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Children's Picture Book Writing Workshop

ENGLISH X471

41102
Get an introduction to the craft of writing for children and the business of publishing children’s picture books. Produce one picture-book manuscript, get feedback and work to strengthen the story through revision. Half of class time is dedicated to critiquing student work. Receive an overview of the editing, agent-retention and publishing processes. You should bring two favorite children’s books to the first meeting and be prepared to discuss them. Enrollment is limited.

Course Outline

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Course Objectives

  • Share a picture book and explain why it is meaningful to you.
  • Understand the differences between a children’s picture book and other types of children’s books.
  • Analyze a typical picture book, including its structure, from cover to cover.
  • Understand how pagination and length matter in producing your picture book.
  • Understand the primary audience for picture books.
  • Use your personal knowledge to build characters and story.
  • Discuss how to write about sensitive or controversial material.
  • Develop a plan for publication and promotion of your picture book.

What You Learn

  • What a picture book is and how it differs from other types of children's books
  • Ideal length of a children's picture book
  • Intensive analysis of a typical picture book
  • Board and other books for the pre-verbal and very young
  • Pagination
  • History of children's picture books (from 1797 to the present day)
  • The children's book market
  • The three types of children's picture books: concept, informational and story
  • Presenting sensitive or religious material, including holiday books
  • Why and how to use inanimate objects in your story
  • The importance of research
  • Fantasy and logic
  • Picture book pacing
  • Picture book characters: animals and human beings
  • The art of brevity
  • How to find an editor
  • Level of appropriateness in using humor and realism
  • The importance of independent adventure in picture books
  • Effective beginnings, middles and endings
  • Picture book biographies
  • Folklore and magic in picture books
  • Dialogue
  • Titles
  • Copyright and public domain concerns
  • What to expect from your illustrator
  • How to interact with agents and publishing houses, including submissions, query letters, contracts/royalties and school visits

How You Learn

  • Lectures
  • Discussion
  • Picture book reviews
  • Student manuscript review and feedback
  • Final manuscript project
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Sections

Thank you for your interest in this course. Unfortunately, the course you have selected is currently not open for enrollment. Please contact the academic department at the email or phone number listed in the Notes section for more information.

This course applies to the following programs:

Certificate Program in Writing

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Required Courses

  • The Craft of Reading
  • The Craft of Writing
  • Writing Skills Workshop

Electives (Literature)

  • American Fiction
  • Contemporary Voices: Speaking From the Margins
  • The English Novel
  • Fact or Fiction: Reading and Writing the Personal Essay
  • Great Novels You Always Meant to Read
  • Great Writers Steal: How the Work of Other Writers Can Inform and Inspire You
  • Mystery Fiction
  • Shakespeare
  • Short-Story Masterpieces
  • Meet the Writer: Guided Study and Discussion With Fiction Writers
  • Ursa Minor Production Class

Electives (Writing Workshop)

  • Exploring Creative Writing
  • Introduction to Writing Fiction
  • Intermediate Fiction Writing
  • Advanced Fiction Writing
  • Writing Genre Fiction: Science Fiction, Mystery, Romance and More
  • Mystery Writing
  • Developing the Novel
  • Screenwriting: The Art of Visual Storytelling
  • Screenwriting Workshop
  • How to Write a Story
  • Writing and Appreciating Poetry
  • Poetry Workshop
  • Poets Studied and in Conversation
  • Writing Creative Nonfiction
  • Creative Nonfiction Workshop
  • Developing the Memoir
  • Developing the Memoir II
  • Journalism Workshop
  • Science Writing
  • Writing the Feature Story
  • Writing and Editing Internship Program

Courses of Related Interest

  • Children's Picture Book Writing Workshop
  • Story Lab
  • Writing the First-Person Essay

Learn More About this Program

Notes

Departmental contact: extension-letters@berkeley.edu | (510) 643-1110
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