Compiled by June Sengpiehl
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 Many an unpublished manuscript has been refocused, redefined, rewritten, and published after its author attended a class or workshop.
***CLASSES IN ILLINOIS***
THE ART CENTER
1957 Sheridan Road, Highland Park, IL 60035
Spring/Summer Plein Air Landscape Painting at Heller Nature Center
Tuesdays, April 12 to June 7, 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Tuesdays, June 21 to August 9, 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Instructor: Michelle Kogan
Cost: $270 members/$290 nonmembers
To register, tel. 847-432-1000 or go to http://www.theartcenterhp.org
More information: http://www.michellekogan.com;
http://www.moreart4all.wordpress.com; mkogan@mdandmk.com
CHICAGO BOTANIC GARDEN
1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe, IL 60022
Plein Air Watercolor: In the Greenhouse and Garden
Thursdays, April 21 to June 9, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Thursdays, June 16 to August 4, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Instructor: Michelle Kogan
Cost: $299 members/$374 nonmembers
To register, tel. 847-835-8261 or go to
http://www.chicagobotanic.org/school/botanical_arts.php
More information: http://www.michellekogan.com;
http://www.moreart4all.wordpress.com; mkogan@mdandmk.com
COLLEGE OF DU PAGE, GLEN ELLYN CAMPUS
425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn, IL 60137
Writing for Children and Young Adults: From Goodnight Moon to Harry Potter
Saturday, June 25, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Instructor: Carmela Martino
Cost: $59
This class is a one-day introduction to 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. Please bring a sack lunch.
More information: http://www.carmelamartino.com/events.htm
CORPUS CHRISTI PARISH CENTER
Shiloh, IL
Annual Summer Critique-nic
Saturday, July 23, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Fun, food, and critiquing will be featured.
More information: Sherry Randle at sherry_randle@att.net or Anastasia Ely at: anastasia.l.ely@gmail.com
EMILY OAKS NATURE CENTER
4650 Brummel Street, Skokie, IL 60076
Plein Air Watercolor Workshop
Saturday, May 21, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., rain date May 28
Saturdays, July 2 & 9, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., rain date July 23
Instructor: Michelle Kogan
Cost: $60 residents/$75 nonresidents
To register, tel. 847-677-7001 or go to http://www.skokieparkdistrict.org
More information: http://www.michellekogan.com;
http://www.moreart4all.wordpress.com; mkogan@mdandmk.com
EVANSTON ART CENTER
2603 Sheridan Road
Evanston, IL 60201
1. Creating Dynamic Figures
Tuesdays, March 29 to May 31, 7 to 10 p.m.
Tuesdays, June 14 to August 16, 7 to 10 p.m.
Instructor: Michelle Kogan
cost: $275 residents/$295 nonresidents
2. Plein Air Watercolor: Lurie Gardens, Millennium Park
Mondays, June 13 to August 15, 7 to 10 p.m.
Instructor: Michelle Kogan
cost: $250 residents/$270 nonresidents
3. Studio Drawing: Composition/Space/Value
Wednesdays, March 30 to June 1, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Wednesdays, June 15 to August 17, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Instructor: Michelle Kogan
4. Transparent Watercolor
Fridays, April 1 to June 3, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Fridays, June 17 to August 19, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Instructor: Michelle Kogan
Cost: $250 residents/$270 nonresidents
To register, tel. 847-475-5300 or go to
http://www.evanstonartcenter.org/catalog.aspx?did=5
More information: http://www.michellekogan.com;
http://www.moreart4all.wordpress.com; mkogan@mdandmk.com
HIGHLAND PARK
Materials and Techniques in Children’s Book Illustration
Teaching Artist: Lisa Cinelli, 440 Oakland Drive, Highland Park, IL 60035
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.
More information: lisacinelli@gmail.com or tel. 847-433-4287
LAKE FOREST COLLEGE
555 Sheridan Road, Lake Forest, IL
Illustrating Children’s Books
Tuesdays and Thursdays, June 2 to July 21, 1 to 5 p.m.
Instructor: Lisa Cinelli
To register, contact B. J. White at bwhite@lakeforest.edu or tel. 847-735-5027.
You do not have to be a degree-seeking student at Lake Forest College to
register for this class.
MAYSLAKE PEABODY ESTATE
1717 W. 31st Street, Oak Brook, IL 60523
Craft & Critique: Writing Workshop for Children’s/Young Adult Writers
Tuesdays, May 3 to June 21, 7 to 9:30 p.m. (no class 5/31).
