Journey to Kidlit Critique-a-Palooza | Written Children's Book Critiques

Get professional feedback on your children's story!

BOOK YOUR CRITIQUE HERE

Stories must be received by June 1st to receive feedback. All notes will be delivered to you no later than June 30th, 2023.

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Meet the Critique-a-Palooza Review Team


Ameerah Holiday | Journey to Kidlit Critique-a-Palooza

Ameerah Holliday - Serendipity Literary Agency

Haley Casey | Journey to Kidlit Critique-a-Palooza

Haley Casey - Creative Media Agency, Inc.

Leah Pierre | Journey to Kidlit Critique-a-Palooza

Leah Pierre - Ladderbird Literary Agency

Maeve MacLysaght | Journey to Kidlit Critique-a-Palooza

Maeve MacLysaght - Copps Literary Services

Natascha Morris | Journey to Kidlit Critique-a-Palooza

Natascha Morris - The Tobias Agency (SOLD OUT)

Sara Schonfeld | Journey to Kidlit Critique-a-Palooza

Sara Schonfeld - Editor at HarperCollins (SOLD OUT)

Sophie Sheumaker | Journey to Kidlit Critique-a-Palooza

Sophie Sheumaker - Bookends Literary Agency (SOLD OUT)

Brooke Van Sickle | Journey to Kidlit Critique-a-Palooza

Brooke Van Sickle - Editor at BiblioKid Publishing (SOLD OUT)


Telling a story is like building a pyramid.

Each step in the writing process works together to tell an amazing story.

But as writers, it’s hard for us to see where we missed the mark with our stories. Especially when we don’t have qualified people around us who know what makes a story work and what doesn’t. 

That's why we gathered this professional panel of experts who can tell you . . .

  • If your characters are fully developed and that you have a complete plot in your draft
  • If your idea is marketable
  • And if your story will connect with children before you ever move forward with the publishing process.


All YOU have to do is choose the children’s book professional you want to review your story.

Stories must be received by June 1st to receive feedback. All notes will be delivered to you no later than June 30th, 2023.

Find the right person to critique your story.

Each Critique-a-Palooza participant can accept a MAXIMUM of 10 stories to review. (Once all 10 spots are booked, you won't be able to reserve a spot with them for feedback.) Review the reviewer list below to find the right person to send your story to.

Ameerah Holiday | Journey to Kidlit Critique-a-Palooza

Ameerah Holliday - Serendipity Literary Agency

Ameerah Holliday (She/Her) is a dancer and self-proclaimed poetess from San Diego, California. She received her Bachelor’s degree in English Literature from San Diego State University. Holliday is a former editorial assistant intern for Poetry International and currently serves as digital director for the San Diego Poetry Annual and editor for Kids! San Diego Poetry Annual.

What she’s looking for: 

Ameerah is primarily interested in middle grade, young adult, and (new) adult fiction. She enjoys contemporary literature, supernatural/paranormal stories (bonus points for witches!), RomComs, literary fiction, and novels in verse. Holliday looks for writing that explores diverse experiences with elements of intersectionality. She is drawn to stories that take you on a journey through growth, and she loves a good friendship story!


Haley Casey | Journey to Kidlit Critique-a-Palooza

Haley Casey - Creative Media Agency, Inc.

Haley Casey has always had a special place in her heart for stories, but it was when she wrote her first chapter book in fifth grade that her true love of literature was realized. In 2015, she graduated from The University of Kansas with a bachelor’s degree in creative writing, and that fall, she attended the Denver Publishing Institute. She began her full-time career at Ogden Publications, where she was an editor for four years. And, in 2020, she interned at Metamorphosis Literary Agency and Creative Media Agency, Inc. before stepping into her role as an associate agent at CMA. Haley is actively building her list across genres in young adult and middle grade, and she’s ready to assist her authors in achieving their publishing goals.

Leah Pierre | Journey to Kidlit Critique-a-Palooza

Leah Pierre - Ladderbird Literary Agency

Leah Pierre is a literary agent with Ladderbird Literary. A Texas native, Leah briefly moved to the East Coast to attend Rosemont College to pursue her dream of working in publishing. She graduated from Rosemont College with a B.A. in English and History and soon after became an agent at Ladderbird Literary Agency. Leah then went on to pursue and receive her M.A. in Publishing from her alma mater. Having accomplished her dream of working in publishing, she has since moved back to the South to begin her next adventure and continue searching for the next commercial YA or Adult project that will hook her (or make her cry).

Leah likes to spend her time enjoying the company of fictional characters more than people. But when not in the company of fictional characters, she likes to crochet, travel, hang out with friends and family, and catch up on the movies and tv shows she is always behind on.


Her projects include forthcoming books from H.D.Hunter, Ravynn K. Stringfield, a number of IP projects, and more! She is a tenacious advocate for BIPOC writers and is always looking for ways to bring more diverse intersectionality to the publishing industry.

Maeve MacLysaght | Journey to Kidlit Critique-a-Palooza

Maeve MacLysaght - Copps Literary Services

Maeve MacLysaght is an agent with Copps Literary Services. Maeve began her career in publishing bouncing between many roles on either side of the publisher/agent divide, before landing in Foreign and Subsidiary rights with companies like Scholastic and Insight Editions. She began agenting in 2019 with the goal of increasing the amount of BIPOC and queer joy in books of all ages. She focuses on genre fiction, with a particular weakness for genre-blending SFF, horror, and anything with murder or making out (ideally both).

