Optional Intensives

Seven of our faculty are offering optional intensive sessions on a variety of topics (see below). The three hour intensive sessions will be split into two parts: 8:00-9:30 am on Saturday, October 10 and 8:00-9:30 am on Sunday, October 11. You must register for both days of the conference to also register for an intensive. Intensive sessions are an additional cost ($75). The sizes of intensive sessions are kept intentionally low (16-25), so register early to get your first choice!

So, You've Written a Picture Book. Now What?

Sylvie Frank, Senior Executive Editor, Flamingo Books/Penguin Books for Young Readers

What are agents and editors really looking for? What makes a picture book marketable? This jam-packed, deep dive into picture book mechanics will walk through real-life revision examples as we discuss character, plot, page turns, pacing, and art notes. This session will include plenty of time to dig back into your own work-in-progress with the opportunity for real-time feedback and discussion. All participants should bring one picture book manuscript, four sheets of blank 8.5” x 11” paper, a stapler, pencil, and pair of scissors. We’re getting crafty!

Novel Openings

Lori Steel, Founder and Agent, SteelWorks Literary

In this intensive, we’ll explore the crucial first pages of a novel and how these pages lay the breadcrumbs for the story to follow and set expectations for the reader. We’ll use exemplary texts and how each establishes character and voice, plot and setting from the outset.

Through a variety of close readings, writing exercises, and focused spotlights on craft, we’ll explore ways authors can approach their own story narratives with an eye to crafting engaging openings that serve the story, and create immediate reader engagement. 

Whether you are still ideating a premise or working on a revision of a completed novel, this intensive is designed to help you think deeply about the all-important first pages of your story. 

Dynamically Paced Stories: Mastering Your Pace and Plot Movement (for novelist and picture-book writers)

Kim Tomsic, Author

Whether you’re writing a novel or a picture book, pace matters! In this workshop, we’ll use the “microcosm” of a picture book to unlock big-picture storytelling skills. Novelists will see how the Hero’s Journey plays out in just 500 words, while picture-book authors will explore how to hit crucial story-beats at a rewarding pace. Through award-winning examples, we’ll cover:

• Freytag’s Pyramid and the three-act structure
• Hero’s Journey in miniature—this presentation is created from an amalgamation and 15-years of study and my favorite craft guides (The Hero's Journey, Wired for Story, Save the Cat, the Hero's 2 Journeys, Story Genius, and others) We'll dive into story-beats including what makes a great setup and inciting incident, act breaks, rising action, the "big gloom" and more!
• Pulse points—we'll break down how to move a story forward and keep pages turning; and we will discuss precisely what has the highest currency in storytelling. Be ready to dive into character agency, emotion, theme, "survival," and stakes. By the end of class, you’ll have practical tools to strengthen your storytelling muscles and craft plot-points that move at just the right speed—whether in 500 words or 50,000.

Adapt-a-Style for Bigger Publishing Potential

Kaz Windness, Artist, Author, Professor of Illustration

This is the secret to why Kaz has four books out this year. In this intensive, we will take a look at adapting your illustration style—characters, layouts, textures, and techniques for multiple markets. Picture books, early readers, chapter books, and graphic novels all have different expectations. You’ll get more work when you can work in different styles. Stay true to you and cast a wider publishing net, too. Bring an example of your “signature style” and your favorite portable illustration tools for the hands-on portion. This is a fun, no-judgement workshop for all skill levels.

The Art of Revision From First to Final Draft

Paige Terlip, Founder and Agent, Starling Literary + Media

Wrestling with your revisions? Sinking into an editorial pit of despair? Never fear! The Art of Revision intensive looks at the stages of the revision process and provides tips and tricks to navigate the frustrations and pitfalls of revision—from first to final draft. During this intensive workshop we will break down strategies for revising from reconstructing character to perfecting pace, as well as navigating the revise and resubmit process and breaking through creative blocks.

Knowing Your Story

Sara Schonfeld, Senior Editor, Harper Collins Children's Books

Sometimes the hardest part of writing is knowing what you’ve written! Learn how to best position your story through comps, selling points, and more. A brief introduction will share tips and tricks, including how to use a query to self-edit your book. In the first section, we will read queries aloud and you will receive live feedback; in the second, you will read your first page and have this reflected back to you. Leave this intensive with a fresh perspective on your book and an understanding on how agents and editors may view it.

Picture Book Roundtable

Laurent Linn, President, SCBWI Board of Directors

Each attendee gets ten minutes for your picture book to be read and to receive direct feedback. The opportunity to hear suggestions on not only your work but a variety of others is invaluable. For this session, picture book manuscripts should be no more than 1000 words.