Join us virtually for two advanced writing workshops!
2 Editor Workshops to uplevel your Manuscript - Voice, backstory, relationship development and more
The Indiana SCBWI May Writers’ Retreat sold out within hours! Our Indiana team cannot open up more in-person spots but by popular demand we are making the workshops available to our full membership. So we’re excited for you to join us virtually and learn to take your manuscript to the next level with 2 amazing editors. Choose both workshops for a bundle discount.
Critiques available.
Developing Relationships in PB, MG & YA: Friends, Frenemies & Foes
Relationships drive story.
Host Region: Indiana
Date/Time: May 2, 2026 / 10 -11:30 am ET
Cost of Registration for 90-minute Webinar
Premium Members: $30
Preview/Nonmembers: $40
Carina Licon, Associate Editor at Holt BYR, will lead this advanced level webinar. In this interactive 90-minute craft workshop, we’ll explore how friendships, rivalries, and antagonistic relationships shape character and plot across picture books, middle grade, and young adult fiction. Through guided discussion and hands-on exercises, attendees will learn practical techniques for creating dynamic, emotionally authentic relationships that deepen stakes and move a story forward.
How to Craft a Compelling Voice and Backstory in PB, MG & YA
Hook readers by giving your characters distinct voices!
Host Region: Indiana
Date/Time: May 2, 2026 / 1 -2:30 pm ET
Cost of Registration for 90-minute Webinar
Premium Members: $30
Preview/Nonmembers: $40
Foyinsi Adegbonmire, Editor at Feiwel & Friends/Macmillan Children's Publishing Group, will lead this advanced level webinar. In this hands-on workshop, Foyinsi will show you the differences between narrative voice and character voice without relying on clichés or dialogue tags. Plus, you’ll learn how a character's history informs their actions so that their backstory drives your plot rather than cause your story’s pacing to stall. By the end of this 90-minute webinar, you’ll have the tools you need to create unforgettable characters.
Recordings
The workshops will be recorded, and the recording will be available for one month following the event. Attendees will receive a link and a password by email a few days following the event.
Special Offer
Register for both workshops for a reduced price!
Premium Members: $50
Preview/Nonmembers: $70
A Limited Number of Critiques are Available for an Additional Cost:
Premium Members: $70
Preview/Nonmembers: $80
You will receive a link to upload either:
- A PB manuscript up to 1,000 words with pitch
OR
- A MG/YA first 10 pages with a pitch or one-page, single-spaced synopsis
Format of your submission
For all submissions, format your work in 12-point font, with one-inch margins, and double spacing for the body of the work (US Letter paper size-Include all materials in the same document; please don’t send two documents).
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 Faculty Last Name_Your Last Name_TITLE OF MANUSCRIPT as a .pdf, .doc, or .docx. Example: Licon_Flahive_A BLADE SO KEEN
Submission deadline: All critiques are due on May 12th, 2026 at 11:59pm EST. You will receive a submission link after the workshop.
We anticipate critiques to be returned on or about June 15th, 2026.
Faculty
Editor Carina Licon
Carina Licon is an Associate Editor at Henry Holt Books for Young Readers/Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group. She is interested in middle-grade and YA with a focus on books featuring underrepresented stories and voices. She’s especially reeled in by character-driven stories with whip-smart protagonists; spooky and atmospheric middle-grade speculative fiction; contemporary YA thrillers; friendship breakup stories; romance with lots! of! angst!; and stories rich with diverse cultural traditions and storytelling. Born and raised in El Paso, TX, Carina enjoys discovering local restaurants, movie podcasts, and spending time with her very intimidating 8-pound guard dog.
Editor Foyinsi Adegbonmire
Foyinsi Adegbonmire is an Editor at Feiwel & Friends/Macmillan Children's Publishing Group. She acquires Middle Grade and Young Adult fiction, and is open to coming-of-age, mystery, romance, and fantasy, while enjoying lighthearted stories with conversational narrative voices. She was named a PW Star Watch Honoree and her acquisitions include Ace of Spades by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé, Dear Wendy by Ann Zhao, and The Beanstalk Murder by P.G. Bell. When not reading or thinking about her very large TBR, she can be found watching people react to her favorite media, or on TikTok (@Foyinsi_Pub).
Questions?
For any questions regarding the event, please contact us at [email protected]