Great Resource for Writers

The Narrative Breakdown is a series of episodes produced by editor Cheryl Klein and  filmmaker James Monohan. In it, the hosts, along with well-known authors, share their trade secrets. They reveal storytelling tips and techniques especially for YA writers, but the suggestions are applicable to any genre.

Graduation or Coronation?

After another intense 6-week summer session, I have now completed the Hollins University Graduate Certificate Program in Picture Book Illustration.

We graduated with pomp and circumstance as you can tell from the photo. No caps and gowns for us. In keeping with the spirit of Hollins creativity, our professors crowned us with beribboned fairy wreaths (with jeweled holders for a pen and brush) and gave us pens tied with ribbons for autographing our future books.

Even our diplomas were printed and handpainted by Ashley Wolff.

Ruth Sanderson

 
 
We were lucky enough to be taught by Ruth Sanderson and Ashley Wolff, seen here at our famous Hollins’ sign. Can you tell that the campus is filled with lovers of children’s literature?

Ashley Wolff

Our other profs were Lauren Mills and Elizabeth Dulemba. Add in workshops with Chris Soentpiet, Paul Zelinsky, Charles Vess, Eric Rohmann, and Dennis Nolan, plus talks and/or critiques by authors David Almond, Nancy Willard, Candace Ransom, Virginia Euwer Wolff, Kathryn Erskine, Fran Cannon Slayton, and many other luminaries in the children’s literature field, including Cheryl Klein and Mallory Loehr. It’s been an awesome two years.