Big Sur Writing Workshops  

For Picture Books through Young Adult Books

Our agency runs the Big Sur Children's Writing Workshop every December with an offshoot conference locations in Cape Cod annually. Since 1997, we have brought in outstanding editors from the top publishing houses, both large and small, and successful authors to make up our experienced and giving faculty. We pride ourselves on an excellent faculty-to-attendee ratio and a weekend with ample opportunities for faculty/attendee interactions, both formal and informal. This workshop has been the source of many successful author/agent relationships and many publishing deals, including one for more than half a million dollars.

These workshops are designed for writers whose works are nearly ready for publication. Therefore, to be accepted for a workshop, we require advance submission of a sample of your writing. Hands-on editorial work is the focus of these workshops, and there are breakout sessions on various important aspects of the publishing industry. Faculty and attendees take all meals together and socialize in the intimate and inspirational settings of Big Sur, Cape Cod. Important alliances have come out of these workshops—many successful publishing deals, lasting writer/agent relationships, ongoing critique groups, and industry friendships and connections.

The Big Sur Children's Writing Workshop is dedicated to providing a harassment-free conference experience for everyone, regardless of gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, age or religion. We do not tolerate harassment of conference participants in any form. Conference participants violating these rules may be sanctioned or expelled from the conference without a refund at the discretion of the conference organizers. Click here for our full anti-harassment policy.

Writer's Workshop at Cape Cod

*Please note adjusted dates: Oct. 8-10, 2021

​FACULTY EDITORS: 
Carter Hasegawa, Editor at Candlewick Press
Esther Cajahuaringa, Assistant Editor at Little, Brown
Ashley Hearn, Associate Editor at Page Street Publishing
Yolanda Scott, Associate Publisher and Editorial Director at Charlesbridge
Monica Perez, Executive Editor at Charlesbridge

FACULTY AUTHORS: 
Nancy Castaldo, award-winning author of nonfiction children's books 
Lesa Cline-Ransome, award-winning author of middle grade and picture books 
Sarah Darer Littman, award-winning author of YA 
Erin Dionne, critically-acclaimed author of middle grade and YA 
David Elliott, NYT bestselling and award-winning author of YA and picture books
Sara Farizan, award-winning author of YA
Rajani LaRocca, critically-acclaimed author of middle grade and picture books 
Anne Sibley O’Brien​, illustrator and/or author of over 30 children's books
Susan Tan, award-winning author of children's chapter books
Diane Zahler, award-winning author of middle grade and YA

FACULTY AGENTS:
Andrea Brown
Caryn Wiseman
Jennifer Laughran
Jennifer March Soloway

Writer's Workshop at Big Sur Lodge

December 3–5, 2021

​FACULTY EDITORS: 

Kait Feldmann, Senior Editor Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

Mekisha Telfer, Editor at Roaring Brook Press, Macmillan

Melissa Manlove, Executive Editor at Chronicle Books

FACULTY AUTHORS: 
To come

FACULTY AGENTS:

Andrea Brown
Laura Rennert
Caryn Wiseman
Jennifer Laughran
Kelly Sonnack
Jamie Weiss Chilton
Jennifer Mattson
Jennifer Soloway
Lara Perkins
Kathleen Rushall
Jennifer Rofé

Paige Telrip

You can also find us at these writing workshops:

Additionally, we present at many SCBWI regional conferences and events and guest lecture at various writing programs at colleges and universities.

Asilomar
Backspace Writers Conference
Book Passage Children's Book Writing Conference
California State University Summer Arts Festival
Cuesta College Writer's Conference
Hilton Head Writers' Conference
Jack London Writers' Conference
Maui Writers Conference
Pacific Northwest Writer's Conference
Palm Springs Writers Conference
Pikes Peak Writers Conference
San Diego State University Writers' Conference
San Francisco Writers' Conference
Society of Children's Book Writers Conferences in all regions
Southwest Writers Conference
Southwest Writers' Conference in Tucson, AZ
Singapore Children's Book Conference
Surrey International Writers Conference
Texas Writer's League
The Virginia Festival of the Book
UCLA
Willamette Writers Conference

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