Craft, Community & Your Career: A Support Group for Experienced Storytellers

With Erin Dionne, Sarah Aronson, Leah Henderson, Chris Tebbetts, Jaime Adoff, Mike Curato and Torrey Maldonado

February 28 - November 21, 2022

$599.00 – Program Price

Program is fully booked

OVERVIEW:

Multi-Month Online Course

10 months of programming
Kick off gathering Monday, February 28, 7pm – 9pm Eastern
Live sessions on the third Monday of the month at 7-9pm* Eastern, with a hiatus for the summer (March 21, April 18, and May 16; September 19, October 17, and November 21) (*Note: 7-8pm Eastern will include the presentation, and 8-9pm Eastern will be an office hour with faculty to gather afterward for those who want to stay online.)
Additional, optional Live Office Hours on Mondays, March 7 – November 14(times and formats vary; see detailed agenda below)
Discussions in a DISCORD group with engaged faculty responses
Pre-recorded content available in the Virtual Classroom during the summer months while live sessions are on hiatus
Closed captions available at all live sessions, and in recordings
40 participants max

This course has been thoughtfully designed as a ten-month support program for storytellers who want to make writing for children a long-lasting and fulfilling career.

FEEDBACK EXPECTED:

Informal feedback during live lectures
Optional (but encouraged) peer feedback during live office hours

WHY THIS WORKSHOP?

One book can make a difference in the life of a child. It’s a belief and a mission at the very heart of the Children’s Book Community.

While your passion may make the pursuit of accomplishing that mission feel amazing and rewarding, there can be difficulties–especially when it comes to blending your passion with the professional aspects of making a career in children’s books work.

Gather with course facilitators and industry veterans including Sarah Aronson, Erin Dionne, Leah Henderson, Chris Tebbetts, and many special guests to find the support you need to grow your career in children’s book publishing.

Monthly programming will center on the core concepts of:

Creativity and vulnerability.
Career support and seeking opportunities to connect with your audience.
Essential conversations about values at the craft and industry level, including representation, diversity, inclusion, lived experiences, and #ownvoices.
Developing a support system of fellow creatives.

Elements of this multi-month online workshop include a kick-off session, special live guest lectures to inspire your creative life, pre-recorded mini lectures, and office hours perfect for discussions and brainstorming.

IT’S A GREAT FIT FOR:

Published, self-published, or serious unpublished writers, who seek community, support, and inspiration. We want to help you:

Take a deep dive into advanced craft and industry-related topics
Discuss important topics in representation and authenticity in children’s books
Gain inspiration to take the next steps in your career
Experience real peer support and interaction to build your sense of community in this industry

DETAILED AGENDA:

This course runs for ten months and is a mix of live and pre-recorded programming, engaged discussions during office hours, community building in a DISCORD group, and through self-selected opportunities.

Live presentations are generally the third Monday of each month from 7pm – 8pm Eastern followed by an optional faculty-lead office hour until 9pm (with a hiatus on live sessions in the summer). Some faculty-lead office hours will take place in small groups to offer discussions tailored to early-career and mid/established-career goals.

There are also additional and optional (but encouraged) weekly live Zoom Office Hours with your peers on Mondays at noon throughout the course (on Mondays when there aren’t live sessions). These are peer discussions with fellow creatives only (no expectation for faculty).

All dates and times are noted in the agenda below.

Upon Registration
You will be asked to provide:

A brief publishing history (for traditionally and self-published writers)
A brief overview of your reasons for taking this course
A list of recent reads (both for pleasure and professionally)
Optional: Wish list for course topics (suggestions encouraged!)

Our goal is to build a community of creatives looking for inspiration and engaged discussion. If we have any questions about the responses provided in your registration, we will be in touch.

Month One: February
Monday, February 28, 7pm – 9pm Eastern*: Course Overview, Introductions, Dreams and Wishes (Live)

Welcome with introductions
Presentation: Dreams, Wishes, & Our Work Together
Overview of course syllabus, including how to access online materials, engage in DISCORD with fellow writers, and what to expect from office hours.

Month Two: March
Monday, March 21, 7pm – 8pm Eastern: Special Guest Presentation (Live)

Group Check In
Presentation
Followed by open discussion for those who wish to stay online from 8pm – 9pm Eastern