Online Classes & Workshops for Adults
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September 24, 2023
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Light Within Darkness: Writing Picture Books About Difficult Topics in History
In this webinar, Marcie and Amanda will draw upon their picture books that address 9/11 to explore the art of crafting children’s books about dark moments in history AND difficult subjects in an author’s personal history. Students will learn: how to find your WHY: the reason YOU are the one to tell this story, strategies for research: interviewing witnesses and experts, accessing photos and video footage, etc., tips for self care when exploring difficult subjects, how to make difficult subjects accessible to kids through writing craft and visual techniques: finding the right angle for your story, using metaphor, art mediums that match the subject matter, etc. Participants will take a deep dive into mentor texts that explore difficult topics and will navigate and brainstorm how to tackle difficult topics in their own work. Participants will leave with a handful of resources and a jumpstart on their manuscripts. |
Workshop with author Amanda Davis
Saturday 10-12:30pm CT Fee: $35 Register at: https://thewritingbarn.com/class/light-within-the-darkness-writing-picture-books-about-difficult-topics-in-history-with-marcie-colleen-and-amanda-davis/ |
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September 27 - December 6, 2022
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Writing Children's Picture Books
In this course you'll learn about writing for children and you'll be asked to write and revise five or six picture book manuscripts. There will be an opportunity to read your work in class and to discuss and critique the work of other students. We will discuss the needs of the illustrator, how to approach potential publishers and the adventure of the manuscript once it's been accepted for publication. |
University of California San Diego Extension
Fee: $350 Register at: https://extendedstudies.ucsd.edu/courses-and-programs/writing-childrens-picture-books |
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October 5 - November 9, 2022
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Crafting the Chapter Book
Acclaimed author Marcie Colleen will introduce you to the world of chapter books and take you through the steps to create your own series that kids will love! REGISTER EARLY as previous offerings of this class have SOLD OUT. Through studying successful chapter books on the shelf today, the focus of this course will be on the nuts and bolts of shaping your concepts into entertaining, engaging, and salable titles. This course will have a workshop/critique component as well as weekly lectures and exercises to help build craft. We will also make time each week to discuss the chapter books we’re reading and/or want to recommend to the class. By the end of this course you will have a better grasp of how to take an idea through the complete process of creating a fully-formed, three-dimensional chapter book manuscript and series. |
Wednesdays 7-9pm CST
6 weeks Fee: $412 Register at: https://thewritingbarn.com/class/crafting-the-chapter-book-i-with-author-marcie-colleen/ |
Past Classes:
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April 4 - June 6, 2022
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Writing Children's Picture Books
In this course you'll learn about writing for children and you'll be asked to write and revise five or six picture book manuscripts. There will be an opportunity to read your work in class and to discuss and critique the work of other students. We will discuss the needs of the illustrator, how to approach potential publishers and the adventure of the manuscript once it's been accepted for publication. |
University of California San Diego Extension
Fee: $325 Register at: https://extension.ucsd.edu/courses-and-programs/writing-childrens-picture-books |
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April 6 - May 11, 2022
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The Heart and Humor of Amy Krouse Rosenthal: Using AKR's Body of Work to Enhance Our Own
We all know and love the work of author Amy Krouse Rosenthal (Spoon, I Wish You More, Dear Girl, Little Pea and more) and while her life may have ended way too soon, her catalog of creative works lives on to inspire. Can we create like Amy–Bravely? Humorously? With heart? How can we shape our days and nights doing our best work? In this 6-week class, award-winning children’s author Marcie Colleen (Love, Triangle and Penguinaut!), will guide writers through a deep dive into Amy Krouse Rosenthal’s body of work: her many children’s books, adult memoirs, TED Talks, films, and projects to connect with Amy’s clever wit and love-affirming spirit and bring our own talents, inspired by Amy’s, to the page. |
Wednesdays 7-9pm CST
6 weeks Fee: $412 Register at: https://thewritingbarn.regfox.com/the-heart-humor-of-akr-w-marcie-colleen-apr-2022 |
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February 22-March 29. 2022
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Crafting the Chapter Book