In Kidlit, she reads widely across Picture Book, Middle Grade, and YA, with a focus on Graphic Novels. Send her anything with funny, spooky themes, a mystery, or a monster. 

Natascha Morris | Journey to Kidlit Critique-a-Palooza

Natascha Morris - The Tobias Agency

Natascha joined The Tobias Agency in 2020 after previously working at BookEnds Literary. With a B.A. in English Literary Studies and a M.S. in Publishing, Natascha is a self-described “publishing nerd.”  She spent most of her childhood in a leather chair, with her nose in a book, and her passion for books across genres, coupled with her desire to find amazing talent, drove her to make the transition from editorial to literary agent.

 

Natascha’s editorial philosophy stems from the idea that all books should be well written and entertaining, and that all children should see themselves and their lives in books.  Some of her books include ALA award winning Queen of Physics by Teresa Robeson, Grandpa Grumps by Katrina Moore, JLG selected We Wait for the Sun and Oona illustrated by Raissa Figueroa, and The Library of Lost Things and A Cuban Girl’s Guide to Tea and Tomorrow by Laura Taylor Namey.    

 

She’s is primarily looking for picture books, middle grade graphic novels, and young adult across most genres, including graphic novels. She is also open to illustrator submissions.

Sara Schonfeld | Journey to Kidlit Critique-a-Palooza

Sara Schonfeld - Editor at HarperCollins

Sara Schonfeld is an associate editor at HarperCollins. She started her career at Penguin Random House, where she edited books for young readers, before moving to Katherine Tegen Books. Her list includes books with humor and heart, that blend genre and defy categories, all while inspiring and affirming kid readers. An author herself, Sara spends her time writing, reading, boxing, baking, and smiling at dogs she sees on the streets of New York City.

Sophie Sheumaker | Journey to Kidlit Critique-a-Palooza

Sophie Sheumaker - Bookends Literary Agency

Sophie Sheumaker currently works assisting senior agent Tracy Marchini at BookEnds Literary Agency. Together, they work on a range of children's books from heartwarming picture books all the way up to laugh-out-loud middle grades. She plans to start building her own client list this summer under the wing of her mentor Tracy, with an eye towards cozy picture books, hijinks-filled middle grades, magical YAs, and select adult works. She earned her publishing degree at Emerson College and still resides in Boston, though home will always be Colorado.

Brooke Van Sickle | Journey to Kidlit Critique-a-Palooza

Brooke Van Sickle - Editor at BiblioKid Publishing

Brooke Van Sickle is the owner & founder of Journey to Kidlit, the online resource that teaches thousands of aspiring children's book writers from over 35 countries around the world about how to write and publish a children's book based on her own award-winning writing journey. She's also the owner of BiblioKid Publishing, an American hybrid publishing house that specializes in producing quality books for kids.

As the senior editor of BiblioKid Publishing, Brooke has helped over 30 titles go on to receive 5-star reviews from children's book professional sites like Reader's Favorite, Reader's Choice, and Mom's Choice. She's also an award-winning picture book author, whose book received the 2020 Distinguished Favorite Preschool Picture Book.

Send her all your picture book, chapter book, and middle grade stories!


Know who you want a critique from?

Stories must be received by June 1st to receive feedback. All notes will be delivered to you no later than June 30th, 2023.

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Critique-a-palooza FAQ:


When does the event take place?

All critiques must be sent to the Journey to Kidlit team by June 1st in order to get your pages reviewed. Once received, participants can expect their notes to be delivered by June 30th.

Do I have to attend live?

No. Critiques are delivered via email as written critiques only. Participants will not attend anything live.

What can I send for critique?

The Journey to Kidlit Critique-a-Palooza is open to all children's book story submissions. In order to receive a critique, you must book with your reviewer of choice, then send the following:

  • Picture Book writers - send the full manuscript (up to 1400 words) as either a Word Doc or PDF. No illustrations.
  • Chapter Book or MG/YA novelists - send the first 10 pages of your story with a 1-page synopsis as either a Word Doc or PDF.

If you need help with proper story format, please read this article before sending your pages.

Will I be able to ask questions to my reviewer?

No. The Critique-a-Palooza is for written critiques ONLY. There are no additional feedback requests once notes have been delivered.

Can I send my story to be considered for publication?

The Critique-a-palooza is only for participants to receive story feedback. Participants won't be permitted to send additional materials to reviewers unless requested. However, after making changes/updates to your story, you can always send your story to an agent for consideration if it fits their submission requirements after the event concludes.

How much does it cost for your written critique?

All written critiques include a full submission analysis of your character development, plot outline, voice, marketability, and areas needed to improve the story for today's market. Along with your submission, you'll receive a critique notes pack and our 3-tier "Story Seal of Approval" rating from one of our agents or editing professionals. All for a one-time payment of $197.

Have any other questions? Reach out to us at hello@journeytokidlit.com.


Save your spot in the Critique-a-palooza now!

Stories must be received by June 1st to receive feedback. All notes will be delivered to you no later than June 30th, 2023.