Easy Reader/Chapter Book/MG Fiction Cohort is for you if
• You have completed 2 or more easy reader, chapter book, or middle grade manuscripts.
• You have been attending a critique group regularly and are beginning to get positive feedback on your work.
• You’re looking for feedback to take your work to the next level.
You’ll submit up to 25 double-spaced pages of an easy reader, chapter book, or middle grade fiction manuscript each month, for a total of 6 mentor critiques, plus monthly peer critiques from the other members of your cohort. You may choose to submit new material each month, or revise and resubmit previously critiqued material.
Maximum size of this cohort is 4 participants.
Cost: $900
About Mentor J.H. Diehl
J.H. (Jean) Diehl
is the author of TINY INFINITIES (Chronicle Books), recently chosen by Reader’s Digest as one of the “106 Best Children’s Books of All Time” and also a Bank Street College of Education Best Book of the Year, Junior Library Guild Selection, and Mighty Girl Book of the Year. Her picture books include LOON CHASE and THREE LITTLE BEAVERS (both Arbordale). She has written leveled readers and literacy materials for education publishers, and her short fiction has appeared in literary journals, magazines and anthologies. Jean has an MFA in Fiction from the Iowa Writers’ Workshop. She is the recipient of a Michener Fellowship and a Maryland Individual Artist Award and was a finalist for an SCBWI Grant for a Contemporary Novel. She has taught fiction writing, literature and composition at universities, high schools and elementary schools in the U.S. and abroad. Jean is a long-time freelance editor and coach who has helped writers at all levels – from first-time authors to veteran novelists – to bring their manuscripts to publication. Read more about her at
Easy Reader/Chapter Book/MG Fiction Cohort Dates and Deadlines
January
Online meeting (60-90 minutes): Wednesday, January 10, 2024, 7 PM Eastern
Deadline to submit materials for mentor and peer critique: Wednesday, January 17, 2024
Mentor and peer written critiques due: Wednesday, January 31, 2024
February
Online meeting (60-90 minutes): Wednesday, February 7, 2024, 7 PM Eastern
Deadline to submit materials for mentor and peer critique: Thursday, February 15, 2024
Mentor and peer written critiques due: Wednesday, February 28, 2024
March
Online meeting (60-90 minutes): Wednesday, March 6, 2024, 7 PM Eastern
Deadline to submit materials for mentor and peer critique: Wednesday, March 13, 2024
Mentor and peer written critiques due: Wednesday, March 27, 2024
April
Online meeting (60-90 minutes): Wednesday, April 3, 2024, 7 PM Eastern
Deadline to submit materials for mentor and peer critique: Wednesday, April 10, 2024
Mentor and peer written critiques due: Wednesday, April 24, 2024
May
Online meeting (60-90 minutes): Wednesday, May 1, 2024, 7 PM Eastern
Deadline to submit materials for mentor and peer critique: Wednesday, May 8, 2024
Mentor and peer written critiques due: Wednesday, May 29, 2024
June
Online meeting (60-90 minutes): Wednesday, June 5, 2024, 7 PM Eastern
Deadline to submit materials for mentor and peer critique: Wednesday, June 12, 2024
Mentor and peer written critiques due: Wednesday, June 26, 2024
Final online meeting (60-90 minutes): Wednesday, July 3, 2024, 7 PM Eastern