New Children’s Editorial Program to deliver picture book training

13/06/2024
Children's book editors can look forward to new professional development opportunities as the APA launches the Children’s Editorial Program’s Picture Book Editing Intensive.

Inspired by the highly esteemed Residential Editorial Program, which has been running for over 25 years, the Children’s Editorial Program will address gaps in training available for editorial staff working in children’s publishing. As well as practical skills development, the program will also provide opportunities for community building and knowledge sharing among editors working in this diverse field. 

The two-day Picture Book Editing Intensive will take place at RMIT in Melbourne on Thursday 24 and Friday 25 October, with accommodation provided offsite on the Thursday night. 

The program comprises a series of presentations and workshops on the craft of picture book editing, including topics such as:

  • Developing the use of rhyme 
  • Collaboration with creators
  • Art direction
  • Editing story
  • Developing works for domestic and international markets

The APA’s Children’s Publishers Committee has developed the Picture Book Editing Intensive alongside esteemed children’s book publisher and author Jane Godwin, who says of the unique challenges for editors:

‘Picture books are a huge and varied area of publishing, in terms of style, content and audience. Editing a picture book requires a unique approach, and our aim with this program is to equip picture-book editors with the skills and different perspectives that will help them to create the best version of the picture books they work on. We will explore many aspects of picture-book publishing, from the small technical details to the big picture!’

Up to twenty participants will be chosen for the program on the basis of their applications, selected by members of the Children’s Publishers Committee. Successful applicants will be notified in August 2024. 

To assist independent publishing professionals from regional and remote locations access the program, there are four bursaries available which are funded by the Independent Publishers Committee.

How to apply

For more information on eligibility and applications for the Picture Book Editing Intensive, visit the Children's Editorial Program page for the application form and guidelines.

The deadline for applications is 17:00 (AEST) on Tuesday 23 July. 

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