How to Write a Picture Book Mini Course & Manuscript Assessment
There are countless people in the world who want to write a picture book. Amazon is brimming with hastily written (or, sadly, computer generated) tales. But a rare few can move hearts and minds with truly great stories.
This mini course is designed to give you the building blocks you need to understand the craft and the industry, and prepare your work for submission to trade publishers or high-quality independent release.
The course includes a Story Spark manuscript assessment.
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Chapter 1: Getting started
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Introduce yourself
What's your story? Let Suzanne know a little about you and your goals as a children's book author.
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Explore the market
Research high-quality, contemporary picture books and consider where your book fits in the market.
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Compare publishing pathways
Learn about trade and indie publishing options, and consider what suits you and your project.
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Chapter 2: Writing skills and techniques
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Define your story purpose
Is your story just for fun, or do you have a deeper message? Consider your 'why' and refine your hook.
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Unleash your inner wordsmith
Master economy of words and play with the poetry of language to enrich your manuscript copy.
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Submit your story for feedback
Send Suzanne your most polished draft picture book manuscript for your Story Spark assessment.
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Chapter 3: Bonus content for self-publishers
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Prepare your budget
Download a handy budget template to help make realistic plans for your self-published book.
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Work with an illustrator
Learn how to collaborate with care to create great artwork for your self-published picture book.
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Work with a designer
Designers make sure your book looks professional and stands out on bookshelves.
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Chapter 4: Resources and support
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Build your author brand
Brainstorm and choose marketing activities that are joyful, sustainable and suit your strengths.
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Explore resources and support
Equip yourself with critique groups, industry newsletters and insider knowledge.
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Conclusion
Share feedback on the course, and get a discount code for extra manuscript assessments.
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Course highlights
Writing and storyboarding tools
Define your story purpose and plan how the plot will unfold from page to page with handy worksheets and templates. You can download the tools to use again and again.
Manuscript assessment and editing
Submit your story to get uplifting and constructure insights from a professional author and editor. Use your personalised feedback to polish up your current work, and pave the way for future stories.
Self-publishing insights
Anyone can self-publish a book these days, but few do it to a high standard. Browse bonus modules on illustration, design and bugeting to help do justice to your passion project.
Meet your editor
Suzanne is an internationally published children's book author, who works in the trade, education and indie sectors. She is also a news editor and marketing and communications manager with 20 years of experience across diverse industries.
Suzanne specialises in creative content development and supporting purpose-driven people with authentic, inclusive storytelling of all kinds. She loves helping aspiring authors achieve their goals.
Learn the basics of writing picture books, and get to grips with trade and indie publishing pathways. This virtual, self-paced course includes a Story Spark picture book manuscript assessment, plus bonus modules on self-publishing and marketing strategy.
Ask a question about the course
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