Writing Middle Grade for Picture Book Authors
About the Class
Writing MG for PB Authors is a course for experienced picture book authors who want to venture into writing middle grade. The course leverages your knowledge of storytelling in the picture book form and focuses on elements unique to writing longer works, like scene writing, setting, subplots, structure, and more.
Who Is the Course For?
This course is for you if:
you have significant experience writing picture books
you’ve considered writing a novel but don’t know how to start
you’ve started writing a novel, and you’re stuck
you have a novel idea or three, and you’re not sure if your ideas are really novel-worthy
Not sure if this course is right for you? Schedule a call with me.
Transitioning to Novel Writing
I know how you feel.
I started my MFA feeling fairly confident in my picture book writing. I’d taken picture book writing classes, soaked up information at SCBWI conferences, joined 12x12, and formed a critique group. But novel writing was another beast entirely. After my advisor responded to my first packet that included middle grade chapters, I realized I didn’t entirely know what a scene was, at least in the novel sense.
I rolled up my sleeves and got to work. I took a deep dive into scene work and structure– reading craft books, listening to lectures, analyzing mentor texts. A year later, I wrote a full draft of a novel in four months.
This course distills all that I’ve learned to help you make the move from picture book to middle grade without rehashing concepts and strategies you already know.
What to Expect
The course is divided into two sections: scene work and structure. We’ll be using two picture books and one middle grade novel as mentor texts to ground our study. You’ll also choose a middle grade novel that’s similar to what you hope to write to use for your assignments.
Each week, we’ll meet for a 90-minute class on Zoom. Classes will be recorded, and you will have access to the recordings, slides, and handouts during and after the class.
Here’s what we’ll cover:
Week 1: Scene Elements
Week 2: Starting Scenes
Week 3: Ending Scenes + Scene Q&A
Week 4: Structuring a Novel Using Character and Theme
Week 5: Structuring a Novel through Key Scenes
Week 6: What Happens Between Key Scenes–Subplots and B-Story
Week 7: Getting Ready to Write–Everything Else You Need to Know
Week 8: Final Q&A and Celebration
Time Commitment
Before the course, you’ll need to read two picture books and a portion of a middle grade novel. You’ll also need to choose a novel to study that’s similar to what you’d like to write.
During the course, we’ll meet for a 90-minute class on Zoom each week. You’ll need 1-2 hours a week to complete assignments, plus additional reading time on a few weeks. Assignments are focused on analyzing mentor texts, both to see the concepts in action and to give you practice for how to analyze your own draft when you’re revising.
I’ll also provide an optional assignment each week, focused on your own middle grade novel idea. Optional assignments are designed to take between 30 minutes and 2 hours.
Not sure if this course is right for you? Schedule a call with me.
Ready to Register? Checkout now to save your spot!
Course Details
8 weekly class meetings
Maximum 6 students
Led by KidLit Craft founder Anne-Marie Strohman
Next Session:
Winter-Spring 2025
Wednesdays, January 22-March 19 (no class Feb 19)
Prep Day January 15
9:30-11am Pacific/12:30-2pm Eastern
“Chock-full of information from story structure to scene dissection. A must-take class for anyone starting out in MG novel writing.”
– Darshana Khiani,
picture book author
Your Instructor:
Anne-Marie Strohman, KidLit Craft founder
I am a teacher at heart. I have eight year’s experience in course design and teaching at the college level. I hold an MA in English Literature, including courses in writing theory and pedagogy; a PhD in Renaissance Literature; a certificate in Professional Editing; and an MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults. I’ve led book group discussions, lectured on various craft topics, and written numerous articles about writing craft.
More importantly, I’m a writer. I write everything from picture books to young adult, and short stories for adults. I’ve published flash fiction and short stories, and my YA short story, “What You Don’t Know Now” was recently nominated for a Pushcart Prize.
I started KidLit Craft as a way to share what I was learning. The website has grown to over 300 posts on the craft of writing for children. My co-writers and I analyze mentor texts to figure out the mechanics of how writers do what they do so we can apply it to our own work. (Really, this means we just nerd out about writing a lot.) This year I’ve been working on a podcast with KidLit Craft contributor Erin Nuttall.
I’ve been a speaker at regional conferences on topics such as flash fiction, reading like a writer, getting emotion on the page, and the impact of vulnerability in writing. In 2022-23, I served as SCBWI SF/South’s Scholar in Residence. I find my best ideas when I’m hiking on my favorite trails on the SF Peninsula.
Not sure if this course is right for you?
What You’ll Get in This Masterclass:
Small, personalized classes, capped at 6 students, to ensure that you’re getting the most out of the material and can ask any question you want in a friendly environment.
