Have you ever dreamed of writing books for children? This one-day workshop will teach you the skills you need to keep a young audience enthralled by your storytelling. Led by bestselling children’s author Lucy Coats, the course includes practical writing and workshopping sessions, and in-depth advice on how write engaging tales for children (aged 7-12).
Course content
- An overview of the children’s book world – how it works, and a guide to the genres within it
- The archetypes of children’s fiction
- How to build a good children’s book character
- How to plan a perfect plot
- How to use backstory without being boring
- How to write dialogue that makes your story flow
- Advice on improving confidence and sense of purpose
- Practical writing exercises and workshopping of participants’ compositions
- Q&A and group discussion
PLEASE NOTE: Attendees should read or familiarise themselves with as many modern children’s (aged 7–12) books as possible before the course. You will be sent a list of suggested reading one week before the class (or, for late sign-ups, shortly after you purchase your ticket).
This course is for you if...
- You have an interest in writing for children as a possible career, or for a casual source of income
- You want to learn how to create unique personalised works of fiction for your own children or relatives
- You’re a writer looking to move into children’s fiction
Tutor profile
Lucy Coats worked as a children’s editor and bookseller before turning to full-time writing. She is the author of many titles for all ages, including the bestselling Atticus the Storyteller’s 100 Greek Myths, which was shortlisted for the Blue Peter Book Award, Captain Beastlie’s Pirate Party and Cleo, about the young Cleopatra, which was published in May this year. Lucy lives with her husband, grown-up children and 10,000 books in Northamptonshire. She is also a regular blogger, and writes for Mslexia and Publishing Talk. She tweets as @lucycoats.
Guest speaker profile
Michelle Lovric is an acclaimed writer of historical fiction for both children and adults. She has particular interests in art, medical history and Venice, where she lives and sets her stories. Her first adult novel, The Remedy, was long-listed for the Orange Prize and The Book of Human Skin was a TV Book Club Summer Read. Her first children’s novel, The Undrowned Child was followed by The Mourning Emporium and Talina in the Tower and, most recently, The Fate in the Box. Her most recent novel for adults, The True and Splendid History of the Harristown Sisters, was published last year by Bloomsbury.
Details
Date: Saturday 7 November 2015
Times: 10am-4pm
Location: The Guardian, Kings Place, 90 York Way, London N1 9GU
Price: £249 (includes VAT, booking fee, lunch and refreshments)
Event capacity: 16
To contact us, click here. Terms and conditions can be found here.
Returns policy
Tickets may be refunded if you contact us at least 14 days before the course start date. Please see our terms and conditions for more information on our refund policy.
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