[read lisa scott Posts: 128 Status: Offline middle grade, chapter books, picture books]

Hi all, can you share your favorite online picture book courses or books? I have not been able to write a picture book my agent likes and I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong.  I'm not an illustrator, just a writer.  Thanks!

[DianaM Posts: 971 Status: Offline Writer, rhymer, runner, punner.]

I took a webinar led by Mary Kole (who used to be an agent) a few years ago. It was fantastic!

Looks like you might be able to download it online? http://www.writersdigestshop.com/picture-book-craft-intensive-webinar

They have other webinars pop up from time to time.

Also, get a copy of Ann Whitford Paul's "Writing Picture Books".

And you might want to join PiBoIdMo.

Have fun!

[Margaret G Posts: 38 Status: Offline]

I found Susanna Leonard Hill's "Making Picture Book Magic" course very useful (and relatively inexpensive). I was in a rut and generated a whole new manuscript from the "homework" we had to do.
http://www.susannahill.com/MAKING_PICTURE_BOOK_MAGIC.html

I also took the webinar from Mary Kole and found it very useful as well.

If you write nonfiction, I've heard great things about Kristen Fulton's Nonfiction Archaeology.
http://www.kristenfulton.org/classes.html

Another book to read is Linda Ashman's Nuts and Bolts Guide to Writing Picture Books. http://lindaashman.com/how-to-write-picture-books/

Good luck!

[bruna-deluca Posts: 35 Status: Offline The Ink Pantser]

I have just finished Susanna Leonard Hill's Making Picture Book Magic course and thoroughly recommend it. Susanna herself is very available and helpful.  It is inexpensive compared to many courses and you can learn and do a lot in a short time.

[read lisa scott Posts: 128 Status: Offline middle grade, chapter books, picture books]

Thanks for the input!  I really appreciate it.