Kweli's annual Color of Children's Literature Conference is designed to help emerging writers of color 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, Cozbi A. Cabrera, Jerry Craft, Anna Lapera, Emeline Lee, Andrea L. Rogers, and Brian Lee Young—met their agents or editors at Kweli. #KWELI25 may be your opportunity to do the same.

Our 2025 conference will offer three (3) day-long, in-person sessions with the Graduate Center CUNY providing a space for the majority of the events and Teachers College hosting the closing sessions.

Our Friday, April 4, we will offer three (3) in-person masterclasses:
Perfect Pitch: Discovering the Tools to Make your Novel Sing with Donna Barba Higuera;
Full-Color Comics! : Creating Diverse Graphic Novels for Kids with John Jennings; and
Writing Nonfiction for Children Through a Social Justice Lens with Traci N. Todd.
Please note: the masterclasses are purchased separately from the conference weekend ticket.

On the evening of Friday, April 4 we will offer a special in-person multimedia event at Akwaaba Mansion with opera singer Alexander Smalls and publisher extraordinaire Denene Millner.

Saturday, April 5 in-person sessions provide in-depth craft workshops on revision, adaptation, fully realized characters, YA romance, as well as conversations on afrofuturism, work for hire, collaborating with an agent or editor, and more.

Keynotes will be delivered by the incomparable Erin Entrada Kelly (a two-time Newbery Medalist), author/illustrator extraordinaire Vashti Harrison (2024 Caldecott Medalist and Coretta Scott King Honoree) and standout debut authors / Kweli alumna, Arlène Elizabeth Casimir and Ariel Vanece.

Sunday, April 6 in-person programing includes a literary playlist for Black girls, workshops on illustrating picture books, creating a compelling narrative, discussions on the business of publishing, writing emotion, and more.

In celebration of Kweli’s 15th anniversary, we’re planning a special event with Jacqueline Woodson and hosting a series of FREE month-long writing workshops from April through September. Stay tuned for details.

SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION (Closes on March 12th)

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

To see the program schedule, 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 Saturday, March 15, 2025. Therefore, we can only accept submissions until March 15th. 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 ticket with the Manucript Critique Add-on, you will be emailed a manuscript submission form.

Will you offer late registration for an additional fee?

That will depend on the number of attendees registered by March 30. 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.

What are the manuscript/portfolio guidelines?

MANUSCRIPT FORMATTING GUIDELINES:

1. You may upload the first 5-10 pages ONLY of your novel or full picture-book manuscript.

2. Include a one-page synopsis for middle grade or young adult novels.

3. Manuscripts should be in PDF or Word format, double-spaced with 1" margins and in 12 pt Arial or Times New Roman typeface. Your full name and title should be on the first page. Each subsequent page should include your last name, story title and page number in the header or footer.

4. Please upload your manuscript with the appropriate title "YourLastName-YourFirstName-ManuscriptTitle" (e.g. "Park-Hannah-TheDressIWore")

ILLUSTRATION PORTFOLIO/DUMMY FORMATTING GUIDELINES:

1. You may upload a total of 5 images (files). The maximum file size is 10MB.

2. Please upload your portfolio with the appropriate title "YourLastName-YourFirstName-Portfolio" (e.g. "Jones-Brittany-Portfolio")

How do I submit a picture book?

You should submit the manuscript as a PDF or Word document 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 #KWELI26.

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 either in-person during the conference or remotely during the conference or the week after.

How will I know if my critique is in-person or remote?

Our Manuscript Critique Faculty Page specifies whether a faculty member is attending in-person or remotely. Please note, if you are assigned a faculty member that is working remotely, your critique could happen during conference weekend or during the following week.