Join Cynthia Leitich Smith & Stacy Wells for 3 Days of Craft & Community
This small-group children’s-YA book manuscript workshop for intermediate-advanced writers offers a supportive program for children’s-YA writers to reflect on craft, connect in community, and embark on revision.
The workshop will be hosted by children’s-YA authors and writing teachers Cynthia Leitich Smith and Stacy Wells.
Information
What is a Manuscript Workshop?
A manuscript workshop is a series of full-participation discussions of the craft and career considerations for writers’ manuscripts in progress, led by critically acclaimed and commercially successful author-educators.
Benefits include feedback on one’s own work, plus building and sharing artistic knowledge. Often, it’s easier to understand and learn from analyzing challenges in someone else’s work, which helps to build transferable skills for our own projects.
Overview
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Applications accepted on a rolling basis, for up to 12 writers.
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Not juried or competitive; no publication status required.
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Light breakfasts and lunches provided.
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Hosted in the private home of Cynthia in Denton, Texas.
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If coming from out of town, you will need to reserve lodging on your own.
Format & Expectations
- Reading in advance (from a local bookstore/library, obtained by participant):
- One of Stacy’s chapter books from the TANA COOKS series.
- Your choice of HARVEST HOUSE (YA), ON A WING AND A TEAR (MG), SISTERS OF THE NEVERSEA (MG) or FIREFLY SEASON (PB), all by Cynthia Leitich Smith.
- Purpose: shared texts for craft-model references and springboards for behind-the-scenes, creative and industry stories.
- Manuscript packet
- Each participant submits either up to 15 pages of a novel or up to 2 picture book manuscripts (not to exceed 15 pages).
- Workshop packet will be emailed out to everyone (including faculty) in advance.
- Everyone is expected to read the packet and come prepared to discuss manuscripts.
- In-person participation and full attendance required all three days.
Manuscript Workshop Pricing
Income Tier
Standard Price
Early Bird Price
$0 – 40K
$675
$575
$41 – 80K
$875
$775
$80K+
$1075
$975
Income Tier
$0 – 40K
Standard Price
$675
Early Bird Price
$575
Income Tier
$41 – 80K
Standard Price
$875
Early Bird Price
$775
Income Tier
$80K+
Standard Price
$1075
Early Bird Price
$975
APPLY
EARLY BIRD PRICING THROUGH JULY 31
About Cynthia
Cynthia Leitich Smith is the New York Times bestselling, award-winning author and anthologist of more than 20 books for young readers. She was named a 2025 Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award Candidate, the NSK Neustadt Laureate, Texas Literary Hall of Fame inductee, and winner of the Southern Miss Medallion for Outstanding Contributions in Children’s Literature.
Cynthia also has been named to deliver the 2026 ALSC Children’s Literature Lecture. She is the author-curator of Heartdrum, a Native-focused imprint at HarperCollins Children’s Books, and served as the Katherine Paterson Inaugural Chair for the children’s-YA writing MFA program at Vermont College of Fine Arts. Cynthia is a citizen of the Muscogee Nation and lives in north Texas.
About Cynthia
Cynthia Leitich Smith is the New York Times bestselling, award-winning author and anthologist of more than 20 books for young readers. She was named a 2025 Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award Candidate, the NSK Neustadt Laureate, Texas Literary Hall of Fame inductee, and winner of the Southern Miss Medallion for Outstanding Contributions in Children’s Literature.
Cynthia also has been named to deliver the 2026 ALSC Children’s Literature Lecture. She is the author-curator of Heartdrum, a Native-focused imprint at HarperCollins Children’s Books, and served as the Katherine Paterson Inaugural Chair for the children’s-YA writing MFA program at Vermont College of Fine Arts. Cynthia is a citizen of the Muscogee Nation and lives in north Texas.
About Stacy
Stacy Wells is a children’s librarian and author. She is passionate about meeting kids where they are and is drawn to tell stories that center community and family, with an emphasis on self-discovery and the power of finding your voice. Her debut picture book, Stronger Than co-authored with Nikki Grimes and illustrated by E.B. Lewis, is forthcoming in 2026 with Heartdrum, an imprint at HarperCollins. She is also the author of the Tana Cooks early chapter book series.
When not reading or writing (or recommending books), she lives life to the fullest in Texas with her family, which includes a red dog named Blu and two very adorable but very mischievous ferrets. Stacy is a citizen of the Choctaw Nation.
About Stacy
Stacy Wells is a children’s librarian and author. She is passionate about meeting kids where they are and is drawn to tell stories that center community and family, with an emphasis on self-discovery and the power of finding your voice. Her debut picture book, Stronger Than co-authored with Nikki Grimes and illustrated by E.B. Lewis, is forthcoming in 2026 with Heartdrum, an imprint at HarperCollins. She is also the author of the Tana Cooks early chapter book series. When not reading or writing (or recommending books), she lives life to the fullest in Texas with her family, which includes a red dog named Blu and two very adorable but very mischievous ferrets. Stacy is a citizen of the Choctaw Nation