Summer 2008 Classes, Retreats & Workshops

Classes, conferences and workshops provide opportunities for professional contacts, manuscript critiques, networking and fellowship. Many an unpublished manuscript has been refocused, redefined, rewritten and published after its author attended a class or workshop. The information below was compiled by Oak Park author June Sengpiehl.

.

CLASSES

THE SCHOOL OF THE ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO
Children's Book Illustration Class I
Saturdays, May 31 to June 28, 2008 --9 am to 4 pm
Instructor: Lisa Cinelli

The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, 37 S. Wabash, Chicago
This is a multi-level course. This class emphasizes the artist's role in picture book illustration.
Students experiment with a variety of techniques and materials including painting, drawing, collage, printmaking and mixed media.
For more information or to register, phone (312) 629-6170

COLLEGE OF DU PAGE, GLEN ELLYN CAMPUS

Writing Fiction For Children: From Toddlers To Teens
Wednesdays, June 4-July 9, 2008 7-9pm.
Instructor: Carnela Martino

This course introduces the children's writing field, from picture books and magazines to teen novels. Learn about the genres, literary elements and how to submit a manuscript. Get feedback on your writing and set personal writing goals.

For more information see http://www.cod.edu/conted.writingsummer.htm

From Goodnight Moon to Harry Potter An Introduction To Writing For Children
Saturday, August 23, 2008, 9 am to 3 pm
Instructor: Carmela Martino

Mayslake Peabody Estate
1717 W. 31st Street
Oak Brook, IL 60523

Author Carmela Martino introduces the children's writing marketplace from picture books and magazines to teen novels. Learn about the genres of children's literature, the current marketplace and how to submit a manuscript. (Please being a sack lunch).
For more information, e-mail carmela@carmelamartino.com

ROCK VALLEY COLLEGE

Writing For Children
Main Campus
Woodward Technology Center, Room 210
June 7 through August 23, 2008, 1:00-2:00 pm
Ten sessions-- No class July 12 and August 9
Cost $37

To register:
Current RCV students: use our automated phone registration system (with credit card),
Phone (815) 921-6799 and enter registration code 8942

New to RVC? complete the Çommunity & Continuing Education Registration Form (page 58 of the brochure OR online at www.rockvalleycollege.edu) enter course number COM 806 RV5, enclose check payable to Rock Valley College and mail to
Admissions & Records, Rock Valley College,3301 N. Mulford Road, Rockford, IL 61114.

THE NEWBERRY LIBRARY
60 W. Walton St., Chicago

The Write Place: A Facilitated Children's Book Writers Group
Wednesdays June 4, 11, 18, 25, July 2, July 9, 2008
5:45 to 7:45 pm
Instructor: author Esther Hershenhorn
Writers will have the opportunity to share their stories in a supportive, focused and enlightening environment. Facilitated discussions of participants' manuscripts will highlight the writing process, story components, elements of narrative, craft, revision and a story's marketability within today's children's book publishing world.

Writers of all levels will be offered a variety of writing exercises, suggested readings and
current marketing

For more information. Phone (312) 943-9000 or visit www.newberry.org

The following institutions also offer classes and workshops for writers and illustrators. Specific class information was not available at time of publication.

THE RAGDALE FOUNDATION

Lake Forest, IL
Phone (847) 234-1063
or visit www.ragdale.org.

THE WRITERS CENTER AT ELGIN COMMUNITY COLLEGE

Elgin, IL
Regular writing workshop plus weekend special-topic workshops
Phone (847) 697-1000, Ext. 7578

[Back to Top]

SCBWI REGIONALS

SCBWI ILLINOIS EVENTS

Words In The Woods Retreat
Cantrall, Illinois (10 miles form Springfield)
June 20-22, 2008

Speakers: Holly Black, author, Barry Goldblatt, agent, Namrata Tripathi, editor
Cost $250 for SCBWI members, $275 for non-members
Registration opens Feb 19, 2008
For on line registration,
http://www.scbwi-illinois.org/Programming.html#3rdate

Professional critiques $30 charge -first 10 pages of one PB, MG or YA piece
For group exchange: PB one, MG/YA 39 pages

SCBWI IOWA

Novel Retreat
Die Hiemat
Homestead, Iowa
October 17-18-19, 2008

I Planning and Plotting and II Advanced (with a completed manuscript)
Speakers: Deborah Wayshak,Author and Editor, Candlewick; D'Anne Love. Ph..D. author;
Jamie Weiss Chilton, Associate Agent, Andrea Brown Literary Agency
For more information, see http://www.scbwi-Iowa.org
Connie Heckert, RA, hecklit@aol.com

Published Members Seminar and Book Signing at Barnes & Noble,
Davenport, Iowa
November 8, 2008

Marketing and Promotion for Your Book(s)
Speaker: Priscilla Burris, SCBWI Board Member and Illustrator
For more information, see http://www.scbwi-Iowa.org
Connie Heckert, RA, hecklit@aol.com

SCBWI MISSOURI

Summer Workshop
Springfield, MO
June 18, 2008
Contact Lynn Brumbaugh-Walter and visit website for details.

SCBWI WISCONSIN

Picture Book Workshop
July 19, 20, 2008
Featuring Lisa Wheeler
For more information, contact Peggy Tromblay and visit the website.

