Picture Book Writing
Workshop 101
(HOSTED BY LADORIS BIAS-DAVIS)
Saturday, TBA, 9AM-5PM
AND Sunday, TBA, 1PM-6 PM
COST: $165.00 (includes
snacks, and 1 lunch)
INTERESTED PARTICIPANTS: Maximum 10 people
LOCATION: In
Decatur, Georgia at private facility.
If
interested please contact LaDoris Bias-Davis at the following email: ireaduread@hotmail.com
This is an on-going series of
workshops lead by
author, Evelyn Coleman. Picture Book
Writing Workshop 101 is designed for the serious writer….the ideal participant
has the following qualities
a.
Strong
desire to write and the willingness to sacrifice time to write
b.
Command
of English grammar
c.
Capable
of completing assignments on time
d.
Willing
to read collateral materials
*This
workshop is not for anyone who wants to write for adults but thinks writing for
children is quicker and easier. You must
have a strong writing style to enter the class.
Requirements: (Admission based on combination of questionnaire responses and sample writing.)
1.
Participants must answer questionnaire (provided to you once your interest is
expressed)
2. Submit
(3) pages of sample writing (for children) NO ADMISSION WITHOUT IT
3. Complete
and turn in assignment before workshop (this is in addition to the writing
sample)
4. Read at
least one of Ms. Coleman’s books (can be found in most libraries or ordered
inter-library loan)
5. Pay
$40.00 non-refundable deposit by date TBA.
How Is the Workshop Structured?
This is a
hands-on workshop. There are pre-assignments and every participant will be
given overnight assignments to be turned in Sunday.
Ms. Coleman will teach and demonstrate:
Requirements
for different genres and age categories of children's books: Formatting, page
requirements and other things you need to know about writing for children.
Considering the aspects of vocabulary, darkness, humor, series, anthropomorphism
in children’s literature, the specific requirements of picture books and the
importance of craft.
The
fundamentals of story, including plot structure and…
·
Strong
openings
·
Pacing
·
Point
of View/Voice
·
Conflict
·
Deciding
which “person”
·
Age
appropriateness
·
Genre
issues
How to revise your story --
What are the pitfalls to avoid?
The workshop will explore as many aspects of “writing” as time will
permit.
*Participants
are encouraged to ask questions or make suggestions as to what they wish to
learn prior to workshop. Ms. Coleman designs her workshops based on participant
needs. Ms. Coleman also recognizes that participants might not know what they
need, so she will bring plenty of her own materials to teach.
*This
workshop is not a “how to get published,” workshop, but Ms. Coleman will
discuss different aspects of getting published and the industry.
*Poetry
works wonderfully in a Picture Book. However, if you are a “poet” and you are
not interested in a picture book format, this isn’t the best place for you. This
will work only if you want to use poetry in a picture book. Not a place to work
on your poetry skills.
LOCATION: In
Decatur Georgia at a private home.
If
interested please contact LaDoris Bias-Davis at the following email: ireaduread@hotmail.com
Comments of Past
Participants:
“This workshop in its entirety was
challenging, engaging, informative and all that! I feel that I better
understand how and what to research, hot to critically read a manuscript.”
“This workshop gives a truthful
insight to the world of children’s book writing and publishing.”
“I came in the door with a general
interest to write. Ms. Coleman planted a seed in me that has begun to flourish
beyond my expectation. I am encouraged; absolutely a better writer and I know
more clearly the story I have to tell.”
“A day and a half is not enough time
to spend with Evelyn Coleman. Not only is she a gifted author, she is a gifted
storyteller and teacher as well. Evelyn Coleman’s workshop was awesome! I think
I can.”
“Saturated and ready to rewrite my
sample is one of the benefits I have received. I am now a much more aware and
mindful writer.”
“She’s thorough and honest. She uses
great examples to convey ideas; real life examples are useful. Her openness to
allow us to ask questions was refreshing. I learned things about the publishing
industry from a professional author. Things I did not know.”
