September Picture Book Opportunities

Welcome back from summer! Did summer fun wipe out some of your creative time? Get your creative energies back on track with one of these events or courses! Also check out the KidLit Graphic Novel Resources page.

Click the links to go directly to each list.

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

REGISTER IN SEPTEMBER FOR LATER 

HAPPEN EVERY MONTH
For Everyone
For Illustrators
For Writers

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 

SEPTEMBER EVENTS

Challenges, Contests, Mentorships, & Awards

See also HAPPEN EVERY MONTH.

ReVISIONweek (free)
Revise your PB manuscripts that you wrote for challenges earlier in the year!  A week of support, inspiration, and revision magic. OH, and prizes! Always prizes! September 4 – 11, 2024, check site linked above for details. Hosted by children’s authors Lauren H. Kerstein, Joana Pastro, Katie Frawley, Lynne Marie, Shannon Stocker, and Michal BaBay.

#Pitchdis (free)
A Twitter pitch event for disabled authors. See hashtags, rules & guidelines here. Next event is September 10-12, 2024. Moderated by Despina Karras.

SCBWI Narrative Art Award (*See note)
Each year, a rotating panel of judges challenges illustrators to tell a story in three sequential images. The winner will receive free tuition to the Virtual SCBWI Winter Conference. Check link for 2025 submission information. *Free for dues-paying members of SCBWI.

Russell Freedman Award For Nonfiction For A Better World (free)
In honor of the late Russell Freedman, Newbery Award winner and one of the modern masters of narrative nonfiction, a prize to a traditionally published nonfiction book for children or young adults, released during this calendar year. Submissions opened on July 1st, 2024 and will close on October 1st, 2024. From the SCBWI Impact and Legacy Fund.

We Need Diverse Books Mentorships (free)
Pairs writers and illustrators who belong to underrepresented groups with experienced children’s book creators for year-long mentorships. The 2024 Mentorship Program will be open for applications from August 15-September 15, 2024. We strongly encourage applicants to submit their application materials early.

Children’s Literature Mentorship ($)
Mentorship faculty team up for this four-month online program designed for picture book, middle grade, and young adult authors. Virtual group meetings plus one-on-one meetings with mentors. Fall Session, mid-September – December 2024. From Whale Rock Literary Workshops.

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Webinars & Conferences

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

Income Streams for Illustrators ($)
Join illustrators Leeza Hernandez and Courtney Pippin-Mathur to gain valuable insights into the world of school visits, teaching, licensing, and tips for expanding your reach and maximizing the value of your illustrations. Two nights: September 3 and September 5, 2024, 7 -8:15pm Eastern Time both evenings. From the Highlights Foundation.

How to Make a Life—Maybe Even a Living—From Your Art ($)
Art and writing—the really worthwhile kind—don’t usually become lucrative on a practical or predictable timeline. Most of us have to find some other way to pay the bills. This class for writers for all ages and genres will urge participants to carefully delineate their financial needs and creative goals and  learn concrete strategies for balancing the two. Instructor: Joe Fassler. Hybrid meeting, September 6, 2024, 4:30 – 6:30pm Mountain Daylight Time. From Lighthouse  Writers.

Crafting Emotional Arcs in Nonfiction Picture Books ($)
Discover the art of weaving powerful emotions into your nonfiction picture books with author Kirsten Larson! September 10, 2024, 7 – 8:15pm Eastern Time. From SCBWI MidAtlantic.

Pillars of Great Nonfiction Writing ($)
Nonfiction author Sneed B. Collard III draws from a variety of children’s and adult books and authors to focus on the power of story, simplicity, voice, humor, and research to turn average writing into unforgettable literature. Register by September 7 for this event on September 10, 2024, 06:30 PM – 07:50 PM Pacific Time. From SCBWI Oregon.

Practical Matters in Children’s Book Publishing ($)
Beyond the skills needed to craft a great story, there is much to learn as you aspire to write and/or illustrate professionally and publish for kids and teens. Join editor Harold Underdown to learn about the practical matters you need to know. September 16 & 18, 2024, 7pm Eastern. From Highlights Foundation.

Pitching Your Picture Book ($)
You have the picture book idea, but how do you introduce potential agents and clients to it? Join NY Times Bestselling Illustrator Wallace West for a Webinar designed to perfect your picture book pitch. September 21, 2024, 11am – 12:30pm Central Time.

Picture Book Essentials For New Picture Book Writers ($)
Picture books are easy to love, but challenging to write.  Learn the essential elements of craft that can help you turn your ideas into stories with award-winning picture book author Darcy Pattison and author/illustrator Leslie Helakoski. September 23 & 25, 2024, 7 – 8:15pm Eastern Time. From the Highlights Foundation.

Lyrical Language in Prose: Poetry in Every Paragraph ($)
Join author Natalle Creech for an inspiring journey where you’ll discover the art of engaging your readers through the beauty of wordplay. September 28, 2024, time to be announced. From Write2Ignite.

