Rock Your Research & Proposals! A Two-Night Mini

May 8 - 10, 2023

  • $59.00 – Program Price

Faculty: Stephanie Gibeault, Jolene Gutiérrez, and Anita Yasuda

OVERVIEW:

A Two-Night Mini Online Course

Join authors Stephanie Gibeault, Jolene Gutiérrez, and Anita Yasuda as they share the tools and strategies writers need to dig into research with confidence.

  • Monday, May 8, 2023 (7pm – 8:15pm EST)
  • Wednesday, May 10, 2023 (7pm – 8:15pm EST)
  • Webinar-style program with closed captioning available and limited interaction in the chat.  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.

FEEDBACK EXPECTED:

  • None included in the course. There will be limited interaction in the chat feature of the webinar-style program.

WHY THIS WORKSHOP?

All writers spend time researching for their books.

Research is the backbone of nonfiction.

Research adds depth, detail, and accuracy to fiction.

Whether you’re writing for the trade market, the educational market, or magazines, understanding how to conduct and organize your research matters.

Join authors Stephanie Gibeault, Jolene Gutiérrez, and Anita Yasuda to build strategies to sort and assess sources, approach and interview experts, and understand when and how to use back matter and book proposals.

In this short course, writers will:

  • Understand the importance of evaluating sources.
  • Examine and develop back matter (including what it is, and how it works in fiction and nonfiction).
  • Identify best practices for interviewing (and finding) experts.
  • Learn the basics of book proposals.

IT’S A GREAT FIT IF:

  • You are a nonfiction author or author/illustrator, looking for new perspectives on how to collect, refine, and organize your research.
  • You are a fiction author or author/illustrator who understands the importance of research in fiction, but isn’t sure where to start when it comes to evaluating sources or finding experts.
  • You are considering writing nonfiction 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 researching strategies.

TENTATIVE AGENDA:

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

IF YOU CAN’T ATTEND LIVE:

If you are unable to attend either session for any reason, you’ll have access to the recordings (with closed captioning) through June 30, 2023.

Please note that if you register for the course after the start of the first session, you will not receive recordings immediately.  You’ll receive both recordings after the close of the last session, usually within 24 hours.

All Times are Eastern Standard Time.

 

Part One: May 8, 2023 (7pm-8:15pm Eastern)

  • How to Find & Evaluate Sources
  • What Is Back Matter? (Identify it, and your need for it.)
  • Writing exercise: Brainstorming Back Matter

Part Two: May 10, 2023 (7pm-8:15pm EST)

  • The Research of Experts
    • How to find experts
    • How to conduct interviews
  • The Basics of Book Proposals
  • Q&A

HOW IT IMPACTS KIDS:

Children and teens connect with fiction and nonfiction that is authentic. This short course will help you discover ways to build your research skills to craft accurate and powerful books for kids.

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

RESOURCES:

FROM OUR COMMUNITY:

“I knew I could not attend in person but I signed up because you offered the recording. Having that option was invaluable.”

“Keep the mini courses going for those of us that can’t attend at the Highlights Foundation Campus! It helps us stay in touch and keep our skills growing!!”

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