We all know how important the first page of a manuscript is. But what do editors look for in this crucial first page, and what makes a first page shine? Editor Kat Brzozowski of Feiwel & Friends at Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group will live-review picture book, middle grade or YA first pages (no graphic novels, please) from attendees, talking about the strengths of the page and areas where the pages can be improved. Even if you don’t submit a page, you’ll come away with valuable advice and insight from a seasoned children’s book editor--and a coveted submission opportunity. Also available for an additional fee: optional written Gold Form Critique by Kat Brzozowski (submit up to 10 pages).
About Kat Brzozowski:
Kat Brzozowski is a senior editor at Feiwel & Friends, an imprint of Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group, where she has worked since 2016 after seven years at St. Martin’s Press. She has edited a wide range of titles, including the New York Times-bestselling picture I Love You More Than You'll Ever Know by Leslie Odom Jr. and Nicolette Robinson, with art by Joy Hwang Ruiz; Shannon C.F. Rogers’ I’d Rather Burn Than Bloom, winner of the Asian Pacific American Award for Literature, Young Adult; and Anna-Marie McLemore’s When the Moon was Ours and The Mirror Season, both longlisted for the National Book Award. Kat is looking to acquire young adult fiction, especially contemporary, realistic YA with a strong hook. When it comes to speculative elements, she looks for projects mostly rooted in the real world. In the picture book and middle grade space, she is drawn to stories she’s never seen before that feel both timeless and timely. She loves books that focus on family, friendships, and self-discovery. Across the board, she’s drawn to authors who bring a new perspective to their readers.
event.
where and when to send their first page (12 pt, double-spaced) with a due date of
midnight on November 5, 2024, for consideration to possibly be critiqued live.
you will receive post-event.