Registration // Curriculum // Perks & Bonuses // Teachers // Submissions // Contributors // Lives // Testimonials // FAQs
The Ultimate Craft & Business of Writing Picture Books Course
Calling All Children's Picture Book Writers and Illustrators!
We are now OPEN FOR REGISTRATION!!!
Everything you need to write, illustrate, and publish wonderful children's picture books taught by a fantastic dream team!
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Ready to Start Today? Click one of the magical pics below!
Use the case sensitive PBLove promo code by November 5th to save $100.
Make sure the code is working as we've tested it on our end and can't refund the fabulous discount.
We also have wonderful scholarships!
Use the case sensitive PBLove promo code by November 5th to save $100.
Make sure the code is working as we've tested it on our end and can't refund the fabulous discount.
We also have wonderful scholarships!
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The Ultimate Craft and Business of Writing and Illustrating Children's Picture Books Course... explained!
The Ultimate Craft & Business of Writing Picture Books course is co-taught with daily interaction by an expert publishing faculty, the weekly guests, and gifted assistants. The course also includes videos and written interviews with over 25 industry experts.
The course starts January 9th and runs for 5 full faculty weeks, PLUS a bonus instant-access mini-conference week. Plus, you can start the other bonus courses and masterclasses as soon as you register!
The program is designed to be extremely time flexible. You can access the lessons whenever you want and interact as much or as little as you like. The only time-specific elements are the weekly critiquing webinars, the daily office hours, and your optional critique groups (some of which are also recorded). All the materials come with a full year of access!
The course starts January 9th and runs for 5 full faculty weeks, PLUS a bonus instant-access mini-conference week. Plus, you can start the other bonus courses and masterclasses as soon as you register!
The program is designed to be extremely time flexible. You can access the lessons whenever you want and interact as much or as little as you like. The only time-specific elements are the weekly critiquing webinars, the daily office hours, and your optional critique groups (some of which are also recorded). All the materials come with a full year of access!
During the course, you will...
- Learn everything you need to know about making and publishing picture books
- Benefit from exclusive publishing opportunities
- Receive live and recorded mentoring
- Revel in an interactive supportive community
- Participate in daily M-F interaction and feedback from your co-teachers
- Join weekly live and recorded critiques with industry guests
What's new this session?
- Advance lessons to help you get started before the course begins
- TWO fabulous new acquiring co-teachers, some new Golden Ticket judges
- FREE LIVE advanced picture book writing and targeting your submissions Masterclass bonus for returning students!
- FREE NEW LEVERAGING LUSCIOUS LANGUAGE TO MAKE YOUR STORY SING INSTANT ACCESS MASTERCLASS!
- Skip-the-Slush-Pile with MANY new submission opportunities
- Tons of bonuses for all enrolled students
this course is for you if you want to...
- Write a fresh children’s picture book story from start to finish or jump in with one of our suggestions
- Revise and polish an existing children's book manuscript radically improving agenting and/or publication possibilities
- Write and/or illustrate a story that will make you proud
- Create a targeted cover letter ready to send to your ideal editor or agent
- Create an effective punchy pitch and bio for your cover letter and pitch fests
- Participate in weekly critiques and our super interactive private course platform
- Join an optional small critique group
- Submit to an exclusive panel of editors and agents who are looking to acquire from this course
- Have lots of fun
Why should you do this course you ask? Because you want to write and publish children's picture books! This is the only course with an unparalleled track-record of published, award-winning, and agented students!
The details
This size-limited, online interactive e-course, talent search, and community lovefest gives you everything you need to know about writing, selling and marketing children's picture books. You get written and video lessons, worksheets, templates, handouts, lists of publishers and agents, feedback, and step by step directions, providing a really comprehensive education.
It all happens in the comfort of your own home, a café, the library, on vacation, anywhere that you can get Internet access. With recorded LIVE webinars, this proven-track record course is designed to accommodate students from all corners of this beautiful world.