Acclaimed author Marcie Colleen will introduce you to the world of chapter books and take you through the steps to create your own series that kids will love! REGISTER EARLY as previous offerings of this class have SOLD OUT. Through studying successful chapter books on the shelf today, the focus of this course will be on the nuts and bolts of shaping your concepts into entertaining, engaging, and salable titles. This course will have a workshop/critique component as well as weekly lectures and exercises to help build craft. We will also make time each week to discuss the chapter books we’re reading and/or want to recommend to the class. By the end of this course you will have a better grasp of how to take an idea through the complete process of creating a fully-formed, three-dimensional chapter book manuscript and series. |
Tuesdays 7-9pm CST
6 weeks Fee: $412 Register at: |
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November 13-14, 2021
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The Funny Women of Kidlit Confab
Oh, we love the funny men of kidlit, but they get heralded every day. With larger advances, tours, praise and awards. But what about the bold, brash, off-color, OR quiet, creative, quirky OR the entire mish-mash of those traits, in the female identifying kidlit writers/illustrators? We have filled the confab with a diverse set of funny female voices, some whisper soft, some loud and proud. Together we will explore the many facets of producing & marketing funny books for today’s PB to YA readers. Join us for a haha (& serious), craft-filled, questioned-answered–yep, we are going there–weekend! |
Saturday and Sunday
9am - 7pm CST Fee: Starts at $250 Register at: https://www.thewritingbarn.com/class/the-funny-women-of-kidlit-confab-a-weekend-event/ |
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June 2 - July 7, 2021
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Crafting the Chapter Book
Acclaimed author Marcie Colleen will introduce you to the world of chapter books and take you through the steps to create your own series that kids will love! REGISTER EARLY as previous offerings of this class have SOLD OUT. Through studying successful chapter books on the shelf today, the focus of this course will be on the nuts and bolts of shaping your concepts into entertaining, engaging, and salable titles. This course will have a workshop/critique component as well as weekly lectures and exercises to help build craft. We will also make time each week to discuss the chapter books we’re reading and/or want to recommend to the class. By the end of this course you will have a better grasp of how to take an idea through the complete process of creating a fully-formed, three-dimensional chapter book manuscript and series. |
Wednesdays 7-9pm CST
6 weeks Fee: $412 Register at: https://www.thewritingbarn.com/class/chapter-books-marcie-colleen/ |
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April 14 - May 19, 2021
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The Heart and Humor of Amy Krouse Rosenthal: Using AKR's Body of Work to Enhance Our Own
We all know and love the work of author Amy Krouse Rosenthal (Spoon, I Wish You More, Dear Girl, Little Pea and more) and while her life may have ended way too soon, her catalog of creative works lives on to inspire. Can we create like Amy–Bravely? Humorously? With heart? How can we shape our days and nights doing our best work? In this 6-week class, award-winning children’s author Marcie Colleen (Love, Triangle and Penguinaut!), will guide writers through a deep dive into Amy Krouse Rosenthal’s body of work: her many children’s books, adult memoirs, TED Talks, films, and projects to connect with Amy’s clever wit and love-affirming spirit and bring our own talents, inspired by Amy’s, to the page. |
Wednesdays 7-9pm CST
6 weeks Fee: $412 Register at: https://www.thewritingbarn.com/class/heart-and-humor-of-amy-krouse-rosenthal/ |
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April 5 - June 7, 2021
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Writing Children's Picture Books
In this course you'll learn about writing for children and you'll be asked to write and revise five or six picture book manuscripts. There will be an opportunity to read your work in class and to discuss and critique the work of other students. We will discuss the needs of the illustrator, how to approach potential publishers and the adventure of the manuscript once it's been accepted for publication. |
University of California San Diego Extension
Fee: $325 Register at: https://extension.ucsd.edu/courses-and-programs/writing-childrens-picture-books |
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March 2 - 23, 2021
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Creative Writing @ Carillo Ranch
Join published author Marcie Colleen for a virtual creative writing class for writers of all ages. Inspired by Leo Carrillo’s book, The California I Love, participants will observe, write and reflect on the great outdoors and deepen their relationship with nature, while creating their own book about the California they love. |
Tuesdays 3:30-4:30pm PDT
4 weeks Class Meets on Microsoft Teams All Ages Fee: $52 Register at: https://secure.rec1.com/CA/carlsbad-ca/catalog/index/ea405f20b3fbd13fa53a5ab362d70c06?filter=c2VhcmNoPXdyaXRpbmc= |
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February 4 - 6, 2021
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Chapter Book Virtual Weekend Intensive
