Young Adult and Middle Grade Master Skills Workshop
PLEASE NOTE: This workshop will take place online, but we are offering a concurrent in-person opportunity for writers who need to write away from home or who wish to write alongside fellow authors.
Registration will open the week of October 26 to everyone. Returning students will be given more weight. This workshop will fill to capacity quickly.
Noted children’s author Gary Schmidt and esteemed editor Patricia Lee Gauch join us once again for our beloved young adult and middle grade novel workshop.
This summer, we have given tremendous thought to your health and safety as well as the health and safety of our staff and instructors. Our learning and class work will be done virtually using Zoom so students can work from home. However, we know that working virtually is a struggle for some, and we all felt the loss of personal connection in 2020. For those of you who would prefer to write away from home, we’ve put together a concurrent in-person opportunity in Lexington, MI, where Patti has her summer home. Everyone is welcome!
Next Workshop
Sunday July 11, 2021 at 4:30 PM, and concluding on Saturday July 17, 2021 at noon.
(Students are expected to participate in the workshop from the very beginning until the very end.)
Model
The seven-day workshop includes virtual lectures, breakout sessions, and online guest visitors -- these take place online for everyone, regardless of whether you are at home or in Lexington. One-on-one meetings for virtual students will take place on Zoom, while one-on-one meetings for in-person students will be held on-site. In-person students are invited to use Patti’s outdoor space for communal writing and gathering. In-person participants will be expected to follow safe Covid practices, including mask wearing when appropriate and social distancing.
Workshop Size
Gary and Patti will accept 15 writers.
Writing Samples
New students’ applications must contain a 1,500-word writing sample. You do not need to be published to be considered for this program, but we are looking for committed, experienced writers. Gary and Patti will read the writing samples, and writers will be informed whether they have been accepted.
What You’ll Learn
Join other children’s literature authors for a week designed to help you dive deep into your craft and take your writing to the next level. Each year our instructors bring new lessons, new prompts and new exercises designed to help you master new skills.
Our week includes:
Four master lectures
Four writing prompt sessions
Four one-on-one meetings with our instructors - two with Gary Schmidt and two with Patti Gauch.
Literature critiques on two books chosen by instructors
Nightly readings
Special guests. Past guests include: agent Ammi Joan Paquette, former editor and agent Melanie Kroupa, author Pam Munoz Ryan, illustrator Floyd Cooper, and editor Arthur Levine.
This Workshop Is For You If
You’ve almost been signed by an agent, but keep getting sent back for revisions
You’re getting good feedback on your books, but haven’t sold one yet
You keep getting great feedback on your writing, but can’t seem to reach your goals
You’re a published author looking to improve your skills and take your writing to the next level
You’re a published author aiming for that starred review
You’ve lost momentum on a manuscript
You’ve published a book (or two, or three), but you’re stuck on your next idea
Cost, Deposit, & Refunds
Online only cost: $1650
In-person concurrent workshop $2000 (Lunch and dinner are included in this price, but lodging is not.)
There is a $500 non-refundable deposit for this event regardless of whether you participate in-person or online.
Refund Policy:
Before April 1, 2021, applicants may withdraw from the workshop with no additional penalty except the $500 non-refundable deposit.
After April 1, 2020, tuition is 50% refundable, unless we can fill the spot from our wait list. If we can fill the spot, applicants will be refunded full tuition, minus $700 ($500 deposit and a $200 penalty for late withdrawal). You may put your $200 towards another event during the same calendar year.
After June 6, 2020, tuition is non-refundable, unless we can fill the spot from our wait list. If we can fill the spot, applicants will be refunded full tuition, minus $700 ($500 deposit and a $200 penalty for late withdrawal). You may put the $200 towards another event during the same calendar year.
Lodging, Travel & Food
Lodging opportunities range from cabins to B&Bs. Students will be in charge of reserving and paying for their own lodging. We will provide a list of options for you to explore.
*Please note: While we love selecting unique lodging for our students, you each need to make choices that feel safest to you. We strongly recommend selecting cancellation policies you’re comfortable with given the unpredictability of Covid. We’re here to help you make lodging decisions.
Students selecting an in-person experience will be provided lunches and dinners daily.
We may be unable to meet the needs of certain, specific dietary restrictions. We have been successful with most food allergies. Every meal contains gluten-free and vegetarian options. If you wish to participate in our in-person workshop, but we cannot accommodate your food needs given Covid and/or limited catering, we are happy to discuss some of your options.
We encourage students who can drive to Lexington to do so. You'll need a car to get from your lodging to your one-on-ones with Patti, whose home is a ten-minute drive from town. (Gary will either be staying in town or near Patti, still TBD.) Car service / taxis are hard to come by in this beach town. The walk from town to Patti’s is about 2 miles along a highway. The nearest airport is Detroit, 100 minutes away by car.
Workshop Instructors
Gary D. Schmidt
Author of more than a dozen books for children and young adults, Gary Schmidt is a two-time Newbery Honor winner, a Printz Honor and Children's Choice winner, and a National Book Award finalist. He teaches writing, children's literature, and medieval literature at Calvin College in Grand Rapids, MI.
Patricial Lee Gauch
A longtime Editorial Director of Philomel Books, Patti Gauch edited three Caldecott award-winning books and the works of numerous National Book Award-winning authors over her career. She has taught at Manhattanville College, Drew and Rutgers Universities.
Testimonials
“It was magic. It would be hard to overstate how valuable the insight and input from Patti and Gary were. Having access to their brilliance for a week is an unparalleled situation. ” — Audrey Vernick
“I always come away from my one-on-one editing sessions with Gary with renewed confidence; I feel like he understands my writing and what I am trying to do. He can see from one chapter where I may be struggling throughout a novel and explains how to overcome it.”– Heather Camlot