upcoming Workshops & EVENTS
SHAWN HARRIS
AUTHOR and ILLUSTRATOr
ONLINE: THURSDAY 25TH APRIL 7-9PM (UK BST)
Join us to hear author and illustrator Shawn Harris talk about his award-winning books and his collaborations with Mac Barnett and a look at Shawn’s various illustration processes.
Shawn’s talk will be followed by an audience Q&A opportunity.
Shawn Harris is an award-winning author and illustrator of books for kids.
The Eyes and the Impossible, a #1 New York Times bestseller written by Dave Eggers, was awarded the John Newbery Medal, while his authorial debut Have You Ever Seen A Flower, called a “stunning tour de force…” by The New York Times, received a Caldecott Honor. The National Museum of Wildlife Art gave Shawn the Bull-Bransom Award, for excellence in the field of children’s book illustration with a focus on nature and wildlife, for his cut-paper illustrations in A Polar Bear in the Snow, by Mac Barnett, with whom he also creates the bestselling First Cat In Space graphic novel series.
Shawn lives in Half Moon Bay, California, and likes to writes songs, surf and play racquetball.
Shawn is represented by Steven Malk at Writers House.
Tickets are sold through Eventbrite and are non-refundable. Zoom links will be emailed directly to you on the day of the event around 5pm UK time.
The event is LIVE - but buying a ticket will give you access to a recording which will be available for one week afterwards. You will be sent a link for this the day after the event.
amy lednor
the accountant who gives a monkeys
ONLINE: TueSDAY 30TH april 7-8.30PM (UK bst)
Join us for an engaging evening of conversation with Amy Lednor, the brilliant accountant behind Lednor Accounting Limited - “The Accountant Who Gives a Monkey's!"
Amy will be talking all about how money, tax and numbers don't have to be the monster in the room! As freelancers, we know all too well how time-consuming and stressful taxes, expenses and spreadsheets can be, and how challenging it is to balance creative work with financial admin. Amy’s talk will provide key knowledge and useful strategies for all things money and tax-related going forward.
This talk is perfect for anyone self-employed, or that needs to file taxes. Amy will be discussing tax - understanding your strengths and when to ask for help, easy cash management strategies, and how to cope with the uncertainties of royalties and advances.
Following the talk, Amy will lead a Q&A session, providing the perfect opportunity to seek advice specific to your unique circumstances. No question is silly if you don't know the answer!
Amy, a nerdy little mathematician from Kent, worked in industry as a Chartered Accountant for 20 plus years before realising her strength was in talking! Talking numbers, your business, swimming and anything else! She opened her practice in January 2023 and started helping small UK business owners find a way to access their numbers and what they mean in a non-number-y way.
Come along if you’re self-employed and feel like you’re winging it, if you’re thinking about becoming self-employed, or if you love to chat numbers like Amy does!
Tickets are sold through Eventbrite and are non-refundable. Zoom links will be emailed directly to you on the day of the event around 5pm UK time.
The event is LIVE - but buying a ticket will give you access to a recording which will be available for one week afterwards. You will be sent a link for this the day after the event.
ken wilson-max
author/illustrator and children's book publisher
ONLINE: ThursDAY 16TH may 7-8.30PM (UK bst)
Join us to hear from Ken Wilson-Max, author, illustrator, and children’s publisher, as he shares the details of his impressive career. From crafting award-winning picture books to steering his imprint, Kumusha Books, within Harper Collins UK, Ken’s industry experience is invaluable.
Ken will provide a window into his creative process, his inspirations, and the nuances of the publishing industry. Born in Zimbabwe, Ken now lives in London and has over 70 books published in many languages worldwide. His books are, and have always been, naturally inclusive.
In 2020, Ken's Astro Girl won the STEAM award for early years picture books in the UK, while Where's Lenny? was listed in The Guardian's list of 50 Best Culturally Diverse Children's Books. Several of his books are included in the core books list of The Centre for Literacy in Primary Education (CLPE) and Book Trust in the UK for early years education.
Stars with Flaming Tales, a poetry collection written by Valerie Bloom and illustrated by Ken won the CLiPPA (UK) award for poetry in 2022, and Ken has been nominated for the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award three times. His most recent book Terrible Horses, written by Raymond Antrobus was published by Walker Books this April.
Following Ken’s talk there will be a Q&A session, where you can ask any burning questions, and glean invaluable insights into the world of storytelling and picture book making.
Tickets are sold through Eventbrite and are non-refundable. Zoom links will be emailed directly to you on the day of the event around 5pm UK time.
The event is LIVE - but buying a ticket will give you access to a recording which will be available for one week afterwards. You will be sent a link for this the day after the event.
how to write a best-selling
rhyming picture book
with Lou Grosart
ONLINE: monDAY 20TH may 1-4PM (UK bst)
The bestseller list is full of brilliant rhyming picture books, but they can be notoriously tricky to write. Join picture book editor Louise Grosart as she presents her top tips on how to make your picture book idea into a bestselling rhyming story.
