Conferences and Classes
Where I Am Speaking/Teaching in 2025
This page lists online conferences, workshops, and other events where I will be speaking, presenting, critiquing, or otherwise playing a role as faculty, with links to websites for registration if available. I am open to bookings for later in the year and in 2026. I am currently booking online events only.
I can address a variety of subjects, from practical (submissions basics, what publishers do, among other topics) to craft-related (revision, how editors read, etc.).
2025 schedule:
March 18 and 20, evening (online): My mini workshop, Practical Matters in Children's Book Publishing. This is a comprehensive introduction to the practical side of our business, from what you need to know and do when getting started, to submissions, acquisitions, contracts, and the publishing process. It draws on my many years of experience in the field. (If you are considering the "Crash Course in Children's Book Publishing," but can't commit to the time or money, this is a shorter, less expensive alternative.)
May 15-18: Eileen Robinson and Emma Dryden are back at the Highlights Foundation, with me taking part virtually, for this spring's Revision Retreat. This is a new and improved version of the Kid's Book Revision Retreat that Eileen and I offered for years. We each give a presentation via Zoom in the weeks leading up to the Retreat. This allows you plenty of time to write at the Retreat, where you can also get optional consultations with the faculty (me via Zoom), and enjoy the meals and nature walks. Our presentations, additional revision materials and resources, and a discussion board, will be available during and after the Retreat in an online classroom.
May 28 - July 30 (online): The only time this year I will be offering The Crash Course in Children's Book Publishing with author Pamela Courtney, via the Highlights Foundation. As usual, the course features 10 weeks of live and pre-recorded material, resources and supplementary materials, a weekly drop-in discussion time, and a one-on-one mentoring opportunity. Special guests: author Leah Henderson on growing as a professional and creative writing exercises; agent Sera Rivers on query letters.
The rest of 2025: I expect to be offering two more mini workshops, on Revision and on Submissions Strategies, in the late summer or fall. We hope to offer the Revision Retreat again in November. Stay tuned!
Other events, including workshops and conferences, to come.
Cross reference: Kid's Book Revisions workshops.