Writers Getting Ready Cohort is for you if
• You are new to writing kidlit.
• You have completed fewer than 3 manuscripts.
• You have limited experience with critique groups or professional critiques.
You’ll submit one fiction or nonfiction picture book manuscript OR up to 10 pages of a longer kidlit work each month, for a total of 6 mentor critiques, plus monthly peer critiques from the other members of the cohort. You may choose to submit new material each month, or revise and resubmit previously critiqued material.
Maximum size of this cohort is 6 participants.
Cost: $600
About Mentor Naomi Milliner
Naomi Milliner
is the author of SUPER JAKE & THE KING OF CHAOS, and two more middle grade books coming in 2024, ON ALL OTHER NIGHTS, a Passover anthology, for which she is a coeditor and contributor, and THE TROUBLE WITH SECRETS. She has been a member of Women’s National Book Association’s Great Group Reads Committee since 2009, former MD/DE/WV ARA and Critique Coordinator, as well as creator of the Authors Book Club, Events Coordinator for Children’s Literature, and a Pitch Wars mentee. Naomi enjoys mentoring both kids and adults, and helping others do their best work. Her favorite things include school visits (virtual or in-person), reading everything she can get her hands on, and baking and eating all things chocolate. Visit her on Facebook and Twitter under Naomi Milliner, and her blog at
Writers Getting Ready Dates and Deadlines
January
Online meeting (60-90 minutes): Wednesday, January 10, 2024, 8 PM Eastern
Deadline to submit materials for mentor and peer critique: Wednesday, January 24, 2024
Mentor and peer written critiques due: Wednesday, January 31, 2024
February
Online meeting (60-90 minutes): Wednesday, February 7, 2024, 8 PM Eastern
Deadline to submit materials for mentor and peer critique: Wednesday, February 21, 2024
Mentor and peer written critiques due: Wednesday, February 28, 2024
March
Online meeting (60-90 minutes): Wednesday, March 6, 2024, 8 PM Eastern
Deadline to submit materials for mentor and peer critique: Wednesday, March 20, 2024
Mentor and peer written critiques due: Wednesday, March 27, 2024
April
Online meeting (60-90 minutes): Wednesday, April 3, 2024, 8 PM Eastern
Deadline to submit materials for mentor and peer critique: Wednesday, April 17, 2024
Mentor and peer written critiques due: Wednesday, April 24, 2024
May
Online meeting (60-90 minutes): Wednesday, May 8, 2024, 8 PM Eastern
Deadline to submit materials for mentor and peer critique: Wednesday, May 22, 2024
Mentor and peer written critiques due: Wednesday, May 29, 2024
June
Online meeting (60-90 minutes): Wednesday, June 5, 2024, 8 PM Eastern
Deadline to submit materials for mentor and peer critique: Wednesday, June 19, 2024
Mentor and peer written critiques due: Wednesday, June 26, 2024
Final online meeting (60-90 minutes): Wednesday, July 3, 2024