This size-limited, online interactive e-course, talent search, and community lovefest gives you everything you need to know about writing, selling and marketing children's picture books. You get written and video lessons, worksheets, templates, handouts, lists of publishers and agents, feedback, and step by step directions, providing a really comprehensive education.
It all happens in the comfort of your own home, a café, the library, on vacation, anywhere that you can get Internet access. With recorded LIVE webinars, this proven-track record course is designed to accommodate students from all corners of this beautiful world.
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WEEK 1: HOOKS • GREAT BEGINNINGS & IDEAS
WEEK 2: characters • STRUCTURE & PLOT
WEEK 3: PROBLEMS • BIG MOMENTS & VOICE
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WEEK 4: TURNING POINTS • CLIMAXES & Endings
WEEK 5: pitching • CONTRACTS & Social MEDIA
WEEK 6: FABULOUS INSTANT ACCESS CONFERENCE
START PREPPING YOUR GOLDEN TICKET SUBMISSIONS! |
To accommodate different learning styles, the course is taught using multiple modalities and LOTS of interaction and feedback!
Learn from time-flexible daily lessons, worksheets, writing templates, videos, interviews, and much more in our password-protected platform, tons of resources including lists of publishers and agents! Get your work live critiqued in weekly topic-specific webinars.
Get daily feedback M-F from our co-teachers, upgrade for a one-on-one one-hour critique with one of our co-teachers, join an optional critique group and interact in our vibrant chat area or office hours.
Learn from time-flexible daily lessons, worksheets, writing templates, videos, interviews, and much more in our password-protected platform, tons of resources including lists of publishers and agents! Get your work live critiqued in weekly topic-specific webinars.
Get daily feedback M-F from our co-teachers, upgrade for a one-on-one one-hour critique with one of our co-teachers, join an optional critique group and interact in our vibrant chat area or office hours.
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Marissa Moss
Editor & Publisher Creston Books |
Dainese Santos
Assistant Editor Simon & Schuster |
Claire Easton
Agent Painted Woods |
Kandace Coston
Associate Editor Lee & Low Books |
Kaitlyn Sanchez
Agent Context Literary |
Each week we have LIVE, topic-specific, critique webinars with acquiring editors and agents to further increase student's work quality and chances for publication. We call these the Lives. These editors and agents, plus other decision makers, return at the end of the course to look at student-mentored work with an eye towards acquisitions.
WE ARE STILL CONFIRMING THIS YEAR'S LIVE CRITIQUE GUESTS BUT BELOW ARE LAST YEAR'S. PLEASE STAY TUNED OR SIGN UP NOW AND TRUST THAT THEY'LL ALSO BE FANTASTIC!
WE ARE STILL CONFIRMING THIS YEAR'S LIVE CRITIQUE GUESTS BUT BELOW ARE LAST YEAR'S. PLEASE STAY TUNED OR SIGN UP NOW AND TRUST THAT THEY'LL ALSO BE FANTASTIC!
Click Here to find out more about our Live Critique Guests
There are four options for The Ultimate Craft and Business of Writing and Illustrating Children's Picture Books Course.
Ready to start today? Register now!
Use the case sensitive PBLove promo code by November 5th to save $100.
Make sure the code is working as we've tested it on our end and can't refund the fabulous discount.
We also have wonderful scholarships!
Use the case sensitive PBLove promo code by November 5th to save $100.
Make sure the code is working as we've tested it on our end and can't refund the fabulous discount.
We also have wonderful scholarships!
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Full Course + 1hr Helen H. Wu Critique |
Full Course + Dr. Mira Reisberg Critique |
Full Course + Lisa Rosinsky Critique |
Full Course Only |
747.00 |
747.00 |
747.00 |
597 |
with discount code PBLove |
with discount code PBLove |
with discount code PBLove |
with discount code PBLove |
5+ weeks of live training |
5+ weeks of live training |
5+ weeks of live training |
5+ weeks of live training |
Weekly critiques |
Weekly critiques |
Weekly critiques |
Weekly critiques |
Interactive Community |
Interactive Community |
Interactive Community |
Interactive Community |
Tons of submission opportunities |
Tons of submission opportunities |
Tons of submission opportunities |
Tons of submission opportunities |
An amazing ONE HOUR Extra Success critique Helen H. Wu – just for you! |
An awecome ONE HOUR Extra Success critique with Dr. Mira Resiberg – just for you! |
A fabulous ONE HOUR Extra Success Critique with Lisa Rosinksy – just for you! |
And so much more! |
Signed up for the full course & critique? For an additional $75 you can get FULL instant access ILLUSTRATION COURSE!
