Intimate and inspiring workshops for children's authors and illustrators.
877-288-3410
Intimate and inspiring workshops for children's authors and illustrators.
Finish your picture book and get it ready for submission!
Designed for authors and illustrators with a picture book project in progress, this workshop offers a unique opportunity to polish, finish, and present your manuscript to top publishing professionals. You’ll work with established children’s book authors and illustrators to get your project ready to present to a senior editor and a senior art director from two major publishing houses. You’ll also meet with a top literary agent interested in discovering new talent.
The workshop will be limited to 20 participants, with acceptance based on the viability of your book project. A maximum of 200 words from your manuscript and/or three illustration samples must accompany your application. If you’re ready to roll up your sleeves and finish that dream project, this workshop offers direct input from a faculty dedicated to helping you get your picture book published.
Preliminary schedule:
Day 1
Afternoon
An optional tour of Highlights for Children and Boyds Mills Press.
Arrival and check-in.
Evening
Appetizers & welcome reception: faculty & campers meet.
Dinner.
After dinner: Dessert & pitches – introductions of campers and their projects in three-minute presentations.
Campers meet briefly with their workshop leader and group for introductions, guidelines, Q&A.
Day 2
Morning
Breakfast.
Campers meet with assigned group to workshop projects.
Afternoon
Lunch.
Individual meetings between campers and faculty begin.
General group: independent work time.
Evening
Appetizers with publishing guests.
Dinner.
After dinner: dessert with Q&A. Faculty will answer questions about the day’s critiques, pitches and revisions.
Independent work time
Day 3
Morning
Breakfast.
Publishing guest panel: introductions, what they look for, current projects, Q&A.
General group: Practice pitches/troubleshooting. Campers: five minutes each to perfect pitch; describe projects, possible edits, get group feedback.
Pitch sessions begin. Present to publishers.
Afternoon
Lunch.
Pitch sessions continue.
Four sessions: faculty presentations.
Evening
Appetizers & dinner.
After dinner: Cirque du Fleming activity (optional, but fun!)
Day 4
Morning
Breakfast.
Publishing guest panel for general or specific pitch questions.
Game plans: campers discuss next steps for their projects (5 min. each).
Faculty closing remarks.
Afterroon
Lunch and farewell.
Faculty blog posts:
Guest Post: Dylan Teut–Denise, Ducks, and Getting Dressed: An Interview with Denise Fleming
Faculty Interview: Pat Cummings
Faculty Spotlight: Take a Tour of Denise Fleming’s Studio
