Writing Workshops

Children’s Book Writing Workshops

The author of 400+ books for children, teens, and adults, I have been working as a developmental editor since 1999. I currently offer two writing workshops for children’s book writers.

*Each workshop is ONE-to-ONE.
*Each workshop has SIX modules.
*Each workshop lasts TEN weeks.

10-week Workshops

Q. Why does a SIX module workshop last TEN weeks?
A. Busy schedules! If there aren’t any holidays or schedule conflicts, you can complete the modules in six weeks. On the other hand, if you need more time, I’ve added 4 extra weeks just in case.

Q. How long will you have access to the private site?
A. You will have access to the private site for a full calendar YEAR after your last Zoom session.


  • In the (pantser / plotter) Intensive Picture Book Workshop, I will help you develop your picture book and ask you to revise your manuscript twice with SIX 30-minute one-to-one meetings on Zoom for the SIX assignments on the private site (with 95 lessons). ($399 USD)

  • In the (pantser / plotter) Children’s Novel Workshop, I will help you develop your children’s chapter book, middle grade, or young adult novel and ask you to revise chapter one twice with SIX 30-minute one-to-one meetings on Zoom for the SIX assignments on the private site (with 79 lessons). ($399 USD)


Workshop FAQ

Everyone has a story to tell. My goal as a writing teacher is to help my students tell their stories. The help each writer needs depends on where they are on the writing continuum. I have taught kindergarten to college so I have worked with writers in all six stages of writing.

  1. Imitation (preschool to first grade)
  2. Graphic Presentation (first and second grade)
  3. Progressive Incorporation (late second to fourth grade)
  4. Automatization (fourth to seventh grade)
  5. Elaboration (seventh to ninth grade)
  6. Personalization-Diversification (ninth grade and beyond)

Although the mastery of the mechanics of language varies greatly from stage to stage, one thing remains the same: writers want to share their stories.

Q. Who can take these workshops?
A. For these writing workshops and critiques, I mentor adults seeking publication.

My adult writing students come from all levels of the continuum, from beginner to already published. Some sold their books to traditional publishers while others used my services to develop books that they published themselves. 


Looking for writing lessons for children? Visit my Small Poems #VerseThursday writing prompts for classrooms and libraries site or use my Read and Write Sports hi-lo readers theatre scripts and writing workshop book (Gr 3-8).


Q. How do I send you my assignment?
A. For the Intensive Picture Book Workshop and the Children’s Novel Workshop, you will upload your work to our shared Google Drive folder so we can discuss it during our SIX 30-minute meetings (one for each module).


Of all the kind guidance and critique I’ve received, this is the first time anyone has explained not just what isn’t working, but why it isn’t working and how to go about fixing it. PW


Q. Will you recommend a publisher for my book?
A. No. There are three steps to becoming a published author.

  1. Write the book.
  2. Revise the book.
  3. Sell the book.

You write the book (step 1) and as a developmental editor, I can help you revise it (step 2). The person who sells books to a publisher (step 3) is a literary agent.

Q. Will you give me a partial refund if I can’t finish all of the work before the end of the workshop?
A. No.

Be a Panster: Sit your pants in the chair and get those words on the page. Write whatever comes to mind without letting the editor in your head say, “This won’t work!” Just let the words come. Free write each day for 25 minutes or more.

Be a Plotter and answer the guiding question each week. Let your planning (and the new ideas you learn in the lessons) feed your muse so you can write and revise your manuscript.

Read COMPS (books like yours) as you write and revise to see how other writers handled the same topic or theme.

Comps

For the workshops, I will ask you to find THREE comps for your children’s book manuscript.

The word comps is well-known in the real estate market. It means comparables. To find out what a house is worth, you need to see what other houses like it cost.

It works the same with books. Agents and editors compare your book to other books like yours. It is a standard part of the acquisitions process at many publishing houses. Editors must identify current books that compete with your manuscript and compare them.

Why are book comps so important? Comparing your manuscript to recent titles lets publishers know…

  • what your book is about
  • where your book fits in the market
  • what type of competition your book will face

Studying comps as you write and revise will help you

  • see how other authors treated your topic
  • so you can make sure that your book is unique

If your book is not unique in some way, why will anyone buy it?

Q. How can you find comps?
A. Look for books like yours that were published in the last 5 years.


I feel like I have achieved more (and learnt more) with my writing in the last 8 weeks, than I have in the last few years!! KG


Are you looking for a writing class to help you write or revise your book? Sign up for the Intensive Picture Book Workshop or the Children’s Novel Workshop.

Almost ready to send your children’s book to an agent? Sign up for a one-to-one critique.


Want a free sample? Download a copy of this e-book, Write Your Next Children’s Book Without Writer’s Block.

Copyright © 2024 Anastasia Suen All Rights Reserved.