How to write a picture book? It’s such a broad question, and the answer depends on the story you’re trying to tell–its point of view, its structure, its audience, its voice. Like many journeys, it also depends on who you are and what you already know… it’s individual. We’ll explore that more in a different post. But for people looking for places to begin, these have been some of my favorite classes:
- John Fox – “Two Weeks to Your Best Children’s Book”
This class is a great beginning point if writing picture books is new to you. The course covers choosing your ideal age range, point of view mistakes and querying basics. John is a master of “snackable” lessons, breaking things down into manageable exercises. In general, just excellent advice.
2. Manuscript Magic by Bonnie Johnston
I’d watched 10% of this and I knew I’d already gotten my money’s worth. This is an intermediate to advanced class covering the caste system of revisions: story, scene and sentence. Learn how to diagnose and revise your own books in an efficient way. Manuscript Magic really is magic!
3. 12×12 Community & Classes (Ongoing Content)
12×12 is a kidlit-writing community in which everyone shares a goal: to write twelve picture books in as many months. Writers participate to their own comfort level… you can post manuscript drafts and/or critique others’ stories. There’s a dedicated section for rhyming PBs. There are monthly webinars with kidlit authors, illustrators, etc. I love the continually-fresh content, but here are some of my favorite past presentations:
- Crash Course in Comp Titles by Tara Leubbe
- How to Be a Prolific Kidlit Writer by Laura Gehl
- Developing Story Arcs for Quiet Picture Books by Lisa Katzenberger
4. Picture Book Summit (Ongoing Content)
Picture Book Summit features new content every year and it’s always good! But here are some of my favorite past presentations which you can purchase separately:
- How to Write a 500-Word Picture Book by Katie Davis
- Using Your Fear with Jon Klassen
- Pitch Perfect by Emma Walton Hamilton & Julie Hedlund
- How to Break The Rules (Conventions) and Get Away With It by Laura Backes
5. Inked Voices (Ongoing Content)
Inked Voices is primarily a writers’ forum in which participants can form critique groups. Paid members have access to previous webinars as well as ongoing classes.
6. The Lyrical Language Lab
Okay, I haven’t taken this one yet, but it’s on my list! Renee’s youtube channel is amazing. Try watching her “peek and critique” videos to get a glimpse of her rhyme and meter skills. I think she changed my life with this seven-minute video!
7. The Society for Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI)
“An oldie but a goodie” is the professional organization SCBWI. Membership offers local critique groups, yearly conferences and quality webinars with kidlit-writing experts, authors, illustrators, agents and editors. Each chapter typically has a Critique-a-Palooza event yearly in which aspiring writers can get manuscript critiques for reasonable rates. Whether you write board books, picture books, middle grade, or YA, SCBWI is a valuable resource!
Did I miss one? What’s your favorite picture-book-writing class? Let me know in the comments!
Stephanie