Overview

A Two-Night Mini Online Course

First pages offer a promise to our readers. No matter the genre, no matter the form—a first page is an invitation to your entire book. Join young adult author Laura Sibson and agent Leslie Zampetti for this short course to understand the promise in a powerful first page.

• Tuesday, September 26, 2023 (7pm – 8:15pm Eastern)
• Thursday, September 28, 2023 (7pm – 8:15pm Eastern)
• Webinar-style program with closed captioning available and limited interaction in the chat.
• You’ll have access to the recordings through October 31, 2023.

Feedback Expected

• None included in the course. There will be limited interaction in the chat feature of the webinar-style program.
• A small number of student submission samples will be used during the program. If you would like to be considered for this opportunity, please submit the text from your first page (up to 250 words) at the time of registration. (A limited number of first pages will be used as samples during the program.)

It’s a Great Fit If…

• You have an in-progress or completed draft of a picture book, middle grade or young adult novel, or chapter book. All books have a “first page.” Join us to find out what makes them work.
• You want valuable strategies to engage your readers from the very first page.
• You’re wondering if a first page critique or add-on session is right for you. Hear from an author and agent about the value of these feedback sessions.
• You could use some direction on your story ideas. There will be a number of topics covered to help spark new ideas.
• 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 understanding of first pages.

Tentative Agenda

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

At registration: You have the opportunity to submit text from a first page (up to 250 words) from a work in progress at registration. Only a few will be selected to analyze during 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 October 31, 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.

How It Impacts Kids

Readers deserve powerful stories from the start. Learn to craft your first pages that connect with young readers.

Testimonials from Our Community

“I love the way both presenters handled the critique of first pages – very helpful to me as I try to understand how experienced reviewers would look at a manuscript and respond to it!”

“I learned another way of looking at my own first pages and considering where to start my story – how to start my story!”

“All was positive – I am a new author – just one nonfiction book recently published so enjoy the interaction with more experienced writers/agents/editors – and these presenters were concerned and happy to share their knowledge and experiences. All positive – good questions from participants as well!”

“I loved the critiquing session. Always great things to learn when hearing first pages and listening to pros discuss the strengths and weaknesses.”

“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!!

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

Resources

• The Importance of Starting in a Scene
• Beginnings: Your First Page Has a Lot of Work To Do
• 5 Tips to Make Your Novel Opening a Strong One
• See what Erin Dionne thinks is the hardest part about writing a good beginning. Hint: She once cut 72 pages off the beginning of her novel in a revision.
• Hear about the time Chris Tebbetts learned something new by re-reading the first page of his book: “There’s something in those currants, isn’t there?” “There is now!”