Summer Writing Workshops for Kids and Teens

Fellow SCBWI WWA member Margaret Nevinski is offering several writing workshops for kids and teens this summer. For more information you can visit her website.   

Creative Writing Workshop (Ages 8-11) 
There are three workshops for this age group: 
M-F, Aug. 13-17, 9:30-noon
M-F, Aug. 20-24, 9:30-noon
M-F, Aug. 20-24, 1:00-3:30 p.m.

These workshops are sponsored through Bainbridge Island Parks & Rec and will be held at Strawberry Hill Center on Bainbridge Island. For info or to register, visit www.biparks.org. Registration is open.

There are two teen workshops--one for younger teens and one for all teen writers.

Teen Creative Writing Workshop (Ages 12-15)
 M-F, Aug. 13-17, 1:00-3:30 p.m.

This workshop is sponsored by Bainbridge Island Parks & Rec and will be held at Strawberry Hill Center on Bainbridge Island. For more info or to register, visit www.biparks.org. Registration is open.

Teen Writing Workshop: Unleash Your Creative Beast (Ages 13-19)
Wed. July 18, 25 and Aug. 1, 2:00-4:00 p.m.

This workshop is sponsored by Field's End and will be held at Bainbridge Public Library. For more info or to register, visit www.fieldsend.org. Registration opens May 22.

Summer Writing Classes for Kids and Teens with Margaret Nevinski

Creative Writing Workshop (Ages 8-11)
Wind up your summer by joining us for a week filled with fun writing activities! Margaret helps young writers explore their creativity and write their own stories and poems. We'll use "Magic Pen Story Starters," "Imagination Triggers," and other prompts to get us started. We'll also read our work out loud and get feedback from our fellow authors. If your writing skills have been asleep all summer, now is the time to wake them up! Come prepared with a notebook, a pencil, and your imagination.

Section 1: Monday-Friday, Aug. 15-19. 9:30-noon. $105
Section 2: Monday-Friday, Aug. 22-26. 9:30-noon. $105
Section 3: Monday-Friday, Aug. 22-26. 1:00-3:30. $105

Strawberry Hill Center, 7666 High School Road NE, Bainbridge Island. To register, visit Bainbridge Island Metro Park & Recreation District or call 206-842-2306.

Teen Creative Writing Workshop (Ages 12-15)
This workshop, exclusively for young teens, is for those who want to explore their ideas for stories, novels, or poems. Whether you’ve been writing this summer or just thinking about writing, this workshop provides a place to express your unique teen voice. Margaret organizes our time together like an adult writing workshop. We’ll work on our own stories, have fun with writing prompts, and share our writing out loud to give each other helpful feedback. As a bonus, August weather should allow us to write outside!

Monday-Friday, Aug. 15-19. 1:00-3:30. $105. Strawberry Hill Center, 7666 High School Road NE, Bainbridge Island, WA. To register, visit Bainbridge Island Park & Recreation District or call 206-842-2306.

To register, visit Bainbridge Island Metro Park & Recreation District or call 206-842-2306.

Teen Creative Writing Workshop (Ages 12-15)
This workshop, exclusively for young teens, is for those who want to explore their ideas for stories, novels, or poems. Whether you’ve been writing this summer or just thinking about writing, this workshop provides a place to express your unique teen voice. Margaret organizes our time together like an adult writing workshop. We’ll work on our own stories, have fun with writing prompts, and share our writing out loud to give each other helpful feedback. As a bonus, August weather should allow us to write outside!

Monday-Friday, Aug. 15-19. 1:00-3:30. $105. Strawberry Hill Center, 7666 High School Road NE, Bainbridge Island, WA. To register, visit Bainbridge Island Park & Recreation District or call 206-842-2306.

For more information on Margaret, and her work, visit her website.

Conferences & Classes to Check Out

The Western Washington University Children’s Literature Conference is now in its eighth year! This event is where teachers and librarians, readers and writers gather to celebrate and learn about children’s literature. At the end of last year's conference the creator and director, Nancy Johnson, announced that she had accepted a two-year appointment at the Singapore American School.

