April 15 @ 7:00 pm - April 17 @ 7:00 pm
Online
$59Overview
A Two-Night Mini Online Course
Picture book journeys aren’t one size fits all, and that’s a good thing! Join children’s book author Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen and literary agent Rachel Orr to celebrate alternative approaches to picture book structures. 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, and loads of information.
- Monday, April 15, 2024 (7pm – 8:15pm Eastern)
- Wednesday, April 17, 2024 (7pm – 8:15pm Eastern)
- Webinar-style program with closed captioning available and limited interaction in the chat
- Access to the recording until May 31, 2024.
Why This Workshop?
Picture books vary in topic, style, and genre. There isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach to plotting your picture book, either.
In this short course, children’s book author Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen and literary agent Rachel Orr will cover:
- An overview of picture book approaches, including concept books, “slices of life” books, holiday books, biographies and other non-narrative nonfiction
- What is a “traditional” plot and why
- Contemporary stand-outs that twist the traditional structure
- How to decide what model is best for your project
- What exactly is a high concept book (and how do you figure out if that’s how you should be pitching your project?)
- Considerations from the author (creative!)
- Considerations from the agent (business!)
Feedback Expected
- None included in the course. There will be limited interaction in the chat feature of the webinar-style program.
It’s a Great Fit If…
- You are starting out as a picture book author or author/illustrator looking for beginning information about structuring your picture book.
- You are a picture book author or author/illustrator who has already written books with traditional plots and you are looking to expand your repertoire.
- You are considering writing a picture book 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 knowledge of the picture book form.
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 May 31, 2024.
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.
Click on the headings below to explore the agenda in more detail.
Part One: Monday, April 15, 2024 (7pm-8:15pm Eastern)
- Picture Books: An Overview
- What is considered “traditional” in picture book plot
- Concept Books to Biography (and everything in between)
- “Non-traditional” approaches to picture books
Part Two: Wednesday, April 17, 2024 (7pm-8:15pm Eastern)
- High concept: What is it?
- Texts & Models: A Showcase of Examples
- How to decide what approach is best for your project
- Considerations from an author
- Considerations from an agent
- Q&A
How It Impacts Kids
Using non-traditional plot structures can spark children’s imaginations and engage them in a book. This short course will explore how to play with non-traditional forms in your own work.
Testimonials from Our Community
“I enjoyed Rachel and Sudipta’s presentations and humor. This course was helpful in tackling and experimenting with non-traditional arcs in my stories.”
“Thank you for the fabulous course on non-traditional picture books!”
“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!!
