August 24th and 31st—Two days of online manuscript and portfolio assessments
BOOKINGS FOR ASSESSMENTS NOW CLOSED
In conjunction with our creative day, we are offering 15-minute online manuscript and portfolio assessments in the weekends before, where you can receive feedback on your work from Australian and overseas professionals.
For those who purchase a Create and Critique-a-palooza ticket, you will have first chance at securing an assessment. Tickets will open for members who would like just an assessment or to buy a second assessment one week after the May 2nd opening.
Tickets
Critiques are 15 min with a publishing professional online via Zoom plus a written report*.
SCBWI Members only
$105 per critique and places are initially limited to one per person.
Click here to book on Trybooking
Tickets will go on sale from May 2 at 8am for those who buy a Create and Critique-a-Palooza ticket or from May 9 for those who’d like the assessment only or would like to buy a second assessment.
At time of booking you will be able to choose your preference from the available time slots and assessors. Critiques are non-refundable and non-transferable, so please choose carefully.
Critique Assessors
Victoria Selvaggio—Owner/Literary Agent, Storm Literary Agency
After interning for The Jennifer De Chiara Literary Agency, she joined the agency in 2013. Within six months, she had sales under her belt and a list of talented clients. Victoria missed the behind-the-scenes business side, though. In 2018, she joined Storm Literary Agency as a co-owner where she devoted her time to building the agency from within. With over thirty years of business-ownership and publishing experience, Victoria became the owner of Storm Literary Agency in 2022. Her list features both debut and award-winning authors. She represents all age categories and all genres except Erotica Romance. Currently, she is closed to submissions (Victoria does accept submissions as a presenter at conferences). Some of Her favorite authors include Stephen King, Judy Blume, Shel Silverstein, Lois Lowry, Margaret Atwood, E. B. White, C. S. Lewis, and Suzanne Collins. Victoria is a member of the Association of Author’s Representatives, Inc.
Victoria will critique Picture Books, Chapter Books/Middle Grade, Upper Middle Grade/Young Adult and Non-Fiction.
She’s happy to critique any genre.
Heather Curdie—Commissioning Editor, Young Readers, Penguin Random House
Heather Curdie is a Commissioning Editor for Penguin Random House Young Readers. She has a passion for picture books, graphic novels, and junior and middle-grade fiction and non-fiction. She has worked with many talented writers and illustrators, including Morris Gleitzman, Mem Fox, Oliver Phommavanh, Andrew Daddo, Jane Godwin, Anna Walker, Jacqueline Harvey, Andrew Joyner, Stephen Michael King and John Williamson. Heather is energised by the constantly changing world of children's publishing, taking delight in finding and nurturing promising new talent and publishing opportunities. She also has a passion for the environment, choral music, cycling and all things outdoors!
Heather will critique Chapter Book/Middle Grade, Non-Fiction and Portfolios.
Her wish list includes:
Hilariously funny, diverse, magical and/or left-of-field chapter books/middle grade
Clever new approaches to non-fiction for middle grade
Seasonal or gift book ideas
Accomplished, commercial illustrator portfolios - varied styles, colour and black & white
She would prefer not to see: Gentle everyday stories
Luna Soo—Senior Editor, Hardie Grant Children’s Publishing
Luna Soo is a senior editor at Hardie Grant Children’s Publishing. She works with talented authors to create books that inspire and amaze readers aged 4-18. A part-time bookseller and lifelong book-lover, she’s keen to help diversify Australia’s publishing industry so that all readers can see themselves on the page. She is particularly drawn to stories with a strong, gripping voice and a unique perspective on the world.
Luna will critique Chapter Book/Middle Grade and Upper Middle Grade/Young Adult
Her wish list includes: Contemporary fiction, junior fiction (ages 4-8) with series potential, and stories by marginalised writers.
She would prefer not to see: High fantasy and hard science fiction.
Cheryl Orsini—Illustrator and Author
Hello, I'm Cheryl, and I draw pictures for my supper. I've been illustrating children's books, magazines, portraits and painting a great many peg dolls for more years than I care to count. I've illustrated more than seventy books including The ABC Book of series (ABC Books /Harper Collins), The Travelling Bookshop series (ABC Books /Harper Collins), The Greatest Mistakes That Went Right (Affirm Press), Lucy’s Book (Lothian Books/Hachette Australia), The Fairy Dancers (ABC Books), Pom Pom, Where Are You? (Viking/Penguin) and Caravan Fran (Lothian Books/Hachette Australia). My work also appears on TV in Gardening Australia Junior, in magazines, murals and I'm a regular participant at the Sydney Writers’ Festival and Russ the Story Bus – honk if you love books! www.cherylorsini.com
Cheryl will critique Picture Books and Portfolios
Her wish list includes any genre. Playing to her strengths she can advise on picture book illustrators with more of a whimsical feel but she’s happy to critique anything.