Instructor: Carmela Martino
Cost: $165 ($155 for returning students)
By student request, this class has been expanded to seven weeks. In this workshop, Carmela Martino will help students hone their writing and revision skills via lectures and readings. Students will also receive a critique of their own work while learning how to critically study the work of other writers in a friendly, supportive environment. You must bring copies of your manuscript to the first class–a picture book, short story, nonfiction piece, or novel excerpt. Also, if you are new to the class, you must email Carmela (carmela@carmelamartino.com) before enrolling.
More information: http://www.carmelamartino.com/events.htm
NEWBERRY LIBRARY
60 W. Walton St., Chicago, IL
The Write Place: A Facilitated Children’s Book Writers Group
Wednesdays, June 8 through July 13, 5:45 to 7:45 p.m.
Instructor: Esther Hershenhorn
Writers will have the opportunity to share stories in a supportive, focused, and enlightening environment. Facilitated discussion 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. Esther Hershenhorn writes picture books and middle grade fiction, coaches children’s book writers. and serves on the Board of Advisors of The Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators.
More information: http://www.newberry.org
NORTH SHORE ART LEAGUE
620 Lincoln Avenue, Winnetka, IL
Illustration
Spring Session: Fridays, April 8 to June 10, 9:30 a.m. to noon
Summer Session: Fridays, June 24 to August 12, 9:30 a.m. to noon
Instructor: Lisa Cinelli
To register, contact the North Shore Art League at nsal@sbcglobal.net or tel.
847-446-2870.
NORTH SHORE STORYSTUDIO
723 Elm Street, Winnetka, IL
Writing For Children & Young Adults Workshop
Wednesdays, April 27–June 15, 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Instructor: Molly Backes
If you need the support of an ongoing workshop to help keep your writing on track, consider the Craft of Writing for Children & Young Adults. The workshop’s small size will allow for multiple opportunities to get feedback on your manuscript.
More information: http://www.storystudiochicago.com/nscourses/writing_for_children_and_young_adults.php or molly@storystudiochicago.com
RAGDALE FOUNDATION
Lake Forest, IL
Ragdale offers classes and workshops for writers and illustrators.
More information: tel. 847-234-1063, http://www.ragdale.org
SCHOOL OF THE ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO
37 South Wabash Ave., Chicago, IL 60603
1. Beginning Children’s Book Illustration
Mondays and Wednesdays, May 23 to June 27, 6 to 9 p.m.
Instructor: Lisa Cinelli
2. Beginning Children’s Book Illustration
Tuesdays and Thursdays, July 5 to August 10, 6 to 9 p.m.
Instructor: Laura Nyman Montenegro
http://www.lauranymanmontenegro.com
To register, contact Continuing Studies at cs@saic.edu or tel. 312-899-7458
The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Department of Continuing Studies and Special Programs, now has a Certificate in Children’s Book Illustration Program with Lisa Cinelli and Laura Nyman Montenegro as Instructors.
WRITERS CENTER AT ELGIN COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Elgin, IL
Regular writing workshop plus weekend special-topic workshops.
More information: tel. 847-697-1000, ext 7578
***SCBWI REGIONAL CONFERENCES***
SCBWI ILLINOIS
Words by the Lake: Reflections Retreat
Villa Maria Retreat Center
Springfield, IL
July 8–10, begins Friday at 5 p.m., ends Sunday at 3 p.m.
Contact: Sara Latta at saralatta@sbcglobal.net
SCBWI OHIO
The Picture Book Uncovered
Holiday Inn Cleveland-South
6001 Rockside Road
Independence, OH 44131
May 20–22
Contact: Victoria Selvaggio, vselvaggio@windstream.net
The Do’s, Don’ts, and Dynamics of Writing the Perfect Query Letter
Holiday Inn Cleveland-South
6001 Rockside Road
Independence, OH 44131
June 18
Contact: Victoria Selvaggio, vselvaggio@windstream.net
Critique Meeting—Calling All Manuscripts and Illustrations
Barnes and Noble
4015 Medina Road
Akron, OH 44333
July 16, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Contact: Victoria Selvaggio, vselvaggio@windstream.net
First Page Critique Session
Upper Arlington Library
August 17, 7 p.m.
