Overview

A Two-Night Mini Online Course

Have you ever searched the internet for “picture book word count,” and found advice that conflicts even with itself—offering more exceptions than it does rules?

Have you gotten feedback from editors or agents that your picture book manuscript is “too long for today’s market”—but you’re not sure exactly what that means.

Maybe you’re wondering how a “highly visual” picture book submission works.  It can be confusing when you can’t figure out how to convey a crucial piece of information without including an art note, especially if you’ve already been told not to include art notes.  (Or should you?)

Join picture book author Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen to learn more about creating short, sweet, and saleable picture books, both in terms of art (what they are, format considerations, and how to use all your storyteller’s tools in limited words) and business logistics (audience needs, market demands, and the infamous art notes).

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, but a lot of information for those looking to write picture books with limited word count.

• Monday, December 9, 2024 (7pm – 8:15pm Eastern)
• Wednesday, December 11, 2024 (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 January 31, 2025.

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 a picture book writer wishing to tell short and impactful stories. This course will help you get there!
• You have written a picture book and have received feedback that you might want to revise the length. This course will help you look at what is needed to tell a short, concise picture book narrative.
• You’re looking for something short, sweet, and smart. This is not a full workshop; it is two, 75-minute session with limited engagement meant to provide an understanding of the importance of, and how to write picture books with limited word count.

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 January 31, 2025.

• Please note that if you cannot attend live but you’d like to receive recording links by email, you must register for this course. Recordings are not sold separately; they are only available to those who register.
• Please also 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.

How It Impacts Kids

Kids love to read (or listen to) picture books again and again. This course will highlight ways to make this an engaging and meaningful experience with short picture books.

Testimonials from Our Community

“Sudipta is chatty, funny, and no-nonsense.”

“Sudipta taught with great energy, practical advice, and contagious humor.”

“Sudipta provided a wealth of information in the coursework and was very generous with her time… She knows her stuff!”

“Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen did a fabulous job teaching, introducing concepts, answering questions, and making everyone feel welcome.”

Related Resources

• 3 Questions With Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen About Revising Your Picture Book
• Picture Book Word Count, and Other Rules that are Meant to Be Broken
• Picture Books: To Rhyme or Not To Rhyme
• How Do You Know If You’ve Written a Picture Book?