Children's Book Illustration courses in Leicester

LOOKING FOR: PICTURE BOOKS, MG, YA, ADULT FICTION Molly Jamieson has been working at United Agents Ltd since 2017, working across adult and children’s books, and before that she worked at Curtis Brown. She has recently started building her own client list which already includes million-copy selling authors and bestsellers. Molly has a particular interest in scifi and fantasy across both adult and children’s books. For a sense of her taste, she has recently read and enjoyed Sistersong by Lucy Holland, Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir, Uprooted by Naomi Novik, The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang, and Once Upon A Broken Heart by Stephanie Garber. She loves anything with high stakes, characters you would follow anywhere, big stories, expansive worldbuilding, breathless romance, and threads of adventure running throughout. She is also looking for commercial romantic fiction in all shapes and forms. She has a real soft spot for classic tropes, a great sense of humour, and anything with a clear pitch that makes you sit up and take notice, but in the end it all comes down to chemistry. In this area, she has recently read and loved The Hating Game by Sally Thorne, Book Lovers by Emily Henry, The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren, and The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood. She also represents children’s authors and illustrators in all genres, from picture books up to YA. In one single word document, Molly would like you to submit a covering letter, 1 page synopsis and the first three chapters or 5,000 words of your manuscript in a single word document, whichever is shorter. For picture books, please submit a covering letter and 2 picture books in a single document. Please send EITHER picture books OR another genre, not both in one submission. (In addition to the paid sessions, Molly is kindly offering one free session for low income/under-represented writers. Please email agent121@iaminprint.co.uk to apply, outlining your case for this option which is offered at the discretion of I Am In Print).  By booking you understand you need to conduct an internet connection test with I Am In Print prior to the event. You also agree to email your material in one document to reach I Am In Print by the stated submission deadline and note that I Am In Print take no responsibility for the advice received during your agent meeting. The submission deadline is: Monday 18 November 2024.

Overview: 'Illustrating Children's Book Characters From Sketch to Final Art'   Are you an aspiring illustrator with a passion for bringing children's book characters to life? Look no further than our comprehensive course, 'Illustrating Children's Book Characters From Sketch to Final Art.' Designed by industry experts, this course is your essential guide to mastering the art of character illustration from conception to completion.   Module 1: Introduction to Illustrating Children's Book Characters In this introductory module, you'll dive into the fundamentals of character illustration for children's books. Learn about the importance of capturing emotion, personality, and storytelling through your artwork.   Module 2: Research and Concept Development Discover the secrets to creating compelling characters by conducting thorough research and developing strong concepts. Explore different styles, themes, and inspirations to enhance your creative process.   Module 3: Sketching and Character Design Gain hands-on experience in sketching techniques and character design principles. From rough sketches to refined designs, you'll learn how to develop distinctive characters that resonate with young readers.   Module 4: Composition and Layout Unlock the key elements of composition and layout to effectively place your characters within the narrative. Explore composition techniques, perspective, and storytelling devices to enhance the visual impact of your illustrations.   Module 5: Color Theory and Application Master the art of color theory and its application to children's book illustration. Explore color psychology, palettes, and techniques for creating vibrant and engaging illustrations that captivate young audiences.   Module 6: Digital Tools and Techniques Harness the power of digital tools and techniques to bring your characters to life with precision and efficiency. Learn essential software skills, digital painting techniques, and workflows to streamline your illustration process.   Whether you're a beginner looking to start your journey in children's book illustration or a seasoned artist seeking to refine your skills, our course offers valuable insights and practical exercises to help you excel in this exciting field. Enroll now and unlock your potential to create captivating characters that inspire and delight readers of all ages! Course Curriculum Module 1_ Introduction to Illustrating Children_s Book Characters Introduction to Illustrating Children_s Book Characters 00:00 Module 2_ Research and Concept Development Research and Concept Development 00:00 Module 3_ Sketching and Character Design Sketching and Character Design 00:00 Module 4_ Composition and Layout Composition and Layout 00:00 Module 5_ Color Theory and Application Color Theory and Application 00:00 Module 6_ Digital Tools and Techniques Digital Tools and Techniques 00:00

