Welcome to the MG/YA Opportunities post! Find all of the monthly opportunities on the MG/YA support page! All opportunities are available to anyone with an internet connection.
To view upcoming monthly and recurring opportunities, visit the MG/YA SUPPORT resource page.
Hey writers,
This month, I invite you to:
- Pick one resource or opportunity. Think about what you’re working on right now and pick something that will help you make progress with that work!
- Share which resources you utilized in the past month in the comments. Let’s share terrific resources. The kidlit writing community consistently lifts each other up, and this blog can be another space for just that.
Will you join me on this journey?
OCTOBER HAPPENINGS
#DVPit and #DVart (free)
Annual pitch party previously on Twitter will be held on Discord this year. For historically underrepresented voices in children’s literature. Authors of Children’s & Teen Fiction/Nonfiction (picture books, chapter books, middle grade, young adult) use #DVpit; Artists & Illustrators use #DVart. October 11, 2023. See website for more details. Created and moderated by literary agent Beth Phelan with assistance from authors Kat Cho and Claribel Ortega and agent Peter Knapp.
Kidlit GN Pitch Event (free)an annual for MG writers and illustrators of graphic novels. October 3-6th, 2023 Pitches must be uploaded between 8 am EDT starting Oct. 1st until 11:59 EDT on Oct 3rd.
Halloweensie Contest (free)
Write a 100-word Halloween story appropriate for ages 12 and under, following prompt for the current year. Prize for the winner. Hosted by children’s author Susanna Leonard Hill. Typically held last week of October, but no details listed specifically for 2023. Check link for updated details.
Children’s Novel Workshop ($)
Work with a developmental editor in a “novel overview and first chapter critique workshop” with SIX 30-minute Zoom meetings and create a skeleton draft of your children’s chapter book, middle grade novel, or young adult novel. October 4 – November 19, 2023. Led by Anastasia Suen, author (and ghostwriter) of 400+ books for children, teens, and adults.
THE LOFT ($) The LOFT LITERARY CENTER offers a variety of courses each month, but not all are specifically for kidlit writers.
- Get Your Writing Life Organized– Your brain was made for writing, not for scrambling to hold a thousand details. One of the best ways to feel like a “real writer” is to treat yourself like one. Once you set up this structure, you’ll realize that it helps you feel like the serious artist you want to be. And, this class will cover not just the organization, but the strategies to keep you organized through time. October 14, 2023
- “Pantsing” Your Novel: Writing Without a Road Map– In this class, we’ll explore ways to delve into your novel without a master plan. Through exercises, research, and yes, stealing a few ideas from Plotters, you’ll develop the tools to keep your novel moving forward, even if you are unsure where it’s going. Please come to this class with an idea for your novel. We will be doing in-class writing focused on your project. October 14, 2023
- “Say What?” Writing Dialogue that Speaks to the Reader– We talk every day. So why is writing dialogue so difficult? Dialogue serves many purposes in fiction: It reveals conflict and creates tension. It advances the storyline. It develops characters and must accurately represent the novel’s time and place. It must sound natural, but not too natural. Dialogue is important for what’s said—and what isn’t said. Those words between the quotation marks are the workhorses of your stories. In this class, you’ll learn how to make characters speak so the reader listens. We’ll examine both the mechanics of dialogue—tags, dialect, speech patterns—as well how it serves your story. October 30, 2023 – November 27, 2023
- None listed for October
- Let’s Complicate Things: The Messy Business of Getting to Know Your Characters with Jennifer Ziegler– Characters are more than just the people in your story. Every key element – plot, setting, themes, mood – is tied to or stems from character. If you as a writer don’t see your main character as a fully realized being, with wounds from the past, goals for the future, and understandings (right or wrong) about the present, your story won’t hold together. This webinar will discuss why it’s important to take this step and introduce prompts and exercises that can help you better understand and develop your characters. Come ready to write and think and make a glorious mess! October 12, 2023
- Craft Webinar: Writing Animal Stories (PBs through Middle Grade) with Evan Griffith– Calling all animal lovers! Why do animals feature so prominently in children’s books, from PBs to novels and from fiction to nonfiction? And why do kids connect so powerfully with animals both on and off the page? In this webinar we’ll explore these questions together, looking at the psychology of the child-animal connection (it’ll be fun despite the word “psychology,” I promise!), then diving into the different roles that animals can play in our stories. October 14, 2023
- Middle Grade First Chapter Workshop (Do’s and Don’ts) with Janae Marks– First chapters are crucial in hooking your reader, especially in middle grade novels. In this workshop, award-winning author Janae Marks will discuss the elements that every middle grade first chapter needs, as well as things to avoid. Workshop attendees will also study examples of successful first chapters and complete a writing exercise to help them plan their own. October 29, 2023
REGISTER IN OCTOBER, HAPPENING LATER:
- Children’s Writing for Beginners– Do you dream of writing a children’s book? This class will explore the exciting world of writing for children and young adults through a mix of writing activities and discussion. The class is suited for both beginners and more established writers who are new to writing for a younger audience. Sessions will provide valuable tips and techniques and jumpstart you on a writing project. November 1, 2023 – December 13, 2023
- Creating Inclusive and Culturally Sensitive Stories with Sarah Steinbacher– Kidlit books with inclusive characters and storylines can provide children with windows, mirrors, and sliding glass doors. One way to improve the quality of your inclusive story is through coauthors and authenticity readers who can help you avoid common stereotypes, unintentional bias, cultural inaccuracies, representation issues, and problematic language. They also can help mitigate your risk in today’s publishing climate and ensure that the book you produce is its best version. November 12, 2023
- Writing Unproblematic Villains with Deke Moulton– In this class, students will grapple with ways in which villains can be unintentionally problematic, from uncovering troubling tropes that can cause real world harm to exploring historical roots to some of our favorite villains. Students will learn about ableism, antisemitism, Islamaphoic, homophobic and racist roots to villain motivations and ways in which they can still create compelling and evil baddies without harming real life people. Students will receive individualized critique from the class instructor. November 19, 2023
- Havens: Secret Refuges Revealing Character’s True Selves with Ashley Wilda– The importance of havens, both in “real” life and in our stories, is obvious. But what even is a haven? And how can we create them in our own stories? Whether you write Middle Grade or Young Adult fiction, this workshop will enable you to not only craft your own havens but leverage their full potential in your character’s journey. December 2, 2023
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.
Months of a Year Banner Illustrations by Lexi Donahue Featured Image Line Art by Valenty, Can Stock Photos
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