Breakout Session #1

My Secrets: How I Make Picture Book Art with Heart (and Hybrid Techniques) with Rahele Jomepour Bell

A personal look into Rahele Jomepour Bell’s illustration process and the “secrets” behind how she brings stories to life using a mix of traditional and digital tools. In this workshop that is part walkthrough, part philosophy, and part practical tips, Rahele will demonstrate how she creates emotionally rich illustrations with texture, warmth, and intention, even when finishing the artwork digitally.

Developing Your Artist Toolbox and Voice with John Parra

Discover your unique artistic voice in this inspiring workshop led by award-winning artist and author John Parra. In this dynamic session, John will guide artists and illustrators in uncovering and developing their personal style. The presentation will explore a range of artistic examples from children's books, offering valuable insights into creative expression. Participants will learn how to build their artist toolbox by incorporating meaningful subjects, ideas, and techniques, culminating with a live painting demonstration. Whether you're looking to refine your style or find new inspiration, this class will empower you to unlock your full artistic potential.

Smells Like Tween Spirit: Crafting Middle Grade Characters from Early Readers to Upper Middle Grade with Julia DeVillers

What kinds of characters are middle grade readers connecting with right now and what makes them so memorable? In this session we’ll explore how to develop characters that resonate, from early readers to upper middle grade. Through interactive exercises, examples from today’s popular reads, and insights straight from Julia’s own focus group of kids and teens, you’ll learn to create characters who pass the “smell test.”

Revise and Strengthen Your Picture Book Manuscript with Heidi Stemple

Okay, you’ve written a picture book! Now how do you make it better? In this workshop, led by author Heidi Stemple, we’ll pull apart a published picture book to look deeply at what makes it successful, focusing on word choices, arc/pacing, perspective, and heart. You will leave with new eyes for looking at your own manuscript and new skills for revision.

Money Matters: A Creative's Toolkit on the Road to Financial Well-Being with Noni Carter

In this interactive and comprehensive workshop with author and financial advisor Dr. Noni Carter, participants will explore core money habits that are unique to and important for creatives. We will consider the narratives we craft around money and work and discuss various winning strategies for greater financial well-being and social impact. Participants will be offered pre-workshop and post-workshop tools and heart-work exercises for optimal engagement and application.

Telling the Truth: How to Combine Research and Storytelling Strategies to Craft Compelling Narrative Nonfiction with Paula Yoo

Journalist, novelist, and TV writer/producer Paula Yoo will explore how to combine different writing genres with investigative journalism techniques when writing and researching narrative nonfiction for children. Paula will also provide behind the scenes examples of nonfiction picture books and the nonfiction book proposal process for MG/YA books. This workshop is for aspiring writers who want to write either short or long-form narrative nonfiction.

A Hybrid Career; Is it for You? With Ethan Ellenberg

In this workshop, agent Ethan Ellenberg covers the value and challenges of adding an Indie track (self-publishing a book) for a traditional author AND the value and challenges of an Indie Author adding a trad track.

Traditional Publishing Demystified – What Writers Need to Know, with Lynnette Novak

Querying is hard. Signing with an agent can sometimes feel next to impossible. Well, agent Lynnette Novak is here to help! In this workshop, Lynnette will share common questions agents are asked and also dispel publishing myths to give you a better chance of finding the perfect partner for you and your career. She’ll also discuss what happens when writers receive an offer of representation and will walk you through the dos and don’ts surrounding this exciting opportunity so you can start or continue your publishing journey on the right foot.

Flipping the (Manu)script: How to Experiment with Your Stories--and Career with Sue Fliess

Published authors start to develop a brand whether they try to or not. So, what happens when you want to try something new? Author Sue Fliess will discuss the theory of staying ‘on brand’ while sharing tips from her personal experience of toggling between fiction and nonfiction, stand-alone books and series, and the concept of breathing life into old ideas. She’ll talk about ways to make the switch that worked for her, and how to manage career experiments.