You’ll submit up to 4 illustrations 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, a work in progress, or revise and resubmit previously critiqued material. There will also be a mix of optional illustration prompts and homework suggestions based on individual and group needs/goals.
Maximum size of this cohort is 6 participants.
Cost: $600
About Mentor Mirka Hokkanen
Mirka Hokkanen
is an author-illustrator who likes quirky animal characters and stories that make kids laugh. She began her career as a fine art printmaker before transitioning to book illustration. Mirka is the illustrator for FOUR OTTERS TOBOGGAN: AN ANIMAL COUNTING BOOK, and the author-illustrator for the graphic novel series Mossy and Tweed (Holiday House), the picture book series Kitty and Cat (Candlewick), and the non-fiction picture book series Little Seasons (OddDot). Mirka grew up in Finland, but has lived all around the world as a military spouse. She is currently living in Maryland, with her husband, three children, and an assortment of pets. When not writing or illustrating books, she loves to be outdoors, sew, or paint and print in her studio. For more info, see
Illustrator Cohort Dates and Deadlines
January
Online meeting (60-90 minutes): Tuesday, January 9, 2024, 7.30 PM
Deadline to submit materials for mentor and peer critique: Tuesday, January 16, 2024
Mentor and peer written critiques due: Tuesday, January 30, 2024
February
Online meeting (60-90 minutes): Tuesday, February 6, 2024, 7.30 PM
Deadline to submit materials for mentor and peer critique: Tuesday, February 20, 2024
Mentor and peer written critiques due: Tuesday, February 27, 2024
March
Online meeting (60-90 minutes): Tuesday, March 5, 2024, 7.30 PM
Deadline to submit materials for mentor and peer critique: Tuesday, March 19, 2024
Mentor and peer written critiques due: Tuesday, March 26, 2024
April
Online meeting (60-90 minutes): Tuesday, April 2, 2024, 7.30 PM
Deadline to submit materials for mentor and peer critique: Tuesday, April 16, 2024
Mentor and peer written critiques due: Tuesday, April 23, 2024
May
Online meeting (60-90 minutes): Tuesday, May 7, 2024, 7.30 PM
Deadline to submit materials for mentor and peer critique: Tuesday, May 21, 2024
Mentor and peer written critiques due: Tuesday, May 28, 2024
June
Online meeting (60-90 minutes): Tuesday, June 4, 2024, 7.30 PM
Deadline to submit materials for mentor and peer critique: Tuesday, June 18, 2024
Mentor and peer written critiques due: Tuesday, June 25, 2024
Final online meeting (60-90 minutes): Tuesday, July 2, 2024, 7.30 PM