Ready to tackle the pint-sized critic? Join “Writing for Elementary School Readers,” a workshop where we navigate the wild, colorful world of kids’ lit. Ever wondered if you really need to be a professional artist to pitch a picture book, or how much text is too much before a six-year-old wanders off? We’ll tackle the scary stuff: how to snag an illustrator, navigating the “gatekeepers” of the publishing industry, and why your manuscript doesn’t need to be a masterpiece—just a blast. Come ready to play, laugh, and learn how to write stories kids actually want to read!

Attendees will learn to:

• Simplify complex themes into digestible, age-appropriate language.
• Format picture book manuscripts to meet industry-standard submission guidelines.
• Collaborate effectively with illustrators to bring visual stories to life.
• Identify key developmental milestones that influence reader attention spans.
• Navigate the unique submission paths for elementary-aged fiction and nonfiction.