June Picture Book Opportunities

Welcome back Picture Book Writers and Illustrators! Here’s the lineup of events and opportunities for June.

See what else is happening online in the coming months on the PICTURE BOOK SUPPORT resource page.

Thinking of graphic novels? Visit the KidLit Graphic Novel Resources page.

Click the links to go directly to each list.

JUNE EVENTS
Challenges, Contests, Mentorships, Awards, and Events
Webinars & Conferences
Multi-Week Courses

REGISTER IN JUNE FOR LATER

HAPPEN EVERY MONTH

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

Challenges, Contests, Mentorships, & Awards

Webinars & Conferences

Events lasting from an hour to a few days, in sort of chronological order.

Graphic Novels for Beginners ($)
Do you have an idea for a graphic novel for kids or teens? Or do you have an idea, and you’re wondering if the graphic novel form is the right medium to tell it? Join Emily Rosenthal and Cynthia Yuan Cheng to begin your journey of transforming ideas into the graphic novel form. Two nights: June 3 and June 5, 2024, 7 -8:15pm Eastern Time both evenings. From the Highlights Foundation.

Picture Book Biographies II: Creating a Standout ($)
Join acclaimed picture book biography author Rob Sanders to explore components of successful picture book biographies that stands out for all the right reasons. Six Mondays: June 3 – July 8, 2024, 7 – 8pm Central Time. From The Writing Barn.

Creating and Maintaining a Series ($)
Join author Debbie Dadey for a discussion of her thirteen series, high-concept ideas, and how to build a world that with will sustain an entire series. Wednesday June 5, 2024, 5pm Eastern. Must register in advance to access recording. From SCBWI New England.

Creative Approaches to Revision with Elizabeth Law ($)
Join editor Elizabeth Law to learn how writers –from picture book to nonfiction to YA– have attacked specific challenges. June 6, 2024, 7:00 PM – 08:30 PM Mountain Time. Register at link above for single webinar. Register here for discount on all four webinars in the Creative Approaches series. Hosted by SCBWI Rocky Mountain.

Writing Groups That Work: Give and Receive Feedback That Supports the Writer ($)
A well-run writing group can be a training ground for collective growth, support, and motivation to write. In this 90-minute session led by author Karen Krossing, you’ll explore how to set up a writing group that centers on each writer’s needs. Thursday June 6, 2024, 7:00 – 8:30 PM Eastern. Hosted by Whale Rock Workshops.

Portfolio Review Day ($)
Artists’ agent and RISD professor Judy Sue Goodwin Sturges will provide a 20-minute Zoom critique of each participating illustrator’s portfolio. Judy Sue will offer each illustrator an assignment prompt for further feed-back. Must register by May 31 for June 8, 2024, reviews scheduled throughout the day. From SCBWI Nebraska.

Illustrator Intensive: Creating Striking Picture Books with Lian Cho ($)
Lian Cho unveils the secrets behind her picture book Pig Town Party! Designed for new and seasoned Illustrators, as well as authors/illustrators, to explore and refine your illustration process. June 15, 2024, 10am – 1pm Pacific Time. From SCBWI San Francisco Northeast.

Summer Sampler Class: Children’s Literature ($)
If you’re new to the Loft, online classes, or creative writing, or you’d just like the opportunity to try a class for a brief time, meet other writers, and find a writing community, this sampler class is the place for you! Led by author Abdullahi Janno. June 15, 2024, 1 – 2pm Central Time. From The Loft.

Penn PALs Day ($)
Join us for a virtual day especially for PALs (published and listed authors/illustrators). From promo videos to book launch parties, we’ll talk all things marketing in the morning. Come back in the afternoon for a deep dive into school visits. June 15, 2024, 8:45am – 5:15pm Eastern Time. From SCBWI Eastern Pennsylvania.

Websites for Authors Workshop ($)
We blend handholding with teamwork to tackle one of the most challenging aspects of authorship: presenting yourself online. Three Mondays: June 17 & 24 and July 1, 2024, 5:30 – 6:15pm Eastern Time. From SCBWI New York Eastern Upstate.

New Nonfiction: Approaching NF Topics in Exciting and Sellable Ways ($)
Editors are looking for nonfiction books that approach a subject creatively, with unusual perspectives and unique structures. Author Candace Fleming presents the session. June 22, 2024, 11am-12:30pm Central Time. From The Writing Barn.

Get Inspired: Small Picture Books, Big Ideas! ($)
As a beginner-level class, we’ll have a cursory look at the fundamentals of a picture book and craft elements. Instructor: Author Abdullahi Janno. June 22, 2024, 9am – 12 noon Central Time. From The Loft.

Multi-Week Courses

Courses lasting more than a day or two.

