Understand the format and rules of picture book writing, and learn to write your own.

Picture books are a deceptively simple literary format. Short word limits don't necessarily mean they're easier to write! This workshop is perfect for kick-starting your picture book writing journey, whether you're a beginner writer, or an experienced writer keen to dabble in a different format.

This workshop is in two parts:

Picture book appreciation. What popular and award-winning picture books have in common, why authors and illustrators pick particular themes, topics or narrative structures, and how reading the whole book - including covers, endpapers, and layout designs - can improve your picture book writing.
Picture book creation. Planning your picture book, finding the heart of your story, understanding why 'every word matters', leaving room in your writing for the pictures, and general tips and protocols on how and where to submit your finished manuscript.

Learning outcomes

As part of this workshop, you will learn to:

Critically read popular picture books, to understand why they succeed and what you can learn from them.
Plan your own picture book.
Utilise the strengths of the format.
Get started in the picture book publishing industry.

Format

This is an in-person workshop with a focus on writing craft; it will be held at State Library of Queensland. This workshop is suitable for picture book writers of all levels and backgrounds.

About Lara

Dr Lara Cain Gray is a writer, librarian and picture book activist from Meanjin/Brisbane. She is an experienced public speaker and workshop facilitator who enjoys celebrating picture books with adult audiences. Lara’s 2024 release, The Grown-Up’s Guide to Picture Books, is illustrated by CBCA notable artists Lorena Carrington and Timothy Ide, published by MidnightSun Publishing. It is an A to Z guide to what makes a great picture book great, including histories, fun facts and useful Talking Point questions to assist shared reading in the home or classroom.

Lara’s professional past includes research, teaching, librarianship and curatorial roles in Australia and the United Kingdom, including at the British Library, Queensland Museum, QUT and UQ. She currently works as Head of Publishing at nonprofit education publisher Library For All where she helps deliver cross-cultural and multilingual books and educational resources to communities where poverty, history or remoteness prevents children’s access to traditional libraries.

For more information about Queensland Writers Centre’s Program of Events and answers to FAQs, please visit: www.queenslandwriters.org.au/program-info

Contact the host of Picture Book Writing 101 with Lara Cain Gray