As we emerge from our homes and the rhythms of daily life that have become the new normal, there is no better season to treat ourselves to a dedicated time of intentional growth and learning. As we prepare to re-engage the communities around us, we can also prepare our work for new audiences and our careers for new plateaus.
This workshop is a touchstone for picture book writers looking to improve their manuscripts with an aim towards traditional representation and publication. Creators who are relatively new to the picture book industry will find helpful advice and a solid foundation from which to begin. Those with more experience will discover new approaches to writing, editing and idea generation. Together we will benefit from fresh ideas, new perspectives and a community of support as we grow.
Each week we will gather for a live presentation centered on one foundational aspect of writing picture books. We will cover pacing, page turns, editing, show vs. tell and other concepts through prompts, exercises and assignments culminating in a live critique session where work can be shared for constructive feedback.
If it sounds like a lot, that’s on purpose. The goal is to equip participants with as much material as possible so that everyone can individually choose what works best. For those who are looking for some fun and creative structure to build into a vacation or time of relaxation and exploration, the course offers inspiring and inventive exercises that can inspire new ways of starting stories. Writers who are looking for a week of intense growth can find a heavy workload and enough challenges to incorporate into their daily routine.
Pricing:
Early Bird Price: $275 if registered before June 15th.
Regular Price: $300
How to Register:
To reserve your spot fill out the form below.
You will be sent an email response from studio@mikemalbrough.com with PayPal instructions.
A $100 deposit is due at the time of registering to reserve your spot. The balance is due before the workshop begins.
Live Presentations will be broadcasted on Zoom with recordings posted to a private page on this website. Links will be provided to participants.
Details of the Presentations are list below the form.
Let’s get that manuscript ready to share.
The Presentation Schedule:
Plots, Promises and Rollercoasters
Monday, July 13, 2021
What role does setting up expectations and meeting them play in story development? During the first week we cover the basics of picture books and familiarize ourselves with the elements of structure and the rules that are meant to be learned and broken. More experienced writers will be equipped with new ways to see existing manuscripts and make strong choices that engage readers.
Weekend Critique Session/ Follow-Up TBD
Getting to Know Characters
Monday July 20, 2021
What elements make memorable characters, and how do we know which ones to use? This week we focus on techniques and exercises to help give our characters clear motives, flaws and undeniable actions that drive the plot forward.
Weekend Critique Session/ Follow-Up TBD
Page-turns and Pacing
Monday July 27 2021
Now that we are heading in the right direction, how do we know when to step on the gas? Three weeks in, we are turning our focus to the rhythm of the book. We will look at different patterns of revealing new information, when to use a surprise or subtle moment, and how our manuscripts can reflect a deep understanding of the ebb and flow of the final book in both text and design.
Weekend Critique Session/ Follow-Up TBD
The Text: Word Choice and Revision
Monday August 3, 2021
When does a revision need a thesaurus and when does it need an overhaul? In this final week we look at the text and best practices of editing and revisions. Participants will consider the relationship between text and art, and what role the reader plays in filling the gaps. We will approach the revision process in ways that motivate us, so we can keep our focus on creating and our files away from the trash folder.
Weekend Critique Session/ Follow-Up TBD
Ultimately, we hope to emerge from a month of collaborative work and critique with fresh ideas and new tools for becoming stronger writers with stories ready for publication.
Mike Malbrough is the author-illustrator of the Marigold series (Philomel: Marigold Bakes a Cake,2017; Marigold Finds the Magic Words, 2019) which Booklist says is "a great pick for a group storytime," and SLJ declared "the perfect recipe for fun," calling Mike's watercolor illustrations "impeccable." Mike is the illustrator of the Warren and Dragon chapter book series by Ariel Bernstein, which Kirkus thinks is "adorable fun," and the illustrator of You Made Me a Dad by Laurenne Sala (HarperCollins, 2019) which Kirkus again praised calling it "a joyful and tender love letter to fatherhood.” Mike's latest project Love is Here (Philomel, Dec 2021) is a lyrical celebration of the interconnectedness of our lives and proof that love is all around us, even when the world feels darkest.