Workshop Dates: One-year Picture Book Plan

Course Overview

Workshops are held from 11.00am – 5.00pm on Saturdays at Scholastic Books, London, and are inclusive of lunch and refreshments. All of them are a mixture of teaching and writing, working alone and in small groups and workshopping draft manuscripts. One2one editorial surgeries take place either face-to-face or via Skype, as agreed between you and your editor.

Workshops and one2ones will be run online if lockdown restrictions are in place.

Grahame Drawing/Signing

Picture Book Programme Dates (Sep 2020 – August 2021)

The Art of the Picture Book – Sunday 13th September 2020

With workshop leader and Mentor, Tessa Strickland.

  • Bring one of your manuscripts to read and receive group feedback;
  • Analyse two bestselling picture books, with particular attention to tone, voice, structure and emotional impact on both the adult and the child reader;
  • Listen to the experiences and insights of a guest author/illustrator;
  • Brainstorm ideas and draft copy for at least one new manuscript.

What Shape is Your Storyboard? – Saturday 30th January 2021

With workshop leader and Mentor, Tessa Strickland

  • Use the Golden Egg Storyboard Template to explore the most effective ways to pace your storytelling;
  • Experiment with page turn techniques and other strategies for highlighting peak moments in your narrative;
  • Learn how to understand and measure metre and write effectively in verse;
  • Study a current bestselling picture book and identify the ways in which its author uses structure, tone and dialogue;
  • Present your own work for feedback and offer feedback on the work of fellow students.

Enchant Your Audience – Saturday 8th May 2021

With workshop leader and Mentor, Tessa Strickland

  • Learn how to give young children an interactive listening experience that engages them emotionally and holds their attention;
  • Learn who does what in the world of picture book publishing; how to pitch to agents and authors, dealing with rejections; learning from feedback;
  • Listen to the experiences and insights of a guest author/illustrator and put your own questions to him/her;
  • Rework and receive feedback on your own ideas.

Editorial Surgeries

One2one editorial surgeries take place either face-to-face or via Skype, as agreed between you and your editor. All members are welcome to book face-to-face surgeries with Jo in Surrey by arrangement. Surgeries with Tessa are once a month, on Tuesday afternoons in Oxford or on Thursday afternoons in Bath. Members who have attended at least one workshop and surgery may book further surgeries with Tessa or Jo on Skype.

Picture Book Programme Dates (Sep 2019 – August 2020)

The Art of the Picture Book – Sunday 22nd September 2019

With workshop leader and Mentor, Tessa Strickland

  • Bring one of your manuscripts to read and receive group feedback;
  • Analyse two bestselling picture books, with particular attention to tone, voice, structure and emotional impact on both the adult and the child reader;
  • Listen to the experiences and insights of a guest author/illustrator;
  • Brainstorm ideas and draft copy for at least one new manuscript.

What Shape is Your Storyboard? – Saturday 25th January 2020

With workshop leader and Mentor, Tessa Strickland

  • Use the Golden Egg Storyboard Template to explore the most effective ways to pace your storytelling;
  • Experiment with page turn techniques and other strategies for highlighting peak moments in your narrative;
  • Join an optional half-day session for members wanting to write in verse, led by Tessa Strickland;
  • Study a current bestselling picture book and identify the ways in which its author uses structure, tone and dialogue;
  • Present your own work for feedback and offer feedback on the work of fellow students.

Enchant Your Audience – Saturday 9th May 2020

With workshop leader and Mentor, Tessa Strickland

  • Learn how to give young children an interactive listening experience that engages them emotionally and holds their attention;
  • Learn who does what in the world of picture book publishing; how to pitch to agents and authors, dealing with rejections; learning from feedback;
  • Learn how to work with your publisher to establish and build your reputation as a professional picture book writer;
  • Listen to the experiences and insights of a guest author/illustrator and put your own questions to him/her;
  • Rework and receive feedback on your own ideas.