PICTURE BOOK
MASTERY
FROM FOUNDATIONAL PICTURE BOOK CONCEPTS TO A COMPLETED STORY
The Picture Book Mastery Program is a personal step-by step process. We work together through 6 stages of writing a picture book story.
Already have a good foundation in picture book writing?
If you’ve had some experience writing picture books and/or have taken some classes and are looking for more advanced support, check out the Picture Book Story Focus program further down the page. Or send me an email using the Been There, Done That form.
WHY I DO THIS
Not only do I love working with new writers, I also want to ensure that picture book writers have a fighting chance if they want to put their stories out into the world, whether that be through traditional publishing routes or through independent or self-publishing.
Like many parents, grandparents and caregivers, I read A LOT of picture books to my kids when they were small. At the time I was already writing other things: computer manuals, articles for magazines, really bad scrrenplays and tyring to complete a few middle grade and young adult novels. As I read these picture books to my kids and saw how few words they contained, I asked myself a question that I hear echoed by many others:
How hard could it be to write one?
Knowing absolutely nothing about writing picture books, I dove in, writing stories that were short, convinced they were brilliant and would be snapped up by a publisher immediately. I dreamed of success and sharing my fabulous picture books with delighted kids everywhere.
Yes, I submitted some of those stories to publishers who did not snap them up. Instead, I received form letters telling me that sorry “was not right” for them or worse, I heard nothing at all. Knowing what I know now, I cringe and feel overwhelmed with embarrassment. Those stories were not picture book stories AT ALL. At best they were so-so magazine stories, but I didn’t have the tools or understanding to know what made picture book stories different.
But now I do! And if you’d like to share your stories with others—whether they be family, friends, or kids via a published book, I’d love to save you from the embarrassment I experienced.
Through the Mastery Program, You Will
✔ Master the foundational concepts of what makes a picture book unique
✔ Understand the types of picture book stories and what you’re drawn to
✔ Understand the interplay between the text and the pictures
✔ Study and learn from published picture books
✔ Gain confidence in knowing what a picture book is and isn’t
✔ Brainstorm story ideas
✔ Outline and write a draft of your story
✔ Learn to review and apply resonant feedback
✔ Walk away with a completed story and the tools to write more!
Session 1: Picture Books 101
This 90-120 minute session will get you started with what a picture book is, its unique aspects, and how to begin looking at picture books with a more critical and discerning eye.
Session 2: Words and Pictures
In this one-hour session you’ll explore how words and illustrations in a picture book relate to each other and how you can begin thinking about your own work in light of the fact that the illustrations often tell part of the story. This will include exploration of existing picture books, discussion and exercises.
Session 3: Shaping Your Story
This one-hour session will be a brainstorming session—either for a new idea if you haven’t started a story or with an existing story where we discuss how to incorporate what you’ve learned in Sessions 1 and 2. We’ll talk about the story itself, the story point or theme(s), characters and more higher level craft elements. You will then go off to write or rewrite your story.
Session 4: High Level Feedback
This one-hour session will be a discussion of your story after I’ve read it and sent you some notes. We will go over what notes resonate with you, how you might approach the changes, and any questions you may have or brainstorming you want to do. We’ll also talk about how to use published picture books as mentor texts/guides and how to evaluate books that will best serve you.
Session 5: Revision Feedback
This one-hour session will be a discussion of your story after you’ve revised based on Session 4 and I have reviewed it and sent you notes. We will go over what notes resonate with you, how you might approach the changes, and any questions you may have or brainstorming you want to do. We will also review your chosen mentor texts and how they have helped you.
Session 6: Revision and Next Steps
This one-hour session will be a discussion of your story after another revision as well as next steps with the manuscript.
Picture Book story focus
This program assumes you have a clear, solid picture book writing foundation–basically the equivalent of Sessions 1-3 in the Picture Book Mastery program above.
This may include attending specific classes or workshops such as my “Writing the Children’s Picture Book” through the University of Denver Enrichment Program or multiple classes I have taught at Lighthouse Writers Workshop in Denver. Or it may be workshops or classes you’ve attended elsewhere online or in-person that are equivalent.
You may be asked a series of questions to demonstrate your knowledge of the picture book form.
