Picture Book Plotting A-Z Online Course
With Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen
November 9 - December 14, 2020
Please note: this course is full. Please click here to be placed on our waiting list.
Online Course Info:
Are you ready to do a deep, deep dive into picture book structure? This 5-week intensive with Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen features daily assignments for each letter of the “Picture Book Alphabet” as well as weekly LIVE Zoom sessions for all of your course related questions.
If A is for ARC, and Z is for ZILLIONS, just imagine all of the learning that happens in between! Get ready to read, write, and WORK on all things Picture Book Plot from A to Z!
Online Workshop Participant Cap:
25 students.
What You’ll Learn & Experience:
In this course, you will explore every aspect of picture book plotting, including:
- Narrative arc: beginnings, middles & endings
- Components: character, theme, setting, word play, humor, dialogue, description
- Illustration and page turns
- Repetition and word play
In addition, you will:
- Read daily lessons (Most written, some pre-recorded video)
- Complete daily assignments
- Learn about writing query letters and pitching your picture book
- Analyze mentor texts
- Participate in weekly LIVE Zoom Q & A sessions
Following the course, writers will have the opportunity to purchase an optional consultation with Sudipta to discuss one picture book manuscript. After submitting work, a private session will be scheduled via Zoom to review ideas, suggestions, and next steps. The cost for this optional consultation is $100, and will be scheduled within 6 weeks of completing the course.
Attend If:
- You want to write picture books. This in-depth course will ensure that you have a thorough understanding of how to plot a compelling picture book.
- You have written a picture book(s) but aren’t sure it’s ready to submit. Making time for this course means you will learn how to revise and strengthen your story.
- You’ve written a story for children but have no idea about how to submit it to publishers. This course will give you best practices for revising and submitting your work.
- You’ve been published in magazines but would like to see your book in print. This course can help you build on your strong writing skills to put together a powerful picture book.
Preliminary Agenda
New content and assignments released throughout from November 9 – December 10 in our virtual classroom, with 4 LIVE Q & A sessions spread throughout.
Week 1: November 9-15
Topics include: introduction, narrative arc, beginnings & endings, urgency and tension, character
New content and assignments released daily on Monday 11/9, Tuesday 11/10, Wednesday 11/11, Thursday 11/12, Friday 11/13, Saturday 11/14 and Sunday 11/15
Thursday, November 12: LIVE Zoom Office Hours Session, 7-8 pm Eastern
Week 2: November 16-22
Topics include: dialogue, description, foreshadowing, character problem-solving, hooking the reader, marketing and pitching, humor
New content and assignments released daily on Monday 11/16, Tuesday 11/17, Wednesday 11/18, Thursday 11/19, Friday 11/20, Saturday 11/21 and Sunday 11/22
Thursday, November 19: LIVE Zoom Office Hours Session, 7-8 pm Eastern
Week 3: November 23-25 (“Catch up” days built in.)
Topics include: action, pacing, layout, outlining, analyzing mentor texts
New content and assignments released daily on Monday 11/23, Tuesday 11/24, Wednesday 11/25
Time to catch up on any missed content or assignments!
No LIVE Zoom this week! Catch up or review content in preparation for Week 4.
Week 4: November 30-December 6
Topics include: Variations on plot constructions, writing good query letters
New content and assignments released daily on Monday 11/30, Tuesday 12/1, Wednesday 12/2, Thursday 12/3, Friday 12/4, Saturday 12/5, Sunday 12/6
Thursday, December 3: LIVE Zoom Office Hours Session, 7-8 pm Eastern
Week 5: December 7-10
Topics include: Theme, settings, illustration, using repetition
New content and assignments released daily on Monday 12/7, Tuesday 12/8, Wednesday 12/9, Thursday 12/10
Monday, December 14: Final LIVE Zoom Office Hours Session, 7-8 pm Eastern
Following the course, writers will have the opportunity to purchase an optional consultation with Sudipta to discuss one picture book manuscript. After submitting work, a private session will be scheduled via Zoom to review ideas, suggestions, and next steps. The cost for this optional consultation is $100, and will be scheduled within 6 weeks of completing the course.
Resources:
Watch Sudipta’s Find the Heart Webinar
Picture Book Word Count, and Other Rules that are Meant to Be Broken
Picture Books: To Rhyme or Not To Rhyme
How Do You Know If You’ve Written a Picture Book?
About the Leader
Categories : Just Getting Started, Online, Picture Books, Pre-Published Author or Illustrator, Writing Craft