Back to All Events

January Jumpstart

  • Mechanics' Hall & Online 519 Congress Street Portland, ME, 04101 United States (map)

A 1-Day Picture Book Workshop

Saturday, January 4th, 10:30 AM - 2:00 PM

For authors and author/illustrators with a picture book idea, welcome to your January Jumpstart! This dynamic, high-energy session will send you back to the writing desk or studio brimming with creative tools and momentum for the picture book project you've been sitting on, dreaming on, or actively drafting. Come with an idea in your head, a working draft, or anything in between. You'll explore your story's authentic core and reasons for being through a series of visual and writing exercises, plus identify the next steps for your project. Lucky will share 'elements and principles' of picture book making, resources for accessing the big beautiful picture book creators' community, and advice on publishing traditionally vs self vs hybrid options. Participants will have the option of sharing their work for feedback during the session, and will have the option of emailing a manuscript, thumbnails, or dummy book to Lucky for an individual feedback via Zoom. The Zoom feedback opportunity is included in the course fee, but material must be sent by January 27, hence the jumpstart! You'll need: A picture book idea (in any form, including in your head) A large sheet of sturdy paper, at least 11x17 Your Journal/sketchbook Your favorite writing tool(s) - pens or pencils Optional - some colorful pens and highlighters.

$90 Members/$135 Nonmembers


Lucky Platt’s stories and narrative art explore themes of resilience, healing, positive self expression and inclusion through many forms, including picture books, animation, murals, paper sculpture and crankies. Her debut children’s book, Imagine a Wolf (Page Street Kids 2021) was a 2022 Maine Literary Awards Finalist in Children’s, a 2022 Ezra Jack Keats Award Finalist in New Writers, a 2021 New England Book Award Finalist, and has been translated into several languages. She has presented narrative art and writing workshops for children and adults through MWPA Maine Media Workshops & College, Farnsworth Art Museum, Waterfall Arts, and many Maine libraries and indie bookshops. Lucky is a recipient of three Maine Arts Commission Project Grants (2016, 2020 and 2022) in literary and visual arts, and a founding board member of Unity Public Library in Unity, ME, where she programs the library's Children's Storyteller Series, bringing children's book creators from Maine and away for readings and book talks.


ADVANCE REGISTRATION REQUIRED
All MWPA workshops require advanced registration. We accept registration by phone, mail, and online via our website. We cannot guarantee registration in the final 24-hours before a workshop, and can rarely accommodate day-of registration.

PAYMENT & CANCELLATION POLICIES
If you need to withdraw from a class after registering for any reason, please email or call the MWPA immediately. You may be eligible for a partial refund or credit, depending on how far in advance you cancel. → MORE INFORMATION

QUESTIONS
For any questions regarding this workshop, please contact programs@mainewriters.org.

REGISTER BY PHONE
Call 207-200-7180 and register with your VISA or MasterCard.

REGISTER BY MAIL
If you prefer to pay by mail, please print this registration form (downloadable PDF) and mail it to the MWPA with a check or credit card information.

SCHOLARSHIP
The MWPA is proud to offer one partial scholarship to this workshop for members-only. Scholarships are awarded on a combination of need and merit. Application Due by October 1 at 9:00 a.m.
→ MORE INFORMATION

MWPA WORKSHOP POLICIES
Registration in any MWPA workshop, program, or event constitutes your agreement to our terms and conditions. → MORE INFORMATION

Earlier Event: January 2
Fiction Boot Camp
Later Event: January 7
From Pitch to Printed Page