Workshops
Meet the agents: In conversation with Davinia Andrew-Lynch and Lydia Silver
Date & time: Saturday 19 November 2022, from 10am-11am
This event is specifically for Black-British writers living in the UK who identify as having African, Caribbean or any mixed-Black heritage.
Puzzled about the agenting process?
Want to know how to make a great first impression with your submission?
Fiz Osborne will be talking to top children's literary agents, Davinia Andrew-Lynch and Lydia Silver. Come and hear all about what their job entails day to day, what they look for in submissions, and pose all your burning questions to them during the Q&A.
This online Zoom workshop is free but places are limited. Captions will be enabled for those who require this option.
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Workshop: How to write a picture book part two: Characters, themes and making your ideas shine with Fiz Osborne
Date & time: Saturday 12 November 2022, from 10am-12pm
This workshop is specifically for Black-British writers living in the UK who identify as having African, Caribbean or any mixed-Black heritage.
Are you an aspiring, Black-British picture book author?
Do you want to learn how to write a picture book?
If the answer is 'yes' to all the above, this event is for you.
Join Fiz Osborne, Editorial Director of Illustrated Books at Scholastic UK, to learn the essentials for crafting a well-structured, captivating picture book. This is the final workshop in a two-part series and you'll learn loads about how to write a picture book, all from a top children's editor! This session will cover the following topics:
Inspiration, themes and characters
The writing process
How to consider your text critically
Rhyme
Picture book titles
It is free to attend but places are limited. Captions will be enabled for those who require this option. There will be a 10-minute tea break after the first half.
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Author talk: In conversation with Joseph Coelho
Date & time: Saturday 5 November 2022, 10am-11pm
This event is specifically for Black-British writers living in the UK who identify as having African, Caribbean or any mixed-Black heritage.
Come listen to an inspiring conversation about writing and children's publishing with the new Waterstones Children's Laureate Joseph Coelho and Scholastic's Editorial Director of the Illustrated Books list, Fiz Osborne.
Joseph will share personal learnings from his own publishing journey and tell you about his writing process. You'll have the chance to put your own questions to Joseph during the Q&A at the end.
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Author talk: In conversation with Patrice Lawrence
Date & time: Saturday 1 October 2022, 10am-11pm
Do you need writing motivation? Do you struggle with finding your voice? Want to hear from an award-winning published author with years of experience?
Come listen to a relaxed, honest and inspiring conversation about writing and children's publishing with multi-award-winning author Patrice Lawrence and Scholastic's Editorial Director of the Illustrated Books list, Fiz Osborne.
Patrice will share golden nuggets from her own publishing journey, tell you about her writing process and reveal how she 'found' her voice. You'll have the chance to put your own questions to Patrice during the Q&A at the end.
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Author talk: In conversation with Diane Ewen
Date & time: Saturday 24 September 2022, from 10am-11pm
Come along and listen to an honest conversation about what it takes to succeed in the world of children's publishing with author-illustrator Diane Ewen and Scholastic's Editorial Director of the Illustrated Books list, Fiz Osborne.
Diane will share unique insights into her publishing journey as a new author and illustrator who experiences both sides of the picture book-making process.
She'll tell you what it's really like working with agents and how entering the Jericho Prize was a turning point in her career as an author. You'll have the chance to put your own questions to Diane during the Q&A at the end.
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Workshop: An overview of the UK picture book market PLUS How to write a picture book part one with Fiz Osborne
Date & time: Saturday 17 September 2022, from 10am-12pm
Are you an aspiring, Black-British picture book author? Do you want to gain an insight into the UK picture book market? Do you want to learn how to write a picture book? If the answer is 'yes' to all the above, this event is for you.
Join Fiz Osborne, Editorial Director of Illustrated Books at Scholastic UK, for a comprehensive dive into picture book publishing focused on market awareness plus a walkthrough of the essentials for crafting a well-structured, captivating picture book.
This workshop has two parts. During the first half, you'll learn about current picture book trends, what agents and publishers are looking for, and how to pitch your work successfully within this highly competitive publishing space. And in the second half, you'll start the process of learning how to write a picture book including fundamentals, such as length, layout and content. You'll also be given guidance on rhyme. All from a top children's editor!
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Author talk: In conversation with Nathan Bryon
Date & time: Saturday 10 September 2022, from 10am-11pm
Have you ever wondered what it's like to work with a professional editor at a traditional publishing house? How do editors help you make your manuscript as strong as it can possibly be?
Come along to an informative discussion and Q&A with BAFTA-nominated writer Nathan Bryon. Nathan will share his personal experience of working with editors and what it was like as a debut author developing a picture book for the first time.
Nathan will be in conversation with Fiz Osborne, Editorial Director of Illustrated Books at Scholastic UK, so you really won't want to miss this event!
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Image © Tim Lane, Penguin Books
Author talk: In conversation with Rachael Davis
Date & time: Saturday 3 September 2022, from 10am-11:30pm
Come and listen to an honest conversation about what it takes to succeed in the world of children's publishing with author Rachael Davis and Scholastic UK's Editorial Director of the Illustrated Books list, Fiz Osborne.
As well as nuggets of wisdom from Rachael's own personal publishing journey, this informative session will cover the following topics:
Themes, seasons and popular book characters
Different ways books get published
Thoughts about writing to-brief projects
Rachael's agenting experience
Being part of the writing community
Market research: doing your homework!
Q&A - your opportunity to ask questions about children's book publishing or writing
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Image: Aaron Daniel Jacobsen
Introduction to writing picture books with Rashmi Sirdeshpande
Date & Time: Saturday 21 May 2022, from 10am-11:30am - FULLY BOOKED!
The workshop will be led by experienced author Rashmi Sirdeshpande with host Leila Rasheed and is aimed at new writers who want to learn how to craft captivating, contemporary picture books for children aged 3-7.
Workshop overview:
What are picture books? (considering the relationship between illustrations and text including ‘delicious’ language)
Thinking about different types of picture books and where yours might fit into the market
Finding a HOOK for your book (exploring relevant topics and themes)
The BASICS: page spreads and word counts (including page turns as a device to surprise and delight, and leaving space for the illustrator)
Types of story structure and creating compelling characters with great story arcs
Storyboarding a picture book idea
Q&A
The session will involve some fun, practical mini tasks so do come prepared with paper and pens, picture book ideas and any burning questions you may have.
Places are limited and will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis exclusively to Jericho Prize 2021 entrants and Megaphone Community members, so don’t delay in reserving your place.
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