No matter the course or workshop I teach, my goal is the same: to help the writer learn to tell his story well within the context of today's children's book world.

How do I realize that goal?

I facilitate, I coach, I cheer on, I share.

I come to know each student as I come to know my characters, asking "What do you want and why do you want it?"

A successful picture book offers up concrete details from which the reader can draw Universal Truths.  I strive to do the same in a supportive environment.  I offer up my craft, my children's books, my years on task, as well as my working knowledge of children's book publishing, the children's book world and its singular body of children's literature.

Look for these classes throughout the year!

The Newberry Library
60 West Walton Street
Chicago, IL

Picture This: Writing Picture Books for Children

Tuesdays, 5:45 pm - 7:45 pm
October 7 - November 11
6 sessions, $140

This workshop focuses on how to create and write a successful children's picture book that touches, delights, and informs today's young readers. Participants' manuscripts will be shared and discussed to highlight the variety of available picture books, craft, the writing process and today's children's book publishing world. Writers of all levels will be offered a supportive, challenging, and encouraging environment.
To register, visit http://www.newberry.org/programs/seminarsinfo.html

For YOUNG Writers!
Write a Story, Make a Book: A Writing and Book-Making Workshop for Kids

Saturday, November 1
12:30 pm to 3:00 pm
For children ages 7 to 11

Workshop leaders Esther Hershenhorn and Lisa Cinelli will help young writers and artists create their very own mini-books in this two-and-a-half hour program. Children will experiment with storylines and book styles displayed in the Newberry’s current exhibit, “Artifacts of Childhood: 700 Years of Children’s Books at the Newberry.” Children will leave the workshop with both a good start on a story and a completed accordion book to which they can later add content and illustrations.
To learn more and/or register, visit www.newberry.org

* * *

The Writer's Studio, The University of Chicago
Gleacher Center, Chicago
http://www.grahamschool.uchicago.edu/

Writing a Children’s Book: Exploring the Opportunities (Autumn 2008)

Wednesday, Thursday, December 4, 6 pm to 9 pm, Downtown Gleacher Center, Chicago

If you are thinking about writing a children’s book, either fiction or nonfiction, this seminar will ground you and point you in the right direction. Bring a proposal, or an idea, a character description, a synopsis, or even a first chapter to help determine your story’s format possibilities, audience, and marketability in today’s diverse children’s book world.

Writing Novels for Children and Young Adults (Winter 2009)

Tuesday evenings, 6 pm to 8:30 pm, January 13 through March 3, 2009
Downtown Gleacher Center, Chicago

Develop and craft a novel for today’s older juvenile readers. Suggested readings of classic and contemporary fiction across a variety of genres will highlight the structure and demands of the various format possibilities. Writing exercises and workshop discussions will focus on the writing process, elements of narrative, revision, and a story’s marketability, with special emphasis on the connection between plot and character. The workshop will keep writers on their respective plot lines, offering measured assignments, project-related goals, models to study, suggestions and encouragement. Particular needs will be assessed and determined in the first session and addressed in the remaining weeks.

To register for either workshop, visit www.grahamschool.uchicago.edu/php/writersstudio/

* * *

2009 Nevada SCBWI Mentor Program,
for Pre-published and Lightly Published

I’m honored to serve as a mentor for picture book and early chapter book writers in the 2009 Nevada SCBWI Mentor Program.

Nevada SCBWI has arranged for seven, well-published professional children’s book creators to work with pre-published and lightly-published writers. During this program, each mentor works with a small group of 2 or 3 people from April through October of
2009.

To learn more and/or apply, visit: http://www.nevadascbwi.org/Mentor.html
Questions? Email Suzy Williams at nevadascbwi@charter.net

* * *

Ragdale Foundation
1260 N. Green Bay Road
Lake Forest, IL
http://www.ragdale.org/

Workshops vary. 

First Come the Words: A Workshop for Picture Book Writers

Picture book essentials are highlighted in a facilitated sharing of writers' submitted manuscripts.  One double-spaced pb ms. must be submitted at least two weeks prio to the workshop. Limited to ten writers. TBA.

Other venues: The Off-Campus Writers Workshop
(http://www.ocww.bizland.com/)

Note: I also facilitate Writing Groups, focusing on particular elements of narrative, formats and market possibilities or customizing the focus to address writers' needs and/or specific manuscripts.

Email me at: esthersh@aol.com

Look for my article - “Making Your First Draft Reader-Ready: A Writing Teacher’s Top Ten Do’s and Don’t” - in the 2007 Children’s Writers and Illustrators Market (Writer’s Digest).

