Founders Workshop

Young Adult Boot Camp

What Young-Adult Readers Expect from You!

Writing characters, drama, and humor that resonate with teenagers can be extremely rewarding—if you know what subjects and writing styles appeal to this specialized audience. Learn the ins and outs of writing for young adults through lectures, hands-on writing sessions, and manuscript critiques with Rich Wallace (Wrestling Sturbridge) and Kathryn Erskine (Mockingbird). This workshop will help you:

Tap your memories to find ideas for young-adult stories
Develop captivating dialogue
Mold memorable and tangible characters
Create engaging internal monologue
Identify voice
Revise your manuscript and work with an editor

Workshop Leaders

Rich Wallace

Award-winning author Rich Wallace dazzles children and young adults with his realistic characters and gritty voice. Known for penning Wrestling Sturbridge, a YALSA's 100 Best of the Best for the 20th century, Wallace has gone on to write more than 24 novels.

Kathryn Erskine

Kathy spent fifteen years as a lawyer before turning to her first love: writing. Her debut novel, Quaking, was one of YALSA’s Top Ten Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers. Her novel Mockingbird won the 2010 National Book Award, Young People’s Literature. She has published two other novels, Ibhubesi: The Lion and The Absolute Value of Mike.

Meg Medina

Meg Medina has written for adults and children for over fifteen years. Her stories and poems have appeared in numerous literary magazines. Milagros: Girl from Away is her first novel for young readers. Meg is also the author of the picture book Tia Isa Wants a Car and The Girl Who Could Silence the Wind.

Workshop Information

June

at 3 PM for an optional tour of HIGHLIGHTS FOR CHILDREN® and Boyds Mills Press

through

June

after lunch

$995

Request an Application