A Children’s Book Writing Workshop
Level: All Levels
Want to write an amazing picture book? Confused on where to start and how to move forward? Then, what? You are not alone! Join Maine's award-winning children's and young adult author Anna Crowley Redding for a deep dive into how wrangle ideas, get them down on paper, polish those rough drafts, and get ready for submission. We will go through the steps required to take an awesome idea and turn it into a picture book manuscript that you are more than proud to submit to editors and agents. You'll leave this workshop with a blueprint and a workable action plan for your work in progress and all the others that follow. We'll make sure to save time for plenty of questions and feedback. This workshop is open to beginners and intermediate and anyone who wants to erect structural supports to boost their book writing process. Plus, we'll encourage each other and hopefully laugh along the way! Please Bring: A personal computer, paper, pen/pencil, water, snack, and lots of questions!
+ PLEASE NOTE This workshop will be a hybrid class, occurring online via Zoom and in-person at USM. For those taking it online, 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 21 from 5:30pm to 6:00pm, MWPA staff will offer a tech help session on Zoom. Students are encouraged to attend the tech help session, which usually takes only 5-10 minutes, if they have any tech concerns, use Zoom infrequently, or simply would like to test their connection, 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. If you are interested in-person, you will receive the email to let you know the location on USM’s Portland campus. Please email a photo of your vaccination card to programs@mainewriters.org.
+ 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.
As an Emmy Award-winning investigative reporter Anna Crowley Redding began her journalism career in television news, bringing her trademark compelling storytelling to every assignment. From production to writing to marketing to audience growth and branding, no detail escaped her attention. Crowley Redding’s reporting took her from Boston to Syracuse to Charlotte with special appearances on national networks. Today, Crowley Redding focuses her considerable talent on writing books for children, teens, and adults. She is the author of non-fiction titles GOOGLE IT: A HISTORY OF GOOGLE (HOW TWO STUDENTS’ QUEST TO ORGANIZE THE INTERNET CHANGED THE WORLD) released in 2018 and in 2019, ELON MUSK: A MISSION TO SAVE THE WORLD, BLACK HOLE CHASERS: THE AMAZING TRUE STORY OF AN ASTRONOMICAL BREAKTHROUGH . Her work has been translated into several languages including Czech, Russian, Chinese, and have been published around the world. Crowley Redding is the author of three picture books. Her next release COURAGE LIKE KATE: THE TRUE STORY OF A GIRL LIGHTHOUSE KEEPER from Penguin Random House will hit store in August 2022. Crowley Redding has received critical acclaim including starred reviews from Kirkus, School Library Journal, and has been featured in Publishers Weekly, Booklist, CNBC, PBS, and on television networks in Europe and South America. Her books have been named as Best Books for New York Public Library, Kirkus Reviews, National Science Teachers Association (NSTA), and more. Anna lives with her family outside of Portland, Maine.
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 Meghan Sterling at programs@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.
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. Email Meghan at programs@mainewriters.org to see if the scholarship is still available. Application Due by July 10th at 9:00 a.m.
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MWPA WORKSHOP POLICIES
Registration in any MWPA workshop, program, or event constitutes your agreement to our terms and conditions. → MORE INFORMATION