Wondering if you should enroll in my class?

“Esther is a wonderful writer, editor, teacher and motivator. In her classes, I've gone from writing my first children's book to actually selling my first children's book. Esther's knowledge of the industry, the craft of writing, and what it takes to nurture writers and their stories is invaluable.”

—Cheryl Bardoe, Chicago
GREGOR MENDEL: THE FRIAR WHO GREW PEAS, Harry N. Abrams

 

“Esther Hershenhorn is a teacher of rare insight who has an uncanny ability to zero in on the particular truth that a fledgling novelist is wanting to explore. I saw her do it with every student in our class and heard them express the same amazement I felt when her probing questions suddenly revealed to me what my story was about. Really about. That in itself would have been worth the price of tuition, but it’s only the beginning of what Ms. Hershenhorn accomplished in the six-week class I took.”

— Ellen Reagan, Deerfield

 

“I had been thinking about writing a children's book for a long time, but Esther's class finally helped me put my story on paper.  Feedback from other class members proved to be very helpful, though the greatest part of the course is Esther, herself.  Not only does she have valuable knowledge of the children's book industry (at a writers' conference, she introduced me to author Tomie dePaola!) but her enthusiasm for children's literature and her wonderful personal spirit are truly inspiring.  Take the class!   

“Or, to paraphrase Quentin Crisp, 'Please feel free to quote me as
saying anything that will help promote this excellent instructor and her class.'”

— Mark Maroney, River Forest, IL, The Write Place

“Esther's picture book workshop at Ragdale was chock-full of information and inspiration. Whether we were novices or more experienced, Esther gave each of us helpful constructive criticism with our manuscripts. Her keen insight cut right to the core of our stories. And her warm personality and positive attitude set the tone for our group discussion. I left Ragdale with my arms full of handouts about writers' resources and my mind full of ideas about revising.”   

—Brenda Ferber, Deerfield, IL
JULIA'S KITCHEN, Farrar Straus & Giroux '06

 

“Prior to attending a Picture Book Writing class with Esther, I was not sure if I could be a writer.  After that class, I became a timid, cautious writer.  I then attended Esther's course on Writing YA fiction and discovered my passion:  edgy, gritty, realistic fiction for teens.  With Esther's encouragement and guidance, I took a serious plunge and fired my "censor."  The stories I'm to tell have now found life.”

—Lori Yoder, Oak Park, IL

“When I first signed up for Esther's class I was hoping to merely get some fundamentals of Children's Literature under my belt, but what I actually received was so much more.  Esther is the type of teacher who inspires you to sit down at your desk and write.  Esther lets you know that it is normal for your first draft not to be perfect, that writing is supposed to be hard work-and that is what is so rewarding about the craft.  Her candid honesty week after week gave me the courage to put my heart and soul into my characters.  I would not have the courage or ambition I write with now had I not taken Esther's class.”

—Sarah Bartel, Geneva, IL

“Before I met Esther, I animated, illustrated and told -other people’s stories through 3D animation and Virtual Reality. I had a wish that one day I would be able to tell a story that was my own, a story that I wrote.

“I attended Esther’s workshop “The Write Place,” at the Newberry Library, in Chicago. Esther motivated us to put our words on paper, taught us and helped us hone the craft of writing for children.

“Esther helped me reconnect and stay in touch with my childhood memories again. Esther told me to write with my heart, not with my hand.

“Later, I took Esther’s “Picture This: Writing Picture Books for Children” workshop, also at the Newberry Library. This time, Esther helped me find my voice and helped me become a real writer.

“I finished my first picture book manuscript before the end of the workshop.

Thanks, Esther!”

—Sam Thongrong, Chicago, IL

“Having our manuscripts analyzed by a professional gave good focus to the weekend. We appreciated Esther’s breadth of knowledge, her nurturance, and helpfulness. We loved having Esther with us all day long, including lunch and dinner. We were inspired by her experience with her own manuscripts and were touched by her ability to be vulnerable along with us. One of the things that most set Esther apart from other facilitators and teachers was the way she so effectively bridged between being an authority or expert in the field and being a colleague to the rest of our group. We were also impressed with her expertise and we learned from listening to critiques about each other’s stories as well as our own. We got feedback about our writing as well as ideas about marketing. Esther was supportive and respectful; we really appreciated that.”

—The Derry Do’s
August ’05 Summer Chicago Weekend Retreat
Jan Donley, Barbara Fisler, Barbara Gregorich, Vicki Hayes, Chris Tebbetts, Carrie VanderLaan