Let Kelly Critique Your Manuscript
With more than 25 years of experience in children's literature and publishing, Kelly will apply her expertise and experience to your manuscript! Teamwork makes dream work!
Picture Book Writers! Let’s collaborate!
When you are working on a story, and you are at that place— That place where you need professional input. That:
. . . "I love this idea, but I'm not sure it's working?"
. . . "It's as good as I can write it, but???"
. . . "I want some fresh eyes and ideas" place.
And, and you're ready for honest, detailed, helpful feedback CLICK HERE.
CRITIQUE TESTIMONIALS
“Kelly Bennett is a top-notch editor who possesses an amazing breadth of knowledge about children’s literature and the craft of writing. She is especially skilled at getting to the heart of the matter with your manuscript and offers the writer plenty of editorial suggestions and mentor texts in her commentary. Kelly doesn’t let you glide-she challenges you to become a better writer—and that’s what I love about her as an editor. Kelly’s guidance helped me land my first picture book contract last year!””
“I met Kelly at an SCBWI writers conference, where she was a guest presenter. Her presentation was relevant, insightful, and engaging. Kelly’s unique understanding of the children’s marketplace and her tips for writer best practices, i.e., cataloging books by theme, tone, character, etc. has been most helpful in my writing.
Still, a writer has to write, and while it’s great to have a cheerleader, which Kelly most certainly is, her advice is on point with “to do’s” worth doing. The writer’s road is a swirly one, but I’m fortunate to have Kelly along for this beautiful journey.”
“I first met Kelly at a workshop she led for children’s book writers and illustrators. She is a successful author who is known for adding a brilliant twist to give her stories a captivating edge. Her children’s book, Dance y’all, Dance immediately struck my fancy, and Not Norman made me smile with a sigh of relief. Kelly (and her stories) had me hooked. But I haven’t even mentioned the best part… notably, Kelly is completely approachable - like a good friend you would share coffee with and gab about the latest book club reads, different writing techniques, or just about anything else under the literary sun! The workshop was fantastic, and I went home with the inspiration to both write more, and write more often.
And when it came time to select someone to critique my own work, Kelly was my number one choice. Combining a razor-sharp mind with a vibrant and magnetic personality, Kelly offers a unique blend of human compassion and a no-nonsense style of getting things done. She is a solid sounding board to aspiring writers, providing enthusiastic support while also delivering thorough, honest critiquing. She tells it like it is, encourages “thinking/writing outside of the box,” while simultaneously gently nudging you forward and reminding you that win or lose… just keep writing!”
“ If you ever had an AH HA moment, you know how exhilarating it feels. I had several during Kelly’s Picture Book presentation and her comprehensive manuscript critique for THAT DAISY!”
“During the publication of THAT DAISY! I considered loosening my full schedule by cutting out professional organizations and small group critiques, but Kelly’s wisdom and direction kept me closely tied to them. So glad for that golden nugget of wisdom!”
“One of the best stories about Kelly’s critique work on THAT DAISY! is how the manuscript meandered around for several months through Kelly’s drafts and revisions, only to be nudged in a new direction. Through teamwork and Kelly’s mentoring, the manuscript [published in 2021] found its way to picture-perfect themes of expanding families, a new baby, and sibling love.”