"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

	Oceanside tidalpool.
	"This is the best course I've ever taken. I had high hopes and the course exceeded them. It's incredible to have so many experts at our fingertips, all of whom are approachable and friendly." Dawn Vandermeer OCCBWW Workshop Attendee 2007

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 (and one of our students from 2003 recently published her first book! Three others have signed with an agent who has been an instructor the past three summers and who will be with us summer 2008). 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.

Guest Lecturer: There will be at least two guest lecturers (probably three), all established children's book authors or experts on writing.

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.

Cost without graduate credit: $745

University Credit Available from University of the Pacific: Up to three graduate level credits @ $62 per credit. 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.

Dates: July 14-18, 2008

Hours: 6 hours a day, 9:00 am-12:00 pm, 1:15 pm-4:15 pm. Between 8 am and 9 am, Tuesday through Friday, there is optional, informal class time in which students can write, share, and consult with instructors.

	Beach from classroom patio.
	"The course was phenomenal! It was so helpful to have such great, regular access to the instructors who were top notch. The course far exceeded my expectations." Eve Orio OCCBWW Workshop Attendee 2007

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 we surely will hold class in good weather), and were it a very high tide, you'd end up in the ocean.

Manuscript Review by Children's Book Editor at Little, Brown & Co.: If you wish, upon finishing the course, an editor at Little, Brown & Co. Children's Division will read your manuscript and offer you a professional critique. If she likes it, she'll buy it. The cost for this is $30 (which, for manuscript reviews of this sort, is extremely reasonable).

Graduate Level Credit: All those who attend will receive a Certificate of Completion. Also, up to three graduate level credits will be available through University of the Pacific for $62 per credit. Some additional coursework is required. Enrollment at workshop. Call 1-800-479-1995 for further specifics.

"Overall I thought the course was "beyond excellence." I feel like I have personally made a huge leap as a writer, and, more important, I am completely inspired to write, write, write! Ann McCallum OCCBWW Workshop Attendee 2007

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 $15). Between six weeks and three weeks before the class there is a 50% refund (minus a processing charge of $15). And within three weeks of the class no refund is available.

Oregon Coast Children's Book Writers Workshop Class of 2007 on classroom patio.