WEBINAR: World building for fantasy and historical fiction

Writing Immersive Historical Fiction for Middle Grade and Young Adult Readers

How do we invite young readers into our worlds and make them feel like they never want to put down the story? Textured, immersive historical fiction is a unique opportunity to transport an audience to a different time and put them right beside our characters in an organic and captivating way. This craft presentation will offer an overview of historical fiction and ways to engage today’s middle grade and young adult readers in the genre. I’ll be sharing some of my favorite immersive techniques with guided writing activities that participants can apply to their current project. Even though this session was created for both new and seasoned writers of historical fiction, many of the world-building techniques can be applied to other genres, so everyone is welcome!

For one of our writing activities, you’ll need at least six (6) images that are part of or inspire your setting. They will be used for personal writing prompt purposes only. If you already have a mood/Pinterest board with lots of setting images, that’s perfect. Favorite website/web searches/social media accounts with images work, too! Just have access to a variety of images/vibes of your world or a world you'd like to build.

Katy J. Schroeder is an author, educator, and speaker from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Her lifelong passion for heartfelt and diverse kidlit inspired a PhD in Creative Writing with a focus on middle grade and young adult fiction. While she has more than two decades of professional teaching and public speaking experience, there is nothing she loves more than the messy and emotional process of writing. Some of her stories are historical, others are contemporary, usually there’s magic and probably a ghost—all with disabled and LGBTQ+ casts. When she isn’t reading, writing, or researching (sometimes just for fun), she’s spending time with her incredible, supportive Midwest family (ope!) and friends.

Event Breakdown

WHEN

Monday July 23rd, 2025. 7:00-8:30 pm CST

WHERE

This is a Virtual Event. After registering, you will find your registration confirmation under My Events on your Member Home https://www.scbwi.org/home. The Zoom link for the event will be found under the green Meeting Info button.

COST

$30 for Premium Members/$40 for Registered Users

RECORDING

The workshop will be recorded, and the recording will be available for one month following the event. Attendees will receive a link and a password by email the week following the event. By signing up for this event, you agree to receive emails from Austin SCBWI.

REGISTRATION CONFIRMATIONS

Upon completion of payment, you will receive a payment confirmation by email. You will find a registration confirmation on the website that will include event-specific details. Go to your Member Home and click on My Events under the black bar at the top of the page. All events you have registered will be displayed on this page. If there are additional meeting details (i.e. Zoom links for virtual events or materials required for the event), this information will be found under the green Meeting Info button.

What is the SCBWI's Anti-harassment policy?

SCBWI's Anti-harassment policy can be found at http://www.scbwi.org/anti-harassment-statement

If you register or attend any SCBWI events, you agree to abide by this policy.

What is your refund policy?

For events that cost less than $100, we offer full refunds (minus a $5 processing fee) up until 7 days before the event.

To request a refund, please email: [email protected]