Winter Writing Wonder at the Writers’ Loft with editor Karen Boss

Beat the winter blues with three virtual Karen Boss workshops in January and three in February to dig into picture books.

Come to one or come to all six!

Spend time with your own work(s)-in progress and/or dive into craft. With examples, exercises, and fresh ways to look at creating picture books, writers will walk away with renewed energy and ready for spring. Appropriate for both fiction and nonfiction writers.

Wednesday, January 11: Characters Count. VIRTUAL, 6:30–8pm EST. ($40 members; $50 non-members)

Pull out your work(s)-in-progress and spend time getting to know your characters in ways you might not have thought possible. Through writing exercises and thought experiments, breathe new life into both your main characters and your supporting cast, too.

Thursday, January 19: Pacing/Tension for the Win. VIRTUAL, 6:30–8pm EST. ($40 members; $50 non-members)

From Karen's workshop archives for those who missed this in the past. Learn more about the importance of pacing and tension in picture books and how to use two important tools to pull apart your manuscripts and put them through some tests. (New content and updated

examples for people who want to attend again as a refresher!)

Tuesday, January 24: Four Keys to Dialogue. VIRTUAL, 6:30–8pm EST ($40 members; $50 non-members)

Come learn more about how dialogue works in a picture book.

Don't use any? Include a lot? Is there a right amount? How dialogue factors into picture books is much debated

and often frustrating for writers. "What's the big deal about dialogue?" Karen asked. "Let's talk about four

ways it matters."

Wednesday, February 8: Revision Is Hard. VIRTUAL, 6:30–8pm EST ($40 members; $50 non-members)

Bring a work-in-progress that needs revision help. Don't know where to

start? Use this workshop to jumpstart revising a project you've been struggling with or one fresh off your pen!

What to look for when polishing a manuscript can be difficult to discern. Tips and hits abound in this workshop.

Thursday, February 16: Back Matter Matters. VIRTUAL, 6:30–8pm EST ($40 members; $50 non-members)

Both fiction and nonfiction picture books benefit from strong,

well-conceived back matter. How much is the right amount? Do you have to write it before submitting to

agents/editors? Come get tips and hints and an inside look at developing back matter.

Tuesday, February 21: Unique Ideas Stand Out. VIRTUAL, 6:30–8pm EST ($40 members; $50 non-members)

Bring a list of your work(s)-in-progress and what themes,

topics, and character relationships you're currently writing about. How can you make your idea stand out in a

sea of submissions and in an ocean of published books on the shelf? What makes a picture book unique?

ADD ON: Karen Boss critique! Picture Book Conceptual Edits. You must be enrolled in at least one workshop. Karen will let you know how to submit your picture book and she will return it by APRIL 15th. (There are only 20 spots available and if you sign up for this, Karen will let you know how to submit these to her.)