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Early Readers & First Chapter Books Spark a Love of Independent Reading

Writing for early readers can be challenging, considering comprehension levels vary significantly in children aged 5-10. Thus crafting text and illustrations which are accessible as well as captivating can be tricky when revising manuscripts aimed at attracting an audience with evolving literacy skills. If your current work-in-progress is a first chapter book or early reader, you might benefit from our workshop, Writing First Chapter Books and Early Readers.

Here’s a look at what you’ll learn at this workshop:

• Find out the differences between picture books, early readers, and transitional chapter books.
• Examine what makes the best books for this age group successful.
• Zero in on where your work–fiction, nonfiction, or both–fits in.
• Learn how to generate new ideas.
• Learn about researching and writing your stories.
• Discover how to find the right publishing home for your work.
• Have one-to-one critique sessions with a workshop leader.
• Have workshop sessions from faculty.
• Try writing exercises to strengthen your work-in-progress.
• Enjoy free time for writing.

We’ve got an experienced faculty at the helm, too: Laurie Calkhoven, author of more than 50 books for young readers; Wiley Blevins, editor and author of early reader books and series; Debbie Michiko Florence, former teacher and author of several early chapter book series; Tracey West, author of more then 300 books for children; and Katie Carella, Executive Editor at Scholastic’s Acorn early reader line and Branches early chapter book line.

These professionals will bring you to a new understanding of the unique needs of books for children who are beginning to read independently. Join us!

Posted on: March 30, 2019

Tags: 2019 workshops