During these three sessions, we will focus on a single story you are writing, studying published picture books in the process to continue to hone skills and improve your story.
You will have personal, one-on-one feedback and conversations about your story with the goal of making it the best it can be.
Session 1: High Level Feedback
This one-hour session will be a discussion of your story after I’ve read it and sent you some notes. We will go over what notes resonate with you, how you might approach the changes, and any questions you may have or brainstorming you want to do. We’ll also talk about how to use published picture books as mentor texts/guides and how to evaluate books that will best serve you.
Session 2: Revision Feedback
This one-hour session will be a discussion of your story after you’ve revised based on Session 1 and I have reviewed it and sent you notes. We will go over what notes resonate with you, how you might approach the changes, and any questions you may have or brainstorming you want to do. We will also review your chosen mentor texts and how they have helped you.
Session 3: Revision and Next Steps
This one-hour session will be a discussion of your story after another revision as well as next steps with the manuscript and any further questions you have.
Frequently asked questions
How long will it take to complete the Picture Book Mastery program?
That depends! It’s about you and your schedule and me and my schedule! You will have reading and homework to do, writing and revising. And we’ll need to allow time for me to read your work and provide feedback. We’ll set up a schedule that will work for both of us.
I've already written a story. Do I really need this program?
Maybe, maybe not. If you have already taken several picture book writing classes or workshops, have worked on writing and revising after receiving quality, trusted feedback and feel you have a solid foundation and understanding of the picture book as a unique form, then you may be ready for the Picture Book Story Focus program or you may be beyond this program altogether. If, on the other hand, you’ve read a lot of picture books, love them, and decided to try writing one, this program is likely worth your while.
If you aren’t sure or want to talk about getting a review on a story, fill out the contact box below.
Will I learn how to get my book published or how to get an agent?
That is an entire program in itself! This program is designed to develop and improve your writing craft. The story is the most important thing. Without a good story, you dimiinish your chances of getting published and you want to give yourself the best possible chance. Check out my Commit to Submit program for more on finding an agent and getting published.
Will this program save me time?
That’s my goal! (One of many) While you may write on your own and learn via information on in the internet or a few classes, we will spend quality time together really developing your picture book story writing skills. I believe that my expertise and knowledge will cut many hours off the time you would have spent going it alone. That said, only you can decide how much time you can devote, how much your time is worth and your financial situation.
This sounds perfect for me, but I'd like to spread out the cost. Can I pay in installments?
Yes! Payment is through PayPal and they offer a Pay Later option that enables you to pay in four installments. If you’d like to pay in installments, choose the Pay Later option after you click the pay button below.
WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT WORKING WITH ME
Denise frames my work with insightful questions that unlock the story within me and does so with authentic delight and encouraging clarity. Above all, she draws out my ability to share more of me inside each page!
Denise brings an enthusiasm, passion, and insight that are invaluable to an aspiring writer. In addition to providing specific feedback, she also has the ability to make you see your story/writing from a different angle, which can really open up new opportunities and serve to help you develop as a better writer overall. Denise is incredibly easy, fun, and sincere to talk to and provides the support and guidance needed to continue pursuing your writing goals!
Thank you, Denise, for your insightful guidance on my story, its readers and the market! Every review was thorough, practical and even encouraging. I highly recommend your critique/[consult] session(s) to anyone who takes writing for children seriously.
Picture Book MasterY: $675
What You Get:
✔ 6 1/2-7 hours of one-on-one Zoom sessions
✔ The Picture Book Mastery Guidebook, which includes materials from the session and a comprehensive revision approach
✔ A foundation of what makes a picture book unique among children’s books
✔ Step-by-step guidance on writing your picture book draft
✔ Detailed feedback on revisions to improve your story,
✔ Confidence that your story IS a picture book story
If you’re ready to immerse yourself in writing a picture book story, click the button below. Once I receive payment, I will be in touch to set up our first session.
Picture Book STORY FOCUS: $375
What You Get:
✔ 3 hours of one-on-one Zoom sessions
✔ Step-by-step guidance on improving your picture book draft
✔ Detailed feedback on your revisions to improve your story
✔ Confidence that your story IS a picture book story
Please fill out the BEEN THERE, DONE THAT form below so Denise can discuss your picture book writing background before you pay.
BEEN THERE, DONE THAT