Are you interested in learning about the chapter book market? Have you been told that your picture book or your middle grade novel should be a chapter book instead? Could you use a little guidance to make that transition? Join us to learn the ins-and-outs of chapter books and how to understand their place in the market. Author Hannah Barnaby helps you learn to cultivate strangeness, plow through boundaries, and find joy in your writing. Then, get a handle on the structure of your chapter books thanks to author and educator Marcie Colleen. Next, agent Susan Hawk offers a crash course in navigating the current chapter book market. Finally, editor Julia Sooy helps you view your chapter books from a publishing perspective and walks you through success stories worth emulating. And as a special addition, children’s author Saadia Faruqui will also lead guided writing exercises and an optional critique circle during the one-on-one sessions. Feel free to join the group before or after your one-on-one to synthesize feedback and generate new ideas! |
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February 2 - 23, 2021
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Creative Writing @ Carillo Ranch
Join published author Marcie Colleen for a virtual creative writing class for writers of all ages. Inspired by Leo Carrillo’s book, The California I Love, participants will observe, write and reflect on the great outdoors and deepen their relationship with nature, while creating their own book about the California they love. |
Tuesdays 3:30-4:30pm PDT
4 weeks Class Meets on Microsoft Teams All Ages Fee: $52 Register at: https://secure.rec1.com/CA/carlsbad-ca/catalog/index/ea405f20b3fbd13fa53a5ab362d70c06?filter=c2VhcmNoPXdyaXRpbmc= |
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October 5-December 6, 2020
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Writing Children's Picture Books
In this course you'll learn about writing for children and you'll be asked to write and revise five or six picture book manuscripts. There will be an opportunity to read your work in class and to discuss and critique the work of other students. We will discuss the needs of the illustrator, how to approach potential publishers and the adventure of the manuscript once it's been accepted for publication. |
University of California San Diego Extension
Fee: $325 Register at: https://extension.ucsd.edu/courses-and-programs/writing-childrens-picture-books |
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Oct 13-November 24, 2020
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The Heart and Humor of Amy Krouse Rosenthal: Using AKR's Body of Work to Enhance Our Own
We all know and love the work of author Amy Krouse Rosenthal (Spoon, I Wish You More, Dear Girl, Little Pea and more) and while her life may have ended way too soon, her catalog of creative works lives on to inspire. Can we create like Amy–Bravely? Humorously? With heart? How can we shape our days and nights doing our best work? In this 6-week class, award-winning children’s author Marcie Colleen (Love, Triangle and Penguinaut!), will guide writers through a deep dive into Amy Krouse Rosenthal’s body of work: her many children’s books, adult memoirs, TED Talks, films, and projects to connect with Amy’s clever wit and love-affirming spirit and bring our own talents, inspired by Amy’s, to the page. |
Tuesdays 7-9pm CST
6 weeks: Oct 13, 20, 27, Nov 10, 17, and 24 Fee: $412 Register at: https://www.thewritingbarn.com/class/heart-and-humor-of-amy-krouse-rosenthal/ |
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September 29-November 10, 2020
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Creative Writing @ Carillo Ranch
Join published author Marcie Colleen for a virtual creative writing class for writers of all ages. Inspired by Leo Carrillo’s book, The California I Love, participants will observe, write and reflect on the great outdoors and deepen their relationship with nature, while creating their own book about the California they love. |
Tuesdays 3:30-4:40pm PDT
7 weeks: Sept 29, Oct 6, 13, 20, 27, Nov 3, 10 Class Meets on Zoom All Ages Fee: $93 Register at: https://loom.ly/PTMx5Xc |
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June 29-August 31, 2020
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Writing Children's Picture Books
In this course you'll learn about writing for children and you'll be asked to write and revise five or six picture book manuscripts. There will be an opportunity to read your work in class and to discuss and critique the work of other students. We will discuss the needs of the illustrator, how to approach potential publishers and the adventure of the manuscript once it's been accepted for publication. |
University of California San Diego Extension
Fee: $325 Register at: https://extension.ucsd.edu/courses-and-programs/writing-childrens-picture-books |
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July 27-August 31, 2020
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Crafting the Chapter Book
Acclaimed author Marcie Colleen will introduce you to the world of chapter books and take you through the steps to create your own series that kids will love! REGISTER EARLY as previous offerings of this class have SOLD OUT. Through studying successful chapter books on the shelf today, the focus of this course will be on the nuts and bolts of shaping your concepts into entertaining, engaging, and salable titles. This course will have a workshop/critique component as well as weekly lectures and exercises to help build craft. We will also make time each week to discuss the chapter books we’re reading and/or want to recommend to the class. By the end of this course you will have a better grasp of how to take an idea through the complete process of creating a fully-formed, three-dimensional chapter book manuscript and series. |
