LAST CALL
to participate in
Critique Across Kansas and Missouri,
Sponsored by the Kansas/Missouri region of the
Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI)
May 31 – June 9, 2019
We have 16 free, one-time critique groups meeting across two states, for illustrators and fiction or non-fiction Picture Book, Middle Grade, and Young Adult writers. These will be organized and facilitated by SCBWI members. It’s a great opportunity for those just starting out to meet fellow writers/illustrators and get helpful feedback on their work, or for experienced writers and illustrators to get their work in front of fresh eyes.
You do NOT have to be a member of SCBWI to attend, and you are welcome to attend multiple groups. If you know others who might be interested in this opportunity, feel free to forward the information.
Registration ends Sunday, May 19 in order to give hosts time to organize their groups and exchange work. Hosts will be sharing helpful critique information once groups are formed.
If you are interested in attending a group, see options below and reserve a spot by contacting the host of that group. For groups that are meeting at a residence, complete addresses will be sent to attendees once registered. Note that “spots available” indicates that host’s original request—it may not be an accurate reflection of spots remaining in that group.
Below is the master list of critique groups that will meet May 31 – June 9. It’s a long list, but they’re arranged by area so you can scroll to the groups closest to you. If you have a question about a specific group, please email that volunteer host. If you have general questions about this event, contact Chris Schmidt at cschmidtSCBWI@gmail.com.
All Best,
Chris Schmidt
2019 SCBWI Critique Across KS/MO Coordinator
cschmidtSCBWI@gmail.com
*2019 SCBWI Critique Across Kansas & Missouri*
KANSAS GROUPS
Location: Residence in Garden City, KS
Host: Marsha Elyn Wright
Reserve a spot by contacting host at: marsha.elyn.wright@gmail.com
Date of Event: Saturday, June 8
Time of Event: 11:30-2:30 (light lunch & munch provided)
Type of group, genre: PB authors and author/illustrators, fiction & NF
Number of spots available: 7
Short description: Each person prepares a complete PB manuscript less than 600 words or a dummy. We email our manuscripts to one another one week before meeting. We each bring a printed copy of our manuscripts/dummies to the critique. Lunch is provided. We’ll eat first and then start at 11:30 and spend about 20 minutes per person, reading aloud, sharing our thoughts, and munching.
Location: Watermark Book Store and Café, 4701 E. Douglas, Wichita, KS 67218
Host: Ken Locke
Reserve a spot by contacting host at: escritor2@sbcglobal.net
Date of Event: Saturday, June 1
Time of Event: noon to 3-4
Type of group, genre: Novels – any genre
Number of spots available: 6
Short description: Watermark has a great café where we can all order food individually. They will provide a semi-private space for us to eat and then critique. Submit in the email chain (coming soon) 5-10 pages of your work. Read the other submissions and come with constructive/supportive feedback for each author.
KANSAS CITY AREA GROUPS
**NOTE: This group is FULL**
Location: Main branch Johnson County Library (9875 W 87th St), room #1, Overland Park, KS 66212
Host: Michelle Meade
Reserve a spot by contacting host at: meade.michelle@gmail.com
Date of Event: Saturday, June 8
Time of Event: 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.
Type of group, genre: PB authors and author/illustrators
Number of spots available: 6
Short description: I reserved a six person study room under the name Michelle M SCBWI. We will just have a casual positive read and critique session. Hope you can come!
Location: Monticello Library, Study Room #7, 22435 W. 66th St, Shawnee, KS 66226
Host: Jennifer Lane Wilson
Reserve a spot by contacting host at: wilsonfamily@everestkc.net
Date of Event: Saturday, June 1
Time of Event: 9:30 – 11:30 a.m. (optional lunch following, at nearby Twisted Fresh restaurant)
Type of group, genre: PB authors (fiction or NF)
Number of spots available: 5
Short description: Each writer brings six copies of a PB manuscript, fiction or nonfiction, 800 words or less. We’ll read each manuscript aloud, followed by a short discussion.
