Do you ever think about writing for children?


Here's your chance to find out how.


Last Chance To Register!



Writing for Children in Today's Market
with Patricia Hermes
at the Greenwich Arts Council
Thursday, December 2
10 am to 12:30 pm

$55 or $45 for GAC or WWW members

Questions? Email info or call (203)227-3250.


Writing for Children in Today's Market


Today's children's book market is hungry and growing. Publishers are always looking for new voices and new talent. Do you have what it takes to write for children?

If you have ever considered writing for children, or hoping to have your work published in today's vibrant children's market, this two-part workshop with award-winning, full-time professional children's author Patricia Hermes will tell you what it takes to succeed.


First, Patricia will outline the market for children's literature. She will talk about the different ages and genres of children's writing: short stories, picture books, chapter books, middle grade novels and YA or young adult books.

She will also give an overview of how the field has changed in recent years - and it has changed dramatically. Because authors cannot hold on to old notions of writing for children and hope to sell their work in today's market. What was popular - and what sold - twenty years ago - perhaps even just five years ago - is not what sells today.


In the second part of the workshop, Patricia will talk about the writing itself. Because writing for children is very different from writing for adults. In order to write well for children, one must remember what it is to be a child, must remember what the child cares about and fears and hates. One must speak like a child, think like a child, laugh and even cry like a child. Because inside every good writer lives a remembered child -- and the job of a good writer is to unearth that child.

We will make sure to leave plenty of time for Q&A. So bring your questions and your ideas.

Finally, time permitting, there will also be an opportunity for writers to bring your own short piece intended for young readers. These can be read aloud for gentle, encouraging critique. No pressure! No one must read who does not want to read. But the opportunity will be there so that authors can get a feel for how others view their work and how it can be improved.


WHEN:
THIS WEEK!
10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

WHERE:
Greenwich Arts Council, 299 Greenwich Ave, Greenwich


COST:
$55 ($45 for GAC Members and WWW Members)


About Patricia Hermes

Patricia Hermes is the author of over fifty novels published for young people, from early chapter books to young adults. She has written six historical novels for the Dear America/My America series for Scholastic. Her newest venture is the Emma Dilemma series of chapter books for Marshall Cavendish. Her numerous awards include the New York Library Best Book for Teens award for her nonfiction book, A Time to Listen; C.S. Lewis Honor Book award for her novel, On Winter's Wind; Smithsonian Notable Book award for her picture book, When Snow Lay Soft on the Mountain; and Children's' Choice awards for many other novels. She also won the Iowa, Missouri, Michigan and California state awards for her classic novel, You Shouldn't Have to Say Goodbye, recently reissued by Source Books. She lectures nationally and internationally, speaking recently for the American Embassy School in New Delhi, India, as well as in Bahrain, and other countries. She has also written two adult nonfiction books and published in national magazines. Her books have been translated into seven languages including French, Chinese, Japanese, and Danish.


To Register
Log on to Westport Writers' Workshop and click on REGISTER NOW for instructions for registering by mail or with PayPal.


Westport Writers' Workshop
3 Sylvan Road South
Westport, Connecticut 06880

For questions or more information see www.westportwritersworkshop.com or call (203) 227-3250 or info@westportwritersworkshop.com