Critique Across Kansas and Missouri
May 20 – June 5, 2022
This program coordinates free, one-time critique groups organized and facilitated by SCBWI members across our two-state region. It’s a great opportunity for children’s writers and illustrators to make connections and get their work in front of fresh eyes or have it critiqued for the first time.
A huge THANK YOU to the wonderful Kansas and Missouri SCBWI members who have graciously offered to host a critique group this year! There are 20 groups to choose from and we are excited to offer both in-person and virtual options.
If you are interested in attending a group, reserve a spot by contacting the host of that group. You are welcome to attend more than one group but please understand that joining a group means you are committing to critique other people’s work in exchange for feedback on your own. For in-person groups that are meeting at a residence, complete addresses will be supplied once you’re registered.
The group list below is categorized by location to help you quickly find those closest to you, under the headings: Kansas, Kansas City area, Missouri, St. Louis area, and Virtual.
It’s not too late to form a group! If you’re interested in hosting, contact Chris Schmidt (cschmidtSCBWI@gmail.com) ASAP to get on the list.
Helpful information on critique groups and critiquing can be found on the SCBWI website. Click on “Information Resources” on the scbwi.org home page then follow links to The Book, pages 35-38. Illustrators, see section starting on page 15. Hosts will also be sharing further helpful critique information once groups are formed.
Below is the master list of critique groups available. 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.
Groups will fill so sign up early! And attendees do not have to be SCBWI members so if you have friends, family, or co-workers who are interested, feel free to share this event with them.
All Best,
Chris Schmidt
2022 SCBWI Critique Across KS/MO Coordinator
*2022 SCBWI Critique Across Kansas & Missouri*
KANSAS GROUPS
Host: Angie Baker
Reserve a spot by contacting host at: thehugbooks@gmail.com
Location: Coffee Shop TBD in Manhattan, KS
Date of Event: Saturday, June 4
Time of Event: 9:00 a.m.
Type of group: PB, fiction or non-fiction
Number of spots available: 6
Short description: All PB manuscripts must be 600 words or less, submitted through e-mail. Participants will email their manuscripts to the host by Friday, May 20, who will then distribute all to the group so everyone can read, process, and critique prior to our in-person meeting. We will allow 20 minutes to chat and settle in, then spend 20 minutes per manuscript for critiques.
Note: If fewer than 6 participants sign up for PB, will open to MG as well
KANSAS CITY AREA GROUPS
Host: Michelle Meade
Reserve a spot by contacting host at: meade.michelle@gmail.com
Location: Johnson County Library, 9875 87th St, Main Branch, conference room one
Date of Event: Saturday, June 4
Time of Event: 1:30-3:30 p.m.
Type of group: PB, writers/illustrators welcome; or young chapter book in the making
Number of spots available: 6
Short description: BYO beverages and snacks to enjoy.
We will email each other Word doc texts double-spaced (or use Google docs share – TBA) 2 weeks prior to deadline, by the latest May 21st, if not sooner please so everyone can have time to read and process the manuscripts. SCBWI critique forms will be provided to fill in the blanks. An SCBWI critique tip sheet will also be shared.
Please share one PB text or about 10 double-spaced pages of a NF young chapter book. Illustrations are welcome to enhance your sharing if you are a writer-illustrator. PBs try to stay under 500 words and no more than 750 max. Additional info on sharing documents will follow soon.
Michelle’s brief bio – I have my MFA in Writing and Illustrating Children’s literature from Hollins University graduated in 2019 and have 3-4 stories I’ve written. I am a licensed Art Teacher K-12 and currently sub for SMSD during the school years and teach adult and youth art classes at Shawnee Parks and Rec while I continue to revise and submit my picture books. Now working on my first chapter book. I am also newly selected to be featured on the KS State Touring Roster as a Touring Artist to visit Schools and Communities and lead workshops for students and Teachers. Michellemeade.net is my website and portfolio site. I am always taking professional development workshops through SCBWI, Highlights Foundation, Storytellers Academy, and more to improve my craft continuously.