That's $824 for everything using the PBLove code.
Normal cost for this fabulous Illustration course is $325. That's a huge $250 saving for the wonderful students of our Ultimate Craft & Business of Writing and Illustrating Picture Books course.
That's $824 for everything using the PBLove code.
Normal cost for this fabulous Illustration course is $325. That's a huge $250 saving for the wonderful students of our Ultimate Craft & Business of Writing and Illustrating Picture Books course.
From complete beginners to seasoned writers and illustrators, this course has something for everyone.
Our students say this course is "like attending twenty conferences or a prestigious MFA program in one course."
Our students say this course is "like attending twenty conferences or a prestigious MFA program in one course."
Here are the 2021 Golden Ticket judges! 2023 Submission Opportunities Coming Soon!
Last year's judges, at the end of the course, requested to see 56 full manuscript submissions!
Quite a few of these students are now agented or contracted. Woohoo!
Last year's judges, at the end of the course, requested to see 56 full manuscript submissions!
Quite a few of these students are now agented or contracted. Woohoo!
We are still confirming Golden Ticket Judges for This Coming January 2023 Course But Here are the Last Year's...
Alex Wolfe
Associate Editor Penguin Random House 
Helen H. Wu
Publisher Yehoo Press |
Marissa Moss
Editor & Publisher Creston Books 
Claire Easton
Agent Painted Woods |
Kaitlyn Sanchez
Agent Context Literary 
Dainese Santos
Assistant Editor Simon & Schuster |
Jennifer Newen
Publishing Director West Margin Press 
Sandra Sutter
Owner Gnome Road Press |
Frances Gilbert
VP, Editor-in-Chief Doubleday Books 
Kandace Coston
Associate Editor Lee & Low Books |
Rosie Ahmed
Assistant Editor Dial Books for Young Readers 
Michelle Lee
Assistant Editor Dial Books for Young Readers |
Find out more about our Golden Ticket Judges
We'd love you to add your story to our story of over 920 now-published or contracted students' books on shelves at bookstores everywhere!
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THE GOLDEN TICKETS
An EXCLUSIVE OPPORTUNITY no other academy offers! At the end of this course, you will be able to put your work in front of real industry experts! You will directly pitch a select group of agents and editors and bypass the slush pile or closed-house submission policy. In the Ultimate Craft and Business of Writing and Illustrating Picture Books, you'll learn how to not only write memorable and marketable picture books, but also how to write powerful pitches, bios, and covers letters to catch that agent or editor's eye. Our panel of judges then look at a secret website of your pitches and bios and select ones that they're interested in seeing more from for a chance to publish your work. |
THE LIVE WEBINARS
The "LIVES" are another Children's Book Academy EXCLUSIVE available to you through this course! Each week, you'll have the opportunity to share your work with our special honorary guests in order to get some of their insights and direct coaching of your work during our live (and recorded) sessions and also hopefully make some fabulous connections. From hooks to character development to plot twists and pitches, your work is guaranteed live critiques throughout the course weeks in a friendly and supportive environment that fosters growth and community. You will not find an opportunity to impress editors and agents from the most sought-after houses anywhere else. |
PLUS a BRAND NEW FREE LIVE higher-level Writing and/or Illustrating
YOUR IDEAL STORY and targeting your publishers or agent bonus
Live and Recorded Workshop for Returning Students!
YOUR IDEAL STORY and targeting your publishers or agent bonus
Live and Recorded Workshop for Returning Students!