LOOKING FOR: MG, ADULT FICTION Jo Williamson has been in publishing for over 25 years. Having worked in Children’s books PR for Dorling Kindersley, HarperCollins and Orion, she started as an agent with Antony Harwood in 2008. She feels very privileged being with authors at the very start of their publishing journey and enjoys close working relationships with all her clients. From editorial help, general advice on the publishing world, guiding careers long-term and general cheerleading, she feels she has the perfect job. Although nothing is off limits and she loves being surprised by submissions, In middle grade children's fiction, Jo is particularly looking for books with heart, epic adventures with voice-led characters, and younger funny fiction with series potential.  In adult fiction, page-turning Commercial Women’s and Book Club fiction are right up Jo's street, including psychological suspense, thriller, cosy crime and books that don’t quite fit the mould. Above all, she wants stories that linger long after the final page has been read. Jo is not the right fit for police procedurals. Jo would like you to submit a covering letter, 1 page synopsis and the first 5,000 words of your manuscript in a single word document. (In addition to the paid sessions, Jo is kindly offering one free session for low income/underrepresented writers. Please email agent121@iaminprint.co.uk to apply, outlining your case for this option which is offered at the discretion of I Am In Print).  By booking you understand you need to conduct an internet connection test with I Am In Print prior to the event. You also agree to email your material in one document to reach I Am In Print by the stated submission deadline and note that I Am In Print take no responsibility for the advice received during your agent meeting. The submission deadline is: Monday 2 December 2024

Are you interested in enrolling on an Online (Distance) Learning Degree at Arts University Plymouth, but curious about how virtually attending an Arts University works? If so, join us online for our Free 3-Session Online Learning Taster Course. An introduction to our January-start degrees. This course has been designed to give you a taste of what it is like to study with us virtually, as well as giving you tailored support for your university application. You will get a virtual art university experience, and a chance to meet some of the lecturers for the subjects you are interested in studying.

LOOKING FOR: MG, ADULT FICTION Jo Williamson has been in publishing for over 25 years. Having worked in Children’s books PR for Dorling Kindersley, HarperCollins and Orion, she started as an agent with Antony Harwood in 2008. She feels very privileged being with authors at the very start of their publishing journey and enjoys close working relationships with all her clients. From editorial help, general advice on the publishing world, guiding careers long-term and general cheerleading, she feels she has the perfect job. Although nothing is off limits and she loves being surprised by submissions, In middle grade children's fiction, Jo is particularly looking for books with heart, epic adventures with voice-led characters, and younger funny fiction with series potential.  In adult fiction, page-turning Commercial Women’s and Book Club fiction are right up Jo's street, including psychological suspense, thriller, cosy crime and books that don’t quite fit the mould. Above all, she wants stories that linger long after the final page has been read. Jo is not the right fit for police procedurals. Jo would like you to submit a covering letter, 1 page synopsis and the first 5,000 words of your manuscript in a single word document. (In addition to the paid sessions, Jo is kindly offering one free session for low income/underrepresented writers. Please email agent121@iaminprint.co.uk to apply, outlining your case for this option which is offered at the discretion of I Am In Print).  By booking you understand you need to conduct an internet connection test with I Am In Print prior to the event. You also agree to email your material in one document to reach I Am In Print by the stated submission deadline and note that I Am In Print take no responsibility for the advice received during your agent meeting. The submission deadline is: Monday 6 January 2025

LOOKING FOR: PICTURE BOOKS, YOUNG FICTION, CHAPTER BOOKS, MG, YA Alice set up Alice Williams Literary in 2018 after representing children's books for over ten years at David Higham Associates. She is especially keen to consider playful, funny books for all ages, and is on the lookout for heartwarming, empowering stories, whether in a realistic, contemporary setting, or a wildly imaginative fantasy world - or somewhere in-between. Alice is offering 121 sessions for young fiction, middle grade, YA and picture book writers. For chapter books, MG and YA fiction, please submit a covering letter, synopsis and the first three chapters of your manuscript in a single word document. For picture books, please submit a covering letter and two texts, or for illustrators one dummy and examples from your portfolio or a link to your website. (In addition to the paid sessions, Alice is kindly offering one free session for low income/under-represented writers. Please email agent121@iaminprint.co.uk to apply, outlining your case for this option which is offered at the discretion of I Am In Print).  By booking you understand you need to conduct an internet connection test with I Am In Print prior to the event. You also agree to email your material in one document to reach I Am In Print by the stated submission deadline and note that I Am In Print take no responsibility for the advice received during your agent meeting. The submission deadline is: Monday 13th January 2025

