Learn to revise, polish, and pursue publication for your manuscripts
Participate in instructor-led workshopping experiences that help you improve your work
Pay attention to character, plot, pace, point of view, and other craft elements in your writing
Strive to complete an entirely new manuscript by the end of the course
About this course:
This advanced-level workshop is for fiction or nonfiction picture book writers who have completed one or more picture book manuscripts and feel ready to revise, polish, and pursue publication. Students will submit their work and participate in safe, instructor-led feedback clinics. You will stretch your skills as you pay particular attention to character, plot, pace, POV, poetic devices, story beats, goals, stakes, voice, word choice, page turns, interstitials, theme, heart, dialogue, mood, space for the illustrator, performance quality, overall style, and more. The goal of this course is to complete, polish, and revise a picture book manuscript so that you are ready for querying. For the first class, each student should prepare a synopsis and/or brief outline of their manuscript.
Prerequisites
WRITING 441.1 Picture Book I and WRITING 441.2 Picture Book II
Enrollment limited to 12 students; early enrollment advised. Visitors not permitted. $100 non-refundable. Enrollment discounts limited to WP NOW members; no other discounts apply.
The priority deadline for applications was December 9, 2024. Applications are still being accepted on a rolling basis and will be considered as long as space remains in the course. Please do not delay in submitting.
Submission guidelines:
Submit one document (double-spaced, 12-point font, 1-inch margins on all sides) containing:
a writing sample (recommended length of sample for picture book writers is one picture book manuscript of 500 words or less or a nonfiction picture book sample of 1000 words or less)
a personal statement of one paragraph outlining what the student hopes to gain from the class;
and a list of previous courses completed in the Writers’ Program or other programs, with instructors (when known).
To apply:
Log in with your existing student account and then add to cart and follow the prompts to create a new or returning student account. Then, follow the remaining instructions below:
Click “Start” on the first Application page.
On the 2nd Application page, click “Start” on the bottom left side of the page.
After that, you will be asked to upload a writing sample, per the guidelines below.
Once you finish the steps, click "Submit Application."
Please note that there are no pre-approvals. All students must submit the above requirements in order to be eligible for an advanced creative writing course.
NOTE: Despite being asked to enter payment information, YOU WILL NOT BE CHARGED for this course unless you choose to enroll if/when you receive a notice of acceptance for the course.
Selection notices will likely be distributed via email 1-2 weeks before the class is scheduled to start.
This course is held via video teleconference. Instructors use Zoom to offer live class meetings at the designated class meeting time. Students must be present at the course meeting time as each student’s final grade may include scores for participation. Please inform your instructor if you will miss a class meeting. You are responsible for any class information you missed. We suggest you arrange with a fellow classmate to share their notes when feasible.
Refund Deadline
No refunds after January 01, 2025
Course Requirements
Internet access required to access course materials.
The Magic Words: Writing Great Books for Children and Young Adults
by Cheryl B Klein
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