Writing and Revising Narrative Nonfiction 2018

Learn narrative nonfiction storytelling skills and get the feedback you need to complete your revision.

A writer of narrative nonfiction must work with both head and heart. Whether you’re writing a 1,200-word picture book, a 35,000-word middle grade, or a 65,000-word book for young adults, you need to carefully research to gather information and then assess its accuracy and relevance in order to create a compelling, true story.

But how do you find the ‘core’ of your story amid all the details your research has uncovered? How do you shine a spotlight on the main idea? How do you truthfully develop the characters and themes driving the narrative, crafting a story that readers will think about long after they close the pages of your book? That takes revision—often, lots of it.

One month before our workshop begins, you’ll submit EITHER a picture book manuscript OR an outline (can be rough or detailed) plus 10 double-spaced pages of a longer narrative.

Once you arrive at Highlights, you’ll have the opportunity to dig deeply into your revision through:

• Faculty seminars on scene-building, research, revision techniques, visuals, and back matter
• Two one-on-one critiques with your faculty mentor
• Faculty-led discussions of student-generated topics
• Ample time between sessions to work on your manuscript

You’ll work hard—but in a supportive environment. And you’ll return home with stronger narrative nonfiction storytelling skills and the feedback you need to complete your revision.

Application deadline: February 28

Special Guests

Carolyn P. Yoder
Susan Campbell Bartoletti
Catherine Frank (Participating via Skype)