Pursuing Picturebooks with Bex Sheridan

Course Content

This course explores how creatives can develop picturebooks. Whether a writer and illustrator, or dabbling creative, the course will offer a valuable insight into creating picturebooks. Learners will explore the phases of creative process from beginning to end and by the end of this 6-week course and engage in group discussion and feedback sessions. On completion, learners will have a story and style suitable for a young audiences, and the confidence to approach agents and publishers with their developing work.

Course Outline

Participants will focus on understanding how to develop narratives for children’s illustrated books. Once they have identified their theme, participants will explore how to develop work to align with young audiences. They will develop the foundational storytelling skills necessary to connect with readers in addition to understanding and enhancing their own style, before generating a package of work suitable for submission to agents and publishers.

Session Breakdown

Week 1
Introduction
Understanding influences
Understanding yourself
Understanding the market
Discussion & Feedback

Week 2
Ideation
Crafting narrative
Crafting characters
Discussion & Feedback

Week 3
Writing
Thumbnailing
Storyboarding
Discussion & Feedback

Week 4
Developing visual language
Discussion & Feedback

Week 5
Bringing it together
Redrafting
Discussion & Feedback

Week 6
Pitching
Submission package
Final thoughts

Course Outcomes

On completion of this course, it is intended for participants to have a presentable concept for a picturebook, inclusive of text, layout plan and stylistic approach with sample artwork or expanded visual language to collaborate with illustrators.

Where burgeoning creatives require more time to develop their work, the course will provide them with all the tools necessary to work independently on a project for when they are ready to take it to the next stage and submit for publication.

Bex Sheridan is an author, illustrator, designer and educator. Her picturebooks include Wild Eyes; Go to Sleep, Hoglet!; Irish Farm Animals and It’s Not Fair!.

Bex’s work explores everything from real-world wonders to completely made-up maps (with at least one secret portal per project). She adores weaving magic into her work, whether it’s a bedtime story with furry friends or a sprawling fantasy haunted by devious spirits and secrets too strange to ignore.

You can visit her world at bexsheridan.com

Praise for Go to Sleep, Hoglet

A gorgeous book that will delight readers young and old … a charming tale, with beautiful illustrations and several curriculum links for use in schools. This book is a must for every classroom and family home in Co. Meath, and further afield. By Dee, Playful Classroom, Mammy and Teacher. Seomra Ranga

The illustrations are superb
Irish Examiner

A really lovely thing that we’re now starting to see, books that reflect rural life … an author and illustrator who are really passionate about the subject
RTE Radio 1’s Sean O’Rourke show Elaina Ryan, CEO of Children’s Books Ireland

Booked out? To be added to the waiting list for this course, please email bookings@irishwriterscentre.ie.