Picture Book Plotting A-Z Online Course

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?