From Idea to Dummy: Writing a Picture Book is a small-group course designed for aspiring children’s picture book writers who want to move from concept to a polished manuscript and dummy.
During the course, participants will develop and refine an original fiction picture book manuscript (approximately 300–700 words) through guided instruction and weekly critique. The final session will focus on creating a physical 32-page dummy.
By the end of the course, each participant will leave with:
A polished picture book manuscript • A completed 32-page dummy
Feedback from published authors/industry professionals
Clear next steps toward submission The goal is to create a structured, outcome-driven program that gives writers not just education, but real momentum!
All workshops will be held on Fridays starting July 10th, 2026 at 7pm.
Each session will last 1.5 hours:
Instruction (30 mins): A presentation by the proctor of the session on that weeks session topic.
Break (10 mins): A quick brain break!
Workshop (50 mins): A collaborative feedback session with students and peers.
Week 1 (7/10/26): Brainstorming Story Ideas
Instructor: Evgenia Mantikas - Author of Ege and Ávra
This session will focus on generating strong picture book concepts, identifying emotional hooks, and exploring meaningful ideas.
Week 2 (7/24/26): Story Structure
Instructor: Brooke Bourgeois - Author/Illustrator of Penelope's Balloons & The Grump Queen
This session will focus on crafting strong beginnings, middles, and endings that create a satisfying and engaging picture book narrative.
Week 3 (8/7/26): Character Development
Instructor: ShinYeon Moon - Illustrator of Laolao's Dumplings & Once Upon a Friend
This session will focus on creating memorable characters with clear motivations, emotional depth, and child-centered perspectives.
Week 4 (8/21/26): Voice and Word Count
Instructor: Emily Sun Li - Author of Mr. Chow's Night Market
This session will focus on developing voice, rhythm, and read-aloud quality while learning how to write within industry-standard picture book word counts.
Week 5 (9/4/26): Revision, Pacing, and Page Turns
Instructor: Sabina Hahn - Author/Illustrator of Pineapple Princess & I Am a Dragon!: A Squabble & a Quibble
This session will focus on revision strategies that strengthen pacing, emotional impact, and visual storytelling.
Week 6 (9/18/26): Make a dummy!
Instructor: Melissa Iwai - Author/Illustrator of the Gigi and Ojiji series, Soup Day: A Picture Book & A Garden for Lili
This session will focus on creating a physical 32-page dummy, exploring page turns and visual rhythm, and translating a manuscript into book form
Week 7 (10/2/26): Make a dummy!
Instructor: Melissa Iwai - Author/Illustrator of the Gigi and Ojiji series, Soup Day: A Picture Book & A Garden for Lili
This session will focus on creating a physical 32-page dummy, exploring page turns and visual rhythm, and translating a manuscript into book form
From Idea to Dummy: Writing a Picture Book is a small-group course designed for aspiring children’s picture book writers who want to move from concept to a polished manuscript and dummy.
During the course, participants will develop and refine an original fiction picture book manuscript (approximately 300–700 words) through guided instruction and weekly critique. The final session will focus on creating a physical 32-page dummy.
By the end of the course, each participant will leave with:
A polished picture book manuscript • A completed 32-page dummy
Feedback from published authors/industry professionals
Clear next steps toward submission The goal is to create a structured, outcome-driven program that gives writers not just education, but real momentum!
All workshops will be held on Fridays starting July 10th, 2026 at 7pm.
Each session will last 1.5 hours:
Instruction (30 mins): A presentation by the proctor of the session on that weeks session topic.
Break (10 mins): A quick brain break!
Workshop (50 mins): A collaborative feedback session with students and peers.
Week 1 (7/10/26): Brainstorming Story Ideas
Instructor: Evgenia Mantikas - Author of Ege and Ávra
This session will focus on generating strong picture book concepts, identifying emotional hooks, and exploring meaningful ideas.
Week 2 (7/24/26): Story Structure
Instructor: Brooke Bourgeois - Author/Illustrator of Penelope's Balloons & The Grump Queen
This session will focus on crafting strong beginnings, middles, and endings that create a satisfying and engaging picture book narrative.
Week 3 (8/7/26): Character Development
Instructor: ShinYeon Moon - Illustrator of Laolao's Dumplings & Once Upon a Friend
This session will focus on creating memorable characters with clear motivations, emotional depth, and child-centered perspectives.
Week 4 (8/21/26): Voice and Word Count
Instructor: Emily Sun Li - Author of Mr. Chow's Night Market
This session will focus on developing voice, rhythm, and read-aloud quality while learning how to write within industry-standard picture book word counts.
Week 5 (9/4/26): Revision, Pacing, and Page Turns
Instructor: Sabina Hahn - Author/Illustrator of Pineapple Princess & I Am a Dragon!: A Squabble & a Quibble
This session will focus on revision strategies that strengthen pacing, emotional impact, and visual storytelling.
Week 6 (9/18/26): Make a dummy!
Instructor: Melissa Iwai - Author/Illustrator of the Gigi and Ojiji series, Soup Day: A Picture Book & A Garden for Lili
This session will focus on creating a physical 32-page dummy, exploring page turns and visual rhythm, and translating a manuscript into book form
Week 7 (10/2/26): Make a dummy!
Instructor: Melissa Iwai - Author/Illustrator of the Gigi and Ojiji series, Soup Day: A Picture Book & A Garden for Lili
This session will focus on creating a physical 32-page dummy, exploring page turns and visual rhythm, and translating a manuscript into book form
