Picture Book Mentorships

I offer a variety of mentorships that focus on developing, shaping, and strengthening your picture book and preparing it for submission to an agent and/or publisher. Longer mentorships focus on more than one work, and each mentorship includes a query letter draft.

1-Month Picture Book Mentorship: $700

This is a guided one-month (4-week) program that focuses on your picture book manuscript and/or picture book dummy. (Even if you are an author-illustrator, your manuscript is KEY to getting acquired.) The goal: to prepare and polish your picture book for submission, whether it’s to a publisher or an agent. (This package is also perfect for self-published creators preparing their work for publication.) This fast-paced package includes three rounds of edits; 2 hours of video meetings over the course of 4 weeks; a query letter that includes competitive titles to best position your work; and access to me (support, guidance, and advice) via email throughout the process. At the end of this month, you will have an edited picture book manuscript and/or picture book dummy (if you are an author-illustrator) and query letter that is ready to go! While I cannot promise or guarantee representation, I would be happy to share names of agents that might be a good fit for your work. (An extension of this month-long mentorship is also possible.)

This offer is valid for a limited time, so book now to save your spot!

3-Month Picture Book Mentorship: $2,250

This is a guided 3-month program that focuses on up to two picture book manuscripts or picture book dummies. The goal is to help tailor your work(s)-in-progress as well as your portfolio (if you are an illustrator) to the children's market, and will focus on how to best parlay your talents to secure the attention of agents and publishers for commissions. This package includes 5 hours of video meetings over the course of 3 months where we will edit and develop your picture book and delve into your portfolio (if you are an illustrator) to locate opportunities for additional projects. This 3-month mentorship also includes access to me as you develop your work; I will provide support, guidance, and advice via email and our meetings together throughout the process. As part of this mentorship program, I will draft a query letter and provide you with competitive titles that help to best position your work. While I cannot promise or guarantee representation, I would be happy to share names of agents that might be a good fit for your work (and do what I can to facilitate an introduction, when possible).

6-Month Picture Book Mentorship: $4,000

This is a guided 6-month program that focuses on the development of up to 3 picture manuscripts or illustrated projects. The goal is to help tailor your works-in-progress as well as your portfolio (if you are an illustrator) to the children's market for commissions, and will focus on how to best parlay your talents to secure the attention of agents and publishers. This mentorship includes 10 hours of meetings, the editing of 3 picture books/illustrated projects, as well as 3 query letter drafts (one for each project). This 6-month mentorship also includes access to me as you develop your work; I will provide support, guidance, and advice via email and our meetings together throughout the process. While I cannot promise or guarantee representation, I would be happy to share names of agents that might be a good fit for your work (and do what I can to facilitate an introduction, when possible).

With 16 years’ experience in the publishing industry acquiring, editing, and developing hundreds of titles, including award-winning picture books, I am pleased to offer freelance editing and creative consulting and coaching services to writers, artists/illustrators, and any creator striving to realize their creative vision.

My goal is to help you create your best work. Whether your goal is to get published or to self-publish, I will work with you to hone and strengthen your ideas, polish your manuscript or project, unlock your creative potential, and set your course forward.

To book a picture book mentorship or to inquire about a package tailored to your specific project, please fill out the form below, or email naomikirstencreative[at]gmail.com.

When emailing or filling out this form, please include “Mentorship” in in the “subject” field. (Please note that by filling out this form, you consent to sharing your email with me for the sole purpose of reaching out to you about freelance editing and creative consulting services. Email addresses submitted will only be used for the purpose of replying to queries for services. Otherwise, emails will be immediately deleted. Email addresses and personal information will never be stored or shared.)

By submitting this form, you acknowledge that you have read and agree to the Terms and Conditions.