SPRING 2010 Classes, Retreats & Workshops

Classes, conferences and workshops provide opportunities for professional contacts, manuscript critiques, networking and fellowship. Many an unpublished manuscript has been refocused, redefined, rewritten and published after its author attended a class or workshop. The information below was compiled by Oak Park author June Sengpiehl.

CLASSES

THE SCHOOL OF THE ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO
37 South Wabash Avenue, Chicago, IL 60603
Dept. of Continuing Studies and Special Programs

Children’s Book Illustration,  504 001
Mondays and Wednesdays, May 24 to June 28, 2010,6 to 9 pm
Instructor: Lisa Cinelli
Sullivan Center, 36 S. Wabash, Chicago, IL 

Children’s Book Illustration, 504-002
Tuesdays and Thursdays, July 06 to August 09, 2010,  6 to 9 pm
Instructor: Laura A. Montenegro

For more information, check the SAIC.EDU Continuing  Studies website or call Continuing Studies and Special Programs through the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.

Fall 2010:  The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Department of Continuing Studies and Special Programs, is beginning a Certificate in Children’s Book Illustration Program with Lisa Cinelli and Laura A. Montenegro as Instructors.

Materials and Techniques in Children’s Book Illustration 
440 Oakland Drive
Highland Park, Illinois 60035
Teaching Artist: Lisa Cinelli 

Work one on one or in small classes exploring drawing, painting and mixed media techniques used in children’s book illustration. Fine tune images in your picture book dummy and then experiment with materials to best tell the story visually.  Classes can also be arranged to focus on particular drawing or painting techniques such as pen and ink, watercolor or gouache (an opaque watercolor) or mixed media.

For more information about classes or one on one lessons, contact Lisa Cinelli atlisacinelli@gmail.com or call (847) 433-4287.  

COLLEGE OF DUPAGE 
GLEN ELLYN CAMPUS
425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn, IL 60137

Adult Continuing Class
Saturday, June 26, 2010, 9 am to 3 pm (Please bring a sack lunch)
Instructor: Carmela Martino, author
From Goodnight Moon to Harry Potter
Author Carmela Martino introduces the children’s writing field, from picture books and magazines to teen novels. Learn about the genres of children’s literature, the current marketplace and how to submit a manuscript.
Course Code: #LEISR-0052-005, Course fee $59
For more information, see http://www.carmelamartino.com/events.htm

MAYSLAKE PEABODY ESTATE
1717 W. 31st Street
Oak Brook, IL 60523

Critique Workshop for Children’s Writers
Mondays, April 19 to May 24, 2010, 7 to 9 pm  
Instructor: Carmela Martino, author

In this workshop, children’s writers receive a critique of their own work while learning how to critically study the work of other writers. Author Carmela Martino will facilitate critique sessions based on specific rules to create a supportive environment.  She will also provide specific instruction using examples from the critiqued manuscripts.    You must bring copies of your manuscript--a picture book, short story, or novel chapter to the first class.    Also, before enrolling, you must email the instructor for word count limits and manuscript guidelines: carmela@carmelamartino.com.   

Note: class is limited to 10 students.  
Cost $110.  For more information, see http://www.carmelamartino.com/events.htm

THE NEWBERRY LIBRARY
60 W. Walton St., Chicago

The Write Place: A Facilitated Children’s Book Writers Group
Six week--night sessions,  July 9 to July 14, 2010,5:45 pm to 7:45  pm 
Instructor:   Esther Hershenhorn, author

Writers will have the opportunity to  share their stories in a supportive, focused and enlightening environment.   Facilitated discussions of participants’ manuscripts will highlight the writing process, story  components, elements of narrative, craft, revision and a story’s marketability within today’s children’s book publishing world.   Writers of all levels will be offered a variety of writing exercises, suggested readings and current marketing information.   
www.newberry.org
http://www.newberry.org/programs/seminarsinfo.html

Chicago Botanic Garden
1000 Lake Cook Road
Glencoe, IL 60022

The following classses are taught by  Michelle Kogan. Her website is:  http://www.michellekogan.com

Plein Air Watercolor: In the Greenhouse and Gardens BOA014110
Thursdays, April 22 to May 27, 2010, 9:30 am to 12:30 pm

For registration,  call (847) 835-8261 and press 1 after the greeting or visit http://www.chicagobotanic.org/school/class_schedule/by_topic#botanical_arts_and_humanities

