Next Workshop... July 12-16, 2010
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Heron taking off from the beach.
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Purpose: This is an intensive workshop for those who are not only passionate about children's book writing, but who dream of publishing their own children's books. Getting attendees published is the end goal. (Students from 2003 and 2007 have published their first books! Others have signed with an agent who has been an instructor for several summers.) The course is designed for beginner, intermediate, and advanced writers. It consists of presentations by eight full-time instructors, gobs of writing, group manuscript sharing, and intensive consults with instructors. The instructors are five professional children's book authors, two children's book editors from major publishing houses, and a full-time children's book agent. What makes this course distinctive is the enormous amount of one-on-one coaching from the instructors, far, far more than from any other course we're aware of. The teacher-student ratio roughly will be one to six. This means that students can have at least one major manuscript consult per day, and possibly more.
"I am a first time writer who took the Oregon Coast Children's Book Writers Workshop in 2003. I have just published a book on the early history of St. Louis for children 8-12 years old.
There is no doubt in my mind that content of the classes at OCCBWW, the wealth of knowledge of the wonderful staff, and the staff's encouragement, feedback, and inspiration assisted me in taking my manuscript to publication. The one-to-one feedback from well-known, extremely talented authors is a unique feature of this workshop. David Greenberg and Patricia Hermes were most incredibly helpful in their individual feedback and support.
The OCCBWW is not to be missed if you've ever considered writing for children. Plus, you cannot surpass one of the most gorgeous settings our country has to offer to inspire your writing!"
Marty Hoessle
OCCBWW Workshop Attendee 2003 |
"I attended the Oceanside session last summer [2007] and worked on my picture book Amina's New Friends. It is the story of a Somalian refugee girl and her attempt to make friends at her new school. Thanks to the extremely helpful reviews by the editors, agents, and participants at Oceanside, I was able to finish the book and send it out. Last week I was contacted by a publisher and they are going to include it in their 2009-2010 book list.
I cannot emphasize enough how the Oceanside experience helped me to frame this book and get it written. The professionalism of the guest presenters and the support of the participants guided and educated me. I've thanked you before, but I must thank you again!"
Anne Carrelli
OCCBWW Workshop Attendee 2007 |
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Oceanside tidalpool.
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Hours: Six hours and fifteen minutes a day, 9:00 am-12:00 pm, 1:15 pm-4:30 pm. Between 8:00 am and 9:00 am, Tuesday through Friday, there is optional, informal class time in which students can write, share, and consult with instructors.
Guest Lecturers: There will be three guest lecturers, all established children's book authors or experts on writing or the children’s book world.
Evening Presentations: On Tuesday and Wednesday night of the course, class authors-instructors will read from and discuss their books.
Pre-Workshop Manuscript Review: Those who wish may submit a manuscript of picture book length or up to five pages from a larger work. Every single instructor will read it before class begins giving them a running start with you from day one.
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“This whole week has been phenomenal for me. I have loved being here, near the ocean winds and the glorious offshore rocks, doing the thing I love most. I have learned something from every single instructor. They are all so different, but each had at least one gem that I took to heart. I'm so thankful for all of their time, wisdom, and heart.”
Molly Hall
OCCBWW Workshop Attendee 2009 |
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Morning "Before-Class" Consults: Every morning, before class officially starts, between 8 am - 9 am, most instructors will be available for informal consults (at no additional charge).
Out-Of-Class Consults: If you wish, several instructors (not necessarily all) will be available for 60 minute manuscript consults, outside of class hours, for a fee of $100. We will distribute information about which instructors are available several months before class starts.
Manuscript Review by Children's Book Editor or Agent: If you wish, upon finishing the course, an editor at a major publisher or a children's book agent will read your manuscript and offer you a professional critique. The cost for this is $120 (which, for manuscript reviews of this sort, is extremely reasonable).
Cost without graduate credit: $795
“Fabulous. A new moon over a still ocean. The course surpassed my expectations. It was the cherry on top of the whipped cream.”
Henry Homeyer
OCCBWW Workshop Attendee 2009 |
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Graduate Credit Available from University of the Pacific: Up to three graduate level credits @ $62 per credit. Some additional course work required. Call 1-800-479-1995 for further details. Please see information directly below.
UNIVERSITY SEMESTER CREDIT OPTION:
Semester hours, from University of the Pacific, Center for Professional and Continuing Education. $62 per credit. Acceptable to most participants, including many on district funding or release time, as credit is awarded for additional, "Teacher-Friendly" follow-up activities. For Graduate Professional Development participants NOT pursuing an advanced degree at UOP. Enroll at the seminar. For other credit questions ONLY, call (800) 479-1995. |
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Beach from classroom patio.
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"A+ Outstanding. Exceeded expectations. A talented group of instructors eager to share their knowledge and inspiration. All the one-on-one attention was invaluable."
Diane Landy
OCCBWW Workshop Attendee 2009 |
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Location: This workshop is held in the exquisite, isolated coastal town of Oceanside, Oregon (which is roughly 90 miles from Portland, and ten miles from Tillamook and is so minuscule that it's not on all maps). The town basically amounts to a small, gnarled mountain whose hemline is the seashore. There are giant rocks off-shore that are home to sea lions (who snort at night) and sea birds. There are tidal pools everywhere, seals, herons, pelicans. It is entirely non-commercial, under-populated. Aside from a few modest motels, the only businesses are a little tavern (that has a great selection of micro-brews) and a small restaurant directly by the beach that sells good seafood and burgers, and, if it's chilly, heats by wood-stove. You can buy a latte. The town could market itself as a Haiku.
The classroom will be the comfortable Oceanside Community Center (one of the few classrooms in the world with a wood-burning fireplace) which is directly by the beach. In fact, if you fell off its patio (where many instructors hold one-on-one consults in good weather), and were it a very high tide, you'd end up in the ocean.
"Absolutely fabulous. I've never seen another hands-on, one-on-one, week-long course of this kind."
Sonja Thomas
OCCBWW Workshop Attendee 2009 |
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Lodging: There are modest motels, B&B's and house rentals available in Oceanside (and all the nearby towns). Many of them have stunning views of the ocean. There are also nearby campsites you can reserve. For those participants who wish, we will give them the e-mail addresses of everyone else who has signed up so they can contact each other about sharing houses (or transportation). For information on where to stay, please see Lodging Information.
Cancellation Policy: You may cancel at any time up to six weeks before the class and receive a full refund of your registration (minus a processing charge of $45). Between six weeks and three weeks before the class there is a 50% refund (minus a processing charge of $45). And within three weeks of the class no refund is available.
Oregon Coast Children's Book Writers Workshop Class of 2009 on classroom patio.
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