SCBWI INTERNATIONAL

August 1-4, 2008
37th Annual Summer Conference
Los Angeles, CA
visit SCBWI.org. for faculty, registration and information


[Back to Top]

RETREATS, CONFERENCES, WORKSHOPS AND LECTURES


HIGHLIGHTS FOUNDATION FOUNDERS WORKSHOPS FOR PROFESSIONAL AND ASPIRING WRITERS AND ILLUSTRATORS
Honesdale, PA
Conferences include seminars, small-group workshops, and one-on-onesessions with some of the most accomplished, prominent and supportive authors, illustrators, editors, critics and publishers of the world of children’s literature, all determined to help authors and illustrators meet their goals

May 29-June 1, 2008
Writing Memorable Nonfiction: Pleasures and Possibilities, Problems and
Practice
Workshop Leader: Peter Jacobi

June 1- 8, 2008
Room to Create: A Working Retreat For Children's Writers and Illustrators
Workshop Facilitator: Barbara Krasner

June 14- 21, 2008
Whole Novel Workshop
Workshop Leaders: Carolyn Coman, Jane Resh Thomas

June 22- 29, 2008
Writing From The Heart: A Guided Writers' Retreat SOLD OUT
Workshop Leader: Joy Cowley

August 9-13, 2008
Finding Your Voice
Workshop Leader: Kim T. Griswell

August 16-23, 2008
Carolyn Yoder Alumni Writers' Retreat SOLD OUT
Workshop Leader: Carolyn Yoder

August 23-26. 2008
Writing About Sports
Workshop Leader: Rich Wallace, Sandra Neil Wallace

September 18-21, 2008
Plotting The Novel
Workshop Leader: Helen Hemphill

September 26-28, 2008
A Crash Course in the Business of Children's Publishing
Workshop Leader: Clay Winters

For all workshops, phone (570) 253-1192 with questions. To register or to request more information, e-mail Jo Lloyd, Program Assistant, jalloyd@highlightsfoundation.org

24th Annual Writers Workshop
July 12-19, 2008
Chautauqua Institute, Chautauqua, NY
For more information, visit http://www.highlightsfoundation.org/pages/current/chautauqua_top.html

[Back to Top]

Save This Date!

Fall Program with Cricket Magazine Group Editors
Saturday, September 27, 2008 9:30 am to 4:30 pm
Stevenson Hall, Illinois State University, Normal, Illinois

Registration 9 am
Cost: $50 SCBWI members, $60 Non members in advance, $60 at the door (lunch
included)
Manuscript critiques $25 --deadline September 13, 2008

Presenters: Rachel Young, Contributing Editor, Click Magazine, Jennifeer Gillespie, Associate Editor for Babybug and Ladybug

The children's magazine market offers myriad opportunities for both new and seasoned writers. There are magazines to suit every age and interest, with new titles being published every year.

Editors will discuss how to pitch ideas, how to improve your fiction and poetry writing, how to research and write nonfiction that's clear and engaging and how to tailor your writing to suit a magazine's style and mission.

For more information contact:
Laurie Swindler: 309 -268-9465 (laurie@laurencollierswindler.com)
Dawn Malone 815- 945-5871 (dawnie23@verizon.net)

[Back to Top]

RESIDENCY PROGRAMS

VERMONT COLLEGE BRIEF RESIDENCY

MASTER OF FINE ARTS IN WRITING FOR CHILDREN AND YOUNG ADULTS
Montpelier, VT
July, January

11-day intensive residencies in July and January on campus alternate with 5 month nonresident projects (4 semesters, 5 residencies) Faculty includes M. T. Anderson, Kathi Appelt, Marion Dane Bauer, Sharon Darrow, Ellen Levine and Norma Fox Mazer

Contact Melissa Fisher at (800) 336-6794, Ext. 8637 or e-mail melissa.fisher@tui.edu or visit the website at www.tui.edu/vermontcollege

SPALDING UNIVERSITY BRIEF-RESIDENCY

Master of Fine Arts in Writing Program
Louisville, KY

with a Concentration in Writing For Children
Semesters begin in May or October
Program is 4 semesters, 5 residencies
Contact Graduate Admissions at (800) 896-8941, Ext. 2423
or e-mail: mfa@spalding.edu or visit the website at www.spalding.edu


LESLEY UNIVERSITY LOW-RESIDENCY

Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing
Cambridge, MA
Offering a concentration in Writing for Young People
Semesters begin in January and June
Program is 4 semesters, 5 residencies
Contact Jana M. Van der Veer, Assistant Director, Advising and Student Services
email: jvanderv@lesley.edu
phone: (617) 349-8369 or (800) 999-1959 X8369
Or visit the website at http://lesley.edu/gsass/creative_writing/index.html

HAMLINE UNIVERSITY LOW-RESIDENCY

1536 Hewitt Avenue
Saint Paul, MN 55104
Master of Fine Arts In Writing For Children And Young Adults
Semsters begin in January and July
Program is 4 semesters, 5 residencies
Office phone: (651) 523-2047, Fax: (651) 523-2490
For questions, call (651) 523-2900 or e-mail gradprog@hamline.edu


Or visit the website at http://www.hamline.edu/gls/academics/degree_programs/mfa_cl/index.html

[Back to Top]

LEARNING ON-LINE OR BY CORRESPONDENCE

INSTITUTE OF CHILDREN’S LITERATURE
Correspondence courses and access to articles, tips, chat room discussions on writing.
Visit www.Institutechildrenslit.com

WRITER’S DIGEST ONLINE WORKSHOPS
• “Fundamentals of Writing for Children” (12-week beginning course)
• “Focus Course in Writing for Children” (14-week intermediate course)
For details and starting dates on these workshops and other Writer’s Digest Online courses, visit www.writersonlineworkshops.com

[Back to Top]

Main Page | How to Join | SCBWI-IL Events | Networks | Speakers Directory | The Prairie Wind | FAQ | Resources | Benld Library | O'Connor Scholarship | Members Only | Contact Us | Table of Contents