The Picture Book Dummy - A Revision Tool For KidLit Creators - Phoenix
May 03, 2025
Grand Canyon University, 3300 W Camelback Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85017
Picture book dummies are valuable tools to help you revise and edit your manuscript. These rough mock-ups are used to help you perfect how the story will exist within the picture book format. The team that eventually publishes your manuscript might have a different vision of how the pages will be broken down, but the dummy allows you to ensure that each page of the book is filled with delightful surprises and copious illustration possibilities.
The Picture Book Dummy - A Revision Tool For KidLit Creators - Phoenix
Picture book dummies are very helpful tools for revising and editing your manuscript. These rough mock-ups are not designed to be sent to the editor but are used to help you perfect how the story will exist within the picture book format. The team that eventually publishes your manuscript might have a different vision of how the pages will be broken down, but the dummy allows you to ensure that each page of the book is filled with delightful surprises and copious illustration possibilities.
The Picture Book Dummy for Dummies: The Foundation For Creating Better Picture Books presented by Michael Hale
Picture books come in all shapes and sizes, but they are fundamentally the same. They are designed to be a delivery vehicle. An industry standardized template in which to tell a story. Understanding the mechanics of the picture book as a medium for storytelling is essential to every writer or writer/illustrator. Especially those who hope to be successful in this genre. Knowing how to create, revise and edit a picture book dummy needs to be part of your process. Learn how to create one and how you can use this vital tool to improve your writing.
The Picture Book Dummy: The Writer’s Revision and Editing Friend presented by Tanja Bauerle
Picture book dummies are the domain of the illustrator. NOT SO! Learn how as a writer you MUST use this vital tool when crafting, revising and editing your manuscript. This workshop will guide you through how to use a dummy to ensure that your story will function properly within the picture book format. Learn about page turns, pacing, rhythm, language and more, in order to craft a manuscript that editors will love.
Hands-On Time - Work on your Dummy
Work on breaking down your manuscript to function within your dummy and implement what you have learned. Both Tanja and Michael will be on hand to help and guide you.
Cost, Date, Time, & Venue
Cost:
Member Cost: $35.00
Non-Member Cost: $55.00
Date:
Saturday, May 3, 2025
Time:
10:00 am to 1:00pm
Location:
Grand Canyon University
3300 W Camelback Rd
Phoenix, AZ 85017
What To Prepare And Bring To The Workshop
This is a hands-on workshop, allowing you the opportunity to work on your manuscript to envision it in its book form. To gain the most out on this event make sure that you bring the following:
- Two printed copies of your work-in-progress picture book manuscript. You will cut up your manuscript so bringing two copies would be helpful. You may want to space the lines out a little so that cutting between the lines is a little easier.
- Feel free to bring snacks and water to sustain you throughout the workshop.
Agenda
10:00 am – 10:45 am – Instructional Time: The Picture Book Dummy for Dummies: The Foundation For Creating Better Picture Books – Michael Hale
10:45 am – 11:30 am – Instructional Time: The Picture Book Dummy: The Writer’s Revision and Editing Friend – Tanja Bauerle
11:30 am – 11:45 am – Break
11:45 am – 12:45 pm – Hands-on Time: Break down your Manuscript into the dummy format
12:45 pm – 1:00 pm – Closing and Q&A
Your Workshop Presenters
Michael Hale
Michael Hale has over 35 years of creative experience as a designer, writer and illustrator. Now he puts his skills to work writing and illustrating children’s picture books. He loves his work. Michael has illustrated over a dozen books and designed many others. Some were traditionally published, some were “work for hire”, and four, he wrote, illustrated and self published. His first self published book as an author/illustrator, Bad Monkey Business, won a Spark Honor from SCBWI in 2018. Michael also teaches drawing and design at Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, Arizona, and serves as SCBWI Arizona's Illustrator Coordinator. You can see more of his work by visiting simianbooks.com
Tanja Bauerle
Originally from Germany, Tanja Bauerle grew up in Australia, and now calls Arizona home. She holds a BFA in Computer Animation and owns her own branding and design business. Tanja has illustrated both picture and chapter books, earning awards like the Arizona Book Award, the Glyph Award, and the Annual International Latino Book Awards. One of her picture books is currently on submission and she has just submitted an RR for a historical fiction middle-grade illustrated novel. Tanja has been involved with SCBWI since 2003, she has served both as Illustrator Coordinator and Assistant Regional Advisor, and is now Co-Regional Advisor for the Arizona region.
Terms, Conditions, and Refunds
By signing up for this event, the registrant acknowledges that audio taping, videotaping and/or transmitting or aiding in any of the foregoing of any part of the conference (including, but not limited to, presentations, individual sessions and networking events) is prohibited. Additionally, the material in all handouts and presentations is copyrighted and may not be reprinted, blogged, written, orally transmitted, and/or reproduced without written permission of the copyright holder.
Refund Policy:
SCBWI is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization. SCBWI Regions are managed by unpaid volunteers. Region funds support programs that benefit SCBWI members.
As part of the event planning process, Regional Advisors must sign contracts with venues, speakers, critiquers, vendors, and others who will be providing services during a regional activity. Registration fees collected for an event must cover the cost of these contracts; therefore, refunds are the exception rather than the rule. In the rare case a refund is granted, it will always be less any credit card processing fees and any other processing expenses.
Requests to refund registration fees for in-person activities will be decided on a case-by-case basis. By registering for an event, you acknowledge that you have read and accept the event’s refund policy.