Laura Harris—Publisher
Laura completed a bachelor’s in education before landing an Editorial Traineeship at the prestigious NSW School Magazine. Laura then moved to HarperCollins Publishers as a Senior Editor and then became Publisher. She joined Penguin Books in 1999 as Publisher and became Publishing Director in 2003, joining the Board that year as well. In 2016, she was appointed Publishing Director at Penguin Random House where she worked until 2023. Laura has shaped many books over her 35 years in publishing including works by Mem Fox, Aaron Blabey, Morris Gleitzman, Felice Arena, Gus Gordon, Melina Marchetta and Sonya Hartnett. In 2023, Laura celebrated 35 years in publishing and was a recipient of the George Robertson Award for distinguished service to the Australian Publishing industry. She launched Laura Harris Publishing in 2024. And while often asked, Laura has checked with her doctor, who assures her she doesn’t have a novel in her.
Laura will critique: Picture Books, Chapter Book/Middle Grade, Upper Middle Grade/Young Adult and Portfolios
Her wish list includes: Stand alone middle grade - literary and for good readers. Funny and thoughtful YA
She would prefer not to see: Picture book texts that rhyme ..unless very experienced writer ..
Cristina Pase—Commissioning Editor, Windy Hollow Books
Cristina is the Children's Publisher at Windy Hollow Books, where her role involves everything from commissioning to editing and sales and marketing. She has over 18 years experience in making beautiful picture books. Prior to her time at Windy Hollow Books she worked in education, bookselling and sales and marketing. Cristina is passionate about great storytelling with a strong narrative and beautiful language.
Cristina will critique: Picture Books
Her wish list includes: Prefer prose to rhyme. Picture Books only. Picture Books for primary aged children. Narrative non fiction. Books where narrative not message is the focus.
She would prefer not to see: Toilet humour, specific occasion books, overly issues based books.
Kate Wenban—Senior Editor, Scholastic Australia
Kate has been working in the publishing industry for over 15 years, most of those as an editor at Scholastic Australia. In that time, she’s edited Australian picture books, middle grade illustrated fiction and junior fiction—including Ella Diaries, Minutes of Danger, Liars, Fartboy and Daring Delly. Kate also has extensive experience writing and editing books for major licensors such as Disney, Marvel, Nickelodeon and DC Comics. Kate’s academic background is in psychology, cultural studies and English.
Kate will critique: Chapter Books/Middle Grade and Upper Middle Grade/Young Adult
Her wish list includes: Genre fiction, action, suspense, comedy. Things that kids want to read for fun, books they can't put down.
She would prefer not to see: Stories with overt political/religious/environmental messaging. While she understands the importance of such stories, they aren't her area of expertise.
Nancy Conescu—Publisher, Berbay Books
Nancy Conescu grew up in New Orleans and has worked in children’s publishing for over 20 years. Before relocating to Australia, she spent twelve years honing her editorial skills in New York, at Penguin Books for Young Readers and Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, where she acquired and edited award-winning and New York Times bestselling titles.
Prior to joining Berbay, she was Executive Commissioning Editor of Walker Books Australia. Nancy specialises in picture books and middle grade fiction.
Nancy will critique: Picture Books, Chapter Book/Middle Grade, Non-Fictions and Portfolios
Her wish list includes: Character-centric picture books, inventive nonfiction picture books with series potential, and fiction that is funny or ultimately hopeful
She would prefer not to see: Historical fiction or high fantasy
James Layton—Publisher, Larrikin House
James Layton is the Larri-King of Larrikin House who – fuelled by chocolate, coffee, and inappropriate jokes – runs two successful businesses. Sharp as a razor, this man will tell you exactly what he thinks without using a single euphemism – a true talent! He is unwavering in his commitment in creating edgy, wacky, quirky books that push boundaries, because as a young reluctant reader himself, he wants kids to love reading from an early age.
