Picture Book Magic

In this workshop you’ll learn everything you wanted to know about writing picture books. As both an author and an editor working in children’s publishing, Irma will give participants an honest and realistic insight into the publishing industry. You’ll discover how to create work that young readers will love, explore and develop new ideas through exercises, and gain tips and techniques on how to hone your manuscript to perfection before submitting to a publisher. 

You Will Learn:

• What the market wants. 
• What elements a good picture book needs (and what it doesn’t). 
• How to structure and plot your picture book. 
• All about the author-illustrator collaboration. 
• How to pitch to publisher. 

Please bring pen and paper, or your fully charged laptop, to participate in the writing exercises. 

About the Tutor:

​​Irma Gold is an award-winning author and editor of books for children and adults. She is the author of five picture books, most recently Seree’s Story (Walker Books), and Where the Heart Is (EK Books), which was read by Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York, on her Storytime channel. Irma is also the author of two novels for adults, The Breaking and Shift, and a short fiction collection, Two Steps Forward. She has another two picture books forthcoming in 2026. Irma has worked as an editor for 25 years, and is the founder and co-host of the writing podcast Secrets from the Green Room.