Host: Sarah Guthrie
Reserve a spot by contacting host at: sarahjdg1@gmail.com
Location: Kansas City, MO, near the Plaza. Brookside neighborhood. (I do have dogs if you are allergic. They are very friendly but can be somewhere else if anyone is bothered by dogs)
Date of Event: Sunday, May 22
Time of Event: 2-4:30 p.m.
Type of group: PB, fiction or non-fiction
Number of spots available: 4 spots plus me for a total of 5
Short description: All PB manuscripts must be 800 words or less and should be submitted by Friday, May 14. Stories can be submitted as an attachment (.docx or .pdf) or, if you prefer, can be submitted using Google Drive. Send me your email and I will share the folder with you. I will then distribute all to the group so everyone can read, process, and critique prior to our in-person meeting. We will allow 20 minutes to chat and settle in, then spend 20 minutes per manuscript for critiques.
Host name: Brian Gehrlein
Reserve a spot by contacting host at: gehrleinb@gmail.com
Date of Event: Saturday, May 28th
Time of Event: 1:00-3:00 PM
Location: Starbucks in Liberty (off 291) 10410 NE Cookingham Dr, Kansas City, MO 64157
Type of group: Picture Book (authors only)–500 words max
Number of spots available: 5 spots available.
Short description: We will visit and “talk shop” for the first half hour then transition to critiques. All group members must read and prepare thoughts prior to the day. Each author (including me) will receive 15 minutes to have their work read and critiqued.
Host: Leiann Nelson
Reserve a spot by contacting host at: IME.LeiannNelson@outlook.com
Date of Event: Saturday, May 21, 2022
Time of Event: 1:00 p.m.
Location: MCPL Colburn Library, 1000 NE Colburn Road, Lee’s Summit, MO
Type of group: PB targeted to ages 4 an up or MG targeted for ages 6 and up
Number of spots available: 3
Short description: PB (targeted to ages 4 and up)/or MG manuscripts targeted to ages 6 and up. Submit up to 1600 words in Microsoft Word format. If your manuscript is longer, submit only the first 1600 words. Participants will email their manuscripts to the host by Saturday May 7. The host will then distribute all manuscripts to the group so everyone can read, process, and critique them prior to our in-person meeting. We will allow 15-20 minutes to chat and settle in, then spend 20 minutes per manuscript for critiques.
Colburn Library is home to a branch of Post Coffee so feel free to come a bit early and grab your favorite drink to bring to the critique meeting. The host will let you know where in the library we will be meeting closer to the critique date.
MISSOURI GROUPS
Host name: Kizzi Roberts
Reserve a spot by contacting host at: kizzisue@gmail.com
Date of Event: Saturday, May 21, 2022
Time of Event: 11am – 2pm
Location: Rogersville Public Library – 104 N Beatie Street, Rogersville, MO 65742
Type of group: PB and Chapter books (fiction or non-fiction) and Novels (MG and YA, any genre)
Number of spots available: 10 (But have space for up to 20. If there’s a lot of interest, we could split into smaller critique groups – based on manuscript type – within the meeting room)
Short description:
PB/Chapter Book: Complete manuscript of picture book or first 10 pages of chapter book manuscript. Participants will submit their manuscript to the host in a Microsoft Word document by May 13th.
Novels: Participants will submit their first ten pages in a Microsoft Word document to the host by May 13th.
Please include in your submission email a few introductory sentences about yourself, a brief introduction to your manuscript (150-250 words), and what aspects of the manuscript you would most like feedback on. Please have discussion notes ready for each manuscript on the day we meet. The SCBWI Critique form will be provided for those interested in using it to provide feedback.
We will plan 20 – 30 minutes for settling in/introductions/getting snacks then start on critiques with 15-20 minutes/person depending on the number of participants.
