Children's book classes
Manzanita will offer a variety of children's book classes. Upcoming classes will be listed below as they become available.
The Craft of Picture Book Writing: How to Tell Your Story
Four Thursdays, Oct. 1st-Oct. 22nd, 5:00-7:00 Pacific Time
Taught by Angela Dalton and Laura Atkins
Cost: $185 per person with a limited number of sliding scale tickets available.
It’s time to tell your story!
Do you have an idea for a picture book swirling around in your head but just don’t know how to get started?
Or perhaps you’ve made it to the finish line of having a rough first draft but find yourself asking, “Now what?”
If you’ve been having starts and stops telling your story and are looking for help, our picture book writing class is for you!
Over the course of four weeks, our weekly two-hour class will focus on the craft of writing for young readers. Using a combination of lectures, in-class writing prompts, sharing, and homework, participants will come away with an in-development or completed manuscript and a plan for next steps.
This class, limited to 20 participants, is for anyone with:
· A love and serious interest in writing picture book stories for children
· A story idea for young readers
· A completed picture book manuscript
Four Thursdays, Oct. 1st-Oct. 22nd, 5:00-7:00 Pacific Time
Taught by Angela Dalton and Laura Atkins
Cost: $185 per person with a limited number of sliding scale tickets available.
It’s time to tell your story!
Do you have an idea for a picture book swirling around in your head but just don’t know how to get started?
Or perhaps you’ve made it to the finish line of having a rough first draft but find yourself asking, “Now what?”
If you’ve been having starts and stops telling your story and are looking for help, our picture book writing class is for you!
Over the course of four weeks, our weekly two-hour class will focus on the craft of writing for young readers. Using a combination of lectures, in-class writing prompts, sharing, and homework, participants will come away with an in-development or completed manuscript and a plan for next steps.
This class, limited to 20 participants, is for anyone with:
· A love and serious interest in writing picture book stories for children
· A story idea for young readers
· A completed picture book manuscript
Four-week Schedule:
Here’s what you can expect every week for the four-week course:
Class One: What is a picture book?
We’ll give an overview of different types of picture books, collectively explore how we connect with them as writers, and the importance of reading like a writer.
Class Two: Plot and Character
We’ll explore the relationship of these fundamental elements of storytelling in the picture book context, and how the more developed they are the stronger your story will be.
Class Three: Tone, Voice, and Language
How you write creates an impactful connection – the words you use, and how you bring the world of your story to life. We’ll look at the importance of dialog, showing rather than telling, the use of details and more.
Class Four: Revising and Editing
We’ll discuss ways to refine your own story as well as how to be an effective critique reader of others’ work. We’ll also look at story-boarding – how illustrations and text work together – and how that can help to create a stronger book.
It’s our intention to create a diverse space for creators from all backgrounds, and we promote the idea of having a safe and inclusive space for everyone. Participants are expected to treat each other with respect and decency, and come with an open mind and heart. We welcome anyone who identifies with under-represented and marginalized communities, and hope that you will join us!
Here’s what you can expect every week for the four-week course:
Class One: What is a picture book?
We’ll give an overview of different types of picture books, collectively explore how we connect with them as writers, and the importance of reading like a writer.
Class Two: Plot and Character
We’ll explore the relationship of these fundamental elements of storytelling in the picture book context, and how the more developed they are the stronger your story will be.
Class Three: Tone, Voice, and Language
How you write creates an impactful connection – the words you use, and how you bring the world of your story to life. We’ll look at the importance of dialog, showing rather than telling, the use of details and more.
Class Four: Revising and Editing
We’ll discuss ways to refine your own story as well as how to be an effective critique reader of others’ work. We’ll also look at story-boarding – how illustrations and text work together – and how that can help to create a stronger book.
It’s our intention to create a diverse space for creators from all backgrounds, and we promote the idea of having a safe and inclusive space for everyone. Participants are expected to treat each other with respect and decency, and come with an open mind and heart. We welcome anyone who identifies with under-represented and marginalized communities, and hope that you will join us!
The Instructors
Angela Dalton is an author based in Oakland, CA. She self-published her first picture book, If You Look Up to the Sky, which received a Kirkus Review starred review and a 2018 Ben Franklin Gold medal for Best New Voice. She has three forthcoming picture books: Ruby’s Reunion Day Dinner out spring 2021 (HarperCollins) and Show the World! out summer 2022 (Philomel – Penguin Books).
Laura Atkins is an author, editor and teacher in Berkeley, CA. She has written the picture book, Sled Dog Dachshund, and co-written two award-winning middle-grade books in the Fighting for Justice Series, Fred Korematsu Speaks Up and Biddy Mason Speaks Up. Laura runs the Manzanita Community-Based Children’s Book Hub, which provides resources, classes and support for diverse children’s book creators.
Angela Dalton is an author based in Oakland, CA. She self-published her first picture book, If You Look Up to the Sky, which received a Kirkus Review starred review and a 2018 Ben Franklin Gold medal for Best New Voice. She has three forthcoming picture books: Ruby’s Reunion Day Dinner out spring 2021 (HarperCollins) and Show the World! out summer 2022 (Philomel – Penguin Books).
Laura Atkins is an author, editor and teacher in Berkeley, CA. She has written the picture book, Sled Dog Dachshund, and co-written two award-winning middle-grade books in the Fighting for Justice Series, Fred Korematsu Speaks Up and Biddy Mason Speaks Up. Laura runs the Manzanita Community-Based Children’s Book Hub, which provides resources, classes and support for diverse children’s book creators.
Code of Conduct: It is our intention to provide an environment that is inclusive and supportive. We encourage free speech, creative artistic expression, respectful disagreement and critique. However, all participants will be expected to refrain from the following behaviors for the duration of the four-week course:
- Intimidation or stalking
- Unwelcome sexual attention or comments
- Abusive or racist comments
If a participant fails to follow any of these behaviors they will be ejected from the course without a refund.
Cancellation: You may cancel for a full refund any time up to September 21, 2020. A half-refund will be provided if cancellation occurs by September 28, 2020.
Sliding Scale:
We are excited to share our knowledge about and expertise in writing and publishing picture books, and are grateful that people appreciate the value of the experience we bring and want to share. It is also our intent to make this class accessible to everyone, and do not want cost to keep potential creators from pursuing their success. Therefore, we are offering five sliding scale participant slots.
To apply for one of these slots, please fill out this form where you can let us the following information:
Once you submit the form, we will reply as soon as we are able.
We are excited to share our knowledge about and expertise in writing and publishing picture books, and are grateful that people appreciate the value of the experience we bring and want to share. It is also our intent to make this class accessible to everyone, and do not want cost to keep potential creators from pursuing their success. Therefore, we are offering five sliding scale participant slots.
To apply for one of these slots, please fill out this form where you can let us the following information:
- How long you've been pursuing a writing career in children's literature
- How you feel the course will benefit your writing goals
- If you identify as being part of an under-represented or marginalized group
- The amount you feel you are able to pay to participate for all four weeks
Once you submit the form, we will reply as soon as we are able.
Contact us if you have any questions!