted by children’s author Susanna Leonard Hill.

Picture Book Study Hall ($)
Marcie Colleen hosts this month-long online critique group for writers who have multiple picture book manuscripts to revise. New session starts each month.

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Does your local writing organization, SCBWI region, etc. host virtual events that are available to anyone with an internet connection? Would you like them listed here?  Please share the info in the comments, or use our Contact Form.

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Months of a Year Banner Illustrations by Blue Ring Media, Shutterstock