“The final joy of it all is you don’t
leave the workshop the same way you entered. If you apply the approaches given
at the end of the workshop, you will have the correct approach to writing. My
life has been changed. I knew I was able to write but hearing it from Ms.
Coleman I felt even better. Thank you for your assistance and your knowledge.”
Below is Ms.
Coleman’s Bio
EVELYN COLEMAN
Writing Bio
Evelyn Coleman’s children’s books, White Socks Only, The Glass Bottle Tree, The Foot Warmer and the Crow The Riches of Oseola McCarty and To Be a Drum have received praise and recognition including these honors: Parents Choice Honor Book; American Booksellers Association’s Pick of the Lists; the Smithsonian Most Outstanding Children’s Book Title; Publisher’s Weekly’s Cuffie Award; Notable Children’s Trade Books in the Field of Social Studies; selected as Children’s Book of the Year; Texas Blue Bonnet List; Society of School Librarians International Honor Book; a Carter G. Woodson Honor Book; Stepping Stones Honor Award; nominated for Children’s Crown Award and The Young Hoosier Book Award; The Horn Book recommended title and many other public school lists. The film, White Socks Only from Phoenix Films produced by Academy Award winning Barbara Bryant and adapted by Coleman and won the Bronze Award at the Worldfest Houston Film Festival. Her children’s books are a part of the Screen Actor’s Guild’s Book Pal’s National Campaigns.
Her young adult & juvenile books include, Shadows on Society Hill, American Girl Addy’s first mystery, nominated for an Edgar Award; the newly released Freedom Train, McElderry Books, Parent’s Choice Recommended List; Born in Sin, Atheneum, a Junior Library Guild selection; Circle of Fire , Mystery of the Dark Tower, both American Girl History Mysteries. Coleman’s children’s short stories have appeared in Make Me Over by Marilyn Singer and also appear in Scholastic’s Read and Rise Magazine.
Coleman’s adult short stories and essays have been included
in Proverbs for the People, an anthology edited by Tracy Price Thompson
& TaRessa Stovall, shades of black: Crime & Mysteries by African
American Writers, edited by Eleanor Taylor Bland; Rise Up Singing: Black
Women Writers on Motherhood, edited by Cecelie Berry. Men We Cherish, edited by Brooke
Stephens. Coleman’s adult fiction and non-fiction have also appeared in Essence,
Black Enterprise, Accent On Living, Jive, Southern Exposure, Catalyst
Literary Magazine, The Quarterly Black Review, the Utne Reader
and numerous newspapers, including The Atlanta Journal & Constitution.
What a Woman’s Gotta Do, Evelyn Coleman’s adult thriller garnered rave reviews from Publisher’s Weekly, the Chicago Tribune, Chronicle for Higher Learning and numerous other publications. Mimi Leder, Academy award winning director of the movies, Deep Impact and The Peacemaker optioned What a Woman’s Gotta Do for a feature film.
Coleman was recently the recipient of Dekalb Public Library’s Trail Blazer Award. She is the recipient of the 38th Annual Georgia Author of the Year Award, Children/Young Adult Literature, 2002 King Baudouin /Belgium Cultural Exchange Fellowship, Honored 2003 by the Black & Latino Caucus of the NCTE, 2000 Atlanta Mayor’s Fellowship, the North Carolina’s Arts Council’s Fiction Fellowship and was honored at the AmiGals Literary Retreat as Author of the Year. Coleman is the past President of the Southeast Region, Mystery Writers of America; and a former member of Sisters in Crime, Novelists, Inc.; Author’s Guild; Society of Children’s Book Writers &Illustrators; Children’s Literature Association. Coleman has been a past-certified instructor for the Institute of Children’s Literature, and for thirteen years, she was a psychotherapist, hypnotherapist and stress management trainer. Ms. Coleman has taught writing at Universities, workshops, schools and libraries. USE BROWSER BACK BUTTON AT TOP TO GO BACK TO MAIN PAGE