Kweli's annual Color of Children's Literature Conference is designed to help emerging writers hone their craft, introduce them to established authors willing to share their experiences and expertise, and connect them with editors, agents and publishers who can introduce their art to the world.

Over the years, dozens of writers—including Angeline Boulley, Jerry Craft, Traci Huahn, Anna Lapera, Andrea L. Rogers, and Brian Lee Young—met their agents or editors at Kweli. #KWELI24 may be your opportunity to do the same.

Our 2024 conference will offer three(3) day-long, in-person sessions at the Teachers College, Columbia University.

Our Friday, April 19 in-person masterclasses are in picture books, chapter books, speculative fiction, YA revision and poetry/novel in verse.

Saturday, April 20 in-person sessions provide in-depth craft workshops on plot points, biography in verse, strong scenes which end in a shift in character or circumstance, collaborating with an agent or editor, horror writing, and more.

Keynotes will be delivered by the incomparable Jason Reynolds (recipient of a Carnegie Medal, Newbery Honor, A Printz Honor, and NAACP Image Award, among others), the sensational Amina Luqman-Dawson (winner of the 2023 John Newbery Medal and Coretta Scott King Award), the award winning poet Safia Elhillo (longlisted for the National Book Award, received an Arab American Book Award and a Coretta Scott King Author Honor) and the amazing debut author and Kweli alumna, Autumn Allen (whose novel was a Kirkus Reviews Best YA Books in 2023).

Sunday, April 21 in-person programing includes discussions on the business of publishing, illustrated books, marketing, science fiction and fantasy, and more.

SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION (Closes on April 9th)

To see the current list of conference faculty, click here.

To see the program schedule, click here.

To see program book PDF, click here.

Have questions about registration, scholarships, refund policy, etc.? Check our Frequently Asked Questions

How To Register

Please note: Our refund policy has changed from last year. See our FAQ page prior to registering.

Manuscript / portfolio critique

This year, manuscript / portfolio submissions will be due on Friday, March 22, 2024. Therefore, we can only accept submissions from February 27 to March 22. Submitted manuscripts / portfolios should be complete (i.e., NOT first drafts). Once you purchase your critique, you will receive access to our submission form with guidelines for uploading your materials.

MANUSCRIPT/PORTFOLIO FAQs

Where do I go to submit my manuscript or portfolio?

Once you purchase the Conference Weekend + Manuscript/Portfolio Critique ticket, you will see a confirmation page with the link to the submission form. This form will also be linked in your confirmation email.

Will you offer late registration for an additional fee?

That will depend on the number of attendees registered by March 22. We want all attendees to have a positive experience with many opportunities to speak with faculty. We encourage you to register early as registration will close when we reach capacity for our in-person events.

How many pages should I submit for the manuscript review?

You should submit the first 10 pages of your novel, novel in verse or chapter book. If you are submitting a picture book, you should submit the entire manuscript.

How do I submit a picture book?

You should submit the manuscript as a text file. Do not include illustrations.

May I submit multiple manuscripts?

No. In consideration of our reviewers' busy schedules, we are limiting submissions to one per registrant.

What if I write in different genres?

Select the manuscript that you feel is the strongest and most ready for review. You will have opportunities to apply for a genre-specific retreat later in the year or to submit a different manuscript for #KWELI25.

Am I guaranteed my first choice of reviewer?

We will make every effort to match you with your first choice. However depending on the date and time you complete your manuscript and the readiness of your submission for review, we cannot guarantee your first choice. Manuscript reviews will be done by phone or Zoom within two weeks of the conference, at the discretion of the reviewer.

What happens if you tell me my manuscript needs more work before I submit it for review?

We will refund your manuscript review fee promptly. If time allows, we will provide suggestions or match you with a Kweli editor for support to ready your submission for another time. If you are a Kweli Sing the Truth! Mentee, we will continue to work with you throughout the year on your manuscript.