Coe Booth
Coe Booth is the author of Tyrell, which won the Los Angeles Times Book Prize for Best Young Adult Novel, and was named an ALA Best Book for Young Adults and a New York Public Library Book for the Teen Age. Her newest book, Kendra, received a starred review from School Library Journal. Coe was born in the Bronx and still lives there.
Rita Williams Garcia
Rita Williams Garcia breaks new ground in young people’s literature. Known for her realistic portrayal of teens of color, Williams-Garcia’s works have been recognized by the Scott O’Dell Award Committee, the Coretta Scott King Award Committee, PEN Norma Klein, American Library Association, and Parents’ Choice, among others.
Sara Crowe
Sara Crowe is an agent at Harvey Klinger, Inc. where she represents adult fiction and nonfiction and children’s fiction. Her authors have been nominated for Edgars and the Morris Award and have been on the ALA Best Fiction for Young Adults list and in the Top Ten. She is consistently ranked among the top three YA agents in Publishers Marketplace.
Varian Johnson
Varian Johnson is the author of Saving Maddie (Delacorte /Random House, 2010), My Life as a Rhombus (Flux / Llewellyn, 2008) and A Red Polka Dot in a World Full of Plaid (Genesis Press, 2005). He attended the University of Oklahoma, where he received a BS in Civil Engineering.
Deborah Gonzales
Debbie Gonzales is the author of eight “transitional” readers for Giltedge and a contributor for ReaderKidZ, a website dedicated to the advancement of literacy for the K–5 set. A Montessori teacher, former school administrator, and curriculum consultant specializing in academic standards annotation, Debbie now devotes her time to teaching at St.
Marilyn Salerno
Marilyn is the SCBWI New England Coordinator. She has been active in SCBWI and writing for the children’s market since 1988. Marilyn, a retired early-childhood teacher, is also an accomplished pianist and an avid tennis player. She frequently teaches the course Writing for the Children’s Market for the Educational Collaborative in Dedham, Massachusetts.
Workshop Description
Founded in 2006, the Whole Novel Workshop is specifically designed for writers of young-adult novels. This unique program offers the one-on-one attention found in degree programs, but without additional academic requirements, lengthy time commitments, or prohibitive financial investments. Our aim is to focus on a specific work in progress, moving a novel to the next level in preparation for submission to agents or publishers. Focused attention in an intimate setting makes this mentorship program one that guarantees significant progress. Our novel mentorship program includes:
- Focused, one-on-one response to your entire novel-in-progress from an accomplished author and teacher
- Group discussion and feedback
- Seminars on technique, craft, query letters, and agent/editor submissions
- Ample time to write and revise
The Whole Novel Workshop offers writers the rare opportunity to have the entire draft of a novel read and critiqued prior to the workshop, followed by a week of intense, one-on-one mentoring.
The Highlights Foundation Whole Novel Workshop Difference
AN INTIMATE PROGRAM Each Whole Novel Workshop is limited to sixteen students. Each faculty member will work with only four students, providing undivided attention and several one-on-one sessions as well as a reading of your complete manuscript prior to the workshop.
A PLACE TO WRITE Each attendee has a rustic but comfortable cabin, complete with its own bathroom, coffee maker, and refrigerator. You will have your own quiet place in which to write and revise.
TIME TO FOCUS During your workshop, you’ll be able to focus—maybe for the first time—on nothing but your novel. You won’t hear a TV in the background or have kids demanding attention. You won’t have to stop to do laundry or cook or clean. You won’t be distracted by a constantly ringing phone.
A BEAUTIFUL SETTING Tucked in the northern Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania, the mid-nineteenth-century farmhouse, home of the Founders of Highlights for Children, has played host to numerous creative spirits. The brand-new Barn at Boyds Mills, built from local wood and fieldstone, provides a revitalizing space for writers to work and confer.
Workshop Information
Begins Oct. 21 at 3 p.m.; ends Oct. 27 after brunch.
Event Cost: $2,665
“I have never attended a better workshop. The faculty was knowledgeable, creative, & helpful. The staff went out of their way with friendly service. I felt like my body, mind, & soul were well-nurtured.”
Yvonne Pearson
St. Paul, MD