Workshop Highlights:
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Learn essential techniques for transforming your picture book idea into a bestselling rhyming story.
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Explore key rhyme structures and strategies to make your rhyming text shine.
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Gain insights into common pitfalls to avoid when writing rhyming picture books.
What to Expect:
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Dive into interactive exercises designed to enhance your rhyming skills and storytelling abilities.
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Receive personalised feedback on your story during the workshop.
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Equip yourself with the knowledge and confidence to submit your rhyming picture book to agents and editors.
Workshop Structure:
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Introduction to Rhyming Picture Books
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Hands-On Rhyming Exercises
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Live Feedback Session
Who Should Attend:
This workshop is perfect for anyone who feels that they might want to write a rhyming picture book, whether you're just starting out or looking to refine your craft. If you've ever wondered if your picture book idea needs to rhyme, if your rhymes work but you get stuck on the story or if you’ve struggled to maintain rhyme while crafting your story, this workshop is tailored for you!
Note:
Please bring along a pencil and paper for interactive exercises.
About Lou Grosart:
With over a decade of experience working for the UK's biggest publishers, Lou Grosart is a seasoned expert in preschool and picture books. Having collaborated with renowned authors, illustrators, and brands such as Tom Fletcher, Shirley Hughes, Tintin, The Snowman, and Peppa Pig, Lou brings a wealth of industry knowledge and expertise to her workshops. Known for her commercial publishing talent, insightful feedback, and creative ideas, Lou currently serves as an editor at Ladybird Books.
Don't miss this opportunity to learn from a picture book editor and get your rhyming picture book idea off the ground. Reserve your spot today!
Tickets are sold through Eventbrite and are non-refundable. Zoom links will be emailed directly to you 24 hours before the event.
The event is LIVE - but buying a ticket will give you access to a recording of the workshop lecture - which will be available to view back for one week. You will be sent a link for this within 48 hours of the event. Alongside the link, you will also receive details of the activity in a PDF.
emma farrarons
illustrator and designer
ONLINE: tuesDAY 21st may 7-8.30PM (UK bst)
Join us to hear all about Emma’s journey from trolley-riding bookworm to published illustrator.
After Emma’s talk, there will be an opportunity for questions from the live audience.
Illustrator and picture book designer Emma Farrarons was born on the island of Cebu in The Philippines and moved to Paris as a baby. Her fondest childhood memories include perching on a trolley in the hypermarket bookshop, engrossed in the adventures of Asterix and Obelix with her brothers while her mother tackled the weekly family shop.
Driven by her love for illustration, Emma pursued studies at The Edinburgh College of Art and an Erasmus at The École nationale supérieure des arts décoratifs in Paris. After moving to London, she found herself drawn into the world of picture book design at Macmillan Children’s Books, where she worked for over 16 years. When the pandemic hit, Emma decided to take the plunge and focus entirely on her passion for picture book illustration.
Now, Emma has teamed up with author Charlie Castle to create their debut picture book, My Hair is as Long as a River, which is set to hit shelves this May 2024.
Tickets are sold through Eventbrite and are non-refundable. Zoom links will be emailed directly to you 24 hours before the event.
The event is LIVE - but buying a ticket will give you access to a recording which will be available for one week afterwards. You will be sent a link for this the day after the event.
sarah massini
ILLUSTRATOr and designer
ONLINE: THURSDAY 30th may 7-9PM (UK BST)
Join us for an evening, to learn from Sarah, and gain an insight into her beautiful work, her current projects and her varied career so far.
After the talk, we’ll have a short break and then ask questions from the live audience.
Sarah Massini has had careers as both a graphic designer and an illustrator. After gaining a first-class degree in graphics in Manchester, she worked as a corporate designer for blue-chip clients, including the Royal Mail and Cancer Research UK - she is also the creator of Bloomsbury’s iconic Diana logo!
However, the pull of illustration drew Sarah inexorably into children’s publishing, firstly as an art editor and now as the critically acclaimed illustrator of many books. These have been translated into over 30 languages, and include the best-selling ‘The Girl And The Dinosaur’, and classics such as ‘The Velveteen Rabbit’ and ‘The Little Prince’. The New York Times praised Sarah’s art as ‘...fantastically stylish...gorgeous and altogether satisfying….’
Alongside current projects for Puffin and Bloomsbury, Sarah is developing and writing her own picture books.
Tickets are sold through Eventbrite and are non-refundable. Zoom links will be emailed directly to you on the day of the event around 5pm UK time.
The event is LIVE - but buying a ticket will give you access to a recording which will be available for one week afterwards. You will be sent a link for this the day after the event.