The Art Center
1957 Sheridan Road
Highland Park,IL 60035

Spring Plein Air Landscape Painting at Heller Nature Center (CC6226) 
Tuesdays, April 13 to June 8, 2010, 10:00 am  to 12:30 pm

For registration, call (847) 432-8100 or visit http://www.theartcenterhp.org

Evanston Art Center
2603 Sheridan Road
Evanston, IL 60201

Creating Dynamic Figures (2nd half of session will use 2 life models) (0176)
Tuesdays, March 23 to May 25, 2010, 7 pm to 10 pm  

Studio Drawing: Composition/Space/value (0282)
Wednesdays, March 24  to  May 26,  2010, 7  pm to 10  pm

Transparent  Watercolor (0261)
Fridays, March 26 to May 28,  2010,  9:30 am to 12:30 pm

For registration, call (847) 475-5300 or visit http://www.evanstonartcenter.org

Sneak Peak at Early Summer
Emily Oaks Nature Center (Skokie)
Plein Air Watercolor Workshop (244451-01)
Saturday, June 12 and 19, 2010 (Raindate June 26) 9:30 am to 12:30 pm
Registration begins 5-15 for residents and 5-22 for nonresidents
Click on link below for registration or call:
http://www.skokieparkdistrict.org
Emily Oaks Nature Center EONC at 847-677-7001

Poetry Writing Correspondence Course
What: The ABC’s of Children’s Poetry Correspondence Course
When & Where: At your convenience in your own home
Instructor: Heidi Bee Roemer
Details: Author of three poetry books and over 400 magazine sales, Heidi teaches students how to write poetry for children with an eye on publication.  Learn how to write a variety of poetry forms, basic meters, rhyme schemes, devices of sound and more.  Poetry assignments are exchanged via e-mail.  Detailed  critiques offered.  Includes instruction on how to find and target poetry publishers.  Materials you receive: 60 page ABC workbook, POETRY PLACE booklet, five CD’s sample magazines and market newsletters.  

Cost: $195 (includes shipping)
For more information, please contact Heidi at HRoemer@hotmail.com 

Email Poetry Course
Beyond Jack and Jill: A study in Children’s Poetry
Instructor: Kim Hutmacher

This four week course covers rhyme, meter and scansion,  Students will read a variety of poetry and gain an understanding of poetry forms and the tools poets use in creating their works.  Students will read at least two children’s poetry collections per week.  They will submit two of their own poems for critique each week.  Instructor will share children’s poetry market information with students.  The class is designed for four weeks but it more time is needed it will be okay.

Cost $100
For more information or to register, please contact Kim Hutmacher at kiddos@warpnet.net

The following institutions also offer classes and workshops for writers and illustrators. Specific class information was not available at time of publication.

THE RAGDALE FOUNDATION
Lake Forest, IL
Phone (847) 234-1063 or visit www.ragdale.org.

THE WRITERS CENTER AT ELGIN COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Elgin, IL
Regular writing workshop plus weekend special-topic workshops
Phone (847) 697-1000, Ext. 7578

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SCBWI REGIONALS

SCBWI ILLINOIS
Words In The Woods 
June 18, 11:30 am  to June 20, 2010, 1:30 pm
Villa Maria, Lake Springfield, Illinois
For information, contact Sara Latta at saralatta@sbcglobal.net

SCBWI INDIANA
Spring Conference
Focus On The Novel
May 14, 15, 2010
Purdue University Calumet
Hammond, Indiana
For more information, visit www.indianascbwi.com

SCBWI MICHIGAN
Spring Conference
May 1, 2010
Lansing, Michigan
Contact: Janice Broyles

SCBWI OHIO

YA Workshop/Event
May 15, 2010, 9 am to 12 pm
Holiday Inn Cleveland -South
6001 Rockside Road, 
Independence, Ohio 44131
Contact: Victoria Selvaggio

Critique Meet
June 19, 2010, l0 am to 12 pm
Barnes and Noble
4015 Medina Road
Akron, Ohio 44333
Contact: Victoria Selvaggio

Speaker Event
July 17, 2010, 9 am to 1 pm
Holiday Inn Cleveland -South
6001 Rockside Road
Independence, Ohio 44131
Contact: Victoria Selvaggio

Schmooze - Open Forum
August 21, 2010, 10 am to 12 pm
Barnes & Noble
4015 Medina Road
Akron, OH 44333
Contact: Victoria Selvaggio

WISCONSIN SCBWI
July 10, 2010
Picture Book Workshop
UW-Waukesha, WI 
Contact: Judy Bryan

SCBWI INTERNATIONAL
39th  Annual Summer Conference
July 30  to August 2, 2010
Los Angeles, California

Visit http://SCBWI.org for faculty, registration and information.

