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Image for event: Picture Book Workshop

Registration now closed

Picture Book Workshop

for Adults, with Award-Winning Author Nancy Viau

2025-07-14 18:00:00 2025-07-14 19:30:00 America/New_York Picture Book Workshop Stone Harbor - Events Room

Monday, July 14
6:00pm - 7:30pm

Add to Calendar 2025-07-14 18:00:00 2025-07-14 19:30:00 America/New_York Picture Book Workshop Registration REQUIRED for this 3-week course. Stone Harbor - Events Room

Stone Harbor

Events Room

Registration REQUIRED for this 3-week course.

All events are tentatively scheduled and may change. Please see the CMCL Events Calendar on our website, follow us on social media, and subscribe to our weekly eNewsletter for any and all updates.


An informative and fun program for aspiring writers and illustrators—or anyone interested in learning how writing and art come together to create a children’s book.

Writing a 32-page picture book is easy, right? Or is it?! During this series of workshops, participants will brainstorm universal ideas and create a “dummy” (professional talk for a work-in-progress picture book). Paying attention to construction, word choice, content, length, page breaks, and the role illustrations play, aspiring authors and author-illustrators are given the tools they need to be creative in this form. No experience required—just a love of books and a desire to learn the “nuts and books” of book development from an award-winning author.

MATERIALS:

Patrons need to bring the following:

  • 16-20 pieces of plain paper (8 1/2  x 11 size or bigger)
  • A package of Post-It notes (any color)
  • Pencils, crayons, markers, colored pencils, pastels, and/or art pens
  • Patrons may wish to bring a laptop or tablet to write down ideas and plot the story, but a majority of the work (which focuses on an economy of words) will be handwritten (writers) and/or sketched (illustrators). 

 

This is a 3-class series being held Mondays, 6pm-7:30pm at the Stone Harbor Library:

  • Session 1: July 14th
    • Techniques specific to a 32-page picture book
    • Brainstorming characters, setting, and plot
    • Defining the target audience
    • What to do to make the story engaging
    • Simple sketches (for those who think visually)
  • Session 2: July 21st
    • Creating a book “dummy”
    • Proofreading, editing, feedback
    • Critique groups, sharing
  • Session 3: July 28th (open to ANYONE interested in publishing a book for children OR adults. Participants need not attend previous 2 sessions.)
    • The business side of writing
    • Finding editors and publishers
    • Self-publishing v. traditional publishing
    • Social media
    • Q and A

 

NANCY VIAU is the award-winning author of the following picture books: Splish, Splash! First to Last (2023), Pruett and Soo, Today Is a Beach Day!, First Snow, City Street Beat, Storm Song, and Look What I Can Do! Her novels for grades 3-7 include: Something Is Bugging Samantha Hansen, Samantha Hansen Has Rocks in Her Head, Just One Thing! and Beauty and Bernice. A former teacher and forever a kid-at-heart, she loves to visit schools, libraries, and bookstores across the U.S. to lead storytimes, workshops, and assemblies about her journey to publication and her writing process. Nancy has called Stone Harbor her part-time residence for decades and as a world traveler, believes it is truly "The Seashore at Its Best." Connect with Nancy Viau on Twitter or Instagram: @NancyViau1 or via her site: www.NancyViau.com

Check out Nancy's works from the library!


Please review our Adult Events Attendance Policy.

Have feedback? We'd love to hear from you! Fill out our online feedback form here!

