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Image for event: Picture Book Workshop

Register 15 Seats Remaining

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 07 9:00AM to 8:00PM
Tue, Jul 08 9:00AM to 4:30PM
Wed, Jul 09 9:00AM to 4:30PM
Thu, Jul 10 9:00AM to 8:00PM
Fri, Jul 11 9:00AM to 4:30PM
Sat, Jul 12 9:00AM to 4:30PM
Sun, Jul 13 Closed

Upcoming events

Mon, Jul 07, 9:30am - 10:30am
Stone Harbor - Events Room

Mon, Jul 07, 10:00am - 10:30am
Lower Cape - Joseph Millman Room

Mon, Jul 07, 10:00am - 10:30am
Sea Isle City - Public Meeting Room

Mon, Jul 07, 11:00am - 1:00pm
Lower Cape - Public Meeting Room

Mon, Jul 07, 1:00pm - 2:30pm
Upper Cape - Events Room
Registration is now closed

Mon, Jul 07, 3:00pm - 5:00pm
Cape May Court House - Teen Area

Mon, Jul 07, 3:30pm - 4:30pm
Cape May City - Events Room North,Events Room South

Mon, Jul 07, 5:30pm - 6:30pm
Wildwood Crest - 2nd Floor Events Room

Mon, Jul 07, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Cape May Court House - Presentation Room

Mon, Jul 07, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Stone Harbor - Events Room

Mon, Jul 07, 6:30pm - 7:30pm
Sea Isle City - Public Meeting Room

Cancelled
Tue, Jul 08, 9:30am - 10:30am
Cape May City

Tue, Jul 08, 10:00am - 11:00am
Cape May Court House - Storytime Room

Tue, Jul 08, 10:00am - 11:00am
Sea Isle City - Public Meeting Room

Tue, Jul 08, 11:00am - 12:30pm
Stone Harbor - Kitchen Area
This event is full

Cancelled
Tue, Jul 08, 11:00am - 12:30pm
Wildwood Crest

Tue, Jul 08, 1:00pm - 2:00pm
Cape May Court House - Teen Area

Tue, Jul 08, 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Sea Isle City - Public Meeting Room
Registration is now closed

Tue, Jul 08, 1:00pm - 2:30pm
Cape May Court House - TLC Classroom
Registration is now closed

Tue, Jul 08, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Stone Harbor - Events Room

Cancelled
Tue, Jul 08, 5:00pm - 6:00pm
Cape May Court House

Tue, Jul 08, 5:30pm - 7:00pm
Cape May Court House - TLC Makerspace

Tue, Jul 08, 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Cape May City - Events Room North,Events Room South

Rescheduled
Tue, Jul 08, 6:00pm - 7:30pm
New date Tuesday, July 08, 5:30pm - 7:00pm
Cape May Court House

Wed, Jul 09, 10:00am - 11:00am
Wildwood Crest - 2nd Floor Events Room

Wed, Jul 09, 10:00am - 11:00am
Lower Cape - Public Meeting Room

Wed, Jul 09, 10:00am - 11:00am
Cape May City - Events Room North,Events Room South

Wed, Jul 09, 10:00am - 12:00pm
Sea Isle City - Public Meeting Room
Registration is now closed

Wed, Jul 09, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Wildwood Crest - 2nd Floor Events Room

Wed, Jul 09, 11:30am - 12:30pm
Lower Cape - Public Meeting Room

Wed, Jul 09, 1:00pm - 2:30pm
Cape May Court House - Presentation Room
This event is full

Wed, Jul 09, 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Cape May Court House - Teen Area

Wed, Jul 09, 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Sea Isle City - Public Meeting Room
Registration is now closed

Wed, Jul 09, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Lower Cape - Public Meeting Room

Wed, Jul 09, 3:00pm - 5:00pm
Sea Isle City - Conference Room

Wed, Jul 09, 4:00pm - 5:30pm
Cape May Court House - TLC Makerspace
Registration is now closed

