Join us around the art critique table this month with agents of the Jill Corcoran Literary Agency
Be part of the live conversation and informal group (illustration) critique with Jill Corcoran, founder of the Jill Corcoran Literary Agency and Jodell Sadler, editorial agent with Jill's agency and the founder-director of KidLit College.
"We encourage many to submit portfolio links/art samples and we'd like to select ten to review [in the April session]," Jodell says.
The live event is set to start at 3 p.m. (U.S. Central Time) Wednesday, April 26 and replay access is included with your ticket.
Jill Corcoran opened the West Coast arm of Herman Agency in 2009, then launched her own agency in 2014. Having sold over 200 titles, she represents many award-winning authors and illustrators, including New York Times Bestsellers, the former US Children’s Poet Laureate, and Famous Monsters of Filmland/American Gothic Press.
She is currently on the hunt for authentic middle grade and teen voices and non-fiction for all ages, as well as other genres.
Jodell Sadler is the founder and director of KidLit College, a webinar, classes & critique community for writers and illustrators. She also serves as one of two editorial agents at Jill Corcoran Literary. Titles she's represented (ranging frm from board books and picture books to teen novels) include, If Animals Said I Love You by Ann Whitford Paul; Snow Beast and Dog Adoption Day by Phil Gosier; Hedgehog's 100th Day of School, by Lynne Marie and Faraway Friends by Russ Cox, among many others.
Jodell is looking to add picture book, graphic novel, and middle grade author/illustrators to her list. She seeks fiction and nonfiction with humor and heart and enjoys books that emotionally connect and provide reader interaction. Fresh voice and concept is best in board books, picture books, chapter books, and middle-grade projects (illustrated and graphic), especially those that incorporate nature, wildlife, cultural experiences, contemporary challenges or mystery, as well as biographies that celebrate the difference one person has made in the world.
You can opt for just this month's single Guest Group Critique session with Jodell and Jill – or subscribe for monthly sessions like this for just $10 per month!
Monthly group critiques are 'perfect practice'
They tell you...
What isn't working
When to push harder
When to just stop
And help you...
Get a fresh perspective
Our guest critiquers – illustrators, author-illustrators, children’s literary agents, art directors, maybe an editor or two – examine your final in a spirit of teaching and mentoring.
Think more like a pro
Watch up close and personal how full-time creatives evaluate and troubleshoot their own and others’ pieces.
Prepare for... that thing
That upcoming kidlit (or illustrators’) conference, important promotional mailing, post or sit-down with a client or a prospect.
And nudge you to...
Sharpen your discernment powers
Remind you of those bedrock principles of draftsmanship, design and communication. (Funny how they keep bringing you back to those.)
Meet your tribe
Your colleagues and the expert practioners. Who share their What I Wish I Knew Then stories and become your contacts in ‘the biz.’ (It’s called networking.)
Get better at... getting better
Practice with critiques helps you understand the hierarchy of feedback and how to navigate it wisely – knowing what’s valid for you now, vs. what to set aside for later.
Precious moments. Practical stuff. Group critiques – in the classroom or around a cafe table with friends – have been training artists for centuries. Be part of a time-tested tradition, updated for the 21st century.
Join us around the table in new, live, online group sessions every month – and enjoy watching replays of past sessions at your leisure.
Only $10 monthly.
Improvement comes from consistent focus
Sometimes it will be your work being discussed. More often than not, it will be someone else's.
You'll benefit by being there. Watch and listen. Absorb the insights to help you later, when it's just you behind the drawing board making all those essential design decisions.
You don't have to go it alone...
Participate in all of our monthly live programs. Access replays of all past sessions...
Like the ones we've enjoyed and learned so much from last year, taught by these wonderful children's publishing professionals:

Len Smith, animation character designer

Abigail Samoun, children's book agent, co-founder of Red Fox Literary

Just us, with Mark and Chris, illustration art by Chris Perry

Mira Reisberg, Round 2, illustration by Lisa Goldberg

Catch up critique - Illustration by Kathryn Powers

Mira follow-up critique, illustration by John Wanczyk
A bit like being in art school...
For $8.95 per month.
Video thumbnail illustration by Mariama Ross.
We'll keep it real by limiting enrollment...
Secure your spot at the table while you can.

30 Day Money Back Guarantee!
Try out the subscription. You can easily cancel at any time. If you find your first experience of a session not helpful or just not your cup of tea, write me (c/o the How To Be A Children’s Book Illustrator blog) and I’ll refund you same day, no questions asked and no worries (and we’re still friends.)