Picture Book Plotting A-Z Online Course Apr-May 2021

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 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 lessons (Most written, some pre-recorded video)
• Complete assignments
• Learn about writing query letters and pitching your picture book
• Analyze mentor texts
• Participate in weekly LIVE Zoom Q & A sessions

Please note:
If you’re unable for any reason to attend any of the sessions, you’ll have access to the recordings of each through June 15 2021.

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 $125, and will be scheduled within 6 weeks of completing the course.

Join Us 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 weekly throughout from April 5 – May 5 in our virtual classroom, with 4 LIVE Q & A sessions spread throughout.

Week 1: April 5 – 11
Topics include: introduction, narrative arc, beginnings & endings, urgency and tension, character

Thursday, April 8: LIVE Zoom Office Hours Session, 7-8 pm Eastern

Week 2: April 12 – 18
Topics include: dialogue, description, foreshadowing, character problem-solving, hooking the reader, marketing and pitching, humor

Thursday, April 15: LIVE Zoom Office Hours Session, 7-8 pm Eastern

Week 3: April 19-25 
Topics include: action, pacing, layout, outlining, analyzing mentor texts

Thursday, April 22: LIVE Zoom Office Hours Session, 7-8 pm Eastern

Week 4: April 26 – May 2
Topics include: Variations on plot constructions, writing good query letters

Thursday, April 29: LIVE Zoom Office Hours Session, 7-8 pm Eastern

Week 5: May 3 – May 6*
Topics include: Theme, settings, illustration, using repetition

Thursday, May 6: LIVE Zoom Office Hours Session, 7-9* pm Eastern (please note extended time for group workshopping of picture book drafts)

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 $125, 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?