In This Section
Do you have a great idea for a children’s book that keeps begging you to write it?
Wonderful! But maybe you’re unsure what age it’s for. Now’s the time to zero in on
who your reader is, and to get started writing that book. Maybe you’re already writing
a kids’ book that started out for one age reader, then somehow morphed into another
age category and you’re feeling a bit lost. You’re not alone! Join award-winning author
Debbie Black as she outlines the basic criteria for picture books, chapter books,
middle grade and young adult, with a little deeper dive into middle grade (ages 9-12).
No matter what age you write for, at the end of the session you’ll leave more inspired
and focused, with a better understanding of your book’s direction, its content, its
reader, and its marketability.
Have you considered writing children’s picture books but aren’t quite sure how to
start? Join children’s author- educator Claire Noland as she shares her writing journey
and discusses the challenges, lessons, frustrations, and joys of writing for young
children. This session will inspire you to develop your storytelling voice and to
keep going through the ups and downs as you work to tell unique stories that matter
- in less than 600 words! Claire will talk about picture book genres, themes, ideas,
and structures that authors can use to create unique stories that will cause children
to say “again.” She will share resources, as well as the top mistakes that new writers
need to avoid. Come and experience the joy of picture book writing in this encouraging
session which focuses on creating picture book texts.
In picture books, images do far more than accompany the text — they complete the story,
often adding nuance, humor, and emotion that words alone cannot convey. Young readers,
many of whom are pre-literate, are especially skilled at interpreting visual cues
and uncovering deeper meaning through the artwork. In this inspiring and visually
rich session, award-winning author and illustrator Stephanie Roth Sisson explores
the powerful relationship between image and text in children’s literature. Drawing
from her wide-ranging creative experiences, Stephanie shares how illustration becomes
storytelling — and how your own life, imagination, and perspective can become part
of the storytelling process, too. Whether you're a writer, illustrator, or just curious
about the magic behind picture books, this session will open your eyes to the collaborative,
layered, and surprising world of visual storytelling.
Bring your fictional worlds to life with vivid detail, rich history, and immersive
atmosphere. In Blueprints for Worldbuilding, award-winning author Laurie Woodward
will explain how to design unforgettable settings using a combination of brainstorming
techniques, targeted research, visual imagery, and inspiration from literature, film,
and myth. Whether you're crafting a far-off galaxy, a magical forest, or a reimagined
version of Earth, this workshop will provide tools to make your world feel real. Come
ready to create, share, and discover the setting that only you can build.
In this workshop, literary agent Kayla Cichello will break down the parts of a query
letter, and share tips and tricks to create an effective and eye-catching query. Participants
will have time to revise their own query letter as well. Kayla is an agent at Upstart
Crow Literary and, although she specializes in children’s literature from picture
books through young adult, her session will be valuable for anyone wanting to brush
up on their query-writing skills.