November Picture Book Opportunities

Dear Readers,
Next month’s PB Opportunities post will be the last. But there’s another way to stay informed! Carolyn Frasier keeps an updated listing of KidLit Events for writers of PB through YA. Plus, every Thursday morning she emails subscribers a weekly roundup of those events. Sign up for her KidLit Weekly Email here. And keep reading Writers’ Rumpus for writing advice, book reviews, interviews, and more!

With the December listings, I’ll share the simple backstory about why the posts are winding down. For now, find something to support your picture book creation journey in the November listings. Happy picture book creating! 🙂

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

REGISTER IN NOVEMBER FOR LATER

HAPPEN EVERY MONTH
For Everyone
For Illustrators
For Writers

Check out KIDLIT GRAPHIC NOVEL RESOURCES for a quick summary of GN events & resources.

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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NOVEMBER EVENTS

Challenges, Contests, Mentorships, & Awards

SCBWI Independently Published Pre-publication Grant (*See note)
Provides $2,500 to help offset the price of self-publishing. Submissions open November 1 – 30, 2024. *Free to apply for dues-paying members of SCBWI..

SCBWI Spark Award (*See note)
Recognizes excellence in a children’s book published through a non-traditional publishing route, including self-published and published through an established self-publishing enterprise. Submissions open November 1 – 30, 2024. *Free to apply for dues-paying members of SCBWI.

Agent Editor Spectacular II ($)
Live pitching session or critiques with 15 agents and editors and 1 art director. Registration closes November 9, 2024 for December 7 event. From SCBWI Indiana.

#QueerKidlitMentorships (free)
This program partners unpublished and unagented LGBTQIA+ children’s literature creators who are seeking to be traditionally published with experienced mentors for a three month mentorship program. The 2025 Queer Kidlit Mentorship program will take place from March – May 2025. Look for information at the site linked above starting in November 2024.

Purrfect Page-Turner Award (PPTA) (free)
The Purrfect Page-Turner Award© (PPTA) will be given annually to an outstanding, cat-themed children’s book. The deadline for nominating a book ​published in 2024 is January 15th, 2025. Sponsored by Paws to Read Month and author Lee Wardlaw.

See also HAPPENS EVERY MONTH

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Webinars & Conferences

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

Handsprings Hybrid Conference 2024 ($)
We have planned an inspiring and enriching conference with sessions for every kid lit creator. One in-person day November 2. Online conference days are Friday November 1, and Sunday November 3, 2024. From SCBWI New Mexico.

2024 Kansas/Missouri SCBWI Virtual Middle of the Map Conference ($)
Join us for a full day of online events that will be recorded and available for viewing for 60 days. November 1, 2024, 6 – 8:30pm Central Time; November 2, 2024, 8am – 5:15pm Central Time. From SCBWI Kansas / Missouri.

Crash Course in Craft ($)
Have you ever purchased a book to learn the craft of writing books for kids, but aren’t sure how to best put it to use? Here’s a chance to learn from the authors themselves! Join us for a full day of craft talk from the authors of preeminent books on writing craft. November 2, 2024. 11am – 4:30pm Eastern Time. Hosted by SCBWI Southern Breeze.

8 & Under 2024 ($)
This half-day, virtual event is designed especially for writers and writer-illustrators who create for children ages 8 & Under. November 2, 2024, 9:30am – 12:45pm Eastern Time. From SCBWI Eastern Pennsylvania.

Turn Your Crit Group into a Marketing Machine ($)
Children’s authors Melissa Coffey, Kari Lavelle, and Lindsay Leslie share how they have successfully expanded their picture book critique partnership into a strategic marketing group. November 3, 2024, 3pm Eastern Time. From The Writers’ Loft.

From Mayhem to Murder in Picture Books—How to Scare the Little out of Kids ($)
What makes a scary picture book successful? Join agent Sera Rivers to learn about the various elements of the horror genre and how to apply them to stories appropriate for younger audiences. Optional add-on critiques available. November 4, 2024, 07:00 PM – 08:00 PM Eastern Time. From SCBWI Pennsylvania-East.

Managing Author-Agent Relationships (free)
Join us for an informative discussion with renowned Literary Agent, Jem Chambers-Black, as we delve into the intricacies of building and maintaining a successful author-agent partnership. For PAL (Published and Listed) premium members of SCBWI. November 8, 2024, 06:00 PM – 07:00 PM Pacific Time. From SCBWI San Francisco South.

Stuck in the Middle: A Two-Night Mini for Picture Book Writers ($)
Join award-winning author Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow to unpack ways to develop the middle of your picture book so that it serves the perfect emotional bridge between the beginning and the end. November 12 & 14, 2024, 7 – 8:15pm. From Highlights Foundation.

Marketing Opportunities for Storytellers ($)
Join award-winning writers Valerie Bolling and Janae Marks to engage and build your knowledge of marketing and promotional opportunities that you can do as a book creator in order to get your book to kids. November 12 & 14, 2024, 7-8:15pm Eastern Time. From Highlights Foundation.

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Multi-Week Courses

Courses and opportunities lasting more than a day or two.

Cook Up a Picture Book ($)
Natascha Biebow, expert picture book editor, published author, and Editorial Director of Five Quills,  guides you through the signature Cook Up a Picture Book method. Tuesdays, 7-9pm Greenwich Mean Time. 12 November 2024 – ⁠21 January 2025 (six sessions with writing breaks). Sessions are recorded.

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.

Rate Your Story ($) (see January listing)
Registration open November through mid-January or until full. Annual membership fee includes manuscript critiques from professionals in the field, among other benefits.

 

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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 challenge on Instagram 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.

SCBWI Draw This! Challenge (See note*)
Monthly challenge for illustrators with a new theme each month. Submit by the 20^th for next month’s gallery. *No application fee, but must be a dues-paying member of SCBWI.

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For Writers

Rhyme Made Easy(er) ($) New this month!
A skills-based resource for authors of children’s rhyming picture books, poetry collections and standalone poems. Participate in workshops, get personalized feedback, and join a supportive poetry community for writing children’s rhyming poetry. Monthly subscription with discount for multiple months. Hosted by writer/editor/coach Lou Piccolo.

#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.

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