- FREE How to Build a Website Great for authors & illustrators
- FREE Bonus Videos The Brilliant Barbara Bottner Bonus Interviews dig deeper into course materials
- FREE Social Media Tips & Tricks Learn to setup your accounts & develop a social media following to help promote your books
- FREE Learn Photoshop We offer this at two levels: beginners (Part 1) and seasoned users (Part 2) in one FREE course
- FREE The Pleasures of Procreate This course is an absolute game-changer for illustrators and those open to illustrating
- FREE Writing Cover Letters and Pitches That Agents & Editors Want to Read How to do it in the best way possible
- FREE Expert Writing Tips FREE The Little Big Book of Children’s Book Writing Techniques & Terminology
- FREE BUT WAIT THERE'S EVEN MORE - a quickie intro to humor with Amy Fitzgerald!!!
- FREE A Brand new masterclass: LEVERAGING LUSCIOUS LANGUAGE TO MAKE YOUR STORIES SING!
- AND another BRAND NEW FREE LIVE (and Recorded) higher level writing and/or illustrating your ideal story WORKSHOP targeting your publishers or agent for returning students!
Plus TWO other awesome bonuses for the first 20 to register:
• A delicious FREE start today FULL COURSE "Let's Get Funny: Writing Humor for Kids" course (which gets rave reviews)
• PLUS a FREE Full Course FREE CLIP STUDIO PAINT!
THAT'S A TOTAL of TWELVE EXTRA BONUSES WITH A WHOLE YEAR TO EXPLORE AND BENEFIT FROM THEM!
• A delicious FREE start today FULL COURSE "Let's Get Funny: Writing Humor for Kids" course (which gets rave reviews)
• PLUS a FREE Full Course FREE CLIP STUDIO PAINT!
THAT'S A TOTAL of TWELVE EXTRA BONUSES WITH A WHOLE YEAR TO EXPLORE AND BENEFIT FROM THEM!
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Ready to Start Today? Click one of the magical pics below!
Use the case sensitive PBLove promo code by November 5th to save $100.
Make sure the code is working as we've tested it on our end and can't refund the fabulous discount.
We also have wonderful scholarships!
Use the case sensitive PBLove promo code by November 5th to save $100.
Make sure the code is working as we've tested it on our end and can't refund the fabulous discount.
We also have wonderful scholarships!
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Dr. Mira Reisberg has helped MANY authors and illustrators get published. Her students have published or contracted over 920 books and won just about every major North American kidlit award that she knows of. Mira has worn just about every hat in the industry including illustrator, editor, art director, author, and literary agent. She holds a PhD in Education and Cultural Studies with a focus on children's literature and art education. Mira has taught children's literature survey and making courses at Washington State University, Northern Illinois University, San Francisco City College Extension, and US Berkeley Extension. She is also an award-winning children's book illustrator and writer.
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Helen H. Wu is a children’s book author, illustrator, translator and publisher. As the Publisher of Yeehoo Press, an independent children’s book publisher based in San Diego, California, she is fascinated by the differences and similarities between cultures. As the author and or illusrtator of over 22 books, including Tofu Takes Time, illustrated by Julie Jarema (Beaming Books, 2022) and Long Goes To Dragon School, illustrated by Mae Besom (Yeehoo Press, 2023), she loves to share stories that empower children to understand the world and our connections. Helen resides in sunny Southern California, with her family and two kids. Learn more about her at helenhwu.com and follow her on Twitter at @HelenHWu and on Instagram at @HelenHWu.
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AWESOME AGENT TBA
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SOME OF THE MANY BOOKS MIRA ACQUIRED, AND/OR EDITED, OR ART DIRECTED FROM THIS COURSE ALONE:
SOME OF HELEN'S BOOKS AND BOOKS FROM YEEHOO PRESS!
What kinds of formats will there be?
