Naomi Kirsten
Freelance Editor | Creative Consultant
Courses, presentations, and webinars for illustrators and authors
REPLAY AVAILABLE: Inked Voices 3-hour intensive/workshop: “From ‘Quiet’ to Acquired: How to Prepare and Position Your Picture Book for Acquisition Success
In this 3-hour online class on Sunday, March 2, 2025 (2-5 EST), Naomi explores why the narrative and overall style of successful “quiet books” work, how to push a book beyond “quiet” in terms of craft so that the narrative or idea effectively communicates its need in the market, and how to best position a “quiet book” when presenting to an agent for representation or a publisher for publication. A replay of this workshop is available to watch through May 2, 2025.
Bologna Ragazzi Opera Prima Bologna Book Fair Presentation
A moderated discussion with Kasya Denisevich, author-illustrator of Neighbors and winner of the BolognaRagazzi Opera Prima, and Naomi Kirsten, her editor at Chronicle Books, at the 2021 Bologna Book Fair.
SCBWI Hawaii webinar: Centering Heart in Picture Books
Authors and illustrators are often told to create “what they know.” But what does that really mean? When it comes to children’s picture books (fiction and nonfiction), how do you parlay your experience into a project that will resonate with publishers and readers? In this hour-long-webinar, editor Naomi Kirsten will explore examples of titles she has edited that reflect successful examples of “picture books with heart” and share ways to effectively position and present your project to a publisher.
Bologna Book Fair Masterclass: I Didn’t Do My Homework Because…
Meet the four people involved the international publishing success, I Didn’t Do My Homework Because…: Davide Calì (author), Benjamin Chaud (illustrator), Debbie Bibo (agent and publishing consultant), and Naomi Kirsten (Chronicle Books editor).
Orange Beak Studio “Industry Insights” Presentation: How to Think Like an Editor When Preparing Your Picture Book for Submission
Creating a must-acquire picture book requires knowledge of the craft as well as the context. Naomi will talk about the top qualities that editors and publishers are looking for when considering picture books for publication, and how you may use that knowledge to most effectively prepare your project and pitch for submission.