Manzanita Creative Community offers a hub for children's book and creativity offerings, with a focus on supporting under-represented voices and experiences. This is a gathering and sharing space for children’s book creators – with a radical bent towards interconnection, exchange, celebration and uplifting. It is also an inclusive space where everyone is welcome, and we will particularly feature voices that don’t get enough coverage enough in the mainstream children’s book world. Black, indigenous, people of color, LGBQT+, different abilities – ALL are welcome. You don’t have to be published, just open to being creative and sharing OUR stories.
This community space offers the following:
1. Conversations and Features
This will include conversation between children's book creators and also creator presentations, which you can watch live and ask your own questions. These will be recorded so people can view them later if you miss it in person. One feature will always be suggesting writing prompts for people of all ages. ANYONE can create.
2. Online Children's Book Creation Classes
Some are free or donate what you can. Support your creativity while also supporting creative people who offer classes.
3. Critiquing and Mentoring
Get help with your children's book manuscript or mentoring to support your creative journey. Scholarships available for people from under-represented communities.
4. Resources
Sites with information related to writing for children, with a focus on radical and under-represented groups in children’s books. Organized into groups – publishers, authors, book delivery services, etc.
This community space offers the following:
1. Conversations and Features
This will include conversation between children's book creators and also creator presentations, which you can watch live and ask your own questions. These will be recorded so people can view them later if you miss it in person. One feature will always be suggesting writing prompts for people of all ages. ANYONE can create.
2. Online Children's Book Creation Classes
Some are free or donate what you can. Support your creativity while also supporting creative people who offer classes.
3. Critiquing and Mentoring
Get help with your children's book manuscript or mentoring to support your creative journey. Scholarships available for people from under-represented communities.
4. Resources
Sites with information related to writing for children, with a focus on radical and under-represented groups in children’s books. Organized into groups – publishers, authors, book delivery services, etc.
Above and all manzanita header photos by Elaine Miller Bond