Catherine Stine's IDEA CITY

Welcome Visitors

Sunday, March 20, 2011

Catherine Stine teaches at the Philadelphia Writers’ Conference June 3rd, 4th & 5th. Also, contest and manuscript critique details!


Anyone near the Philadelphia area, who needs an expert critique of his or her manuscript? Want to try your hand at writing for kids or teens? Learn more about plotting and characterization? Smooth out those kinks in your story plot? Find out how to land a great agent? If so, this workshop is perfect for you!


Catherine's Writing Children's Fiction Workshop, 3:00 to 4:15, all three days

Plus an ongoing wealth of other talks, info sessions and panels


Combining discussion of the craft of writing with fun free-writes, Stine helps guide students to evoke vivid stories and the seeds of possible novels for kids and teens. In addition to discussing elements such as character, plotting and popular genres and trends in children’s fiction, students learn ways to seek a great agent and about marketing techniques. Plenty of time for Q & A. We meet every day at 3 pm.

In addition, writers are also invited to send a bonus submission of a one-page synopsis and up to a 2,500 word-count chapter for critique.

Manuscript submissions must be sent (postmarked) by April 8th!!!

Three contest winners will be chosen from the submissions. First prize is free entry into the Philadelphia Writer’s Conference for spring 2012! Second & third places win small cash prizes. Must enter by April 8th.

Catherine will read and comment on submissions prior to class and pass them back during the workshop.

***Note: Students can sign up for the workshop after April 8th, but will not have a manuscript critique.

Conference links: Registration Form

Downloadable Workshop Schedule

More Workshop Details

Manuscript Critique & Contest Submission Details

Room Reservations at the Holiday Inn

STUDENT RECOMMENDATIONS:

http://catherinestine.com/images/common/spacer.gif"Catherine gives creative exercises, smart critiques, exposure to different genres, and nuts-and-bolts instruction on the mechanics of plotting a novel. I began the class with a three-sentence story idea, and within a few months, I had a book contract. I can't recommend her class highly enough."

-Holly Kowitt, author of the middle grade novel, The Sweetheart Deal (Scholastic)

"Catherine's workshops motivated me to write consistently and provided me with literary tools and techniques that enhanced my work. I especially benefited from her insightful critiques. I highly recommend her class to both aspiring and established writers. She's also resourceful about the business of writing and publishing."

Renee Watson, author of the picture book A Place Where Hurricanes Happen (Random House) and a novel, What Momma Left Me (Bloomsbury)

"I highly recommend Catherine's course. She provides a useful overview of the various categories of children's books, and the elements of storytelling. She also gives detailed feedback on your writing, and is particularly helpful with plot development. I enjoyed every class we had."

-Julie Sternberg, whose delightful early chapter book, My Bibi, is forthcoming with Amulet Books


10 comments:

  1. This sounds fun and inspiring. I hope to be there.

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  2. I highly recommend Catherine's editorial input. She's professional, thorough, encouraging, and, oh yeah...fun

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  3. I love Catherine's writing and find it quite compelling. Once I start reading, I'm hooked! She's a visual writer, who no doubt will help students bring out vivid scenes and characters. Highly recommmended.

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  4. I look forward to meeting you at the conference, Catherine.

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  5. Thanks for coming to the Phila. Conference. Your contribution will be greatly appreciated. Look forward to meeting you. D.L. Wilson

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  6. Great blog, Catherine.

    Hope to meet you at the conference.

    Catherine DePino

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  7. Catherine:
    We look forward to welcoming you to the Philadelphia Writers' Conference! A question: it sounds like your session would have good take-away benefits for any fiction writer—even if you aren't writing YA. True?
    Kathryn Craft, Registrar

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  8. Hey, thanks all of you Philly Conf peeps, for making me feel so welcome!
    And Kathryn, to answer your question: a resounding YES. Fiction is fiction, and the scaffolding, characterization, theme and plotting issues remain the same whether it's YA or adult.

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  9. just linked this article on my facebook account. it’s a very interesting article for all.


    Conference Gift Ideas

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