Hollins University’s graduate programs in children’s literature are renowned for their emphasis on the study, writing, and illustration of work in that field. We also offer one-week intensive workshops for teachers and librarians, aspiring authors and illustrators, and alumnae/i of Hollins’ undergraduate and graduate programs. Whether you want to grow your skills as a picture book creator, scholar, or selector, or would like to enhance your ability to write for children, these workshops offer practical guidance through the expertise of accomplished artists and authors.
Writing Intensive: The Path to Publication
You’ve spent months (or, very likely, years!) writing and editing your novel, workshopping and rereading and editing again, and you are ready to seek out traditional publication. What’s next? This intensive, run by literary agent Erin Clyburn, will cover all the steps you need to take your work from manuscript to book: crafting a query letter, learning what comp titles are (and how to find yours), researching which agents to query, writing a synopsis, making sure your first page shines, learning about the market, seeing what your agent relationship might look like, and working on your platform (and knowing if you need one at all).
This intensive is a 20-hour advanced tutorial intended for authors of novel-length works (chapter books, middle grade, and young adult) who have completed or near-completed manuscripts and are preparing to seek traditional publication. The goal of the intensive is for you to finish the week with a polished query package and an understanding of how to seek out and approach the right agent for your work. The workshop has a minimum of six participants and a maximum of 10, on a first-registered, first-served basis.
Instructor: Erin Clyburn