Contact: Victoria Selvaggio, vselvaggio@windstream.net
Schmooze—Open Forum
Barnes and Noble
4015 Medina Road
Akron, OH 44333
August 20, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Contact: Victoria Selvaggio, vselvaggio@windstream.net
WISCONSIN SCBWI
Fierce Revision
Muehl Public Library
436 N. Main Street
Seymour, WI
May 21, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Contact: Susan Manzke, sunnybook@aol.com
Illustrator’s Intensive Workshop
UW-Waukesha
June 25, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Contact: Deb Gross, deb144@charter.net
SCBWI INTERNATIONAL
40th Annual Summer Conference
Los Angeles, CA
August 5–8
More information: http://www.scbwi.org
***LEARNING OUTSIDE ILLINOIS***
CHAUTAUQUA INSTITUTE
Chautauqua, NY
27th Annual Writers Workshop
July 16–23
More information: http://www.highlightsfoundation.org/pages/current/chautauqua_top.html
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.
More information: tel. 877-512-8365 or email Jo Lloyd, jalloyd@highlightsfoundation.org
Writing Jewish-Themed Children’s Books
May 15–18
Workshop Leader: Barbara Krasner
Time to Be Brief: Taking the Time to Write Concisely
May 19–22
Workshop Leaders: Juanita Havill, Susan Pearson
A Concentrated Course in Nonfiction
May 22–25
Workshop Leader: Peter Jacobi
Somebody Ought to Write a Poem
June 2–5
Workshop Leader: David Harrison
Whole Novel Workshop
June 5–12
Workshop Leaders: Carolyn Coman. Jay Neaves
Writing from the Heart
June 12–19
Workshop Leader: Lori Ries
Editing for Writers
June 19–22
Workshop Leader: Stephan Roxburgh
Room to Create: A Writer’s Retreat
July 9–16
Workshop Leaders: Sandy Asher, Linda Oatman High
The Poetic Muse: A Retreat with Rebecca Kai Dotlich
August 13–18
Workshop Leader: Rebecca Kai Dotlich
Food and Fiction
September 8–11
Workshop Leaders: Rich Wallace, Marcia Dunsmore
HAMLINE UNIVERSITY LOW-RESIDENCY
1536 Hewitt Avenue
Saint Paul, MN 55104
Master of Fine Arts in Writing for Children and Young Adults
Semesters begin in January and July
Program is 4 semesters, 5 residencies
More information: http://www.hamline.edu/gls/academics/degree_programs/mfa_cl
LESLEY UNIVERSITY LOW-RESIDENCY
Cambridge, MA
Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing
Semesters begin in January and June
Program is 4 semesters, 5 residencies
More information: http://www.lesley.edu/gsass/creative_writing/program.html
SPALDING UNIVERSITY LOW-RESIDENCY
Louisville, KY
Master of Fine Arts in Writing Program with a Concentration in Writing For Children
Semesters begin in fall, spring, or summer
Program is 4 semesters, 5 residencies
More information: http://www.spalding.edu/writing-for-children-and-young-adults
VERMONT COLLEGE LOW-RESIDENCY
Montpelier, VT
Master of Fine Arts in Writing for Children and Young Adults
July, January
10-day intensive residencies in July and January on campus alternate with 5-month nonresident projects (4 semesters, 5 residencies).
More information: http://www.vermontcollege.edu/low-residency-mfa/writing-children-young-adults
***DISTANCE AND ONLINE LEARNING***
The ABC’s of Children’s Poetry Correspondence Course
Instructor: Heidi Bee Roemer
Cost: $195 (includes shipping)
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 email. Detailed critiques offered. Includes instruction on how to find and target poetry publishers. Materials you receive: 60-page ABC workbook, POETRY PLACE booklet, five CDs, sample magazines, and market newsletters. Do you want professional feedback on your story-in-rhyme, poetry collection. picture book, or nonfiction? Heidi Bee Roemer, a children’s author and instructor for the Institute of Children’s Literature, offers detailed written critiques with an eye on publication–yours!
More information: HRoemer@hotmail.com
INSTITUTE OF CHILDREN’S LITERATURE
Correspondence courses and access to articles, tips, chat room discussions on writing.
More information: http://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)
More information: http://www.writersonlineworkshops.com
June Sengpiehl lives in Oak Park with her husband, Paul. She writes poetry, articles, picture books, and chapter books. Her email is jsseng629@yahoo.com.