Mondays 7-9pm CST
6 weeks Fee: $412 Register at: https://www.thewritingbarn.com/class/chapter-books-marcie-colleen/ |
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June 8-July 13, 2020
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Crafting the Chapter Book
Acclaimed author Marcie Colleen will introduce you to the world of chapter books and take you through the steps to create your own series that kids will love! REGISTER EARLY as previous offerings of this class have SOLD OUT. Through studying successful chapter books on the shelf today, the focus of this course will be on the nuts and bolts of shaping your concepts into entertaining, engaging, and salable titles. This course will have a workshop/critique component as well as weekly lectures and exercises to help build craft. We will also make time each week to discuss the chapter books we’re reading and/or want to recommend to the class. By the end of this course you will have a better grasp of how to take an idea through the complete process of creating a fully-formed, three-dimensional chapter book manuscript and series. |
Wednesdays 7-9pm CST
6 weeks June 8, 15, 22, 29, July 6, and 13 Fee: $412 Register at: https://www.thewritingbarn.com/class/chapter-books-marcie-colleen/ |
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May 6-June 10, 2020
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Crafting the Chapter Book II
The goal of this brand-new Level II course from acclaimed author Marcie Colleen is to help you complete a draft of the first book in your series, as well as continue to develop the premise to take you further into books beyond book one. Each week’s session will include mini craft lectures, as well critiquing of student manuscripts and a deeper look at chapter books currently on the shelf. The aim is focused work on drafting your book one manuscript to move you closer to The End. All students will additionally be assigned to small critique groups in which to share work and receive feedback. Everyone will have the opportunity to have their work read and critiqued by the entire class twice. |
Wednesdays 7-9pm CST
6 weeks: May 6, 13, 20, 27, June 3, and 10 Fee: $412 Register at: https://www.thewritingbarn.com/class/crafting-the-chapter-book-ii/ |
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April 8-June 10, 2020
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Writing Children's Picture Books
In this course you'll learn about writing for children and you'll be asked to write and revise five or six picture book manuscripts. There will be an opportunity to read your work in class and to discuss and critique the work of other students. We will discuss the needs of the illustrator, how to approach potential publishers and the adventure of the manuscript once it's been accepted for publication. |
SOLD OUT!
University of California San Diego Extension Fee: $300 Register at: https://extension.ucsd.edu/courses-and-programs/writing-childrens-picture-books |
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April 7-May 12, 2020
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The Heart and Humor of Amy Krouse Rosenthal: Using AKR's Body of Work to Enhance Our Own
We all know and love the work of author Amy Krouse Rosenthal (Spoon, I Wish You More, Dear Girl, Little Pea and more) and while her life may have ended way too soon, her catalog of creative works lives on to inspire. Can we create like Amy–Bravely? Humorously? With heart? How can we shape our days and nights doing our best work? In this 6-week class, award-winning children’s author Marcie Colleen (Love, Triangle and Penguinaut!), will guide writers through a deep dive into Amy Krouse Rosenthal’s body of work: her many children’s books, adult memoirs, TED Talks, films, and projects to connect with Amy’s clever wit and love-affirming spirit and bring our own talents, inspired by Amy’s, to the page. |
SOLD OUT!
Wednesdays 7-9pm CST 6 weeks: April 7, 14, 21, 28, May 5, 12 Fee: $412 Register at: https://www.thewritingbarn.com/class/the-heart-and-humor-of-amy-krouse-rosenthal-using-akrs-body-of-work-to-enhance-our-own/ |
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February 26 - April 1, 2020
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Crafting the Chapter Book
Acclaimed author Marcie Colleen will introduce you to the world of chapter books and take you through the steps to create your own series that kids will love! REGISTER EARLY as previous offerings of this class have SOLD OUT. Through studying successful chapter books on the shelf today, the focus of this course will be on the nuts and bolts of shaping your concepts into entertaining, engaging, and salable titles. This course will have a workshop/critique component as well as weekly lectures and exercises to help build craft. We will also make time each week to discuss the chapter books we’re reading and/or want to recommend to the class. By the end of this course you will have a better grasp of how to take an idea through the complete process of creating a fully-formed, three-dimensional chapter book manuscript and series. |
Wednesdays 7-9pm CST
6 weeks Feb 26, Mar 4, 11, 18, 25, April 1 Fee: $412 Register at: www.thewritingbarn.com/class/chapter-books-marcie-colleen/ |