Location: Residence in Lee’s Summit, MO
Host: Alice Walters
Reserve a spot by contacting host at: avwalters55@gmail.com
Date of Event: Thursday, June 6
Time of Event: 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Type of group, genre: Middle Grade fiction
Number of spots available: 4
Short description: An opportunity to connect with other writers of MG fiction, to share what works, what’s not, and what can be our next steps. Please bring a 3-5 page passage to share that falls into one of those categories. I look forward to hearing from you!
**NOTE: This group is FULL**
Location: Liberty Caribou Coffee (Hyvee gas station), 300 N, MO-291, Liberty, MO 64068
Host: Brian Gehrlein
Reserve a spot by contacting host at: gehrleinb@gmail.com
Date of Event: Saturday, June 1
Time of Event: 2:00 – 3:30 p.m.
Type of group, genre: PB authors (500 word max)
Number of spots available: 4
Short description: In our picture book critique group we will chat for 15 min (get to know you, shop talk, etc) then jump into critiques (2:15-3:30). Each person will get 15 min for critique. We will read each manuscript in advance to prepare our thoughts, but we will also read each manuscript out loud at the beginning of each session. Manuscripts will be emailed to me no later than Saturday, May 25 to allow each person a full week to prep. Each person is responsible for bringing 5 copies of their manuscript to the event.
Location: DesignWerx, 1313 Atlantic Street North, Kansas City, MO 64116
Host: Polly Alice McCann
Reserve a spot by contacting host with fb message or email: pollyamccann@gmail.com
Date of Event: Saturday, June 1
Time of Event: 10 to 12
Type of group, genre: any genre, poetry, nonfiction, biography, illustrators, short story, folk tale, YA, PB, MG —
Number of spots available: 6 to 10
Short description: This is the everything Bagel group. DesignWerx is where my art studio is located. We can meet in the break room and everyone can bring snacks or drinks if they like. We can each share one PB, or 5 to 10 pages of a manuscript or five illustrations. We will read and share our work with the group. Work must be emailed 7 days in advance to hostess so she can share with group. Come with encouraging, supportive feedback about what is working well for each writer’s manuscript or illustration.
MISSOURI GROUPS
Location: Rolla Public Library, 900 N Pine St, Rolla, MO 65401
Host: Luce Myers
Reserve a spot by contacting host at: lucemyers@gmail.com
Date of Event: Saturday, June 8
Time of Event: 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Type of group, genre: PB authors, illustrators, and author/illustrators
Number of spots available: 6
Short description: Light refreshments provided; participants may consider going to lunch after our meeting?
Location: Daniel Boone Regional Library, 100 W. Broadway, Columbia, MO 65203
Host: Aaron Fox
Reserve a spot by contacting host at: aaronfoxwrites@gmail.com
Date of Event: Sunday, June 9
Time of Event: 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Type of group, genre: PB authors, illustrators, and author/illustrators, fiction or NF
Number of spots available: 10
Short description: Full PB manuscript or dummy is suggested, but partial will be allowed. 15 to 20 min per person. Snacks provided and encouraged.
Location: The Library Center, Springfield, MO
Host: Heather Martinez
Reserve a spot by contacting host at: heathermartinez@earthlink.net
Date of Event: Friday, June 7
Time of Event: 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Type of group, genre: PB authors and/or illustrators
Number of spots available: 8
Short description:
**NOTE: This group is FULL**
Location: Hy-Vee, 1215 S Main St, Maryville, MO 64468
Host: Amy Houts
Reserve a spot by contacting host at: amysase@gmail.com
Date of Event: Saturday, June 1
Time of Event: 9:00 – 10:30 a.m.
Type of group, genre: PB writers and/or illustrators, fiction or NF
Number of spots available: 5
Short description: Each person brings a complete PB manuscript less than 750 words or a dummy for critique; 15 min per person
Location: Residence in Jackson, MO (southeast MO, close to Cape Girardeau)
Host: Amanda Flinn
Reserve a spot by contacting host at: aflinn79@gmail.com
Date of Event: Monday, June 3
Time of Event: 6:00 p.m.
Type of group, genre: I am a PB writer. Last year I hosted only PB writers, but I am willing to host MG and YA as well, if there is a need.
