Pretend that you’re about to begin, and then write a magazine article, picture book, or chapter in a book on an individual, living or deceased. Bring that article, picture book, or chapter to the workshop. Each should be about 2,000 words in length, no longer.

A critique session is a big part of this workshop. It’s important that all attendees be on the same footing—hence, the assignment!

Also, please bring:

• Outline of your article, picture book, or chapter.
• Notes about the research and writing processes—sort of like journal entries.
• An annotated bibliography. Your bibliography should include primary sources (text and photos), secondary sources, places to visit, and important contacts. Please locate any experts who will be willing to review your finished article, picture book, or chapter. That would also include your subject if alive!
• A brief summary that explains why your biographical treatment is different from any others.

Please make sure that your submissions are easy to read (no coffee stains, etc.) as we will be sending these to each of you for review in advance of the workshop.

Also remember when writing your manuscripts to use fiction techniques to shape them—an intriguing beginning, building suspense into the narrative, etc.—without fictionalizing anything, of course.

Great luck and happy researching and writing!

Carolyn Yoder

PS: By May 2, please send your assignment as a Word attachment, to Jo Lloyd, Program Assistant, Highlights Foundation, 814 Court Street, Honesdale, PA 18431. Or e-mail as a Word attachment to jalloyd@highlightsfoundation.org