I will provide some snacks and bottled water. Please let me know of any allergies/dietary restrictions. Since we are allowed to have food and drink in this room of the library, you are also welcome to bring your own snack if you would prefer.
Host: Melissa Flinn (author)
Reserve a spot by contacting host at: melissa@relatemag.com (please list SCBWI CRITIQUE in the subject line)
Deadline to submit work for critique: Wednesday, May 25
Deadline to have critiques completed: Wednes, June 1 when we meet in person at 6:00 pm.
Location: Residence in Jackson, MO (63755)
Type of group: PB writers, fiction or nonfiction
Number of spots available: 6-8
Short description: All PB manuscripts must be less than 1000 (ideally less than 800) words and submitted through Microsoft Word. Participants will email their manuscripts to the host by Wednesday, May 25, who will then distribute all to the group so everyone can read, process, and critique prior to our in-person meeting. We will allow 30 minutes to chat and settle in, then spend 20 minutes per manuscript for critiques. Food will be involved, we’ll figure that out together. Please let me know of any dietary concerns.
ST. LOUIS AREA GROUPS
Host name: Donna Mork Reed
Reserve a spot by contacting host at: donnamorkreed@gmail.com
Date of Event: June 3, 2022
Time of Event: 5:30
Location: St. Charles, MO, in my home
Type of group: picture book
Number of spots available: 4
Short description: We will have a small, lite meal before starting critiques so we can get to know one another a bit better. (please include any dietary concerns in your email to me, allergies etc) Two large, friendly dogs on premises. Then we will do our critiques. PB manuscripts emailed as Microsoft word attachments prior to meeting. Bring printed critiques to the meeting, or be ready to email them to the recipient prior to the meeting and able to go over critiques at the meeting (with laptop or whatever if not printing). I usually print AND email prior, just so the person can have access either way they prefer.
Hosts: Dayne Sislen and Katie Gast (both author/illustrators)
Reserve a spot by contacting host at: Dayne.Sislen@gmail.com (please include SCBWI CRITIQUE in the subject line)
Date of Event: Saturday, June 4, 2022
Time of Event: 9:00 am to noon
Location: Residence in St. Louis – Brentwood area, near Tilles Park
Type of group: PB DUMMY, fiction or non-fiction
Group members do not have to be illustrators. Working out your manuscript’s pacing in dummy form is very helpful. Stick figures are just fine for our critique. If you are an illustrator bring your rough dummy with two finished illustrations for us to admire. If you are not familiar with making a dummy one of us can help you prepare yours before our meeting.
Number of spots available: 6 -plus two hosts
Short description: All PB manuscripts must be 800 words or less, submitted to Dayne.Sislen@gmail.com in doc or PDF form before Tuesday, May 31st. She will then distribute to the group via a private webpage so everyone can read and process prior to our in-person meeting. At the meeting we will all bring our physical dummies for the group to see and critique. This way everyone will already be familiar with each story before seeing the dummy. All manuscript critique comments can be written on the manuscript printout prior to our meeting. We will allow 30 minutes to chat and introduce ourselves, then spend 20 minutes for each dummy and manuscript critique. Please join us.
Host: Shannon Witty
Reserve a spot by contacting host at: hikingboots@hotmail.com (please include SCBWI Poetry Critique in your subject line)
Date of Event: June 1
Time of Event: 6:30-9:00 p.m.
Location: Riley’s Pub (3458 Arsenal St., St. Louis, MO 63118) We will be in the side room with a sign on the table.
Type of group: Poetry for children
Spots available: 6
Short description: Send poems for critique that you have written for children readers. Writers age 21 and up (because we will be meeting at a bar). Send up to 400 words of your poems for children by 11:59 p.m. on May 24th in Word or PDF format. Please include your name on each page. Text only; no illustrations.
I will email the poems on May 26th to all participants to review. Please read and make notes on the poems prior to the meeting.