Number of spots available: 4-6
Short description: We will read and critique the manuscripts prior to attending the event and discuss them that evening. Each person will have 30 min of feedback and discussion regarding their manuscript. Snacks and drinks will be provided by host.
ST. CHARLES COUNTY AREA GROUPS
Location: Residence in St.Charles, MO 63304
Host: Donna Mork Reed
Reserve a spot by contacting host at: donnamorkreed@gmail.com
Date of Event: Sunday, June 2
Time of Event: 5:30 p.m.
Type of group, genre: PB writers
Number of spots available: 6
Short description: We’ll have a small meal (TBD), attendees can bring sides and desserts (email any food allergies prior). Must love dogs (dogs on premises). We will eat and then critique. Email full manuscript prior and come prepared to share your thoughts and ideas.
Location: Residence in O’Fallon, MO 63366
Host: Stephanie Bearce
Reserve a spot by contacting host at: smbearce@gmail.com
Date of Event: Friday, May 31
Time of Event: 7:00 p.m.
Type of group, genre: Middle Grade, fiction or nonfiction
Number of spots available: 7
Short description: Come meet your fellow middle grade writers! I will provide dessert and light snacks. We will talk all things KidLit and writing. You may submit the first 10 pages of your novel or a proposal package for MG nonfiction. We will exchange manuscripts via email BEFORE the meeting. That way we will all be familiar with each other’s projects and we can spend quality time on critiques.
Location: Spencer Road Library (room 210), 427 Spencer Rd, St. Peters, MO 63376
Hosts: Chris Schmidt and Jess Townes
Reserve a spot by contacting host at: cschmidtSCBWI@gmail.com
Date of Event: Wednesday, June 5
Time of Event: 6:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Type of group, genre: Query, Synopsis, or Pitch for picture books and novels
Number of spots available: 6
Short description: Oh the dreaded query and synopsis! Let’s commiserate and work through them together. Bring any one or combination that are relevant for your project. We’ll work to get them in tip-top shape for submission. Please limit query and/or synopsis to ONE page. For pitches, keep them to the length of an elevator pitch or what you’d post for a Twitter contest (you may bring up to 5 short pitches if you’d like help deciding on the best ones). We will exchange work at least a week prior to meeting. New to querying/synopsis writing/pitching? Join us to learn the process. Everyone bring a snack/appetizer to share.
ST. LOUIS AREA GROUPS
**NOTE: This group is FULL but accepting participants for a waiting list**
Location: U-City Library, Room 2, 6701 Delmar, University City, MO 63130
Host: Katie Gast (author/illustrator) and Dayne Sislen (author/illustrator)
Reserve a spot by contacting host at: dayne.sislen@gmail.com
Date of Event: Saturday, June 8
Time of Event: 1:00 – 4:30 p.m.
Type of group, genre: PB dummy critique for illustrators and non-illustrators
Number of spots available: 8 total
Short description: We will be critiquing picture book dummies. Please bring your dummy and manuscript. If you can save your dummy as a PDF file, send it to me at dayne.sislen@gmail.com at least three days before we meet and I will post it on our group’s password-protected web page*. If you are unable to make a multi-page PDF, don’t worry, just bring your dummy and manuscript.
Author/Illustrators: Bring your pencil dummy and two finished illustrations from your story. You can bring your dummy in flat spreads or an actual 3-D booklet form, your choice. Send me a multi-page PDF three days ahead if possible. Also, bring your physical dummy to show.
Authors/non-illustrators: Bring your manuscript and a rough pencil breakdown of the pages (32). Just indicate illustrations with stick figures (we promise we won’t critique your art). Making a dummy like this will help you revise your manuscript. You will be able to see where more action is needed, where to place surprise/reveal pages breaks to create tension, and where to slow down the action. Even if you never show your dummy to anyone else, making it will make your manuscript stronger. Use the templates on our group’s web page to plan your pages. Website address and the password will be sent after you sign up.
*If you know how to make a multi-page PDF from your dummy and are able to email it to me, please do. (dayne.sislen@gmail.com) I will post it on our private, password-protected web page for everyone in our group to read. It will give us all more time to look it over before our meeting. Also bring your actual dummy to our meeting. The URL to our group’s password-protected web page will be sent to all members with your confirmation.
