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Date: November 19–22, 2009
Arrive Thursday, November 19, at 3 PM for a tour of HIGHLIGHTS FOR CHILDREN® and Boyds Mills Press
Depart Sunday, November 22, after lunch
Designed For: Picture-book writers/illustrators looking to create books that can be competitive in the current marketplace
Maximum Capacity: 12 participants |
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WORKSHOP FOCUS
Character-driven picture books are not only popular with kids, they also excite editors, because editors know that books with adorable characters can make it big in today’s competitive marketplace. So how do you create a lovable, memorable character that will make a kid want to hug your book tight and take it home?
This workshop offers the expertise of children’s publishing professionals who can share perspectives from both sides of the desk and drawing table. Award-winning author/illustrator Lindsay Barrett George will candidly share the nuts-and-bolts of creating a lovable picture-book character and why some characters fail to excite editors and book buyers. Author/editor Kim T. Griswell will delve into story basics and share insights from the editor’s perspective.
You'll learn
- why character is critical when it comes to picture books;
- how to make a character lovable (but not overly sentimental);
- the importance of page turns in story movement;
- pitfalls to avoid when writing and illustrating picture books;
- how to catch an editor’s eye; and much more.
During the workshop, participants will be challenged to create a character from a line of text supplied by the workshop leaders. The results will be critiqued from both the illustrator’s and the editor’s point of view.
Special Guests
Guests will include an art director, a picture-book editor, a popular picture-book author/illustrator, and a children’s bookseller. Each one will share insider knowledge about how to make it in today’s competitive field.
PLEASE NOTE: Participants should bring a portfolio, or at least some samples of their work; a picture book in progress; and basic tools for working on new ideas.
Workshop Fee of $895 includes cozy, individual cabins; all meals (provided by a top-notch chef); airport pickup service, if needed; and an intimate teaching setting in the living room of the Founders of Highlights for Children! |
 
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Workshop
Leaders |
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Lindsay Barrett George
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Lindsay Barrett George
Lindsay Barrett George was born in
the West Indies and grew up in New Jersey. She received a
BFA degree from Manhattanville College and an MFA degree from
the University of Wisconsin, where she majored in drawing
and printmaking. After her studies in the Midwest, Lindsay
returned to the East Coast and worked as a fine-art printer
in New York City. She later got a job in publishing and worked
as a designer in a children’s book department. Lindsay
left New York City, had two children, and now spends her time
creating children’s books.
Lindsay’s published works include the popular "Who's Been Here?" books from Greenwillow: Around the Pond: Who’s Been Here?; Around the World: Who’s Been Here?; In the Snow: Who’s Been Here?; and In the Woods: Who’s Been Here? Her most recent books include The Secret; Inside Mouse, Outside Mouse; and Alfred Digs. Lindsay has also coauthored and illustrated Beaver at Long Pond and illustrated Box Turtle at Long Pond. |
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Kim T. Griswell
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Kim
T. Griswell
Kim is a senior editor for Highlights, Inc. and works with the Highlights Foundation and Boyds Mills Press. She served as the coordinating editor of Highlights for six years and Highlights High Five for a year. Her work in the children’s literature field has spanned the worlds of publishing and teaching, leading her to positions as senior editor of Bookbag magazine, book development manager for The Mailbox Book Company, a university and community college instructor, and a teacher with the Institute of Children’s Literature. She holds master’s degrees in teaching writing and in literature from Humboldt State University. She has taught writing workshops across the country on such topics as Focusing Nonfiction, Mystery Writing, Creating a Sense of Place, Writing for Children’s Magazines, Nature as Muse, and The Hero’s Journey. A prolific writer and committed editor, Kim has published more than two hundred short stories, articles, and columns. Her books include Carnivorous Plants, Nonfiction Reading Practice (Grade 3), and many stories in the four-book series, Short Short Stories for Reading Aloud. In 2008, Kim was awarded a two-month writing residency at the Sitka Center for Arts and Ecology in Oregon. www.kimgriswell.com.
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