(March 2019) How to write a children's book: A masterclass with acclaimed children's authors and publishers

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Learn the tricks of the trade from some of the most respected names in children's writing and publishing during this inspirational and friendly day of talks.

Whether you are already working on the next big young adult novel, or are looking for an incentive to start that children's book you always find yourself thinking about, this inspirational day of talks with some of the UK's leading authors and publishers will teach you how to keep a young audience entertained by your storytelling.

Curated by acclaimed children's author Laura Dockrill, the day includes expert advice from poet and children's author, Joseph Coelho; Jodie Hodges, agent for children's authors and illustrators; and children's author and illustrator Alex Milway.

They will share tips on various useful topics, such as developing your voice, writing for different age groups and getting published.

Content

• Laura Dockrill will share advice on how to unlock creativity, find your "inner child" and develop a distinctive writing voice
• Joseph Coelho will share insights into how he developed his own voice across different mediums, from poetry and playwriting, to novels and non-fiction.
  
• Jodie Hodges will talk about how to present your work to agents, the role of an agent and the agent/author/publisher relationship, current market trends, and what shape a career as a children's author might take.
• Alex Milway will talk about his experiences engaging and inspiring young readers through his books – from plotting to marketing and school events. With him, you will discover that the writing element is only just the beginning.

Speaker profiles

Joseph Coelho is a poet and children's author whose poems have been published in several Macmillan anthologies, including Green Glass Beads, which was edited by Jacqueline Wilson. He has been a guest poet on Cbeebies Rhyme Rocket, where he was beamed up from The Rhyme Rock to perform his Bug Poem, and he has featured alongside Michael Rosen and Valerie Bloom on Radio 4's Poetry Playtime. His debut children's collection, Werewolf Club Rules, is published by Frances Lincoln and was the winner of the 2015 CLPE CLiPPA Poetry Award. Joseph's collection for older readers, Overheard in a Tower Block, was longlisted for the 2018 Carnegie Media, shortlisted for the CLPE CLiPPA, and longlisted for the 2019 UKLA Book Awards. He recently finished filming Teach Poetry, a 10-part BBC online series that aims to make the writing of poetry fun and accessible to all.

Jodie Hodges has been an agent for children's authors and illustrators for 10 years. Her client list spans all age groups and genres, and includes debuts, experienced multi-book authors and illustrators, and everything in between.

Alex Milway is the author and illustrator of 12 books for children, his latest being Hotel Flamingo, published by Piccadilly Press.

Host profile

Laura Dockrill is a writer, illustrator and performance poet. Her work includes the Carnegie Medal nominated young adult novel Lorali and the Darcy Burdock series for younger readers, which was also nominated for the Carnegie Medal and shortlisted for the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize in 2014. In addition to her work as a writer and creative writing tutor, she’s been a roaming reporter for the Roald Dahl Funny Prize and appeared on Blue Peter and CBeebies. She tweets @LauraDockrill.

All Guardian Masterclasses are fully accessible but please contact us at masterclasses@theguardian.com if you have any queries or concerns.

Full course and returns information on the Masterclasses website