Dear Friends:
The watchwords of my website are “Believe in Your Story.” Everything I do as a writing teacher is devoted to help YOU take your story from a dream to reality. This year, I hope you’ll let me become a small piece in your journey toward publication. Here’s a brief schedule of speaking engagements for the year. Notice that there are limited spots in most of the workshops.
BEGINNER’S GUIDE TO BLOGGING
Baxter County Library, Mountain Home, AR
Contact: darcy@darcypattison.com
NOVEL REVISION RETREAT June 6-8, 2014. Tacoma, Washington.
Originally, this was open to only 8 people, but the response has been great, so it is open to 12. Only 2 spaces left.
For information on the Novel Revision Retreat, see here.
Download full information on the Tacoma retreat here.
Contact: Claudia Finseth.
PICTURE BOOKS AND ALL THAT JAZZ, June 12-15, Highlights Foundation Workshop.
Full information on the Highlights Foundation website.
Darcy Pattison says:
“One of the joys of traveling the U.S. to teach is meeting amazing authors like Leslie Helakoski, who has served as the Society of Children’s Bookwriters and Illustrators Regional Advisor in Michigan. This transplanted Cajun takes a delightful and insightful look at picture books. We’ll be team-teaching, riffing off one another, in this intensive picture book workshop for dedicated writers. I’ll crack the whip; Leslie will crack the jokes. Did I mention that it will be intensive? Expect to revise your gem a dozen times until it gleams. And sells.
My ebook, How to Write a Children’s Picture Book has sold worldwide, from South Africa to Canada to Arkansas. The book covers picture book genres, picture book basics, the actual writing process, the revision process, and the submission process. Leslie and I will cover all these topics—and more. Writing rhymed picture books, dummy your manuscript, phonics for picture book writers, tips on getting a reader to turn the page, and fine-tuning for that crucial read aloud quality—we go in-depth and help you jazz up your story. We’ll go far beyond the basics.”
Want to host a retreat in your area, or invite Darcy to speak at your conference? Email Darcy for more details.
This is a special four days of workshops with three options.
August 22-25. Rolling Ridge Retreat and Conference Center, North Andover, MA.
Contact: Anne Broyles
Choose one or all of the following three workshops, all of which are held at Rolling Ridge.
BUILD AN AUTHOR WEBSITE. Friday, August 22, 2014. 9 AM-3 PM
In this hands-on seminar, we’ll set up your domain/blog and learn four strategies for maintaining a strong blog with a minimum of effort. Darcy Pattison’s website (darcypattison.com) receives half a million visits/year. Learn from her mistakes and triumphs as she walks you through the process of developing a viable website. Computer access required—bring your own computer; you will be paying for your domain (about $12) and webhosting (about $80/year), so you’ll need to be prepared to sign up for services with a credit card or PayPal.
Limited to 8 participants.
Contact: Anne Broyles
NOVEL REVISION RETREAT. Friday, August 22, 2014, 4 pm to Sunday, August 24, 11 am.
Darcy will share her unique revision methods and give concrete tools for writers who have finished a middle grade or young adult novel manuscript. The goal of the retreat is that every author will go home with strategies for revising their own particular novel. The retreat is designed for maximum participation and advance preparation is required. Writers will be in critique groups with three other writers, and are expected to have read their group members’ complete manuscripts, as well.
Limited to 20 participants.
Contact: Anne Broyles
SUNDAY, AUGUST 24 OVERNIGHT Dedicated Writing Time Meals will be available for those who want to stay at Rolling Ridge to write/canoe or kayak/have a massage/hang out with other writers.
PICTURE BOOK WORKSHOP. Monday, August 25, 2014. 9 AM-3 PM
Picture books demand strong, creative storytelling. Join picture book author Darcy Pattison to work on your word choices, story structure, pacing, addressing different audience, and the possibilities—and pitfalls—of rhythm and rhyme. You will focus and shape that vague idea into a lively story with great illustration possibilities and interactive read-aloud fun. Bring a story in progress. You’ll need to purchase the ebook, HOW TO WRITE A CHILDREN’S PICTURE BOOK, by Darcy Pattison.
Limited to 16 participants.
Contact: Anne Broyles
Want to host a retreat in your area, or invite Darcy to speak at your conference? Email Darcy for more details.