PJ Library Retreat: Picture Book Summer Camp for Emerging Writers

OVERVIEW:

Congratulations on being accepted into this program. Please click the link to register.

A special program for emerging Jewish picture book writers hosted by PJ Library. 

If you’re a pre-published author with a Jewish picture book in progress (or no more than one published book) we invite you to apply for five-days of inspiration, mentorship, fun, and creativity on the beautiful campus of the Highlights Foundation.

• This is an in-person workshop at the Highlights Foundation Retreat Center with keynotes, breakout sessions, mentorship, sharing ideas for stories with Jewish themes and content, and ample time for independent writing, meeting informally with fellow creatives, and resting.
• Acceptance into the program covers tuition, lodging, and meals. Travel stipends to the retreat center will be available from PJ Library. (Application details below.)
• Arrive by 5:30 pm Eastern on Sunday, August 7
• Ends at 1:00pm Eastern on Thursday, August 11
• Limited space

PJ Library maintains kosher style options for programs that they host. During this retreat, we will only be serving vegetarian and kosher fish options. Snacks and drinks will be certified kosher. While our kitchen is not kosher, we are happy to provide kosher certified packaged meals for anyone who requests this.

Application Deadline: on or before April 28, 2022. Applications are now closed.

You will be notified of your acceptance status no later than May 9. Upon acceptance, you will receive assistance in your travel needs and dietary needs. After acceptance, you will be asked to submit the work-in-progress that you’d like to use for the program with a cover letter.

FEEDBACK EXPECTED DURING THE PROGRAM:

Mentorship will be provided for emerging picture book writers through one-to-one meetings with faculty readers and during facilitated peer discussions led by the PJ Library team.

The goal of our feedback sessions is to offer you support, as well as ask questions to help you problem-solve, brainstorm new ideas, and work through challenges. You will receive comprehensive submission details within 4-6 weeks of the program’s start. For now, please concentrate on your sample submission for the application.

WHY THIS PROGRAM?

This five day, in-person program is centered on mentorship, inspiration, and the Jewish community with:

• opportunities for learning, feedback, and interaction
• ample self-paced time to make progress on a project, or play with your creativity
• many opportunities for feedback

Mornings will be structured around lectures, workshops, and hands-on activities. Afternoons will be for independent writing and revising, as well as meetings with fellow creatives (including your faculty reader and small groups).

THIS PROGRAM IS A GREAT FIT IF:

• You are a Jewish writer interested in bringing your stories to children. 
• You are an emerging Jewish writer of picture books.
• You have a draft or finished manuscript of a picture book with Jewish themes and would like feedback.

DETAILED AGENDA:

Following Acceptance: 

• You will receive a link to our virtual classroom where you can introduce yourself to fellow writers, engage in Highlights Foundation and PJ Library related resources (including our Community Standards), and view submission details related to this program.

Tentative Program Schedule:
Mornings will be structured around lectures/keynotes, workshops, and hands-on activities. Afternoons will be for independent writing and revising, as well as meetings with fellow creatives (including your faculty reader and small groups).

Sunday, August 7

• Travel day, please arrive by 5:30pm Eastern
• Welcome with introductions
• Followed by dinner
  • For those in observance, a meal at 9pm Eastern will be available to break Tisha B’Av fast

Monday, August 8
Morning:

• Breakfast
• Inspirational Keynote
• Breakout Sessions (Your Choice of Topic)

Afternoon:

• Lunch (optional Lunch & Learn session)
• Free writing time and informal activities
• 1:1 Meetings with Faculty Reader

Evening:

• Appetizers & Dinner
• After Dinner: Inspirational Keynote

Tuesday, August 9

Morning:

• Breakfast
• Inspirational Keynote
• Breakout Sessions (Your Choice of Topic)

Afternoon:

• Lunch (optional Lunch & Learn session)
• Free writing time and informal activities
• Peer discussion facilitated by a PJ Library team member

Evening:

• Appetizers with faculty panel
• Dinner
• PJ Library & PJ Our Way: Ask Me Anything

Wednesday, August 10

Morning:

• Breakfast
• Inspirational Keynote
• Breakout Sessions (Your Choice of Topic)

Afternoon:

• Lunch (optional Lunch & Learn session)
• Free writing time and informal activities
• Peer discussion facilitated by a PJ Library team member

Evening:

• Group Photo
• Appetizers & Dinner
• Open Mic/ Sharing

Thursday, August 11
Morning

• Breakfast
• Book Talk & Book Sharing
• Closing keynote

Afternoon

• Lunch
• Followed by reflections from attendees & closing comments from PJ Library and Faculty.

Note: Breakout topics and lectures are still being developed by faculty.

A note about workshop agendas and how they change and evolve. 

ABOUT PJ LIBRARY:

Learn all about PJ Library at https://pjlibrary.org/home.

PJ Library sends free Jewish children’s books to families across the world every month. We know that something magical happens when parents sit down together to read with their children. PJ Library shares Jewish stories that can help your family talk together about values and traditions that are important to you.

A program of the Harold Grinspoon Foundation, PJ Library is made possible through partnerships with philanthropists and local Jewish organizations. Families raising kids from birth through 9 years old with Judaism as part of their lives, are welcome to sign up. PJ Library welcomes all Jewish families, whatever your background, knowledge, or family make-up, or observance may be.

ABOUT OUR RETREAT CENTER:

All in-person Highlights Foundation workshops (including this special partnership with the PJ Library) are held at our Retreat Center: The Barn at Boyds Mills.  This site was the home of the original founders of Highlights for Children Garry and Caroline Myers, and is located in the Poconos Mountains of Pennsylvania on the traditional and contemporary lands of the Lenape Nation. For more information about attending a workshop or retreat here, visit the Barn at Boyds Mills website.

COMMITMENT REQUIRED FOR THE BEST EXPERIENCE:

As an in-person event at our Retreat Center, you’ll have a chance to step away from everyday life to experience the workshop. We build in breaks and independent time so you have space for your personal needs. While we encourage participation in all group events, we know that as an adult learner you can decide if you need more time to yourself. Please let someone from our staff or faculty know if you plan to step away from group activities.

The Highlights Foundation strives for a safe and inclusive environment. You will have access to our Community Standards prior to the workshop where we ask for your respectful engagement with fellow creatives, including our faculty and staff.

Application Deadline: on or before April 28, 2022

To apply, you will need to:

• Submit a sample of your work. This may be the manuscript that you hope to workshop at the program; or another picture book manuscript (published or unpublished).
• Provide a narrative response detailing your workshop goals and your interest in this PJ Library picture book program.

• Click here to submit your application.

You will be notified of your acceptance status no later than May 9. Upon acceptance, you will receive assistance in your travel needs and dietary needs. After acceptance, you will be asked to submit the work-in-progress that you’d like to use for the program with a cover letter.

PLEASE NOTE: WE ARE STILL ADDING FACULTY TO THIS WORKSHOP.