October 17, 2023 - December 12
OnlineOverview
Application-Based Online Program for Muslim Storytellers
This application-based, in-community program has been created to invite new Muslim voices into the children’s book industry through a multi-week, online course. This program is funded by a grant from the Doris Duke Foundation through its Building Bridges Program. The Building Bridges Program supports national efforts, working with U.S. Muslims, to increase mutual understanding and well-being among diverse populations for the benefit of building stronger, inclusive communities. The program aims to further that bridge-building mission by creating space for more diverse, authentic Muslim narratives for children and young adults, and by addressing common misperceptions of those narratives in the children’s publishing industry.
Join editor, educator, and author Autumn Allen and special guests for the Muslim Storyteller’s Crash Course in Children’s Book Publishing. You will learn about publishing and submissions, with a focus on community building and networking, for aspiring children’s book writers and illustrators.
Key Application Details:
- This is an application based program. (Click “Apply Now” to apply.)
- This program is funded by a grant from the Doris Duke Foundation through its Building Bridges Program; there is no tuition cost for accepted applicants.
- Application window: August 8 – August 31
- Acceptance on or before September 30
Key Course Details:
- A blend of live and pre-recorded sessions from October 17 – December 14
- Live Lectures Tuesdays, 7pm – 8pm Eastern (October 17, 24, November 7, 14, 28, December 5, 12)
- Recorded programming (October 31 & November 21)
- Ongoing discussion threads with engaged faculty responses in the virtual classroom
- 1:1 mentorship included to discuss a work-in-progress and/or publishing related questions (December 21 – January 31)
- Closed captioning available at all live sessions, and in recordings
- 40 participants max
Why This Workshop?
This application-based, in-community program invites new Muslim voices into the children’s book industry through a multi-week, online course. The program covers all aspects of children’s book publishing, from genres and types of books to working with a publisher (and everything in between). Editor, educator, and author Autumn Allen will lead writers and illustrators through live and pre-recorded materials each week.
The goal of this program is to support Muslim writers and illustrators who are interested in learning more about the children’s book industry, and growing as storytellers for children and teens.
You will:
- Build community and networks among Muslim storytellers.
- Explore genres of books, types of publishers, and types of markets.
- Find out how to get started as a professional.
- Use writing exercises to move your ideas into stories.
- Understand submissions rules and practices.
- Discover the publishing process.
- Work 1:1 with a mentor from the Muslim community on your work-in-progress and to discuss your publishing related questions.
Thanks to funding from the Doris Duke Foundation through its Building Bridges Program, the Highlights Foundation is able to host programming for Muslim Storytellers through 2025. The Building Bridges Program supports national efforts, working with U.S. Muslims, to increase mutual understanding and well-being among diverse populations for the benefit of building stronger, inclusive communities.
Looking for Additional Programming Specifically for Muslim Storytellers?
Opportunities will continue at the Highlights Foundation through 2025, thanks to funding from the Doris Duke Foundation. We are planning a Whole Novel Workshop, an additional Crash Course, and several in-community retreats. To be notified when the application periods open for future opportunities, please join our mailing list.
Feedback Expected
- Informal Q & A sessions held at all live programming.
- Consultation/mentorship sessions with a Muslim mentor to discuss work-in-progress and/or publishing-related questions.
Please Apply If You Are…
- A U.S. or Canadian-based Muslim storyteller interested in learning more about the children’s publishing industry.
- A serious beginner to the field of children’s books, ready to devote time to learn and create. This online course is packed with learning. Once accepted you will be offered Live lectures, pre-recorded presentations and resources, and 1:1 support to grow your children’s book passions.
- A storyteller for children but have no idea how to submit it to publishers. This course will give you best practices for revising and submitting your work.
- A writer or illustrator for audiences outside the children’s book industry and want to learn more about how your past experience can transfer into this new field.
Detailed Agenda
This is an application-based course with all tuition covered through a generous partnership with the Doris Duke Foundation. After acceptance into the course, prepare for the following sessions.
This course runs from October 17 – December 12, 2023 (with additional support through January 2024), and is a mix of pre-recorded content and live Zoom sessions. Live sessions are Tuesdays at 7pm Eastern. Dates are noted in the agenda below.
