WRITING FROM THE INSIDE OUT - CHAPTER BOOKS WORKSHOP - Calling all aspiring chapter book writers! Want to learn how to write chapter books but not sure where to start? Have ideas but unsure how to properly execute them? Need some guidance and accountability? Join renowned chapter book expert Marcie Colleen in this 8-month virtual workshop, and learn how to captivate readers ages 6-10. Offered by the SCBWI Nebraska region starting September 2025.
This Collaborative Workshop series consists of an eight-month virtual workshop that meets twice a month from September 2025 to April 2026 (once a month in December and January). These 90-minute workshop meetings are a combination of instruction and peer critiques and will take place via Zoom on roughly the second and fourth Saturdays from 12:00 – 1:30 pm Central time. (See a more detailed schedule below.)
Participants will learn what defines a chapter book, use mentor texts, develop a strong premise for a chapter book series, create compelling characters, hone plotting and pacing chapter-by-chapter and across a series, engage and participate in peer critiques, and conclude with a finished book 1 of a chapter book series.
Please note: This is an interactive workshop. All participants are expected to attend meetings live — active participation is key to getting the most out of this experience. That said, we realize life happens and will provide a recording when extenuating circumstances prevent in-person participation. Of the 14 classes, 6 classes will be dedicated to small group critique groups with fellow classmates.
Meet the Instructor
Marcie Colleen is a multi-published author of children’s picture books, chapter books, and comics. In addition to writing books of her own, Marcie served as the Senior Writer for Epic!--the world’s leading digital platform for kids–for over four years where she wrote in many formats including KITTEN NINJA which has over eight million reads. While with Epic, Marcie was the Head Writer in the Epic Originals Writer’s Room, collaborating with others to create various series for the Epic platform. She is a frequent presenter at conferences for the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, as well as a faculty member for the Writing Barn and the University of California San Diego Extension. Learn all about Marcie and her upcoming work at www.thisismarciecolleen.com.
Scholarships:
To support SCBWI Nebraska members in participating in Nebraska-led SCBWI events, we're offering a full scholarship to one lucky Nebraska SCBWI member. To be eligible, you must be a member of SCBWI with a current membership and you must live in the state of Nebraska. Click here to apply. This application closes on June 1, 2025.
To affirm the need for increased representation in children's literature, we're offering a full scholarship for an attendee who identifies as a member of a community that has been traditionally marginalized by the publishing industry. Click here to apply. This application closes on July 15, 2025.
Additional Workshop Details:
WHEN
14 Saturdays over 8 months from 12:00-1:30pm (CST).
September 13, 27, October 11, 25, November 8, 22, December 13, January 10, February 14, 28, March 14, 28, April 11, 25
WHERE
This is a virtual Event. After registering, you will find your registration confirmation under My Events on your Member Home. The Zoom link for the event will be found under the green Meeting Info button as well as required handouts for this presentation.
COST
Premium member pricing: $300
Non-Premium member pricing: $350
RECORDING
As stated above: This is an interactive workshop. All participants are expected to attend meetings live—active participation is key to getting the most out of this experience. That said, we realize life happens and will provide a recording when extenuating circumstances prevent in-person participation.
REGISTRATION CONFIRMATIONS
Registration confirmations are no longer emailed. 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 for will be displayed on this page.
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 provide 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 expenses that cannot be recouped by the region. Requests for refunds will be decided on a case-by-case basis.
Questions about this event? Email Workshop Coordinator Katie Martens at [email protected].