We will have helpful weekly subject-specific show and tell videos, daily lessons, video interviews with expert course contributors, written lessons, written interviews, step-by-step worksheets, handouts, a highly interactive Mighty Networks group, weekly live critiques with extraordinary critique guests, daily office hours with co-teachers, and Q&As that are recorded, 2 e-books, and optional small critique groups.
Who will benefit from this class?
Anyone who has a passion or interest in writing or illustrating children's picture books.
When does the class start?
The next class starts January 9, 2023.
How much will I be investing in this course and how do I pay?
We have fantastic staggered discounts so the sooner you register, the bigger your discount. And of course there are the extra bonuses! The course includes over 30 lessons + tons of bonus materials, 5 weeks of M-F instructor access plus a bonus instant access week, and lifetime access to your community + a 1 week mini-conference. You’ll register through Infusionsoft, which will automatically convert currency for you and we have nifty payment plans available.
When registering, use the case-sensitive PBLove promo code to save $100. Make sure the code is working as we've tested it on our end and can't refund money. We also have wonderful scholarships right here!
When registering, use the case-sensitive PBLove promo code to save $100. Make sure the code is working as we've tested it on our end and can't refund money. We also have wonderful scholarships right here!
When does registration end?
January 1, 2023. Because our courses generally only happen once a year, and due to the fact that we size limit our courses, which probably helps with the high success rate of our students, this course usually sells out. We recommend that you register sooner rather than later
I’m primarily an artist, will this course be relevant for me?
While the primary focus of the course is writing children's picture books, you will learn a ton of helpful information and most-likely increase your chances of publication as a much desired author/illustrator. A separate, instant access illustration course that is normally $325, will be available to purchase at a deeply discounted price of $75.
What will I need?
Computer and Internet access, a great attitude and open mind, and a willingness to play with creativity.
Are there any specific time requirements?
No! The only time sensitive areas are if you want to submit your work for a live webinar critique, there is a specific deadline, and if you join one of the optional critique groups you need to honor your group's critiquing timeline. The weekly webinars also happen at a specific day and time provided in advance, but if you can't make it live, they are also recorded for later viewing.
What do I do if I have further questions?
You can call Mira directly CALIFORNIA time at 503.255.0152 or email mira@childrensbookacademy.com with "Children's Picture Book Writing Course Question" in the subject headline.
How long does the course stay open after it ends?
Students have an additional year or more access to the course after it ends.
Do you offer refunds?
Sorry, there are no refunds. We appreciate your understanding.
Ready to Start Today? Click one of the magical pics below!
Use the case sensitive PBLove promo code to save $100.
Make sure the code is working as we've tested it on our end and can't refund the fabulous discount
Need a little assistance? Check out our wonderful scholarships.
Use the case sensitive PBLove promo code to save $100.
Make sure the code is working as we've tested it on our end and can't refund the fabulous discount
Need a little assistance? Check out our wonderful scholarships.
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Still a little unsure? Check out this slide show of former student's testimonials, many of whom are now multi-published!
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Packed with helpful amazing content to further your writing career... It was AMAZING and I have to say I'm back for more! I am now taking the self paced E-course, Writing Wonderful Character-Driven Picture Books. I have found it to be a perfect addition to my daily writing routine especially since it’s self paced and I can do the work as I see fit. Thank you SO much to the CBA.
Award-winning author of picture books, chapter book series & more |
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I met you Mira, when I was just dreaming that I could create my own books. Not knowing really anything about it except that I loved picture books when I came into your class, I finally got a really good view of how the PB works... I was very fortunate to find that you were really generous. Having someone like you see me with those eyes, really made a difference.
Six-time recipient of the Pura Belpré award & author of DREAMERS & more |
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My debut PB was El Cucuy is Scared Too, which I wrote in Children's Book Academy! That was 2019, & it was my first time taking a PB class, as my wheelhouse is sort of in MG fiction... wanted to dabble in PB's... and there I was in Mira's class, and wrote several books since and many I can't speak of!
Newbery & Pura Belpré Award Winner, New York Times Best Seller author of EL CUCUY IS SCARED TOO & more |
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Join former students who have now published or received over 920 contracts and others who have signed with their dream agents. Here's a wee video from former student AND NOW MULTI-MULTI AWARD-WINNER Yuyi Morales.
