December Picture Book Opportunities

Dear Readers,
We’re finishing out 2024 with the 60th and last monthly PB Opportunities post. (Yes, sixtieth! six-zero!) It’s been a fun five years, and I’ve found some amazing courses for myself while pulling together this list for you. 😉 But a story that I thought was a picture book morphed into a middle grade graphic novel script, and I need more time in my schedule to work on it.

Where can you go from here? The Picture Book Support page has listings for any 2025 opportunities that were posted as of late November, 2024. And Carolyn Frasier keeps an updated listing of KidLit Events for writers of PB through YA. Every Thursday morning she emails subscribers a weekly roundup of those events. Sign up for her KidLit Weekly Email here.

Keep reading Writers’ Rumpus for writing advice, kidlit book reviews, interviews, and more! I’ll still be here, along with the other amazing bloggers.

Click the links to go directly to each list.

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

REGISTER IN DECEMBER FOR LATER

HAPPENS 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

DECEMBER EVENTS

Challenges, Contests, Mentorships, Awards, & Events

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.

Annual Holiday Writing Contest! (free)
Write a maximum 250 word children’s holiday story (children here defined as age 12 and under) following this year’s theme. Link goes to 2024 information on Susanna’s blog. Post your entry per instructions between 12:01 AM EST Friday December 6th and Sunday December 8th, 2024. Hosted by children’s author Susanna Leonard Hill.

#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This program partners unpublished and unagented LGBTQIA+ children’s literature creators who are seeking to be traditionally published with experienced mentors for a three month mentorship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. Check the website and follow Queer Kidlit Mentorship Program on bluesky for updates.

Webinars & Conferences

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

Owl & Penguin: Making Early Readers ($)
Author-illustrator Vikram Madan goes behind the scenes of his Geisel-Honor-winning beginner-comic/early-reader series Owl & Penguin to share his creative process and insights about making early readers. December 2, 2024, 7:00-8:00pm Central Time. Nebraska SCBWI Regional Meeting, open to all.

Stuck in the Middle ($)
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. December 2 & 4, 2024, 7 – 8:15pm. From Highlights Foundation.

Meet and Pitch with Adria Goetz of KT Literary ($)
Learn more about Adria, her agency and wishlist, and get feedback on your 75 word pitch. Submit pitches by December 2 following instructions on site. Adria will be open to submissions from participants for 3 months follow the event. December 5, 2024, 6:30-8:30pm Central Time. Hosted by SCBWI Brazos Valley.

The Piece by Piece of Revision ($)
Join author Stephanie Shaw as she talks through all the steps leading to revising a PB manuscript. December 5, 2024, 7pm – 8:20pm Pacific Time. Register by December 2. From SCBWI Oregon.

First Looks Portfolio Booster ($)
Amelia Mack, art director at Union Square & Co, will offer live feedback on anonymous submissions. Whether you choose to submit a file or just watch, you’ll gain insights on how to improve your art. Register by December 5 for December 7, 2024 10:30am Eastern Time event. Hosted by SCBWI Maryland/Delaware/West Virginia.

Short, Sweet, Saleable ($)
Join picture book author Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen to learn more about creating short and sweet picture books, both in terms of art and business logistics. December 9 & December 11, 2024, 7pm – 8:15pm Eastern Time. From the Highlights foundation.

From Idea to Pitching a Graphic Novel Proposal: How to Put Together A Great Presentation ($)
(Yes, some PB’s are styled as GNs!) Do you have ideas for a graphic novel story? Do you wonder how to pitch your dream project to an agent or a publisher? Author-illustrator Maple Lam will teach you how to put together a great pitch for your next graphic novel. December 10, 2024, 7:30 – 9pm Eastern Time. Hosted by SCBWI New York Metro.

SHINY IDEA TIME (AKA How to Finish Stuff without Losing Your Joy) ($)
Do you struggle to finish projects amid a flood of shiny new ideas? Do those ideas all vanish when you’re asked: “What else are you working on?” Kelly Jones helps you learn how to manage your ideas, your time, and grow your craft while still meeting your deadlines. December 10, 2024, 6:30-7:30pm Pacific Time. From SCBWI Western Washington.

Write Now! Winter Mini-Retreat (*see note)
Want to carve out some real writing time for yourself apart from the demands of the outside world? Join author and meditation instructor Heather Demetrios for an evening designed to help you access flow in your work through meditation and a prompt. *Like all our meditation and writing retreats, this event has a sliding scale. Pay what you can! December 12, 2024, 7 – 9:30pm Eastern time. From Whale Rock Workshops.

Lessons Learned on the Path to Publication ($)
2024 debut children’s literature authors Pam Vaughan and K. Marcus share their different experiences. December 14, 2024, 2 – 4pm Pacific Time. From SCBWI San Diego, part of the monthly chapter meeting.

50 Words to Make (or Break) Your Book (free)
In this Workshopping Webinar, we’re going to drill down into techniques to hook your reader! December 14, 2024, 2pm Pacific Time. From Children’s Book Academy.

Successful Strategies for Submitting Your Manuscript to Agents and Editors ($)
Join editor Harold Underdown to uncover strategies for successfully submitting your manuscript to agents and editors. December 16 & 18, 2024, 7pm – 8:15pm Eastern. From the Highlights Foundation.

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

Dr. Mira’s Magical 13-Week Mentorship Program 2025 ($)
Join in to make your KidLit dreams a reality in this time-flexible program led by Dr. Mira Reisburg. Begins in January. See link above for full details. From Children’s Book Academy.

Rate Your Story ($)
Registration usually open in December for the following year. Annual membership fee includes manuscript critiques from professionals in the field, among other benefits. Look for more info at the link.

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.

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.

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 20^th for next month’s gallery. *No application fee, but must be a dues-paying member of SCBWI.

For Writers

Rhyme Made Easy(er) ($)
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.

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