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This is the blog home of #kidlitart, a live Twitter chat Thursdays at 9:00 pm Eastern, for children's book illustrators, picture book authors, author/illustrators and friends. Check back weekly to read transcripts, comment on previous chats and suggest topics for upcoming chats.


Thursday, September 10, 2015

Announcing The #writedummy Challenge


2016 will kick off another round of the Picture Book Dummy Challenge. In anticipation of this, and to help everyone gear up without getting overwhelmed with all that happens at the beginning of the new year, #kidlitart is announcing a writing challenge for Fall of 2015!

Isn't this great? Moderator Rubin Pingk created it.
We'll help you along with getting a picture book story written with a basic schedule and chats covering: basic story elements, writing as an illustrator, and getting feedback from critique groups.


As part of signing up to participate in this challenge, you must read and sign the Honor Agreement linked below. It's mandatory and will help us prevent any misunderstandings about sharing work.

Participants will be sharing drafts and switching critique group partners three times to maximize feedback and to give everyone a chance to revise their stories and get them solidified before the year is over. Your critique group assignments will be emailed to you by #kidlitart moderator Blythe Russo.

In order to be considered for a critique group, you need to email Blythe at: blytherussoillustration (at) gmail (dot) com) state that you want to be part of the critique group, and that you have read the honor agreement, and include your signed copy of the code as well. 

Deadline for participation in this challenge (in order to be part of the critique group formation) is OCTOBER 1, 2015. 

If you would like to ask questions, discuss progress, or anything else outside of the #kidlitart chats and Twitter you are more than welcome to join our Facebook group here.  Please DO NOT post your manuscripts-in-progress in that group as there are folks from previous challenges in there who may not be participating in this current challenge.

Writing Challenge Schedule: (subject to change)


Brainstorm Three Ideas
September 10
Pick Story, Character Interviews
September 17
Outline Story: Plot Chart
September 24
Draft #1/Sign-Up Deadline
October 1
New Crit Group Assmts:
Finish Draft #1
October 8
Swap Draft #1 w/ group, feedback, revise
October 15
New Crit Group Assmts:
 Draft #2
October 22
Finish Draft #2
October 29
Swap Draft #2, feedback, revise
November 5
New Crit Group Assmts: 
Draft #3
November 12
Swap Draft #3, feedback, revise
November 19
Finish Draft #3
November 26
Final Draft.
Homework: Elevator Pitches
December 3
Elevator Pitches
December 10


Honor Agreement Can Be Read and Printed from HERE

And it goes without saying that if you're part of this challenge you will be upholding your end of the deal by reading and providing feedback for all manuscripts you may be sent. It's only fair as you're seeking the same for your own story. Those who consistently fail to uphold the agreement will be removed from the challenge and critique groups.