Sara O'Leary - Critique Picture Book Manuscript, Writer

My mentoring is informed by my background teaching university workshops in fiction, screenwriting, and writing for children. I studied writing at the University of British Columbia and Concordia University. In addition to publishing a novel and several collections of short fiction, I have now published sixteen picture books.

For the past decade I have been privately working with both published and yet-to-be-published picture book writers and writer/illustrators in the areas of writing, submitting, and publishing books for children.

I am offering both a manuscript critique and a more intensive ten week mentoring session which includes Zoom sessions. Details below.

Within the framework of a ten week one-to-one session we will design a course that best fits your individual needs and goals.

I've extensive experience working with both novice and published

writers and have also advised a number of writer/illustrators.

You may not have a manuscript you are happy with, in which case you can share your notes and ideas, or even multiple manuscripts and we can start from there.
If you already have a picture book manuscript, I will provide detailed notes on the first draft of a the manuscript (max 1200 words) and then again on a revised draft.
Suggestions will be offered with the goal of achieving a submission-ready, polished draft of your story.
We will discuss your goals, your submitted materials package, and your publication strategy via a half hour zoom session at the beginning and again midway through your twelve weeks.
I will also read and provide a written critique of your cover letter.
Throughout the entire session, I will be available to answer your questions via email.

Bringing Your Picture Book to Life

Manuscript Critique

Written Manuscript critique

Mentoring Session

Mentoring Session (10 weeks)

My picture books