Connecting with Your Readers from Idea to Bookshelf

The next step of your writing journey

KEEP PICTURE BOOK SUMMIT ON YOUR SIDE AFTER THE SUMMIT ENDS!

Four Founders Sessions Events, Featuring Inspiration, Enlightenment and World-Class Education


You've just attended Picture Book Summit and you're still buzzing. You savor the fresh memories: the fun, the inspiration, and, above all, the amazing learning experiences that will shape your future as a picture book author.
But what happens next month? And the month after that? Will you keep moving forward toward becoming a better and stronger writer?

Or will you fall back into old habits and let those doubts creep back in?

Now you have the chance to keep the Picture Book Summit feeling going after the Summit has ended!



Introducing the PICTURE BOOK SUMMIT FOUNDERS SESSIONS, a series of four hour-long events featuring the co-founders of Picture Book Summit: Katie Davis, Laura Backes, Emma Walton Hamilton and Julie Hedlund.Each of these extraordinary educators will offer her best insight and advice around a specific theme.
For 2021-22, it's CONNECTING WITH YOUR READERS FROM IDEA TO BOOKSHELF.

Once you have ideas for stories only you can tell, how do you know if they will resonate with readers? Join the PBSummit Founders in four sessions as they take you on the next step of your writing journey—connecting with your audience whether you’re writing fiction or nonfiction. Each Session will include a half hour in-depth presentation by the Founder followed by an extensive Q&A.

This is *exactly* the boost you'll need to keep you going — and growing — throughout the year.

And the price is only $397.

You read that right -- it's not $397 per session. It's $397 for all four Founders' Session events. Plus you'll have full access to on-demand replays of all the Sessions.

This is a small investment that will bring you inspiration and education for months to come.

Click below to reserve your place for all four Founder's Session Events.



Here are the Founders' Session events for 2021-22:
  • Laura Backes: Who’s Your Reader? - October 21 at 8pm ET/5pm PT
    • What do they think is funny, scary, important … and how do they perceive the world? Laura Backes discusses your specific audience’s worldview relative to their age and cognitive abilities.
  • Katie Davis: What’s the Kid-Appeal? - November 11 at 1pm ET/10am PT
    • Why will your reader care about this story? Katie will show you how to develop your idea into a story that hooks your child reader.
  • Julie Hedlund: How Do You Revise with Your Reader in Mind? - December 16 th at 8pm ET/5pm PT
    • Some rounds of revisions are about characterization and plot holes. In this round of revision, Julie reveals how to pump up the kid relatability of your manuscript.
  • Emma Walton Hamilton: Where Are Your Readers? - January 20th at 1pm ET/10am PT
    • Once your book is ready to go out into the world, Emma explores where to find your audience and how to connect with them in unexpected ways.
And remember: the recordings of the Founders’ Sessions come with lifetime access!
This is a $500 value, but it's available for a limited time for only $397.




Your Instructor


Picture Book Summit Team
Picture Book Summit Team

Emma Walton Hamilton is a best-selling author, award-winning editor, stage and television producer, and writing coach. With her mother, actress/author Julie Andrews, Emma has co-authored over thirty children’s books, nine of which have been on the NY Times Bestseller list, including The Very Fairy Princess series. She teaches Children’s Literature for Stony Brook University’s Creative Writing MFA and is the co-host of the Julie’s Library Podcast. Emma’s first poetry collection, Door to Door, was published in the Fall 2022, along with a new picture book co-authored with her mother, The First Notes: The Story of Do Re Mi. Their next picture book The Enchanted Symphony debuts in September 2023.

Laura Backes is publisher of Children’s Book Insider, The Children’s Writing Monthly, and co-owner of Writing Blueprints (along with husband Jon Bard). Laura has edited and critiqued thousands of picture book manuscripts. Her credits include Best Books for Kids Who (Think They) Hate to Read (Random House); articles for Writer’s Digest, The Writer and Children’s Writer’s & Illustrator’s Market; and technical editor of Writing Children’s Books for Dummies.

Julie Hedlund is an award-winning picture book author and founder of the 12 x 12 Picture Book Writing Challenge. Since 2012, 12 x 12 has encouraged thousands of picture book writers to get their stories out of their heads and onto the page. Julie is a frequent speaker at writing retreats and conferences. Her picture book credits include Over, Bear! Under Where?, My Love For You is the Sun, and A Troop is a Group of Monkeys. Her next book, Song After Song: The Musical Life of Julie Andrews debuts in 2023.

Katie Davis is an award-winning writer/illustrator whose published work includes kidlit genres from picture books to middle grade to young adult. Her first picture book, Who Hops? turns 24 this year, and Kindergarten Rocks! has been a perennial favorite since 2005. Katie critiques manuscripts twice a month through her Writers’ Block membership and is the former Director of the Institute of Children’s Literature and Institute for Writers. Her books have sold over a million copies and her two guides for writers, How To Promote Your Children’s Book and How to Write a Children’s Book, both debuted at #1 on Amazon.



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