AGE GROUP: | 18 or older |

EVENT TYPE: | Education | Arts & Crafts |

TAGS: | illustration | drawing | creative writing | author | Art Class | art class |

Stone Harbor

Phone: 609-368-6809

Hours

Stone Harbor

Mon, Jul 28 9:00AM to 8:00PM
Tue, Jul 29 9:00AM to 4:30PM
Wed, Jul 30 9:00AM to 4:30PM
Thu, Jul 31 9:00AM to 8:00PM
Fri, Aug 01 9:00AM to 4:30PM
Sat, Aug 02 9:00AM to 4:30PM
Sun, Aug 03 Closed

Upcoming events

Wed, Jul 30, 10:00am - 11:00am
Wildwood Crest - 2nd Floor Events Room

Wed, Jul 30, 10:00am - 11:00am
Upper Cape - Events Room

Wed, Jul 30, 10:00am - 11:00am
Lower Cape - Public Meeting Room

Wed, Jul 30, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Wildwood Crest - 2nd Floor Events Room

Wed, Jul 30, 11:30am - 12:30pm
Lower Cape - Public Meeting Room

Wed, Jul 30, 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Cape May Court House - Teen Area

Wed, Jul 30, 1:00pm - 2:30pm
Upper Cape - Events Room
Registration is now closed

Wed, Jul 30, 3:00pm - 5:00pm
Sea Isle City - Conference Room

Wed, Jul 30, 4:00pm - 5:30pm
Cape May Court House - Presentation Room
Registration is now closed

Wed, Jul 30, 5:00pm - 6:00pm
Sea Isle City - Public Meeting Room

Wed, Jul 30, 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Lower Cape - Public Meeting Room
Registration is now closed

Wed, Jul 30, 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Cape May Court House - Presentation Room
Registration is now closed

Wed, Jul 30, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Wildwood Crest - 2nd Floor Events Room

Thu, Jul 31, 9:30am - 10:30am
Stone Harbor - Events Room

Thu, Jul 31, 10:00am - 11:30am
Sea Isle City - Public Meeting Room

Thu, Jul 31, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Lower Cape - Public Meeting Room

Thu, Jul 31, 1:00pm - 2:00pm
Cape May Court House - Presentation Room
This event is full

Thu, Jul 31, 1:00pm - 4:00pm
Cape May Court House - Teen Area

Thu, Jul 31, 1:30pm - 2:30pm
Cape May City - Events Room North,Events Room South

Thu, Jul 31, 3:00pm - 4:30pm
Stone Harbor - Events Room

Thu, Jul 31, 3:00pm - 4:00pm
Cape May Court House - TLC Makerspace

Thu, Jul 31, 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Cape May Court House - TLC Makerspace

Thu, Jul 31, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Lower Cape - Public Meeting Room

Fri, Aug 01, 9:15am - 10:15am
Wildwood Crest - 2nd Floor Events Room

Fri, Aug 01, 9:30am - 10:30am
Stone Harbor - Events Room

Fri, Aug 01, 10:00am - 12:00pm
Lower Cape - Public Meeting Room
This event is full

Fri, Aug 01, 10:00am - 11:00am
Lower Cape - Joseph Millman Room

Fri, Aug 01, 10:00am - 11:00am
Sea Isle City - Public Meeting Room

Fri, Aug 01, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Cape May City - Events Room North,Events Room South

Fri, Aug 01, 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Wildwood Crest - 2nd Floor Events Room

Fri, Aug 01, 1:00pm - 4:00pm
Stone Harbor - Events Room

Fri, Aug 01, 1:30pm - 2:30pm
Lower Cape - Public Meeting Room

Sat, Aug 02, 9:30am - 10:30am
Lower Cape - Public Meeting Room

Sat, Aug 02, 10:00am - 12:00pm
Wildwood Crest - 2nd Floor Events Room

Sat, Aug 02, 2:00pm - 3:30pm
Wildwood Crest - Children's Room

Mon, Aug 04, 9:30am - 10:30am
Stone Harbor - Events Room

Mon, Aug 04, 10:00am - 10:30am
Lower Cape - Joseph Millman Room

Mon, Aug 04, 10:00am - 12:30pm
Wildwood Crest - 2nd Floor Events Room
This event is full

