NJ SCBWI Presents: Virtual Critique Day

On Sunday, March 23rd, 2025 from 1:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. NJ SCBWI will host a virtual critique day.

What: 15-minute one-on-one critiques with the editor, agent, or book designer of your choice on a first come, first served basis. You'll also receive written feedback and an exclusive submission opportunity to all participating faculty. Open to SCBWI members only.

When: Sunday, March 23, 2025, 1:00-4:00 p.m.

Where: Via Zoom

Who: Our fabulous faculty line-up of editors and agents (See below)

Cost: $120

NOTE: You can ONLY sign up for ONE critique. (Sorry for the confusion. The system isn't set up to allow for multiple critiques.)

WHAT TO SUBMIT

• Picture Book: Include the entire manuscript in WORD for picture books (typically no more than 500 words). (Picture book dummies in PDF format accepted.)
• Novel: Submit up to 15 pages of a novel, plus 1-page synopsis (pasted at the end of your 15 pages) in WORD. Chapter breaks need only be several lines of obvious separation, not starting on a new page.
• Graphic novel: Include 15 pages of panels (or the text for 15 pages of panels) and a 1-page synopsis in WORD.
• Portfolio: Submit a PDF or supply a link to your electronic portfolio.

HOW TO NAME YOUR FILE

• Your Name_Manuscript Title_Faculty Last Name
• Example: Rosanne Kurstedt_Sticks vs. Stones_Rosenthal

IMPORTANT: Manuscripts/Portfolios must be uploaded by Noon on February, 23rd.

Space is limited. Register early to guarantee your spot.

Editors

JULIE BLIVEN ( SENIOR EDITOR, CHARLESBRIDGE)

Julie Bliven has been an editor at Charlesbridge for more than a decade. She acquires and edits fiction and nonfiction board books, picture books, and middle-grade novels. Julie holds an M.A. in Children’s Literature from Simmons University, where she has taught and mentored students in the University’s M.F.A. program. She has also served as a member of the Children’s Book Council Diversity Initiative. When Julie’s not working with Charlesbridge’s talented creators, or spending time with family and friends, she writes. Sometimes Shy is her debut picture book, with others on the way! www.juliebliven.com

MIKAELA LUKE (EDITORIAL ASSISTANT, STONEFRUIT STUDIO, SOURCEBOOKS)

Mikaela Luke is a Taiwanese Canadian children’s book reviewer, scholar, and editor with a Master of Arts in children’s literature. Mikaela is an editorial assistant at Stonefruit Studio where she works on a range of picture books to young adult novels. Stonefruit Studio, is Sourcebooks new children's imprint with editorial directors Ben Rosenthal and Mabel Hsu. Stonefruit plans to publish 16-24 titles a year, across all age categories and formats, with the first list appearing in summer 2026.

DEEBA ZARGARPUR (SENIOR EDITOR, SIMON & SCHUSTER)

Deeba Zargarpur is a senior editor at Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers and Salaam Reads. Her aim is to acquire commercial books that empower young people from diverse backgrounds. She is always on the hunt for stories that inspire a sense of magic and wonder, plot lines that challenge traditional assumptions about morality, and strong character arcs that redefine what it means to be the hero of your own story. She is also the author of FARRAH NOORZAD AND THE RING OF FATE and HOUSE OF YESTERDAY. Visit her at deebazargarpur.com to learn more about her books.

AGENTS

SHEILA FERNLEY (ASSOCIATE LITERARY AGENT, STORM LITERARY AGENCY)

Sheila Fernley is an Associate Literary Agent with Storm Literary Agency. She represents Board Books through YA. At this time she is seeking authors and author/illustrators, especially underrepresented voices. She is seeking stories, perspectives, and structures that are fresh. Sheila looks for strong openings that make the reader wonder and compels them to read on. No rhyming picture books, horror, or science fiction, please. Prior to submitting a query, please review Sheila’s submission guidelines at https://www.stormliteraryagency.com/submission-guidelines.

KAIT LEE FELDMANN (AGENT, KT LITERARY)

Kait Lee Feldmann is a children’s book agent at kt literary representing author/illustrators and illustrators. She has been romping around children’s book publishing for the past decade, previously as an editor at HarperCollins and Scholastic. Her list as editor included award-winning books that received a Caldecott, Coretta Scott King, and Sibert Honor; the Ezra Jack Keats Award; and appearances on Best of lists for The New York Times, NPR, Kirkus, and more. In 2020 she received the CBC Diversity Outstanding Achievement Award. Kait resides in a hoarder’s paradise in Los Angeles, surrounded by books.

SARITZA HERNANDEZ (AGENT, ANDREA BROWN LITERARY AGENCY)

Saritza Hernández of the Andrea Brown Literary Agency came to agenting from a publishing industry background and has been a literary agent for 13 years. Based in Orlando, Florida, she is a passionate advocate of the BIPOC & LGBTQ+ communities. She enjoys fresh voices in Children’s and Adult commercial fiction and select non-fiction.

MICHAELA WHATNALL (AGENT, DYSTEL, GODERICH & BOURRET)

Michaela Whatnall is an agent with Dystel, Goderich & Bourret, where they have worked out of the West Coast office since 2019. They have a degree in English and linguistics from Emory University, completed the Columbia Publishing Course, and in 2023 they were selected as Publishers Weekly Star Watch Honoree. Michaela represents middle grade and young adult fiction across genres; upmarket adult fiction and grounded fantasy; and select picture books, graphic novels, and narrative nonfiction.

ART DIRECTOR

ERICA DE CHAVEZ WONG (DESIGN MANAGER, HARPERCOLLINS CHILDREN'S BOOKS)

Erica De Chavez Wong is a Filipino American art director for HarperCollins Children's Books by day. She designs a wide range of book formats from illustrated chapter books like Dungeons & Dragons' Dragon Academy: Clubhouse Chaos to the New York Times bestselling graphic novel series FGTeeV Out of Time! and APALA Picture Book Award Honor Finding Papa. Erica moonlights as an author-illustrator, freelance designer, and visual storyteller. View her art in The Girls' Q&A Book on Friendship, Mighty May Won’t Cry Today, The Future Is Ours: Feminist Stickers to Express Yourself or at PandaErica.com and on social media @PandaErica.