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Getting Published as a Writer for Children

w/ Jane Godwin and guest Davina Bell

Are you a new writer for children? This one-day course offers an understanding of what goes on inside a publishing house, how publishers make their choices, how to give yourself the best chance of publication and what to expect from the publishing process.

10am – 4pm, Saturday 21 August 2021

Faber Writing Academy at Kathleen Syme Library

Kathleen Syme Library
251 Faraday St,
Carlton VIC 3053

 

Get directions

Course fee: $295/$250 alumni


This is a past course.

Getting Published as a Writer for Children provides an opportunity to discuss the author-publisher relationship with an experienced author and illustrator. Learn more about the industry, explore different ways to approach your writing and build a strong story, and become aware of common pitfalls. 

The course includes: 

• A full day of intensive tuition from 10am to 4pm 
• Lunch and refreshments
• A complimentary copy of a recent A&U publication
• On completion of the course, alumni discounts on future Faber Writing Academy courses and books from the Allen & Unwin website

This workshop requires you to send in a sample of your writing and to think about how to pitch your book. Submissions are due by Friday, 6 August and should be emailed to: faberwritingacademy@allenandunwin.com.

In preparation for the workshopping you should also consider how to ‘pitch’ your book, i.e. how to best summarise it in two or three sentences. Try to think about what sets it apart from other books and how it fits with the current market – this will help you get the most out of the day.

 


Writers you'll be working with:

Jane Godwin

Jane Godwin is the highly acclaimed author of over thirty books for children, across all styles and ages. Her work is published internationally and she has received many commendations, including the Queensland Premier’s Award (Children’s Books), the Aurealis Award and the Animal Welfare Award, and shortlistings in the CBCA Book of the Year Awards, the…

Davina Bell

Davina Bell is an award-winning author for young readers of many ages. She writes picture books (including All the Ways to be Smart, All of the Factors of Why I Love Tractors and Under the Love Umbrella), junior fiction (Lemonade Jones) and middle-grade fiction (The Corner Park Clubhouse series and the Alice books in the Our Australian Girl series). Her debut YA novel, The End…

Course outline

The program will address the much-asked questions:

• What are publishers looking for?
• Which publishers should I submit to?
• What should I submit?
• How can I polish my writing?
• What resources are available to me as a writer?
• Do I need an agent?
• What should I know about genres, age groups and the current market?
• What happens once my book is accepted?
• How can I make the most of the publishing relationship?

 

Praise for this course

“The course was fabulous. I have been to a lot of courses and most of the time I hear the same things now… But I feel like I got the inside word at this course. Was really great!” 2020

“Jane was a fantastic presenter. It was an amazing opportunity to learn from someone with such a wealth of knowledge and experience in both publishing and writing.” 2020

“Both presenters were very professional but also warm and engaging. Sharing their own personal experience was very valuable.” 2020

“The course gave a really tidy overview of the wider industry as well as tips for individual writing goals. The opportunity to do a practice pitch and receive feedback on this, as well as hear others was one of the most helpful and valuable parts for me.” 2020

How to Book

This is a past course.