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RETREATS, CONFERENCES, WORKSHOPS AND LECTURES


HIGHLIGHTS FOUNDATION FOUNDERS WORKSHOPS
FOR PROFESSIONAL AND ASPIRING WRITERS AND ILLUSTRATORS
Honesdale, PA
Conferences include seminars, small-group workshops, and one-on-one sessions with some of the most accomplished, prominent and supportive authors, illustrators, editors, critics and publishers of the world of children’s literature, all determined to help authors and illustrators meet their goals

April 16 to 18, 2010
The Hero And The Shadow
Workshop Leaders: Marileta Robinson, Kim T. Griswell

May 1 to 8, 2010
Whole Novel Workshop For Fantasy
Workshop Leaders: Laura Ruby, Anne Ursu

May 13 to 16, 2010
Writing Memorable Nonfiction: Pleasures and Possibilities,Problems and Practice Workshop
Workshop Leader: Peter Jacobi

May 16 to 19, 2010
Writing Your First Novel Workshop
Workshop Leader: Sandy Asher

May 20 to 23, 2010
Wordplay: Writing Poetry For Children Workshop
Workshop Leader: Rebecca Kai Dotlich

May 23 to 25, 2010
Writing Jewish-Themed Children’s Books
Workshop Leader: Barbara Krasner

May 27 to 30, 2010
Mining Your Memories Workshop
Workshop Leader: Rich Wallace

June 3 to 6, 2010
The Fine Art Of Illustration Workshop
Workshop Leader: Melanie Hall

June 6 to 9, 2010
Editiing For Writers
Workshop Leader: Steven Roxburgh

June 12 to 19, 2010
Whole Novel Workshop
Workshop Leaders: Carolyn Coman, Jane Resh Thomas

June  20 to 27, 2010
Writing From The Heart: A Guided Writers’ Retreat
Workshop Leader: Lori Ries

August  14 to 21, 2010
Carolyn Yoder Aumni Writers’ Retreat
Workshop Leader: Carolyn Yoder

For all workshops, phone (877) 512-8365 with questions. To register or to request more information, e-mail Jo Lloyd, Program Assistant, jalloyd@highlightsfoundation.org

26th Annual Writers Workshop
Chautauqua Institute, Chautauqua, NY
July 17 to 24, 2010
For more information,visit http://www.highlightsfoundation.org/pages/current/chautauqua_ top.html

Global Fair II: One World, Many Stories
National-Louis University, North Shore Campus
5202 Old Orchard Road (North Tower), 3rd Floor
Skokie, IL 60077-4409, Exit 35 at Old Orchard Road, just west of I-94,free parking,

Saturday, May 8, 2010, 10 am to 3 pm
Engage in a discussion about international children’s books.  Examine books and fair trade goods, both will be available for purchase.  Bring a favorite ethnic food to share at a  potluck lunch.  End the afternoon under the spell of acclaimed storyteller, Beth Horner. 
CPDU’s wll be available.
RSVP for yourself and friends: CTCB@ nl.edu; mail to CTCB@nl.edu

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OFF CAMPUS WRITERS’ WORKSHOP (OCWW) will host
EDITOR’S DAY ON Thursday, May 6, 2010 From 9:30 To Noon
at the Wilmette Public Library, 1242 Wilmette Avenue, Wilmette, Illinois

Featured editors will incude:

1.  Sara Kase of Sourcebooks- nonfiction and fiction books, including  children’s books;
2.  Carol Saller of University of Chicago Press-mostly nonfiction books, but Carol herself is a former children’s book editor; and 
3.  Anita Miller of Academy Chicago Publishers-nonfiction and fiction books

Admission $10

For more information, visit www.ocww.bizland.com or contact Ellen McKnight at ELTMCK@gmail.com.