Short-cut the basics you know from your picture book writing experience
Deep reading of a middle grade novel together
Weekly assignments
Optional weekly assignments for your own project
My brief comments on your assignments
Access to a class Slack channel for mid-week discussions
Outcomes – What This Course Will Do for You:
You’ll gain the confidence and craft toolbox you’ll need to plan and write a first draft of a novel. (You’ll get some revision tools, too.)
You’ll meet other writers developing their craft and can forge connections that could lead to critique groups, reading groups, and more.
You’ll have access to me and each other through weekly Zoom meetings and a dedicated conversation space for mid-week questions and discussions.
All sessions will be recorded and available, along with slides and handouts, for lifetime access.
Join Me!
Registration
If you’re ready to register, complete checkout and lock in your spot immediately!
How much the course costs
$800 for 8 class sessions, maximum 6 students
Not sure if this course is right for you?
Not the right time?
Fill out the form to find out about future sessions.
What past students are saying:
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“It's like a mini-MFA! There's so much craft content and an opportunity to put it into practice and receive feedback. It gives you the tools and confidence that you need to move from PB to longer work.
The course decreased my fears about taking on such a big project. It helped me break things down into manageable chunks that feel doable
Anne-Marie is a gifted teacher who presents complex concepts in an accessible way. I've taken other writing classes and learned bits and pieces of craft content, but this course puts those concepts together in a way that really makes sense. For the first time I feel like writing a novel is within reach.”
Ann Bonwill, picture book author
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“This class is the class I’ve been looking for! I’m an experienced picture book writer who has been trying to dive into the genre of middle grade novel writing for several years, but always found myself hitting roadblocks with authentic MG character voice, novel scene creation & structure, and how to organize my writing & research. This class was pivotal in helping me put all these pieces together in a structure that made so much sense and was do-able. I highly recommend it to any experienced writer of picture books who wants to move into writing middle grade. Anne-Marie is a phenomenal teacher and guide!”
Laura Murray, author of The Gingerbread Man Loose in the School series
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“This class is perfect for anyone who has an idea for a novel in mind, but isn’t sure how to execute it. It’s also great for anyone who has never written a middle grade novel and needs help creating a frame or structure for their story.
Anne-Marie’s class helped me define and refine my story and characters, and helped me create a structure for my story.
I wasn’t even halfway through the class, when I no longer felt intimidated or overwhelmed with the idea of writing my novel. The lessons, tips, and strategies I learned were practical useful guides in turning my lofty ideas into a cohesive and tangible idea.
Laura Obuobi, author of Black Gold and Becoming a Ballerina: The Story of Michaela Mabinty DePrince
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“This was one of the best craft classes I've ever taken.
The content, the pacing, the thoughtful use of mentor texts and suggested homework – I now have everything I need to dig in to writing my middle grade novel, including the confidence to do so!”
Casey W. Robinson
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“A class that introduces and delves into the key concepts and components of writing a middle grade novel for those who have a basic understanding of storytelling.
By the end, you will have the knowledge and understanding to tackle writing your first draft.”
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“Anne-Marie is a fantastic teacher. She is organized, thorough, and handled our myriad of questions and writerly woes with skill and grace.
I'm so excited to have the tools I need to write my first MG novel.”
Darshana Khiani, picture book author
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“Anne-Marie is a very generous and articulate teacher. Even though I've taken other MG courses and workshops before, I feel that I've learned so much more from Anne-Marie's specific and detailed lessons.
After taking her course, I felt a sense of confidence and ease that I didn't have before. I feel that I now know where to start and how to continue with my manuscript.
If you have a picture book background and would like to learn the ropes of MG writing, start here!”
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“Anne-Marie is both a master at craft and an excellent teacher. She explained concepts in a way that was easy to understand and put so much time into finding examples to demonstrate the concepts.
She broke the complex process of writing a middle grade novel into digestible classes. She also continuously amazed me by the breadth of her knowledge and recall of so many different concepts and stories in which they could be found to help clarify and deepen our understanding of the concepts we learned.
After taking this class, I feel like I am capable of writing a middle grade novel!”
Margaret Chiu Greanias, picture book author
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“Anne-Marie is both a master at craft and an excellent teacher. She explained concepts in a way that was easy to understand and put so much time into finding examples to demonstrate the concepts. She broke the complex process of writing a middle grade novel into digestible classes. She also continuously amazed me by the breadth of her knowledge and recall of so many different concepts and stories in which they could be found to help clarify and deepen our understanding of the concepts we learned.”
Join Me! Register Now
Not sure if the course is right for you? Schedule a call with me.