*Note: Your 1:1 consultation with a carefully selected mentor is scheduled after the final session of the course, at a mutually convenient time to you and your mentor.
Application Details
- You’ll be asked to provide narrative responses detailing your workshop goals and interests in this Muslim Storyteller Crash Course in Children’s Book Publishing.
- Please submit a sample of your work. We understand that you are beginning on this path to writing and/or illustrating for children or teens. Use this sample to share some of your work, or ideas related to writing and/or illustrating for children or teens.
- You will be notified of your acceptance status no later than September 30.
- Click “Apply Now” when you are ready to apply!
Pre-Workshop
- One week prior to your course, you will receive a link to our virtual classroom where you can introduce yourself to fellow creatives, and engage in Highlights Foundation related resources (including our Community Standards).
Week One
- Welcome with introductions
- Overview of course syllabus, including how to access online materials and engage in the discussion board with fellow writers.
- Please note this week may run slightly longer with introductions of fellow storytellers.
In the virtual classroom:
- Introductions thread
- Q & A thread
Week Two
- Types of Publishers, Books, and More
- Q & A
In the virtual classroom:
- Muslim Book Lists (board books – young adult)
- Resource List: Where to learn more about publishers and books
- Reading current books, and how to do it
- Building your industry knowledge
Week Three
- Giving & Receiving Feedback with Diana Ma
- Revision Tip Sheet
- Critique Group Interest thread
- Q & A thread
Week Four
- Getting started as a Muslim storyteller for children and teens with Loretta Chefchaouni
- Finding community, caring for yourself as a creative, and dedicating time to your craft
- Query letters, pitch contests, and more!
In the virtual classroom:
- Query letter samples
- Pitch samples
- Goals Survey for mentor pairing
- Q & A thread
Week Five
- Publishers and editors, and what they do
- Agents and what they do
- Submissions Process Overview
In the virtual classroom:
- Book Talk thread
- Q & A thread
Week Six
Writing & Illustrating Exercises
- Illustration process & exercise with Natasha Khan Kazi
- Writing process & exercise (character) with Aya Khalil
- Please complete Goals Survey for mentor pairing
- Q & A thread
Week Seven
- Bring your questions for open discussion
- Community building
In the virtual classroom:
- Meet the Mentors video (please watch!)
- Q & A thread
Week Eight
- Contracts, Marketing, & Social Media
- Q & A
In the virtual classroom:
- Mentor Matches made
- Self-publishing thread
- Q & A thread
Week Nine
- Questions you still have
- Details about mentor pairing
- Evaluating your goals and next steps of action
Post-Course Mentorship Session
Commitment Required for the Best Experience
This is an application-based course. You will need to fill out the application in order to be considered for sponsorship into this program.
Once accepted, if your schedule does not allow you to attend live sessions, that’s OK! You’ll have access to the recordings. They’re posted the day after the session, and they’ll be available through January 31, 2024. Closed captions will be available on all live sessions, and recordings from live sessions. The course also includes writing exercises, community interaction, and goal setting. To maximize your investment in the course, take advantage of these.
How It Impacts Kids
“I aim to show Muslim children that they are central by writing stories in which their cultures form the background and setting, without explanations that center the comfort of nonMuslim readers. My characters are based on children in our communities, and will be familiar to Muslim children reading them. The delight of knowing that a story was written for you is one that every child should experience.” (Autumn Allen, lead faculty)
Testimonials from Our Community
“This experience was transformational not just as an author, but as a Muslim, who grew up in the US, and has never had the chance to know what it feels like to be part of the majority.”
“Honestly is has been an amazing experience so far. I love the community aspect that is there for you regardless of where you are in your project.”
“I loved getting deep insight into the children’s book world today and also a better understanding of the business of the publishing world and how to navigate it. It was a comprehensive overview – and the instructors were positive and supportive.”
“I can’t say enough about the instructors. The knowledge they shared was incredible and very non-threatening to one who is just trying to get started. I found encouragement in the midst of the reality of the hard work and time requirements.”
