Non-Traditional Picture Book Structure (A Two-Night Mini Course)

January 23 - 25, 2023

$59.00 – Program Price

OVERVIEW:

~~A Two-Night Mini Mini Online Course~~

Picture book journeys aren’t one size fits all, and that’s a good thing! Join children’s book author Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen and literary agent Rachel Orr to celebrate alternative approaches to picture book structures. This program is a great fit if you’re looking for a short course of two, 75-minute sessions offering limited interaction with the community, but loads of information.

~~Monday, January 23, 2023 (7pm – 8:15pm EST)~~
~~Wednesday, January 25, 2023 (7pm – 8:15pm EST)~~
~~Webinar-style program with closed captioning available and limited interaction in the chat~~
Optional post-course critique opportunity available for an additional cost

FEEDBACK EXPECTED:

~~None included in the course. There will be limited interaction in the chat feature of the webinar-style program.~~
An optional, post-course critique opportunity is available for $125 for a picture book manuscript (up to 800 words). You will be contacted within 4 – 6 weeks of your submission with comments. Details will be released during the final night of the course.

WHY THIS WORKSHOP?

~~Picture books vary in topic, style, and genre. There isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach to plotting your picture book, either.~~

~~In this short course, children’s book author Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen and literary agent Rachel Orr will cover:~~

~~An overview of picture book approaches, including concept books, “slices of life” books, holiday books, biographies and other non-narrative nonfiction~~
~~What is a “traditional” plot and why~~
~~Contemporary stand-outs that twist the traditional structure~~
~~How to decide what model is best for your project~~
~~What exactly is a high concept book (and how do you figure out if that’s how you should be pitching your project?)~~
~~Considerations from the author (creative!)~~
~~Considerations from the agent (business!)~~

IT’S A GREAT FIT IF:

You are starting out as a picture book author or author/illustrator looking for beginning information about structuring your picture book.
You are a picture book author or author/illustrator who has already written books with traditional plots and you are looking to expand your repertoire.
You are considering writing a picture book for children and want to learn more.
You’re looking for something short, sweet, and smart! This is not a full workshop, instead it is two, 75-minute sessions meant to engage and build your knowledge of the picture book form.

TENTATIVE AGENDA:

At registration: You will receive a Zoom link to use each night of the course.

~~Part One: Monday, January 23, 2023 (7pm-8:15pm Eastern)~~

~~Picture Books: An Overview~~
- ~~What is considered “traditional” in picture book plot~~
- ~~Concept Books to Biography (and everything in between)~~
~~“Non-traditional” approaches to picture books~~

~~Part Two: Wednesday, January 25 (7pm-8:15pm EST)~~

~~High concept: What is it?~~
~~Texts & Models: A Showcase of Examples~~
~~How to decide what approach is best for your project~~
- ~~Considerations from an author~~
- ~~Considerations from an agent~~
~~Q&A~~
~~Information about optional critiques~~

Optional After the Course Critique: An optional, post-course critique opportunity is available for $125 for a picture book manuscript (up to 800 words). You will be contacted within 4 – 6 weeks of your submission with comments. Details will be released during the final night of the course.

~~Please note:~~
~~If you’re unable to attend either session for any reason, you’ll have access to the recordings (with closed captioning) through February 28, 2023.~~

HOW IT IMPACTS KIDS:

~~Some stories can use non-traditional plot structures to spark children’s imaginations and inspire them. This two-night mini workshop can help you discover what your story needs.~~

~~Why do we mention this? Learn about the Highlights Foundation mission.~~