PB Author Day—LIVE! In Lancaster 2025

More information coming soon!

Submit the opening of your PB manuscript or dummy for an opportunity to hear how your project compares and contrasts to what Alyssa has on her MSWL, and what she is seeing in her inbox and in the market. For more information about how to participate, please click on the "see more" button below. We regret that there may not be time to review all submissions, but will try to accommodate a variety of PB types and as many samples as possible.

Everyone has a favorite ride. Some love fast roller coasters while others prefer gentler ones. But what do all of these rides have in common? They have moments of building tension with climbs or unexpected turns, and moments of releasing that tension with dips or more turns. And we, the riders, get to experience all these thrilling ups and downs and turnarounds from the safety of our seats. The same experience can be recreated in picture books, too. Building and releasing tension in stories allows young readers to go on a fun ride within the pages of a book, all from the safety of their schools, libraries, and homes. In this interactive breakout session, we’ll look at how writers can use refrains, page turns, humor, and emotional touchstones as tools for building and dispelling tension in picture books and ultimately creating a satisfying reading experience. Whether you are new to writing picture books or a veteran, I invite you: let’s go for a ride—and explore these craft tools together!

Submit the opening of your PB manuscript or dummy for an opportunity to hear how your project compares and contrasts to what Catherine has on her MSWL, and what she is seeing in her inbox and in the market. For more information about how to participate, please click on the "see more" button below. We regret that there may not be time to review all submissions, but will try to accommodate a variety of PB types and as many samples as possible.