James will critique: Picture Books, Chapter Book/Middle Grade, Non-Fiction and Portfolios
His wish list includes: Likeable characters that can move from story to story
He would prefer not to see: Fart books
*Please note that James will not provide a written report but he’s happy for you to record the critique.
Dani Vee—Publisher, Larrikin House
Dani Vee is a children’s author, podcaster and works in acquisitions and publicity at Larrikin House. Dani’s picture books My EXTRAordinary Mum and the My EPIC Dad! series are both quirky and fun, written to engage kids in humour as well as provide the opportunity for discussions about stereotypes, resilience and going outside one’s comfort zone. Her new junior fiction title Riley’s FAILPROOF Guide to Breaking a School Record with Jules Faber will be released September 2024. Dani also hosts the popular Words and Nerds podcast, where she chats to authors about their work. The podcast has had over one million plays and continues to be an important part of the literary landscape.
Dani works in publishing in acquisitions, publicity and production management, giving her a broad and unique perspective of the industry.
Dani will critique: Picture Books, Chapter Book/Middle Grade, Upper Middle Grade/Young Adult, Non-Fiction and Portfolios
Her wish list includes: Funny, quirky books that push stereotypes and provide an engaging experience for the reader.
She would prefer not to see: Stereotypes, particularly when it comes to women and mothers.
Cathy Vallance—Children's and Young Adult Publisher, UQP
Cathy Vallance has over fifteen years’ experience in the publishing industry. She was an editor for a number of independent publishers before becoming the Children’s Editor at UQP in 2012. She worked across the whole list from 2014 but maintained a special interest in children’s and young adult books. In 2023, she won the Rosanne Fitzgibbon Award for Editorial Excellence for her work on the CBCA-shortlisted verse novel The Way of Dog by Zana Fraillon. Later that year, she was appointed to the role of Children’s and Young Adult Publisher at UQP. Cathy is proud to collaborate with many talented, award-winning authors and illustrators, including Peter Carnavas, Nova Weetman, Ellen van Neerven and Sally Soweol Han.
Cathy will critique: Chapter Books/Middle Grade ad Upper Middle Grade/Young Adult
Her wish list includes: Stories with heart and soul and a unique point of difference; funny YA; standalone younger reader novels (not series)
She would prefer not to see: Toilet humour or nasty humour, bleak YA, hard genre fiction
Coral Huckstep—Editor, Affirm Press
Coral is a children's book editor at Affirm Press, where she has the pleasure of working with wonderful stories for young people of all ages. Coral loves all stages of the process, from big-picture editing to addressing the finer details, and everything in between. She absolutely loves finding the perfect illustrator for each book, and all aspects of art direction thereon. Above all, she loves the collaboration and creativity involved in bringing a book through to publication and makes sure authors, illustrators and designers are at the centre of this exciting process.
Coral will critique: Picture Books, Chapter Book/Middle Grade, Upper Middle Grade/Young Adult, Non-Fiction and Portfolios
Her wish list includes: I'd love to see graphic novels/graphic novel ideas from author-illustrators. I am also particularly keen on humour in any category.
She would prefer not to see: No memoir-based non-fiction unless the story is applicable to a broad readership.
Submission Guidelines for Manuscript or Portfolio Critiques
Following your booking CLICK HERE to submit your manuscript or picture book text or thumbnails or portfolio images. Please take note of the July 21, 2024 deadline and the format for submissions. Unfortunately, submissions that are late or that do not conform to the specifications cannot be accepted.
Your Manuscript critique submission should include the following:
•An overview of your project to a maximum of 1 page including your name, email and website (if applicable)
AND IN THE SAME DOCUMENT ONE OF THE FOLLOWING:
• An outline of your project idea with synopsis and short writing samples for comment and discussion to a maximum of 10 pages, double spaced in 12pt Times New Roman or similar
OR
• An extract of your draft manuscript to a maximum of 10 pages, double spaced in 12pt Times New Roman or similar
OR
• A full picture book draft text to a maximum of 10 pages, double spaced in 12pt Times Roman or similar (one picture book only)
OR
If a writer-illustrator an illustrated picture book dummy with text. (One picture book only)
OR
A portfolio of up to 10 pages in pdf form
Most assessors prefer word document format so they can make inline notes, however, pdfs are also acceptable. Picture books in thumbnail form can be supplied as pdfs. Please label your file including Surname, Title (abbreviate if necessary), Genre (PB, C, YA) and indicate if it is Non-Fiction NF: ex. Surname_Title_PB_NF