Do you dream of writing a book? Why not make 2023 the year that dream comes true? In January, 2023, I host my third Create Your Children’s Book in a Year cohort via Zoom. While we focus on children’s books, this is a great course for anyone who dreams of writing and publishing a book. Below I answer some frequently asked questions about this cohort.
What is the cohort like?
One of the best parts of this course is the community that is built among participants who share the same dream and goal to complete a book. Over the past two years there have been cohort members from Washington, Indiana, Montana, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon and Texas! Cohort members learn together, add insights to the monthly conversations, share their projects with each other, and offer positive, helpful feedback. It is a real joy to journey together with a great group of people and exciting to see everyone’s progress.
What does the cohort cover?
The class covers twelve tried and true steps to write, illustrate and publish the children’s book you’ve dreamed of: Step One: Imagine Your Story, Step Two: Draft Your Story, Step Three: Ask for Help, Step Four: Finish Your Story, Step Five: Create a Storyboard, Step Six: Build Your Team, Step Seven: Illustrate Your Story, Step Eight: Design Your Story, Step Nine: Proof Your Story, Step Ten: Print Your Story, Step Eleven Promote Your Story, Step Twelve: Share Your Story. I call them “tried and true” steps because they are the steps I’ve had to take in my children’s book journey. I’ve made a lot of mistakes along the way and I want to help guide others to accomplish their dream of publishing a children’s book.
Who is the cohort for?
It is for anyone who wants to publish a children’s book. You may have just an idea, a concept, or you may be down the road in writing and illustrating it. Actually the class is helpful for anyone who wants to publish a book. I have one person in the 2021 cohort that is writing more of a devotional with 365 short thoughts, one for each day of the year. But it is geared towards people who want to make a children’s picture book.
When does the cohort meet?
We meet via Zoom on the first Monday of each month from 4:00-5:30 PST.
In 2023 we will be recording our Zoom calls so if you miss one of our calls you can watch it later at your convenience.
What do I get from the cohort?
You get a lot of knowledge, support, encouragement and guidance. Cohort members receive my unpublished book with the twelve steps titled Writing, Illustrating and Publishing Your Children’s Picture Book in a Year. Almost every month, I have specialists join our zoom calls. Past guests include authors, illustrators, a story-board expert, graphic designers, a print-company representative, and small-business owner.
You also get feedback on your book draft. I read every person’s story and provide detailed feedback. I help connect you to people (illustrators, editors, designers, printers) who can help move your project forward. But the most important thing you will get is encouragement. Your story is worth telling! Cohort participants support each other. They read each other’s stories and provide feedback. It is a very nurturing environment.
How much does it cost?
It only costs $120. That’s only $10 per session.
Can You Help Me Publish My Book
Yes. Over the past two years we learned that one of the blockages to cohort member’s publishing their book is that they don’t have the graphic design skills to pull their story together into a document that is ready to print. We offer that service. Last year we helped two cohort member’s publish their books. I share those stories in these posts.
Where can I register for the class?
You can register for the class at our online store here.
What have past cohort participants said about the experience?
You can read past cohort participant’s reviews here.
I am in Acrylic University and committed to focusing on honing in on my painting style to compliment being an illustrator for my own books, and getting my life to a point that I could do this! I would like to start this class next year, but would love any communication you can send me until then.
Barbara, great to hear from you. Sounds like you have a great plan. We launch the Children’s book cohort each January. So if you are interested in next year’s cohort, I’d encourage you to sign up in December. You can pay for the class on the STORE page of our web site. Hope Acrylic University goes great for you this year. Grace, Jason