We will spend the first 30 minutes chatting, and then will allot 20 minutes per individual, using a timer. Please purchase a drink or pizza from Riley’s to support their willingness to let us meet here.
Host name: Shannon Witty
Reserve a spot by contacting host at: hikingboots@hotmail.com
Date of Event: June 4, 2022
Time of Event: 3:30-6:00 pm in Ikea’s Cafeteria
Location:
IKEA St. Louis
1 IKEA Way
St. Louis, MO 63108
Type of group: Picture book (text only)
Number of spots available: 6
Short description: Please submit your picture book manuscript (no more than 1000 words) by 11:59 pm on May 30 in PDF or Word format I will email the packet of picture book stories on May 31. Please read and make notes prior to the meeting. Group will have 30 minutes for settling in and chatting. Then, we will allot 20 minutes per person to review their story. Text only, please. No illustrations or dummies
Host: Jasmine Krouse
Reserve a spot by contacting host at: jasminekrouse07@gmail.com
Date of Event: Friday, May 20th
Time of Event: 12pm
Location: Grant’s View Library, 9700 Musick Rd. St. Louis, MO.63123 (with VIRTUAL option)
Type of group: Picture Books
Number of spots available: 5
Short description: For Fiction and Non-Fiction, under 1,000 words. I’m open to in-person (would love to meet you!) or Zoom. If in person, bring a manuscript, and another participant will read aloud to the group, or via shared screen on Zoom.
Please RSVP by Monday, May 16th, indicating if you can come in person, or join via Zoom.
Up to 20 minutes for each critique. Coffee or tea provided for in-person participants.
VIRTUAL GROUPS
Host: Mike Hays
Reserve a spot by contacting the host at: coachhays@gmail.com
Deadline to submit work for critique: May 20
Deadline to have critiques completed: June 5
Type of group: Online/virtual Graphic novel group, all ages welcome.
Number of spots available: 4
Short description: Participants will submit their first 5 graphic novel art pages in PDF and/or their 20 graphic novel script pages in a Microsoft Word document using any acceptable GN manuscript formatting. Please include in your submission email a few introductory sentences about yourself, a one-paragraph introduction to your manuscript (150-250 words), and what aspects of the manuscript you would most like feedback on. We can decide as a group if everyone would like to do a video meeting after critiques have been distributed.
Host: Katie O’Malley
Reserve a spot by contacting host at: katielomalley@gmail.com
Date of Event: Saturday, May 28th (* submit jpeg by Thursday, May 26th to Google Drive folder that I will give access to at this link )
Time of Event: 3:00 p.m.
Location: VIRTUAL (via Zoom)
Type of group: portfolio building for illustrators
Number of spots available: 5
Short description: Submit an illustration (or up to 3 illustrations in 1 jpeg if wanting advice on a sequential piece) that you have been working on and are considering adding to your portfolio. The group can preview via google drive. We will meet via Zoom to give oral critiques and answer questions.
**This group is full**
Host: Beth Bacon, author/illustrator (bethbaconauthor.com)
Reserve a spot by contacting host at: baconbeth29@gmail.com. Please list SCBWI CRITIQUE in the subject line. Group members will join on a first-come, first-served basis, so send your request early! (Last year this group filled up within 24 hours).
Deadline to submit work for critique: Monday May 16
Deadline to have critiques completed: Monday May 23
Date of Zoom meeting to discuss manuscripts: Thursday May 26, 6:00 p.m.
Type of group: PB writers, fiction or non-fiction
Number of spots available: 5 (total of 6 in group)
Short description: All PB manuscripts must be 900 words or less. The manuscript can be text only (in Microsoft Word or Google docs format), or if you are a writer/illustrator, feel free to submit text plus a storyboard in PDF format. I will send all manuscripts to the 6 members of the group, and everyone is expected to review them thoughtfully and provide written notes on the 5 other submissions. The group will meet online to discuss manuscripts and offer verbal feedback. You are not required to attend the zoom meeting, but it will be fun to get to know each other and great for networking.