Because of the overwhelming response from attendees to keep the conference going, the conference committee is presenting The Children's Literature Alternative Conference! The conference is March 5, from 8 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at WWU. CLAC. Caldecott winner Chris Raschka and Newbery honoree Kirby Larson will keynote the event. Early bird registration (before February 11) is only $40. For more information, and to register visit their webpage.

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The Whidbey Writer's Conference is April 1-3, in Coupeville, WA. Registration is limited to 250 lucky folks. Keynoter Garth Stein will be joined by 30 other authors, editors and agents at this conference. The conference is well known for its warm atmosphere and solid information. To sign up or for more information go to their website.

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Margaret Nevinski is teaching a writing course for young writers. For more information about her classes visit her website.

Creative Writing Workshop (Ages 8-12)

Do you like to write stories and have fun with words? Margaret Nevinski helps young writers get started, create characters, and develop story plots. We'll learn how to move from ideas in our heads to words on the page, and we'll share our work out loud to give each other helpful feedback. Small class size ensures individual attention. Bring a notebook, a pencil, and your imagination!

The class is on Thursdays, February 3- March 24. 4-6 p.m, at the Strawberry Hill Center, 7666 High School Road NE, Bainbridge Island, WA. Class cost is $85. To register, visit Bainbridge Island Metro Park & Recreation District or call 206-842-2306 (ext 116).

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Local illustrator Craig Orback has some new Children's Book Illustration classes starting soon in Bellevue and Bellingham. Craig Orback is a freelance children’s book illustrator living in Bellingham and received his B.F.A. in illustration from Cornish College of the Arts in Seattle in 1998. For more information on Craig, and his work, visit him at his website.

Children's Book Illustration I

Immerse yourself in the world of children’s book illustration with this introductory course. Through in-class assignments using a variety of media, you'll learn basic techniques to complete illustrations for young readers. Also learn the business side of children’s book illustration, including what it takes to get your work seen by the right people. Character consistency, portfolios, contracts, and other topics are also covered. Craig Orback is an award-winning illustrator of over 15 children's books. Basic drawing skills are helpful but not required. Some homework is required.

Locations:

Bellevue Community College, on Saturdays, from 10 a.m.-1 p.m., and runs February 5- March 19 (Seven classes in all). Cost is $145 Call 206-527-3705 or visit the course page.

Whatcom Community College, on Thursdays, from 6:30-8:30 p.m., and runs February 3-March 24 (Seven classes in all). Cost is $175. Visit the course page.

Childrens Book Illustration II

Explore in greater depth your passion for children's book illustration. In this intermediate course, you will learn, step-by-step, how to create a children's picture book dummy that, when finished, can be submitted to publishers for possible publication. From developing an initial story board to completing full page sketches, this is the perfect course if you have a children's story you have longed to illustrate and potentially publish!

Locations:

Bellevue Community College, on Saturdays, from 1:30-4:30 p.m., and runs from February 5-March 19 (Seven classes in all). Cost is $145. Call 425-564-2263 or visit the course page.

Whatcom Community College, on Wednesdays, from 6-8:30 p.m., and run from February 2-March 23 (Eight classes in all). Cost is $199. Visit the course page.

Good News for Margaret Nevinski.

Congratulations to Margaret Nevinski, who is excited to announce the publication of her young adult short story, THE EVE OF ST. AGNES, in the current issue of the literary journal Hunger Mountain online. In this story, 17-year-old Courtney dreams about her future husband on January 20, the Eve of St. Agnes, only he's the geekiest guy in her school. Can one girl on her own fight against the power of dreams? At the end of the story, there's an interview with Margaret about her creative process. Check out her short story on the Hunger Mountain website.

Fall Classes

Kids aren't the only ones who get to return to school this fall. Here are a few classes taught by our own SCBWI members.

Lois Brandt is teaching "Write a Novel in a Month" class at Bellevue College. The class is Saturdays, October 9-December 4, from 10 a.m.-12 p.m.

Is writing a novel one of your life-long dreams? Join this 8 week Bellevue College class as it hooks up with 100,000 writers worldwide for National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo). The first classes prepare you for the noveling process, with practice in characterization, setting, plot, voice, and dialogue. Then we're off and writing our 50,000 word manuscripts. During the last class we plan for revision. This is a great way to write your novel in a supportive environment. Cost $179.

