EXCITING NEWS!!! Harold extends EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION DEADLINE for his Editing without an Editor Workshop!!

SCBWI members, writing is a lonely business and just when you think you're ready to submit or you do submit, it's actually time to work with an editor. Here's an amazing opportunity for you. Harold Underdown, a well known and respected Editor and SCBWI member, extended the Early Bird Registration for his next workshop. CHECK IT OUT!

Editing Without an Editor
Lancaster, PA: July 19, 2014 at the Lancaster Public Library

Do you have a children's or YA manuscript--picture book, novel, or nonfiction--that needs work? Do you wish you could learn techniques that would help you revise not only this manuscript, but future ones?
Then come to the KBR "Editing without an Editor" workshop. Learn how to revise like an editor from a children's book editor. We have drawn on the methods we've used in editing manuscripts while working with publishers, with individual clients, and in the online Kid's Book Revisions class to create this comprehensive workshop.
We begin by creating an overall framework, comparing "reader response" theory and the lit. crit. approach, and exploring ways to gain objectivity and to focus on different aspects of manuscripts. You will then learn about and try out methods for making critique groups work better. After lunch, you will learn and experiment with a variety of techniques for self-editing, from big picture revision down to detailed editing, working on your own or with a partner.
For those who also want to receive personal feedback from an editor, we have also set aside time for individual sessions after the main program, when those not meeting with us can write or revise on their own, or try out some recommended creativity exercises. These optional critiques are available for an additional fee.
The workshop will be given by Harold Underdown, joined by Eileen Robinson in the event of heavy demand: Read more about our backgrounds and experience.
The workshop will run from 10 AM (when the library opens) to 5 PM (when it closes--if we aren't done with critiques, we will adjourn to a coffee shop) on Saturday, July 19, at the library, 125 North Duke Street, Lancaster. Registration details and critique sign-up follow the schedule--scroll down.

Schedule:
In advance: Student preparation: You will need to bring 4 copies of up to 5 pages of your manuscript for use in model critique groups and hands-on work.
If you want a critique, sign up for one when you register but no later than two weeks before the workshop, to allow your editor time to review and comment. See details following the schedule.

• Recommended "textbook": Writing It Right!, by Sandy Asher.
• Also useful: A Family of Readers, ed. by Roger Sutton and Martha Parravano.

10:00   Welcome, introductions, and review of schedule.
10:15   Introduction: Reader Response vs. Literary Criticism--different ways to respond to a manuscript and what you get from them.
11:00   How Critique Groups Work and Don't Work--introduction and discussion.
11:30   Critique Group Practice and Feedback. Break into critique groups to dive into "what lies underneath." Focus on trying out a specific technique and getting peer critiques and editor feedback. (Eileen and Harold will lead and take part in a group.)
1:00   Lunch on your own: there are places to eat nearby, or you can bring a bag lunch.
2:00   Big Picture Revising – Some techniques and what they do for you. Hands-on practice with your manuscript.
3:15   Sweating the Small Stuff – Yes, the details matter! Again, techniques and what they do for you. Hands-on work.
4:00   Lessons Learned—what you've learned about yourself and your manuscript, and what do you do next? Discussion. Final questions.
4:30   Individual meeting with editors for those students who signed up for them. When not in meetings, students can write, revise, meet with a reading partner or impromptu crit. group, or do creativity exercises we provide. Continued off-site when library closes at 5:00.

Who the workshop is for: If you are a children's or YA writer with a completed manuscript in need of revision and/or a fresh approach, you will learn from this workshop. It's your decision, but we suggest not bringing a fully polished draft. Do bring a story you have been working on for some time, perhaps one that has been through your critique group, perhaps one that got some feedback in a conference critique. What matters is that you know it still needs significant work, even though you may not yet know what that is.
Registration and payment Sign up by emailing Kids Book Revisions with your name, address, the title of your manuscript, and a brief description of it. At the same time, payment is due: use this link to pay via the Lancaster Public Library. If we receive your sign-up email and payment no later than June 22, the workshop costs $100: after that date, the price will be $135. You must complete both steps (email sign-up and payment) to be fully registered. If you do not wish to pay online, please use the above email link to contact us and ask about mailing a check.
For an additional fee of $50, if you want a critique from us, submit your manuscript by email. Send it as an attachment (Word (.doc or .rtf) format, following these guidelines for manuscript format). It can be a complete picture book manuscript or partial longer manuscript of up to 50 pages, and you may also include a synopsis/outline and mocked-up query letter. For the critique only, use this link to pay via Paypal; the link takes you to Paypal to pay using your Paypal account or by credit card. If you prefer to send a check by mail, let us know in your email and we will provide a mailing address. One of us will review the manuscript in advance of the workshop, write up our comments, and meet with you to discuss them for 15 minutes at the workshop.
Refunds: Full refunds are available for the workshop portion if you need to cancel at any time up to two weeks before the workshop. After that date, refunds are at our discretion. Critique fees are not refundable, but if you cannot attend we will provide our written comments and discuss them by phone. In the event the workshop is canceled or postponed, full refunds will be given.

KBR Home Page | More Workshops

***I attended a week long Kids Book Workshop with Harold and Eileen. I still use that knowledge today. You owe it to yourself as a writer to take the next steps toward publication.

Write on,

Kim