Pocono & the Three Bears 2026: One-on-One Critique Meetings

For an additional cost, you can receive feedback from a publishing industry professional on a sample of your work. Registration for a critique includes written feedback and a 15-minute in-person meeting that will take place at the retreat.

• Premium Members: $75 USD
• Preview Plan: $80 USD

How to participate:

Be sure to select a critique WHEN you register for the retreat.

What to send? Scroll down for critique submission specifications.

Deadline:

• Send your critique submission to Kristen, [email protected], by 11:59 PM ET on Monday, March 16, 2026.
• Please put Pocono 2026 critique submission: Critique Faculty Last Name_Your Last Name_TITLE OF MANUSCRIPT/PORTFOLIO (same as saved file name) in the subject line of your email.

Read each faculty member's critique preferences above and be sure to select a critique with the faculty who is critiquing the correct category for your work.

• For Illustration Portfolios: Please send six portfolio-ready illustrations .jpg, .png or PDF file (5 MB max). *NOTE: For a Portfolio critique you MUST send these 6 pieces by the Monday, March 16th deadline. However, you may also bring along your larger portfolio to share during your one-on-one meeting time. Keep in mind that critique meetings are 15-minutes in length.
• For Picture Book (PB) Dummies: Please send 1 dummy .jpg, .png or PDF file (5 MB max). Optional: You may include a 1- to 2-sentence pitch (in the same document)
• For Illustrated Graphic Novel (GN) Sample Pages: Please send up to 10 illustrated pages of your manuscript and a one-page, single-spaced synopsis (in the same document) .jpg, .png or PDF file (5 MB max).

• For Picture Book (PB) Text Only: Please send entire manuscript and a 1- to 2-sentence pitch (in the same document).
• For Middle Grade, Young Adult, and text only Graphic Novel Samples (MG/YA/text only GN ): Please send up to 10 pages of your manuscript and a one-page, single-spaced synopsis (in the same document).
• For Novels in Verse (NIV): Please send up to 2,500 words of your manuscript and a one-page, single-spaced synopsis (in the same document).

• For Translated works: Please follow the above guidelines specific to the category of your project and include a brief note about the source work (in the same document).

How to format your submission:

⇒For all submissions, format your manuscript in 12-point font, with one-inch margins, and double spacing (US Letter paper size). Include your synopsis in the same document (please don’t send two documents).

⇒The following formatting exceptions may be used for Novels in Verse (NIV) submissions only:

• You may format your NIV manuscript using either 1.15, 1.5, or double spacing. This spacing choice should be used standard throughout the manuscript sample.
• You may only vary from your standard spacing choice when needed for the visual presentation of a particular poem.
• You may only use a font size other than 12-point when needed for the visual presentation of a particular poem.

⇒For all submissions, please include your name on every page of your work as a header or a footer, as well as identifying information on page one: first & last name, email address, title, genre.

⇒Please SAVE YOUR FILE as Critique Faculty Last Name_Your Last Name_TITLE OF MANUSCRIPT/PORTFOLIO as a PDF or DOC or DOCx.   

Portfolio Example: Arreguín_Strocchia_PORTFOLIO

Manuscript/Dummy Example: Barr_Strocchia_PURPLE CARROTS

Submission Deadline: Monday, March 16, 2026.

We anticipate critiques to be returned on or about Friday, April 17, 2026. Please review this feedback in preparation for your one-on-one meeting during the retreat.