A Two-Part Children’s Book Workshop
Wednesdays, July 7 & 14, 2021
Level: All Levels
Picture book writing is one of the more challenging types of writing, and this workshop aims to provide writers with tools, tips, and skills to better navigate this format.
In this two-part intensive workshop, participants will dive into the art of picture book writing. During the first session, the class will explore the essentials, including planning and storyboarding for the 32-page format, as well as elements of language and rhythm; character and emotion arcs; and tension and plot.
The class will take a close look at recently published fiction and nonfiction picture books, evaluate the text, and examine the interplay of text and pictures. Participants will then apply these lessons to their own picture book manuscripts.
During the second session, participants will give and receive feedback on manuscripts shared with the class and instructor in advance of the workshop. Instructor Holly Thompson will discuss next steps and further revisions, with an eye toward submitting to children's book agents and editors.
+ PLEASE BRING 3 – 5 recently published (in the last 5-10 years) picture books. Note: select books with a separate author and illustrator (unless you are also an illustrator).
+ SUBMIT After registering, participants are asked to submit a children’s picture book manuscript of up to 600 words by no later than 9:00 AM on Monday, June 28. Please take the deadline and word limit seriously as MWPA likely cannot accept late submissions and excess words will be cut. Please note that these manuscripts will be distributed in advance via email to the other workshop participants. Please email the manuscript to perry@mainewriters.org with the subject line: “THOMPSON WORKSHOP MS.” *Word docs (ideally) or PDFs only, please.
+ PLEASE NOTE This workshop will occur online, using the video meeting platform Zoom. Students do not need to create an account to participate, but should test out Zoom before their class if they are first-time users. On Thursday, July 1, from 5:30pm to 6:30pm, MWPA’s Hannah Perry will offer a test session on Zoom. Students are strongly encouraged to participate in the test session, which usually takes only 5-10 minutes, and those who do not are responsible for ensuring that they are able to use Zoom on their own. The week of the workshop, students will be emailed a link that they may click to enter the test session and the class.
+ REQUIRED EQUIPMENT A reliable, fast internet connection (broadband wired or wireless (3G or 4G/LTE), speakers & a microphone (built-in or USB plug-in), and a webcam (built-in or USB plug-in).
If you would like to quickly and easily test your internet connection and your computer’s compatibility with Zoom, click HERE. Full details on supported Operating Systems, internet browsers, and more can be found HERE. To download and familiarize yourself with Zoom, click HERE.
Holly Thompson is author of the novel Ash; three verse novels for young people: Falling into the Dragon’s Mouth, The Language Inside, and Orchards—winner of the Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature; and picture books One Wave at a Time, Twilight Chant, The Wakame Gatherers, and the forthcoming Listening to Trees: The Woodworking Ways of George Nakashima. Editor of Tomo: Friendship Through Fiction—An Anthology of Japan Teen Stories, a collection of 36 Japan-related short stories including ten in translation, she also writes for magazines on Japan-related cultural topics. Graduate of the NYU Creative Writing Program, she serves as Regional Advisor of SCBWI Japan, and teaches creative writing at Yokohama City University, UC Berkeley Extension, and Grub Street in Boston. VISIT hatbooks.com
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 Hannah Perry at hannah@mainewriters.org.
REGISTER BY PHONE
Call 207-228-8263 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. Please note that mail delivery to the MWPA office is currently experiencing extensive delays, so please email hannah@mainewriters.org first if you would like to register by mail.
SCHOLARSHIP
The MWPA is proud to offer one full scholarship to this workshop for members-only. Scholarships are awarded on a combination of need and merit. Application Due on June 19 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