Mon, Aug 04, 10:00am - 10:30am
Sea Isle City - Public Meeting Room

Mon, Aug 04, 10:30am - 1:30pm
Sea Isle City - Conference Room

Mon, Aug 04, 11:00am - 1:00pm
Lower Cape - Public Meeting Room

Mon, Aug 04, 1:00pm - 2:30pm
Upper Cape - Events Room
Registration is now closed

Mon, Aug 04, 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Stone Harbor - Events Room

Mon, Aug 04, 3:30pm - 4:30pm
Cape May City - Events Room North,Events Room South

Mon, Aug 04, 5:00pm - 6:30pm
Cape May Court House - TLC Makerspace

Mon, Aug 04, 5:30pm - 6:30pm
Wildwood Crest - 2nd Floor Events Room

Mon, Aug 04, 5:30pm - 6:15pm
Upper Cape - Events Room

Mon, Aug 04, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Stone Harbor - Events Room

Mon, Aug 04, 6:30pm - 7:30pm
Sea Isle City - Public Meeting Room

Tue, Aug 05, 9:30am - 10:30am
Cape May City - Events Room North,Events Room South

Tue, Aug 05, 10:00am - 10:30am
Stone Harbor - Events Room

Tue, Aug 05, 10:00am - 10:30am
Upper Cape - Events Room

Tue, Aug 05, 10:00am - 11:00am
Sea Isle City - Public Meeting Room

Cancelled
Tue, Aug 05, 1:00pm - 2:00pm
Sea Isle City

Rescheduled
Tue, Aug 05, 1:00pm - 2:00pm
New date Tuesday, August 12, 1:00pm - 2:00pm
Cape May Court House

Tue, Aug 05, 1:00pm - 2:00pm
Cape May Court House - Teen Area

Tue, Aug 05, 1:00pm - 2:30pm
Cape May Court House - TLC Classroom
Registration is now closed

Tue, Aug 05, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Sea Isle City - Public Meeting Room

Tue, Aug 05, 3:00pm - 4:00pm
Stone Harbor - Events Room

Tue, Aug 05, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Cape May City - Events Room North,Events Room South

Tue, Aug 05, 5:00pm - 6:00pm
Cape May Court House - Storytime Room

Tue, Aug 05, 5:00pm - 6:00pm
Lower Cape - Joseph Millman Room

Tue, Aug 05, 5:30pm - 7:00pm
Cape May Court House - TLC Makerspace

Tue, Aug 05, 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Cape May City - Events Room North,Events Room South

Wed, Aug 06, 10:00am - 11:00am
Sea Isle City - Public Meeting Room
This event is full

Wed, Aug 06, 10:00am - 11:00am
Lower Cape - Public Meeting Room

Wed, Aug 06, 10:00am - 11:00am
Wildwood Crest - 2nd Floor Events Room

Wed, Aug 06, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Cape May Court House - Presentation Room
This event is full

Wed, Aug 06, 11:00am - 1:00pm
Cape May City - Multi-Purpose Room
This event is full

Wed, Aug 06, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Wildwood Crest - 2nd Floor Events Room

Wed, Aug 06, 11:30am - 12:30pm
Lower Cape - Public Meeting Room

Wed, Aug 06, 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Cape May Court House - Teen Area

Wed, Aug 06, 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Cape May City - Events Room North,Events Room South

Wed, Aug 06, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Lower Cape - Public Meeting Room
This event is full

Wed, Aug 06, 3:00pm - 4:00pm
Stone Harbor - Events Room

Wed, Aug 06, 3:00pm - 4:00pm
Cape May Court House - Storytime Room

Wed, Aug 06, 3:30pm - 4:30pm
Cape May City - Events Room North,Events Room South

Wed, Aug 06, 4:00pm - 5:30pm
Cape May Court House - Presentation Room
Registration is now closed

Wed, Aug 06, 5:00pm - 6:00pm
Sea Isle City - Public Meeting Room

Wed, Aug 06, 6:00pm - 7:30pm
New venue Cape May Court House - Presentation Room
Registration is now closed

Wed, Aug 06, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Wildwood Crest - 2nd Floor Events Room