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Marcie Colleen is now multi, multi published with a major kidlit career!
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Jenny Kouts is also multi published and doing great in Greece! Yay Jenny!
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And here's Danielle Dufayet, now published with four books and more on the way!
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Here's a tiny sneak peek from a much larger video interview with Marsha Diane Arnold where she shares words of wisdom for beginning writers. In the full interview, Marsha shares about her writing process, how she embeds or unearths deeper meanings in her stories, and how she crafts character-driven stories. She's pretty fabulous as are our other gifted contributors.
The expert contributors will speak to you in customized videos and written interviews sharing their perspectives on everything from writing tips and secrets on how they structure their books, to researching and writing non-fiction, to writing biographies, to crafting perfect rhymes, to creating luscious language, to working with plot, to getting rejected and keeping on going, to what they look for in buying books, to what they look for in submissions, to creating an authors platform to make you more attractive to publishers, and SO MUCH MORE!
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The incredible deal that is this AMAZING course!
This size-limited course is the equivalent of 4-5 other courses, especially compared to university courses that cost 3 times as much! Plus, you're not competing with 400-900 other students. It's comparable to 20 conferences or a (much more fun) Master's degree without the certificate. Not only that, but you get valuable time and attention from skilled professionals in the KidLit industry.
Please scroll down to see the testimonials and track-record of published students and skilled contributors.
Prices below include the $100 discount!
This size-limited course is the equivalent of 4-5 other courses, especially compared to university courses that cost 3 times as much! Plus, you're not competing with 400-900 other students. It's comparable to 20 conferences or a (much more fun) Master's degree without the certificate. Not only that, but you get valuable time and attention from skilled professionals in the KidLit industry.
Please scroll down to see the testimonials and track-record of published students and skilled contributors.
Prices below include the $100 discount!
FABULOUS FULL |
COURSE OFFERINGS |
FULL COURSE GREAT VALUE $597 |
FULL COURSE + CRITIQUE BEST VALUE $747 |
FULL COURSE + CRITIQUE + ILLUSTRATION COURSE BEST VALUE $824 |
Five+ weeks of live access to your helpful instructors, assistants and super supportive peers in our Private Group |
Access to roughly 30 lessons + an additional 6 day mini-conference |
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An additional YEAR of access to all the juicy content |
ELEVEN additional bonuses (value $1200) |
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Live weekly topic-specific, workshop/webinars focused on you and your work. These interactive webinars will also be recorded. |
An additional week of instant access conference materials including the Barbara Bottner recordings |
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Daily M-F Office Hours Access to Your Instructors |
Fabulous templates, worksheets, and done-for-you scripts |
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The Little Big Book of Children’s Book Writing Techniques and Terminology (Absolutely Priceless) |
A FREE e-Book of course content A beautiful CBA badge for your website Your own optional critique group |
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Priceless opportunities to learn from and connect with editors and agents in our live webinars |
A FREE Social Media course & Easy Website Building course |
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EVERYTHING here including submissions |
Exclusive entry into the Golden Ticket skip-the-line pitch fest/talent search contest where editors and agents will select manuscripts to consider for publication, and so much more! |
$597 with PBLove code |
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EVERYTHING PLUS a Deeply-Discounted, ONE HOUR, one-on-one live critique that’s like an intensive individual mini-course focused solely on you and your work with an acquiring editor art director or agent! These are really amazing! |
Receive an exceptional 1hr Critique for only 150 more |
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$747 with PBLove code |
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EVERYTHING PLUS the Deeply-Discounted, ONE HOUR, one-on-one live critique PLUS the FULL instant access ILLUSTRATION COURSE! |
Normal cost is $325 but students taking this course can purchase it for only $75 extra here to really go for it! |
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$824 with PBLove code |
Is this your time to shine?
Just click one of the pretty pics below and Join us.
Just click one of the pretty pics below and Join us.
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