Events

How to Use Narrative Distance. Also called psychic distance, narrative distance refers to how far the narrator takes the reader inside a character’s thoughts and perceptions. Understanding narrative distance helps with controlling point of view and mastering the craft of showing characters versus telling about them. In this workshop, we will look at examples across the range of narrative distance, from remote to close-up, and practice placing our own sentences on the spectrum to achieve a desired effect on the reader.

Presented by Lisa Fraustino

Take your rhyme to the next level. This workshop will focus on the importance of meter, stress, and rhythm, and what to do and what not to do when writing in rhyme. A look at picture book(s) with clever, extraordinary rhyme. When to write in rhyme and when not to. Tools, techniques, and developing an ear for rhyme. How to maintain your story while writing in rhyme. Words to watch out for –
“window words”

Presented by Dawn Young

The conference will include incredible keynote conversations between Adam Silvera and Becky Albertalli, Christian Robinson and Matt de la Peña, Jerry Craft and Victoria Jamieson, plus a rare appearance from the legendary Patricia MacLachlan. The event will also provide an inside look at the children’s book industry through visits, mock meetings, and an in-depth, state-of-the-industry interview with Jean Feiwel. 

The conference takes place live on Zoom, but video recordings will be available to attendees through March 31, 2021. Participate live or watch at your convenience.

What to Say and How to Say It: Voice in Picture Books You’ve drafted a picture book and you’re ready to revise. You want your manuscript to stand out from the rest, but how? One way is by experimenting with what teacher and picture book author, Ann Whitford Paul, calls “the voices of story.”

This workshop will invite participants to explore the five voices with examples from recently published picture books. We’ll practice identifying the voices and apply what we’ve learned to a short writing exercise. Participants can then add these poetic voices to their toolbox, as they craft and revise their own picture book manuscripts.

Presented by Dianne White

Save the date. We will post more information as it becomes available.