An online course for picture book writers. Whether you’ve got an idea or a draft, this 6-week class will give you the tools you need to proceed from where you are with your project to where you want to go!
This series will give you vital tools to write, revise, understand the “why,” “how,” and “what” of your story and develop a plan for next steps. You can expect video lectures with content as slides, published examples, and activities tailored to support your specific project as well as you as a writer.
We’ll dig into this special form and what makes it—and your writing–sing. We’ll cover the most important elements in crafting a picture book text in my view: theme, voice, and plot/pace. We’ll go through supportive, illuminating revision techniques as well as take time to investigate your writing identity and process to help you along the way for anything you work on.
The last session will cover submissions: strategy for a pitch and potential paths for you to take.
I’ll read your assignments, be available for some live office hours, and offer tailored, thoughtful feedback on the draft you leave our last class with.
As a picture book teacher, editor, and one-on-one coach/mentor, my approach has been described with these words: “energizing, encouraging, productive, straightforward, fun, and confidence-building.”
My first middle grade novel was ZINNIA AND THE BEES; my first picture book was TO MAKE (art by Mags DeRoma), which celebrates and inspires the creative process. I’m agented and have been in the children’s literature world for 15 years as a writer, blogger/reviewer, independent editor, and collaborator. One of my specialties is helping creators find their unique voice and vision so it can flourish.
You’ll need: notebook, pen, and concept or draft of your picture book manuscript.