Host name: Sue Lowell Gallion
Reserve a spot by contacting host at: suegallion@gmail.com, please specify SCBWI KS/MO Critique in subject line
Date of Event: Sunday, May 22
Time of Event: 1 – 3 p.m.
Location: VIRTUAL
Type of group: Fiction and nonfiction picture book manuscripts
Number of spots available: 6
Short description: Your picture book manuscript (fiction or nonfiction) must be 500 words or less. Submit your manuscript in Microsoft Word to me by May 15. I will distribute manuscripts via email for us to read before the meeting. We will spend 15 minutes on each manuscript plus time for Q&A.
Host: Jasmine Krouse
Reserve a spot by contacting host at: jasminekrouse07@gmail.com
Date of Event: Friday, May 20th
Time of Event: 12pm
Location: Grant’s View Library, 9700 Musick Rd. St. Louis, MO.63123 (with VIRTUAL option)
Type of group: Picture Books
Number of spots available: 5
Short description: For Fiction and Non-Fiction, under 1,000 words. I’m open to in-person (would love to meet you!) or Zoom. If in person, bring a manuscript, and another participant will read aloud to the group, or via shared screen on Zoom.
Please RSVP by Monday, May 16th, indicating if you can come in person, or join via Zoom.
Up to 20 minutes for each critique. Coffee or tea provided for in-person participants.
Host: Tere de la Garza
Reserve a spot by contacting host at: Theresa.delagarza@gmail.com (please include SCBWI CRITIQUE in the subject line)
Date of Event: Saturday, May 28
Time of Event: 10:00 a.m.
Location: VIRTUAL, via ZOOM
Type of group: Bilingual (English and another language) PB, chapter books, MG/YA novels, fiction or non-fiction, any genre
Number of spots available: 5
Short description: All PB manuscripts must be 600 words or less, submitted through Microsoft Word. Chapter books/novels should be limited to 10 pages. Participants will email their manuscripts to the host by Sunday, May 16, who will then distribute all to the group so everyone can read, process, and critique prior to our in-person meeting. We will allow 20 minutes for introductions and chat, then spend 20 minutes per manuscript for critiques and leave 20 minutes for general discussion of common issues combining languages.
Host name: Shana Youngdahl (Author) www.shanayoungdahl.com
Reserve a spot by contacting host at: skyoungdahl@gmail.com (please put SCBWI CRITIQUE in the subject line; reservations are first come, first served)
Date of Event: May 26
Time of Event: 6:00 pm
Location: VIRTUAL (Zoom)
Type of group: YA, all genres
Number of spots available: 4
Short description: Submit the first ten pages, double-spaced 12 pt font, by 5/17/22
Host: Jane Johnson
Reserve a spot by contacting host at: janecleerejohnson@gmail.com
Date of Event: Friday June 3rd
Time of Event: 6:00 p.m.
Location: VIRTUAL (via Zoom)
Type of group, genre: Upper Middle Grade/Lower YA
Number of spots available: 4
Short description: Submit first 10 pages in Microsoft Word or Google docs by May 20th so each participant has a chance to read and critique your work before we meet virtually. Please include what phase of writing you’re in (early draft, revising, polishing) and if you have any specific concerns about your story. We will meet via Zoom to give oral critiques and answer questions. After the Zoom meeting you will send the host your written critique of each manuscript via email so they can distribute to each writer.
Host: Jody Feldman
Reserve a spot by contacting host at: jody@jodyfeldman.com
Date of Event: May 25
Time of Event: 6:00 – 9:00pm
Location: VIRTUAL
Type of group: MG/YA, any genre
Number of spots available: 6 including host
Short description: Plan on submitting the first 10 pages of your manuscript plus a brief synopsis (not more than one page) by May 15 to give us enough time to have discussion notes ready.