CBA’s Diamond Club ($)
For 6 months (from June 2nd – December 2nd, 2024), join Diamond KidLit Maker’s Club members and rub elbows with experts (with submission, pitching, and critiquing opportunities). More info at link. From Children’s Book Academy.

Writing for Children: The Next Steps ($)
Writing for children is a place with a wide spectrum, from picture books to middle grade to young adult. This session will explore it all. Instructor: Author Lisa Bullard. Six Wednesdays, June 19 – July 31, 2024, (not July 3) 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. Central Time. From The Loft.

KidLit Publishing Accelerator Program ($)
Learn to write (and Illustrate) children’s picture books with Reisberg and the Children’s Book Academy. June 24 – September 16, 2024. From Children’s Book Academy.

The Crash Course in Children’s Book Publishing: Illustrator’s Edition ($)
Join lead faculty Pat Cummings and Harold Underdown for this special Illustrator’s Edition of our Crash Course in Children’s Publishing. At the end of the course, you will understand how the children’s book publishing industry works for illustrators and author/illustrators, including ways to build your portfolio and engage with art-directors. June 25 – August 20, 2024, live lectures on Tuesdays from 8 – 9pm Eastern Time. From the Highlights Foundation.

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. Start anytime, complete within 10 weeks. Led by Anastasia Suen, author (and ghostwriter) of 400+ books for children, teens, and adults.

2024 Year-Long Children’s Literature Writing Project ($)
This year-long program led by Lisa Bullard will immerse adults who are interested in writing children’s books in a study of this dynamic and challenging arena. June 13, 2024 – April 3, 2025. From The Loft.

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.

KidLitAMA (free)
KidLit Ask Me Anything interviews with kidlit creators, hosted on Bluesky Social by Debbie Ridpath Ohi. Check site for details on this month’s KidLitAMA!

LitMingles (free)
Every month, the Los Angeles Region SCBWI hosts multiple LitMingles, opportunities to discuss topics of interest to kidlit writers and illustrators. For this month’s LitMingles calendar, go to the link above and then click the “LitMingle Calendar” link at the top of the landing page. Hosted by SCBWI Los Angeles, open to everyone via Zoom.

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.

PB Workshop Chat Group (free)
In the PB Workshop chat server you can discuss writing, ask for tips and opinions, share your favorite books, discuss events, etc. Hosted on the Discord App by author Chris Nantais.

Storytime Sprint (free)
A monthly, short and sweet, online event where an author (usually debut) reads their new picture book. Participants then have 24 hours to SPRINT to leave an honest review or a library purchase request in order to be entered into a drawing for a prize from the author. Hosted by Ryann Jones and Andi Chitty.

For Illustrators

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

#kidlitart (free)
Every Thursday, 9pm Eastern Time (2am UTC), Twitter chat for children’s book illustrators & friends. Moderated by author/illustrators @RubinPingk and Charlene Chua (@charlenedraws).

Inktober 52 (free)
A weekly drawing challenge for the entire year: one prompt a week, 52 weeks in the year, 52 drawings. Hosted by illustrator Jake Parker.

Might Could Studiomates (free)
Tired of social media, but still want a space to share your art and be inspired? Meet artist friends and grow your art practice in this free, private online community. Founded by artist Christine Nishiyama.

SCBWI Draw This! Challenge (See note*)
Monthly challenge for illustrators with a new theme each month. Submit by the date listed on the webpage for next month’s gallery. *No application fee, but must be a dues-paying member of SCBWI.

For Writers

#FirstDraftFriday (free)
The first Friday of each month, 8am-8pm Eastern Time (1pm-1am UTC), write a new picture book first draft with inspiration from the day’s blog post featuring guest authors, then enter to win a free MS critique. #FirstDraftFriday. Hosted by children’s writer Hollie Wolverton.

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.

Penny’s Two Cents ($)
Picture book author Penny Parker Klostermann offers video chat sessions, small-group webinars, and packages that include feedback on picture book manuscripts. Contact Penny here to schedule.

Picture Book Power Hour (free)
PB Power Hour is “a Quick Moving Exercise-Based Hour” for picture book writers at all stages. It is free to attend and occurs on the first Sunday of each month, except for July. Sign up here. Hosted by author Jamie Rodarte.

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.

South Asian Scribe Squad (free)
Nine agented writers of South Asian descent offer free weekly picture book critique opportunities on Twitter. The goal is to give back to the writing community that has helped all of us in our journey. The giveaways are open to all PB writers. Follow the South Asian Scribe Squad for opportunity alerts!

WIFYR Book Club (free)
Writing and Illustrating for Young Readers hosts monthly zoom meetings with an author presenter and time for Q&A, to discuss everything from picture books through young adult. Pauses for summer months. Register at this link. Hosted by WIFYR.

Do you, 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 Blue Ring Media, Shutterstock