Join us for these workshops to re-energize your practice.
Writing for Children Workshop Series
Have you always wanted to write for children? Our introductory courses taught by some of New York’s most prominent members of the children’s literature world will help you get started. View the current course schedule to see which classes are being offered this semester.
Course Number: TEWS598N
So you want to write a children’s book! This workshop will give you the boost you’ve been waiting for and get you started on that picture book, novel, or young reader, once and for all. In this friendly, supportive environment, class discussions will focus on all aspects of good storytelling and good writing, including tone of voice, clear dialogue, characters who feel real, and beautiful language. The focus is on the exciting process of finding your voice and writing not just a story, but one that really means something to you. Teachers will gain a better understanding of the writing process so that they, in turn, can help their students find pleasure in crafting their stories. Everyone who takes this course will come away with new insights about the beautiful power of storytelling, and why children’s books will always count. Instructor: Amy Hest
Course Number: TEWS807N
Writing a children’s book is hard work, but you don’t have to do it alone! Refining your manuscript will be a continuing process in this workshop. There will be tweaking, fine tuning, and, yes, even joy as you watch your story take shape in a non-judgmental and friendly environment of like-minded writers. We recommend taking Writing for Children: Finding Your Voice (offered in early spring and summer) prior to this workshop, but it’s not required. Instructor: Amy Hest
Course Number: TEWS808N
So you’ve got a manuscript you’re happy with—now what? This online class will take you through the whole process, from creation to post-publication. You’ll learn the basics about queries, agents, and the editorial process as well as how to find like-minded writers and promote yourself and your work. Most important, you’ll learn what to do and what not to do! Instructor: Sharyn November
This course is synchronous; participants are expected to be online during the time listed above. Directions for accessing the course page will be emailed upon registration. A computer with a high-speed internet connection is required. A microphone and video camera are optional.
Course Number: TEWS809N
Sure, you need drawing skills to illustrate a children’s book, but it’s the ability to tell a story visually that makes a children’s book illustrator. In this course, you will learn some of the basic tools, including pacing, page-turns, character development, and secondary storytelling. We will meet online for 1-hour synchronous sessions to introduce and explore the process and key concepts around illustration for children’s literature. Asynchronous work between sessions, such as illustrating a moment of a well-known fable, will give you the opportunity to apply the concepts introduced in the synchronous sessions. The goal is to better understand the illustration process and how to develop basic strategies to set you on the road to illustrating your own projects. Instructor: Stephen Savage
This course is synchronous; participants are expected to be online during the time listed above. Directions for accessing the course page will be emailed upon registration. A computer with a high-speed internet connection is required. A microphone and video camera are optional. Asynchronous work is also expected between synchronous sessions; that is, participants work at times that suit them best to complete weekly assignments. Students should expect to spend 3 to 5 hours per week on coursework.
Course Number: TEWS810N
We are offering this lab for a small group of committed writers who enjoy the writing process and want to come together each month to share their works in progress and receive feedback from other committed writers. This is a safe, supportive place to try out what you’ve been working on independently in a facilitated workshop. Occasional guest speakers from the publishing world will join the group to discuss different aspects of writing, such as writing from an illustrator’s perspective or to provide personal viewpoints on the writer’s experience. Instructor: Amy Hest
Prerequisite: Writing for Children: Finding Your Voice; Writing for Children II: Fine Tuning Your Manuscript, or you can submit a manuscript in progress. Inquiries and manuscripts should be emailed to cps@bankstreet.edu by June 28, 2018. Space will be limited to 15 people. Individuals who submit a manuscript (or who took a prerequisite class) will be notified of acceptance on a rolling basis.