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RESIDENCY PROGRAMS

VERMONT COLLEGE BRIEF RESIDENCY
MASTER OF FINE ARTS IN WRITING FOR CHILDREN AND YOUNG ADULTS
Montpelier, VT
July, January
11-day intensive residencies in July and January on campus alternate with 5 month nonresident projects (4 semesters, 5 residencies) Faculty includes M. T. Anderson, Kathi Appelt, Marion Dane Bauer, Sharon Darrow, Ellen Levine and Norma Fox Mazer

Contact Melissa Fisher at (800) 336-6794, Ext. 8637 or e-mail melissa.fisher@tui.edu or visit the website at http://www.tui.edu/vermontcollege

SPALDING UNIVERSITY BRIEF-RESIDENCY

Master of Fine Arts in Writing Program
Louisville, KY

with a Concentration in Writing For Children
Semesters begin in May or October
Program is 4 semesters, 5 residencies
Contact Graduate Admissions at (800) 896-8941, Ext. 2423
or e-mail: mfa@spalding.edu or visit the website at http://www.spalding.edu


LESLEY UNIVERSITY LOW-RESIDENCY

Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing
Cambridge, MA
Offering a concentration in Writing for Young People
Semesters begin in January and June
Program is 4 semesters, 5 residencies
Contact Jana M. Van der Veer,
Assistant Director, Advising and Student Services
email: jvanderv@lesley.edu
Or visit the website at http://lesley.edu/gsass/creative_writing/index.html

HAMLINE UNIVERSITY LOW-RESIDENCY
MASTER OF FINE ARTS IN WRITING FOR CHILDREN AND YOUNG ADULTS
1536 Hewitt Avenue
Saint Paul, MN 55104

Semesters begin in January and July
Program is 4 semesters, 5 residencies
Office phone: (651) 523-2047, Fax: (651) 523-2490
For questions, call (651) 523-2900 or e-mail gradprog@hamline.edu
Or visit the website at http://www.hamline.edu/gls/academics/degree_programs/mfa_cl/index.html

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LEARNING ON-LINE OR BY CORRESPONDENCE

INSTITUTE OF CHILDREN’S LITERATURE
Correspondence courses and access to articles, tips, chat room discussions on writing.
Visit www.Institutechildrenslit.com

WRITER’S DIGEST ONLINE WORKSHOPS
• “Fundamentals of Writing for Children” (12-week beginning course)
• “Focus Course in Writing for Children” (14-week intermediate course)
For details and starting dates on these workshops and other Writer’s Digest Online courses, visit www.writersonlineworkshops.com

WOW! Women On Writing  
Online Classes

SOCIAL NETWORKING FOR AUTHORS: TWITTER, FACEBOOK, LINKEDIN AND MORE
Start Date:  Monday, May  24, 2010  
Duration: 4 weeks
Instructor: Margo Dill (http://margodill.com/blog) 

COURSE DESCRIPTION:  This class will teach writers how to use Twitter, Facebook, Linkedin, and other social networking sites such as Shelfari or Jacket Flap, (students’ choice) to network; to build a following of fans; to start working on a brand/image; and to promote books, articles, magazines and blogs.  Instead of using Facebook and Twitter to write about your fabulous dinner or disastrous day at the grocery store, you will learn to sell yourself and your writing.

Materials needed: a computer with Internet service, e-mail address and ability to sign-up for free Google account.  You must also be willing to sign up for Facebook, Twitter and Linkdin accounts if you haven’t already.

Cost: $100 which will include four weeks of instruction on how to use social networking as a writer and critiques for each student of social networking profile pages (if requested by the students).  The Google group will stay open for classmates to network with each other even after the  class ends.

To sign up or view the syllabus, please see: http://www.wow-womenonwriting.com/WOWclasses.html#MargoDill_SocialNetworking

BLOGGING 101 AND MORE:  Start a Blog, Make it Unique, and Keep it Going
START DATE: MONDAY, JULY 12, 2010
DURATION: 5 weeks
Insructor: Margo Dill

COURSE DESCRIPTION:  Blogging is one of the best and cheapest ways to achieve an Internet presence. This class will help students start a blog.   If you already have a blog, it  will help you target the readers you want to reach.   Students will also learn how to create a unique blog, build followers and/or drive traffic to their blogs, blog on a schedule, connect posts to social networking sites, and monetize their blogs.  This course is for beginning and intermediate bloggers or for people who are looking to spice up their blogs. 
**Please note:  you do not have to be technologically savvy  to start a blog and keep up with it.  

Materials needed: Most materials will be provided by the instructor.  You will need: a computer with Internet service, e-mail address, and ability to sign-up for a free Google group account and Blogger or Wordpress account.

Cost: $125, which includes access to a private Google group and private e-mail discussions with Instructor as needed.  **Students can remain in the Google group after the class ends to access materials and discuss problems/solutions/ideas with classmates.  To sign up or view the syllabus, please see: http: //www.wow-womenonwriting.com/WOWclasses.html#MargoDill_Blogging 101

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