Dallas Writers Retreat: Writing with Rosie Recap

Writing with Rosie weekend was a huge success! 

I just got back from another whirlwind of a weekend in Dallas, Texas. I attended the workshop with the intention of learning more about the children's picture book industry, working on my own manuscripts, having FUN, and connecting with other women in the KidLit community. I did all of that... and so much more! 

A quick recap of what the weekend entailed with the wonderful writers who flew in from New Jersey, California, Virginia (me), and a few from Texas: 

• We had a very informative lecture from author/editor Jackie Kruzie about making picture books B.A.R.F. 
• We had a surprise visit from author Jennifer C. Judd who shared insights on rhyme, poetry, and magazine submissions.
• Rosie shared her 20 questions to ask an agent to make sure you find the *right* agent for you. 
• We had round-table critique sessions, writing prompt challenges, and one-on-one manuscript critique session with Jackie and Rosie. 
• I shared my experience over the past 2 years since I started working with Rosie, from writing, to submissions, to receiving offers to publish, to getting an agent,  to publishing my first book!  
  

Rosie's willingness to help new picture book authors in the industry is so amazing. I really am very happy to have found her and the little community we have built is amazing. 

This year Rosie added Jackie Kruzie to her faculty for the weekend, and she was so valuable! Jackie's experience as an editor brought our manuscripts to the "next level". I am forever grateful to Jackie for leading the edits on Island Girls: Free the Sea of Plastic which is publishing in a few weeks. We took my manuscript down from 523 words to 302, which is just so incredible in the world of picture books! 

I am also very thankful to my new critique group, appropriately named "The Gut Fillers", for your willingness to share your work with me, the group, your honest feedback, and your  support of all things Island Girls. I cannot wait to meet you all again at another retreat! 

Rosie and Jackie, thank you again for everything. I can't wait for the next retreat! 

For more photos and updates from our weekend in Dallas, visit Rosie's website online here: https://www.rosiejpova.com/writersretreat2022.html