Workshop Offers Unique Opportunity for Aspiring Writers and Illustrators

On Saturday, January 12, 2013, writers and illustrators both published and unpublished are invited to learn how to launch or develop a career in writing or illustrating. 

Spearheaded by a group of co-founders of the statewide writing and illustrating competition called New Voices in Children’s Literature: The Tassy Walden Awards, this first-time, one-day event features seven workshops, from which each attendee can choose two, plus a networking luncheon, optional manuscript and portfolio critiques, and an optional Tassy competition prep workshop.  

Offered at Guest House Retreat & Conference Center in Chester, Connecticut, from 8:30 am to 2:00 pm, the Winter Workshops are a benefit for the statewide “Tassy” competition, which is sponsored by the Shoreline Arts Alliance. Now in its 13th year, the annual competition awards prizes to unpublished CT writers and illustrators of children’s books in five categories: Children’s Picture Book (Text Only); Children’s Illustrated Picture Book; Middle Grade Novel; Young Adult Novel; and Children’s Book Illustrator Portfolio.

A $35 portion of the $65 registration fee is a tax-deductible donation. The first 80 registrants can choose from hands-on workshops and presentations by authors and illustrators Leslie Bulion, A.C.E. Bauer, Frank Dormer, Doe Boyle, Lynda Mullaly Hunt, Page McBrier, and Marcela Staudenmaier.  Among the topics are developing an illustrator’s portfolio, creating a meaningful and marketable picture book, shaping personal essays and memoirs, revising a novel, exploring poetic forms and wordplay, utilizing traditional story structures to build a solid manuscript, and crafting a public identity with social media and other twenty-first-century marketing tools.

Attendees who would like to have an industry professional offer feedback on works in progress may request a “$10 for 10” critique. These affordable one-on-one ten-minute critiques provide such assistance as tips for preparing a manuscript professionally, advice on voice, character, and setting, and evaluations of appropriate writing and illustrations for an intended target audience. Attendees may bring picture-book manuscripts, picture-book illustrations, first pages of novels and memoirs, or portfolio samples.  

Attendees who would like to learn more about New Voices in Children’s Literature: Tassy Walden Awards may opt to remain after lunch for an additional workshop that will help prospective entrants to prepare their manuscripts and portfolios according to competition guidelines. For more information about the award and for guidelines for the 2013 competition, visit www.shorelinearts.org/pro_tassywalden.html. 

To register for the Winter Workshops, visit the website of the Shoreline Arts Alliance and check their Events page for the Winter Workshop information and registration form. Registration ends January 2; the $65 fee is nonrefundable. All participants must be 16 or older.