Connecting the Dots to Create Meaningful Color Palette in PB ($)
In this illustration-focused workshop, participants will consider various picture book texts to create a library of color palette options to use in picture book projects. With Devon Holzwarth. September 28, 2024, 06:00 PM – 07:30 PM Central European Time. From SCBWI Germany/Austria.

Writing Powerful Queries for Your Children’s Book, Plus Ten Ways to Translate “No” to “Yes!” ($)
This virtual workshop from Deborah Halverson is for writers of all children’s book categories—picture books, chapter books, MG/YA, fiction or nonfiction—looking to perfect their submission query letters. September 29, 2024, 4pm – 5:30pm Central European Time. From SCBWI Germany/Austria.

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Multi-Week Courses

Online courses lasting more than a day or two.

Lyrical Language Lab ($)
Picture books are meant to be read aloud. Using poetic techniques in your prose will help you create read-aloud language that will transport children (and their parents) into a world of imagination — in as few words as possible. Taught by Renee LaTulippe.  September 2 – November 7, 2024. To be notified of upcoming  sessions, join the mailing list at the link above.

Becoming A Nonfiction Writer: History, Biography, STEAM, and Much More! ($)
Join celebrated authors Jennifer Swanson and Teresa Robeson as they guide you through a wide range of aspects of writing nonfiction for children to create a strong foundation for your work.  Mondays and Thursdays, September 9 – September 23, 2024, 7 – 8:30pm Eastern Time. From the Highlights Foundation.

Fall 2024 Write Now! Groups (free)
There’s nothing like a regular meeting time and space to keep your writing commitments honest. Our Write Now! groups are FREE and offer the support you need to show up and work each week. Choose Tuesday evenings or Wednesday and Thursday mornings, September 10 –  December 19, 2024. See link for more details. From Whale Rock Workshops.

Just Do It! Your Collaborative Support Group for Finishing Your Draft ($)
This supportive program takes kidlit writers of all genres from goal-stating to finished drafts. Together, we’ll move through live sessions, writing prompts, daily inspirations, check-ins, and feedback with Sarah Aronson, Chris Tebbetts, Daria Peoples, Diana Ma, and Meera Trehan. September 17 – November 12, 2024, with live sessions Tuesdays at 8pm Eastern. From the Highlights Foundation.

Editing Children’s Picture Books ($)
Intended for professional editors, but sure to be of use to writers who self-edit and critique. Instructor Lou Piccolo is a freelance developmental editor of fiction and creative nonfiction. September 18 – October 29, 2024. Hosted by Editorial Freelancers Association.

Self-Publishing Basics for KidLit Creators ($)
Designed specifically for aspiring authors of children’s literature, this 4-session course, led by Nancy Sharp Wagner, will demystify the self-publishing process. Register for all four or register for individual events. September 10 – October 22, 2024, 7 – 8:30pm Central Time. From SCBWI Nebraska.

Write. Submit. Support. For Nonfiction Writers ($)
For Nonfiction Writers, join author Rob Sanders for this 6-month program designed to put you on course to go deeper with your existing work. Sundays September 22, 2024 – February 16, 2025, 2 – 5 pm Central Time. Hosted by The Writing Barn.

Write. Submit. Support. ($)
For Picture Book/Chapter Book Writers, a 6-month course offering structure and support not only to our writing lives but also to the roller coaster ride of submissions. Join author Hannah Barnaby for this 6-month exploration of your literary life!  Sundays September 22, 2024 – February 16, 2025, 2 – 5 pm Central Time. Hosted by The Writing Barn.

From Idea & Sketch to Dummy & Submission ($)
If you are illustrating AND writing your own book, and wondering how to prepare your dummy for submission, this is the course for you. Six Tuesdays, September 24 – October 29, 2024, 7:30 – 9pm and 7:30 – 8:30pm Eastern Time. From the Highlights Foundation.

The Crash Course in Children’s Book Publishing ($)
At the end of this 10-week course, you will understand how the children’s book publishing industry works, including submitting, publishing, marketing a book for children, teens, or young adults, and beginning ideas about craft and critique. Live lectures Tuesdays 8-9pm Eastern Time. September 24 – November 26, 2024. 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.

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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.

KidLitAMA (free)
KidLit Ask Me Anything interviews with kidlit creators, hosted on Bluesky Social by Debbie Ridpath Ohi. Appears to have paused for the summer, 2024; check site for updates.

#KidLitChat (free)
Happens every Tuesday night on Bluesky Social at 9pm Eastern / 6pm Pacific, co-hosted by @bonnieadamson.com and @gregpincus.bsky.social

LitMingles (free)
Every month, the Los Angeles Region SCBWI hosts multiple LitMingles, opportunities to discuss topics of interest to kidlit writers and illustrators. Use this link for this month’s LitMingles calendar. 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.

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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.

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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.

Likes Publishing Picture Book Critique Group (free)
Live, free online meetings for serious writers, 8 times a month! You do not need to attend every meeting, but you are expected to be present and participate when you do. Register at link above. Hosted by Kelly M. Likes.

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.

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.

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!

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