Last weekend I had the privilege of attending a
workshop at the Highlights Foundation in Boyd’s Mills PA, in the northeastern
Pocono Mountains. The Highlights Foundation’s mission is “to improve the
quality of children’s literature by helping authors and illustrators hone their
craft.” Workshops are offered year round, often with guest faculty leading
sessions on a wide range of topics and genres.
Working together with like-minded writers and
illustrators along with workshop mentors can be invaluable. As writers and
illustrators, we often work in solitude. Sharing ideas, critiques and industry
experiences all help to take your work to the next level.
While it’s not always possible to participate in a
workshop, attending events such as SCBWI conferences, free bookstore and library
lectures featuring guest authors and illustrators, or just organizing a group
of writer and/or artist friends at a coffee shop or park to share work can help
inspire and motivate you on your path to publication, whether it’s your first
book or your 50th.
Wherever you live, it’s likely there are other
like-minded people willing to gather and work together. Finding your tribe can be one of the most
important ingredients to realizing your publishing goals.
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