FAQsThis FAQ section is for the Craft and Business of Picture Book Writing and Publishing e-Course but it will apply in general to any courses with in person options.
Below you will find questions and answers (if only the rest of life was so easy : ) Now, you might be asking yourself: "Is this course for me?"
And the answer is: YES if you’re someone who has never written a picture book or written a book and had it rejected, or written a book that needs fine-tuning it may be that your story needs more structure, better language choices, tightening, deepening of content, editing for conciseness, stronger or more intriguing characters, or help with plot. Or, if you are an artist or illustrator who keeps hearing that agents and editors are looking for author/illustrator combinations... then you’re definitely in the right place. You’ll be learning how to write from no idea to completed or almost completed manuscript ready for submission in this course with an innovative process that combines pleasure, practice, and theory. If you are already a children's book expert or someone who is not the least bit interested in learning about picture books, then NO this course is probably not for you.
My goal in this course is to teach you a whole bunch of tricks and techniques to help you become a skilled picture book writer with a completed manuscript and cover letter ready to send out to targeted editors. I have a deal with my students that after they get published they send me an autographed copy of their book, acknowledge me in one of the books and if they’re local, take me out for a fancy dinner to celebrate. Now this might sound like a lot but you’ll see that I do everything in my power to help you in your path to publication (see some of the testimonials here). I've never taken an on-line course before: How does this work?
For five weeks, every day from Monday-Friday first thing in the morning :
What exactly will I learn and accomplish?During the course you'll learn from two major modes of instruction. One is from the theory and mechanics of writing children's picture books, which will also help you become a much better writer in general. The other is from the practice of actually writing and revising your story, which you will do with step-by-step directions. At the end of the course, you will know more than you ever imagined, and have a working or completed story, and a cover letter. Plus you'll have had the most wonderful time!
Here's an overview of what you'll be learning, and yes it is a lot, but I'd rather give you as much information as possible and have you pace yourselves knowing that you have an additional FOUR MONTHS of access. If you sign up for the Big Bonus or Success packages, you will also receive a searchable e-book of all course content. Because of the online nature of the course, it really is time flexible and works very well for the vast majority of students who get to check in whenever it works for their schedules. The only inflexible dates are for the Big Bonus and Success folks' live webinars. However, these will be recorded for later viewing if you can't make the time. Week One
•Getting Started •Writing the Shitty First Draft and the Compelling Hook •4 Sweet Steps to Edit for Brevity (or 4 tips to get that word count down) •Picture Book Structure with Map •Working with Illustrators •Picture Books by Age and Underlying Concept •Review and Interviews with Jim Averbeck and Ashley Wolf about writing award-winning picture books Week Two
•Underlying Truths and Universal Themes •Structuring Your Writing •Writing a Plot Driven Book with Map/ Template •Anthropomorphic Pros and Cons •Fab Interview with Marsha Diane Arnold •Concept Books and Developing Memorable Characters •Interview with Yuyi Morales about Creating Memorable Characters •Non-Fiction and Biography •Interviews with Deborah Hopkinson and Lori Mortensen •Review and Interviews with Yuyi Morales on creating a concept book and Patricia Newman on writing non-fiction and research. Problems? Week Three
•Creating Luscious Language, Voice, Passive versus Active Voice •Poetry, Prose, and Rhyme; and other considerations •Interview with Lee Wardlaw about Writing Poetry •Postmodernism, Public Domain and Picture Books •Children’s Developmental Stages •Writing Humor •Interview with Dashka Slater about Writing Humor •Review and Video with Ms. Grammarama herself, Miranda Paul from Rate Your Story, talking about “Getting Tense” •Overcoming obstacles Week Four
•Researching your ideal editor or agent and creating the package •Place as More than Setting •Interview with Maya Christina Gonzalez •Crafting the Cover Letter and Formatting the Manuscript •More than Sweetness and Light - Multiculturalism and Other Consideration •Review and Interviews with the World’s Greatest Critique Group The Revisionaries •Continuing on with Your Course Critique Group •Finishing your Story with a Twist Week Five
•About The Business: How Contracts Work and Tracking Submissions •Tips for Responding to the “Yes We Are Interested” Email or Call •The Pros and Cons of Working with Agents •Interviews with Agents •What Happens Working with an Editor •Interviews with Editors •Building a Pre-Pub Author’s Platform via Social Media •Marketing your Book •Interviews with Social Media Experts •Celebrating Our Accomplishments |
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So why is this course different than other children's book courses?
This question is an insider joke for Jewish people, but it is an important question to ask.
- For starters, this course features over 30 innovative lessons and more on the topics mentioned above and tons of interactivity and individual critiquing in a time flexible environment
- It is also, I believe, the only online course taught by a PhD level expert in both creating her own award-winning picture books and in teaching others how to create theirs using innovative techniques
- As mentioned here the course comes with way "too many to describe" features and benefits as well as keep forever goodies
- And it uses a pedagogy (i.e, method of instruction) presented in a variety of ways with phenomenal guest speakers, videos, lessons, articles, templates and more
- This may be the only children's picture book course that also gently teaches you about social media and why it's important for 21st century creatives
- Finally, this course is probably the most generous and fun course that you will ever take and is currently priced well below its value (as stated by students)
How do I sign up and what happens?
When you click the purchase link it will take you to a secure page with the option to pay via credit card. If your card is at risk of expiring, it may not be accepted, in which case, try another card or contact Mira via email.
After you've paid you'll receive an email with information about a wee survey waiting for you so that Dr. Mira can best serve your needs and help you be successful. It will also help in setting up your small groups geographically if possible. As we get closer to the course date, you'll also receive a sign-up sheet so you can sign up for your one-on-one private critiques via Skype or email and/or telephone (don't worry if you are international - we can make it work). Then shortly before the course starts, you'll receive an email with a password to our home site and that's it!
Are you ready to take the leap of faith? Are you ready to soak up gallons of knowledge? Are you just brimming over with excitement for this course? Then just click here to sign up!
After you've paid you'll receive an email with information about a wee survey waiting for you so that Dr. Mira can best serve your needs and help you be successful. It will also help in setting up your small groups geographically if possible. As we get closer to the course date, you'll also receive a sign-up sheet so you can sign up for your one-on-one private critiques via Skype or email and/or telephone (don't worry if you are international - we can make it work). Then shortly before the course starts, you'll receive an email with a password to our home site and that's it!
Are you ready to take the leap of faith? Are you ready to soak up gallons of knowledge? Are you just brimming over with excitement for this course? Then just click here to sign up!
