Our workshop offers faculty critiques for writers at various stages in their journey toward publication—the debut novel or beyond. Critiques may be written and/or in person; manuscript length ranges from five to 20 pages. Each writer may receive up to three critiques with our editor, agent and/or faculty author.

In-person critiques are usually reserved for writers of contemporary or historical realistic novels. However, depending on our faculty, we occasionally offer written-only critiques for other, well-crafted manuscripts (e.g., an “older” chapter book, a story-in-poems, a biography, a fantasy novel). Writers of many genres can apply the techniques we explore in character, plot, and theme.

	Which book(s) will carry your name?

Our enrollment options are listed below in brief. For more details about each, scroll down to the next main header, Critiques & Fees. And/or, click here.

Our enrollment options in a nutshell:

• Group 1 Face-to-Face Critique (with editor, agent and faculty author, on 10 to 15 manuscript pages)
  
  
• Group 2 Written Critique (with editor, agent or faculty author, on 10 to 15 manuscript pages)
  
  
• Group 3 Written Mini-Critique (with editor, agent or faculty author, on five manuscript pages)
  
  
• Group 4  Auditor (active observer without manuscript critique)

Workshop tuition covers basic activities: master classes, focus sessions, keynotes, and the above critiques. Fee also includes pre-workshop materials (online manual and peer-manuscript anthology), plus three meals with faculty (Friday dinner; Saturday and Sunday lunch). The fee does not include lodging, but you may book at one of two venues with rooms reserved and discounted for our attendees.

MASTERCLASS CRITIQUES

If you’ve never heard of “master classes,” you’re not alone! These aren’t traditional fare at children’s writers workshops. We’ve adapted this collegial format to allow our entire group to observe faculty critiques of selected peer writers. (Manuscripts are available to read before the workshop.) Each faculty presents a critique, interacting with the manuscript’s author for 20 minutes, followed by guided group discussion about that manuscript. For more information about the masterclass format, click here.

Our Masterclass Critiques Schedule

Friday: A team-taught demo session is presented by our agent, editor and faculty author.

CRITIQUES & FEES

Below, our enrollment groups are described briefly. Fees shown here include an Early Bird discount. For registration after May 17, please add $30. Additional $30 discount for students ages 16-24 and their enrolled parent, plus $10 discount for all First in Line (pre-Early Bird) deposits. For a more in-depth look at each enrollment group, click here.

GROUP 1
FACE-TO-FACE CRITIQUES (FCs): In this group, you’ll receive a 20-minute, face-to-face critique with our editor, agent and faculty author on 10 to 15 manuscript pages. Critique is presented in a team-taught, masterclass format; group discussion follows each critique. Writers are selected for this group based on their level of craft. These manuscripts tend to offer educational value for all attendees. Fee: $569

GROUP 2 
WRITTEN CRITIQUES (WCs): In this group, you’ll receive a written critique on 10 to 15 manuscript pages from our editor, agent or faculty author; usually the writer’s choice (or first-come). You’ll attend all masterclass critique clinics, evaluating Group 1 manuscripts with faculty and peers (manuscripts and worksheets are available in advance). In this group, you’re guaranteed place-card seating at a meal close to the faculty of your choice. Fee: $489

GROUP 3
WRITTEN MINI-CRITIQUES (WMCs): In this group, you’ll receive a written critique from our faculty author on five manuscript pages, and on a brief synopsis if you have one. You’ll participate in master classes and receive all pre-workshop materials as described in Group 2. Fee: $409

GROUP 4
AUDITORS (Active Observers): As an Auditor, you won’t receive a critique, but are invited to participate in master classes and receive pre-workshop materials as described in Group 2. Previous Auditors have included professional storytellers, aspiring-but-savvy novelists, published novelists, educators, librarians, and other incorrigible bookworms! Fee: $339

Regardless of which group you enroll in, expect to discover a smorgasbord of educational and networking delights. To explore each enrollment group in detail, click here.