Have a manuscript critiqued by an industry professional this fall, then attend a panel of editors, agents, and published authors as they discuss HOW to apply agent/editor feedback for revision! And if you're not interested in a critique at this time, you can stick with the basic Panel-only ticket. The cost for the basic Panel-only ticket is $40 for Premium Members; $55 for Registered Users. Upgrade to Panel with Critique: adds $45 for a total of $85 for Premium Members; $100 for Registered Users. Or upgrade to Panel with Critique, Choose-Your-Own-Critiquer: adds $60 for a total of $100 for Premium Members; $115 for Registered Users.
Sorry, but all the critique spots have been SOLD OUT!
Options
• Panel Only: $40 Premium Member ($55 Registered User) – Panel (1/20/2024) discussing how to use professional feedback to revise (paid critiques, edit letters, R&R requests).
• Panel and Critique: $85 Premium Member ($100 Registered User) – includes the above PLUS a professional critique by an editor or agent (full PB manuscript or the first 10 pages of a novel plus a one page synopsis). Critiquer is chosen for you.
• Panel and Critique, CHOOSE YOUR OWN CRITIQUER: $100 Premium Member ($115 Registered User) – includes all of the above, except you choose your critiquer at time of registration. Choices subject to sell-out. Register EARLY! These spots will go fast.
• Additional critique add-on: $65 per additional manuscript critique for Premium Members ($80 per additional manuscript for Registered Users). Critiquer chosen for you. Great option for people with multiple manuscripts ready for critique!
Submission Guidelines
Important Dates
• October 7 – Registration Opens: Register EARLY if you plan on choosing your own critiquer
• October 28 – Manuscript submissions due
• October 30 – Manuscripts sent to faculty for critique
• December 11-13 – Finished critiques returned to attendees
• January 12 – Panel questions due
• January 18 – Registration closes for Panel-only tickets
• January 20, 2024, 5-6 PM CT – Live Panel! (via Zoom)
Please click/download the Submission Guidelines above for details about formatting and submitting your manuscript
Critiquing Faculty
Faculty Bios
Kat Brzozowski—Critiquing Picture Books, Middle Grade, and Young Adult
Kat is a senior editor at Feiwel & Friends, an imprint of Macmillan Childrens Publishing Group, where she has worked since 2016 after seven years at St. Martin's Press. She has edited a wide range of titles. While she has experience editing and critiquing every level and genre, Kat is looking to acquire young adult fiction, especially high concept contemporary, realistic YA; mysteries, suspense and thrillers; and stories set in our world with a speculative twist. In the picture book and middle grade space, she is drawn to stories she's never seen before that feel both timeless and timely.
Ashley Hearn—Critiquing Middle Grade and Young Adult
Ashley (she/ they) is an acquisitions editor at Peachtree Publishing. She’s edited numerous award-winning and bestselling authors including New York Times bestseller Andrew Joseph White (Hell Followed with Us), Sydney Taylor Notable Book honoree R.M. Romero (The Ghosts of Rose Hill), and TIME magazine “Best Fantasy Novels of All Time” nominee Isabel Ibañez (Woven in Moonlight). When she steps away from her desk, she can be found wandering the North Georgia mountains, swing longswords at her HEMA fencing club, or haunting a local coffee shop. Find her on Twitter @AshleyHearn or Instagram @_AshleyHearn.
Sarah Rockett—Critiquing Picture Books and Middle Grade
Sarah Rockett has been working in the children's publishing industry for nearly fifteen years and truly believes that picture books have the power to change the world. She loves traveling, spending time outdoors, and perusing indie bookstores. She lives in Michigan with her husband, son, and lazy cocker spaniel. Sarah is an editor with Sleeping Bear Press (an imprint of Cherry Lake Publishing Group) in Michigan. Books edited by Sarah include The Boy Who Grew a Forest, Winged Wonders: Solving the Monarch Migration Mystery, and Nature’s Friend: The Gwen Frostic Story.
Monica Rodriguez—Critiquing Picture Books, Middle Grade, Young Adult, and Graphic Novels
Monica Rodriguez is the Director of Brand Management at Context Literary Agency. She helps authors connect with partnerships that enhance their writing careers, supporting their books before and after they’ve hit the shelves. Her love for books can be traced back to elementary school, where the best days were spent attending book fairs and author readings. In addition to her brand management role, Monica is also a Junior Agent with a mission to help uplift underrepresented voices in publishing, specifically within the Latinx community. In children’s literature, she is actively looking for PB, MG, YA & Graphic Novels. She is also open to adult and non-fiction submissions. Check out her MSWL page for more.