Wed, Jul 09, 4:30pm - 6:30pm
CMCL Outdoors

Cancelled
Wed, Jul 09, 5:00pm - 6:00pm
Sea Isle City

Wed, Jul 09, 5:00pm - 6:00pm
Lower Cape - Joseph Millman Room

Wed, Jul 09, 5:30pm - 8:00pm
Cape May Court House - Presentation Room
This event is full

Wed, Jul 09, 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Cape May Court House - TLC Makerspace
Registration is now closed

Wed, Jul 09, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Cape May Court House - Children's Room

Wed, Jul 09, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Wildwood Crest - 2nd Floor Events Room

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

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

Thu, Jul 10, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Lower Cape - Public Meeting Room

Thu, Jul 10, 1:00pm - 4:00pm
Cape May Court House - Teen Area

Thu, Jul 10, 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Sea Isle City - Public Meeting Room

Thu, Jul 10, 1:30pm - 2:30pm
Cape May City - Events Room North,Events Room South

Thu, Jul 10, 3:00pm - 4:00pm
Cape May Court House - TLC Makerspace

Thu, Jul 10, 3:00pm - 4:30pm
Stone Harbor - Events Room

Thu, Jul 10, 5:00pm - 6:30pm
Cape May City - Events Room North,Events Room South

Thu, Jul 10, 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Cape May Court House - TLC Makerspace

Thu, Jul 10, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Lower Cape - Public Meeting Room

Thu, Jul 10, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Cape May Court House - Presentation Room
This event is full

Fri, Jul 11, 9:15am - 10:15am
Wildwood Crest - 2nd Floor Events Room

Fri, Jul 11, 9:30am - 10:30am
Stone Harbor - Events Room

Fri, Jul 11, 10:00am - 11:00am
Woodbine - Children's Room,Events Room

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

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

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

Fri, Jul 11, 1:00pm - 2:30pm
Wildwood Crest - 1st Floor Events Room
This event is full

Fri, Jul 11, 1:00pm - 4:00pm
Stone Harbor - Events Room

Fri, Jul 11, 1:00pm - 4:00pm
Wildwood Crest

Fri, Jul 11, 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Wildwood Crest - 2nd Floor Events Room

Cancelled
Fri, Jul 11, 1:30pm - 2:30pm
Lower Cape

Fri, Jul 11, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Sea Isle City - Public Meeting Room

Fri, Jul 11, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Woodbine - Children's Room,Events Room

Sat, Jul 12, 9:30am - 10:30am
Lower Cape - Public Meeting Room

Sat, Jul 12, 10:00am - 11:00am
Cape May Court House - Children's Room

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

Sat, Jul 12, 10:30am - 11:30am
Cape May City - Events Room North,Events Room South

Sat, Jul 12, 1:00pm - 2:30pm
Cape May City - Events Room North,Events Room South

Sat, Jul 12, 1:00pm - 2:00pm
Upper Cape - Events Room

Sat, Jul 12, 2:00pm - 3:30pm
Wildwood Crest - Children's Room

Mon, Jul 14, 9:30am - 10:30am
Stone Harbor - Events Room

Mon, Jul 14, 10:00am - 10:30am
Sea Isle City - Public Meeting Room

Mon, Jul 14, 10:00am - 12:30pm
Wildwood Crest - 2nd Floor Events Room
Registration is now closed

Mon, Jul 14, 10:00am - 10:30am
Lower Cape - Joseph Millman Room

Mon, Jul 14, 10:30am - 12:00pm
Cape May City - Events Room North,Events Room South

Mon, Jul 14, 11:00am - 1:00pm
Lower Cape - Public Meeting Room

Mon, Jul 14, 1:00pm - 2:30pm
Upper Cape - Events Room
Registration is now closed

Mon, Jul 14, 3:00pm - 5:00pm
Cape May Court House - Teen Area

Mon, Jul 14, 3:00pm - 4:00pm
Stone Harbor - Events Room

Mon, Jul 14, 3:30pm - 4:30pm
Cape May City - Events Room North,Events Room South

Mon, Jul 14, 5:30pm - 6:30pm
Wildwood Crest - 2nd Floor Events Room

Mon, Jul 14, 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Stone Harbor - Events Room

Mon, Jul 14, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Cape May Court House - Storytime Room