Description:
Whether you’re an author-only, author-illustrator, or illustrator-only, you’ll know that what makes a picture book different from a short story is the physical book. From end papers to page turns to back matter, we will take a look at the whole package of a picture book to flesh out a new idea or revise a work-in-progress with the goal of making it original, re-readable, and a well-visioned package. There will be scheduled writing/drawing time for attendees to apply the teachings to their work-in-progress, a break and a pre-recorded Q&A that will take place at the end of the session.
Skill Level (Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced):
Intermediate
This lab is best for participants…
Who have a draft or a solid picture book idea/outline and want to complete a picture book manuscript or dummy.
Prerequisites and Advanced Preparation:
Please have ready a fleshed-out outline, draft, or dummy sketches of a picture book that is fewer than 2,000 words or 48 pages. Most successful participants will also have a pitch or very short synopsis akin to jacketflap copy. Please send in craft-related picture book questions in advance, and the host will choose to address some of them during the session. (Link to pre-submit questions: https://forms.gle/eZFC69DBhN9EB8T59. A live Q&A is anticipated in the weeks after the session, details to be furnished at a later date/time.
Schedule:
- Introduction (2.5 minutes)
- Learning from two mentor texts (10 minutes)
- A look at standard pagination for 32 and 40-page picture book layouts (10 minutes)
- Storyboarding/paginating activity using your outline, manuscript or layouts (15 minutes)
- Showcasing examples and pre-sent Q&A (10 minutes)
- Coffee/snack/stretch/bathroom break (10 minutes)
- Learning from mentor texts - page turns (10 minutes)
- Learning from mentor texts - illustration variety, angle, diversity of scene or character (10 minutes)
- Learning from mentor texts - special physical elements (10 minutes)
- Timed activity prompts: adding or rethinking at least one physical element of your picture book (15 minutes)
- Final pre-sent Q&A (10 minutes)
- Conclusion, links to resources, and creating post-conference revision to-do lists (7.5 minutes)
Objectives:
Participants will:
- Learn and use picture book vocabulary / industry language
- Understand parts of the physical picture book and ways to utilize physicality throught text and/or art
- Revise or re-envision a fleshed out idea, manuscript, or dummy
- Consider the read-aloud and re-readability of their own writing or art
- Identify areas of weakness or strength, and apply literary or artistic strategies to enhance the overall package experience of their picture book
- Paginate their own picture book manuscript and scan for pacing / big picture arc
- Identify passages or spreads where art or language helps to drive pace and drive a book forward
- Discover and receive resource and mentor texts to gain ideas that may be applicable to one’s own project
- Make a post-workshop revision to-do list to guide next steps after the conference
- Have the opportunity to ask craft-related questions to a leading industry professional