Questions? Contact Lois@LoisBrandt.com. To register go to this Bellevue College continuing education link. For more about Lois, visit her website.
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Lisa L. Owens is teaching "Navigating the Children's Writing Biz" class. Classes are online, Fridays, October 29 – November 19.

This four-week online course demystifies the business side of children’s publishing and provides writers with concrete steps for exploring the field and creating a personal path to publication. Lisa has written more than 70 books and stories for young readers, and has worked in children's publishing as everything from proofreader to senior editor.

For a full course description and registration info, click here.

Lisa also runs the Editorial Freelancers Association education program, and they have a Seattle-area Artist's Way Class starting September 23. Visit the catalog page here, or the write-up about the full education program here. They also have online classes in proofreading and freelance writing. To learn more about Lisa, visit her blog and author site.
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Margaret Nevinski is teaching a "Creative Writing Workshop" for ages 8-12. Classes are Thursdays, Sept. 30-Nov. 18, from 4-6 p.m. Cost is $85.

If you like to create characters, invent plots, and have fun with words, this workshop is for you! Margaret Nevinski helps young writers tap into their creativity and strengthen their writing. We'll share our work out loud to get feedback from our fellow writers. Discover more about the craft of writing while creating the spectacular stories only you can write. Bring a notebook, a pen, and your imagination.

Margaret is also teaching a "Creativity for Writers" class. Classes are Thursday, Oct. 7-Nov. 18, from 7-9 p.m. Cost is $65.

The creative spark lies at the heart of all writing, whether we write for adults or children. Margaret Nevinski offers playful, useful ways for writers to tap into the wellspring of ideas. We'll explore prompts, journaling, collage, music, poetry, and exercises using the five senses to spark our imaginations and access our creative voices. For beginning and experienced writers in all genres. Come prepared to be inspired!

To register for either of Margaret's classes, visit Bainbridge Island Metro Park & Recreation District website or call 206-842-2306, ext. 16. For more about Margaret, visit her website.

Summer Writing Workshops with Margaret Nevinski

Margaret Nevinski is teaching three summer writing workshops for kids and teens through Bainbridge Island Metro Park & Recreation District. Word Art (for 8-12 year olds), Creative Writing Workshop (for 8-11 year olds), and Teen Creative Writing Workshop (for 12-14 year olds). You can find out more about Margaret on her website.

For more information on Margaret's workshops, including how to register, click here to go to Bainbridge Island Metro Park & Recreation District's cultural arts section (on their Programs and Classes page).

Take a workshop in Point of View

“Start thinking of POV tools, not POV rules,” says writer Alicia Rasley.

In this hands-on workshop, Margaret Nevinski helps writers explore POV tools in the context of their own work. Writing exercises--shared aloud for group discussion--will focus on applying POV choices to the students’ own writing. Students will submit a three-page writing sample before the class begins. The instructor will discuss a number of these pages each week from the perspective of POV.

This workshop is for writers who have taken the Field’s End class “Point of View” (Fall 2009), or who have a finished or in-progress fiction manuscript.

Wednesday, March 24 and March 31, April 7 and 14. 7:00-9:00 pm. $160. Bainbridge Island Commons, 370 Brien Drive NE, Bainbridge Island, WA. To register, visit www.fieldsend.org.

Speculative fiction class at Field's End

Thanks to Margaret Nevinski for passing this along:

The field of speculative fiction allows writers to play with talking objects, spaceships, and transformations of the unlikely to the unlikelier. In this workshop, we’ll discuss the basics of story writing and how the considerations of speculative fiction do (and don’t) alter those basics. We’ll also discuss how to build convincing worlds and cultures. In-class writing exercises will focus on sparking creativity, establishing characters, and plotting.

Date: Saturday, March 13.

Time: 10 a.m.- 3:30 p.m.