LOOKING FOR: PICTURE BOOKS, MG, YA, ADULT FICTION Molly Jamieson has been working at United Agents Ltd since 2017, working across adult and children’s books, and before that she worked at Curtis Brown. She has recently started building her own client list which already includes million-copy selling authors and bestsellers. Molly has a particular interest in scifi and fantasy across both adult and children’s books. For a sense of her taste, she has recently read and enjoyed Sistersong by Lucy Holland, Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir, Uprooted by Naomi Novik, The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang, and Once Upon A Broken Heart by Stephanie Garber. She loves anything with high stakes, characters you would follow anywhere, big stories, expansive worldbuilding, breathless romance, and threads of adventure running throughout. She is also looking for commercial romantic fiction in all shapes and forms. She has a real soft spot for classic tropes, a great sense of humour, and anything with a clear pitch that makes you sit up and take notice, but in the end it all comes down to chemistry. In this area, she has recently read and loved The Hating Game by Sally Thorne, Book Lovers by Emily Henry, The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren, and The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood. She also represents children’s authors and illustrators in all genres, from picture books up to YA. In one single word document, Molly would like you to submit a covering letter, 1 page synopsis and the first three chapters or 5,000 words of your manuscript in a single word document, whichever is shorter. For picture books, please submit a covering letter and 2 picture books in a single document. Please send EITHER picture books OR another genre, not both in one submission. (In addition to the paid sessions, Molly is kindly offering one free session for low income/under-represented writers. Please email agent121@iaminprint.co.uk to apply, outlining your case for this option which is offered at the discretion of I Am In Print).  By booking you understand you need to conduct an internet connection test with I Am In Print prior to the event. You also agree to email your material in one document to reach I Am In Print by the stated submission deadline and note that I Am In Print take no responsibility for the advice received during your agent meeting. The submission deadline is: Wednesday 22 January 2025

LOOKING FOR: PICTURE BOOK TEXTS / ILLUSTRATIONS Lucy Brownridge is a Commissioning Editor at Wide Eyed Editions and Frances Lincoln Children’s Books, and formerly Thames & Hudson where she helped to establish the Children’s list. She has developed and edited books for children with Alan Ahlberg, Quentin Blake, Bruce Ingman, Sandra Dieckmann, Yuval Zommer and Joe Coelho among others. She is the author of Illuminightmare as well as the Portrait of an Artist and Art Masterclass series. She is interested in the history of picture books and is always looking for innovative ways to use the book format. Her favourite books are funny, deceptively simple, thoughtfully written, distinctively illustrated and encourage a love for reading both words and pictures. Lucy would like you to submit the following depending on whether you are a picture book writer / illustrator or both. ABOUT YOU Include a covering letter, in a word document, telling Lucy about yourself and your sources of inspiration. If you have one, include a link to your website. She is keen to read stories she hasn't seen before or see artwork with a distinctive style rather than something that fits with trends. She has particular experience with picture books and illustrated narrative non-fiction. AUTHORS Please send a full manuscript (or 3), in a word document, starting with a short summary/blurb. Make the summary punchy and engaging. Remember that the best picture book stories are simple and every word should count. Do you see this book as part of a series? ILLUSTRATORS If you have a picture book idea please send a story board and a summary of the story. Please send a diverse selection of artworks from your portfolio. It is useful to see examples of the following: people of different ages and ethnicities, character studies showing a range of clothes and expressions, animals, a selection of everyday objects, wide-angle vistas, an example of a book cover (i.e. a classic book reimagined). Please send these in PDF where possible. (In addition to the paid sessions, Lucy is kindly offering one free session for low income/under-represented writers. Please email agent121@iaminprint.co.uk to apply, outlining your case for this option which is offered at the discretion of I Am In Print).  By booking you understand you need to conduct an internet connection test with I Am In Print prior to the event. You also agree to email your material in one document to reach I Am In Print by the stated submission deadline and note that I Am In Print take no responsibility for the advice received during your agent meeting. The submission deadline is: Monday 27th January 2025

In this live course, I share my insights from my experience as a school librarian and governors’ clerk, into how teachers use children's books in the classroom, what they are looking for in school visits and how to prepare for them. I will be joined by voice coach, Cat Clancy, and confidence coach, Vie Portland.

LOOKING FOR: PICTURE BOOKS Barry Timms is a children's picture book editorial consultant with over twenty years' experience. He has also edited preschool books, non-fiction and young fiction works. Barry's editorial roles include senior and managerial positions at Macmillan Children's Book, Walker Books and Little Tiger Group, making commercially successful books of the UK, US and international markets. Barry is also an award winning author of over fifteen picture books. This is NOT a Unicorn!, published by Nosy Crow, won the Stockport Children's Book Award 2022. Barry would like you to submit a covering letter and a maximum of two picture book texts to be discussed. This should be in one Word document with the cover letter at the top. The texts should be for children aged within the 2-6 years age bracket and can be in prose or rhyme. As well as conventional fiction narratives, narrative non-fiction is also acceptable. (In addition to the paid sessions, Barry is kindly offering one free session for low income/under-represented writers. Please email agent121@iaminprint.co.uk to apply, outlining your case for this option which is offered at the discretion of I Am In Print).  By booking you understand you need to conduct an internet connection test with I Am In Print prior to the event. You also agree to email your material in one document to reach I Am In Print by the stated submission deadline and note that I Am In Print take no responsibility for the advice received during your agent meeting. The submission deadline is: Monday 3rd February 2025