Tuition: $100.00

Location:
Library Meeting Room
Bainbridge Public Library
1270 Madison Avenue
Bainbridge Island, WA 98110

About Cat Rambo: John Barth described Cat Rambo's writings as "works of urban mythopoeia" -- her stories take place in a universe where chickens aid the lovelorn, Death is just another face on the train, and Bigfoot gives interviews to the media on a daily basis. Her stories have appeared in ASIMOV'S WEIRD TALES, CLARKESWORLD, and STRANGE HORIZONS in addition to her own anthology, EYES LIKE SKY AND COAL AND MOONLIGHT. She has worked as a programmer-writer for Microsoft and a writing instructor at Bellevue Community College. She is currently co-editor of the critically acclaimed Fantasy Magazine.

Register here.

Professional Series meeting: Margaret Nevinski and Erik Brooks

Are you ready for Tuesday's meeting? We have two great speakers lined up.

Mini-Session: CULTURAL AUTHENTICITY IN FICTION with Margaret Nevinski.

When we write outside our own ethnic culture, how can we provide an authentic experience for young readers? Or can we? Cultural authenticity in our fiction involves complex issues of cultural appropriation, relationship to a culture, authorial choices, and emotional truth. Margaret confronted this issue in books she wrote for the school market, including REMEMBERING MINIDOKA and RUBY BRIDGES. She has an M.F.A. in Writing for Children and Young Adults from Vermont College of Fine Arts, where she worked on middle-grade fiction. Come add your voice to the discussion of how we, as writers for children and teens, can strive for cultural authenticity in our work.

Main Program: 10 YEARS IN THE BIZ: A PRACTICALLY PERFECT PERSPECTIVE ON PUBLISHING with Erik Brooks.

Ten years ago, in April of 2000, Erik’s first book was published. One heartbreaking publisher bankruptcy, six publishers, 15 books (even one written by a MINOR celebrity) later, Erik shares his trajectory of experience from a want-to-be illustrator to full-time published author/illustrator. And he is still learning every day. Erik wrote and illustrated THE PRACTICALLY PERFECT PAJAMAS, OCATAVIUS BLOOM AND THE HOUSE OF DOOM, and SLOW DAYS, FAST FRIENDS. He has also illustrated many books written by others.

Our Professional Series Meetings take place at Seattle Pacific University - Demaray Hall, Room 150. Registration at 6:45 p.m., program at 7:00 p.m.

Classes with Margaret Nevinski

Children's Book Author Margaret Nevinski will be teaching the following classes this fall:

Writing for Children

Do you have an idea for a children's book? Do you want to write for children but don't know where to start? Published children's book author Margaret Nevinski, with an MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults, leads this class on the basics of writing for children and teens. We'll explore the elements of story (character, plot, conflict), the age of the audience and main character, and different genres (picture book, chapter book, middle-grade and young adult novel). During each class we'll write and share our work out loud to get feedback. Come join us to discover your unique voice and pursue your dream of writing for children. Thursdays, 7-9 pm. 10/1 - 11/19. Strawberry Hill Center. $85. Sponsored by the Bainbridge Island Metro Park & Recreation District. To register, visit www.biparks.org or call 206-842-2306, ext. 16.

Creative Writing Workshop
Ages 8-12

If you like to create characters, invent plots, and have fun with words, this workshop is for you! Writer/teacher Margaret Nevinski helps young writers tap into their creativity and strengthen their writing. We'll share our work out loud to get feedback from our fellow authors. Discover more about the craft of writing while creating the spectacular stories and poems only YOU can write. Bring a notebook, a pen, and your imagination.

Thursdays, 4-6 pm. 10/1 - 11/19. Strawberry Hill Center. $85. Sponsored by
the Bainbridge Island Metro Park & Recreation District.
To register, visit www.biparks.org or call 206-842-2306, ext. 16.

Point of View

Choosing a point of view (POV) is one of the most important decisions a writer makes when beginning a new piece of fiction. However, confusion abounds about different POVs and which is most effective for a particular story. This hands-on class with Margaret Nevinski explores the complex world of POV and weighs the advantages and disadvantages of each. Students will submit a writing sample before the class starts. Depending on the number of students, the instructor will discuss 1-2 pieces of submitted writing from students each week from the perspective of POV. During each session, students will write POV exercises and share them aloud for discussion. Join us to discover your POV!

Wednesdays, 7-9 pm. 9/30 and Oct 7, 14, and 21. Bainbridge Commons. $160.
Sponsored by Field's End. To register, visit www.fieldsend.org.