How My Signature Six-Week Professional Mentoring Programme Works
‘If you’re looking for guidance on writing children’s books, I wholeheartedly recommend Pauline Tait. Her expertise and wisdom is invaluable, and will provide you with the perfect toolkit to create your own children’s book. A fabulous morning, and the mentoring was like gold dust!’
‘Pauline has coaxed me out of my comfort zone and allowed me to find my creative spark.’
The mentoring programme is carefully structured across six weeks, with each week focusing on a key aspect of picture book writing and publishing
Week 1 – Foundations and Planning
The technical specifications every picture book writer should understand before writing the first word, knowing your audience, and planning your picture book with confidence.
Week 2 – Character Development
Creating engaging, believable characters that young readers can connect with and remember, and understanding the role characters play in driving a picture-book story.
Week 3 – Vocabulary and Knowing Your Audience
Understanding how age and reading stage influence vocabulary and language choices, the importance of oral flow, and writing confidently for your intended reader.
Week 4 – Writing Through Illustration
Understanding the relationship between text and illustration, when to use single and double-page spreads, setting pace and tone through illustration, finding and working with an illustrator, and developing strong front and rear covers.
Week 5 – Preparing for Publication
Preparing to approach agents and publishers, understanding traditional and independent publishing routes, and making informed decisions about the right path for you and your book.
Week 6 – Publication and Beyond
Understanding what happens as your book moves towards and beyond publication, including distribution, marketing and publicity, author opportunities, and the essential professional housekeeping every author should understand.
Alongside the weekly sessions, authors receive two 1:1 mentoring sessions focused on their own manuscript and author journey, Pauline’s picture book writing template, provided after Week One, and two weeks of post-programme email support for follow-up questions as they put their next steps into practice.
Post-programme email support is there for follow-up questions and clarification as you put what you’ve learned into practice. Further manuscript assessment or critique can be booked separately if required.
‘Pauline is so encouraging and knowledgeable, I highly recommend her to guide and mentor you on your authoring books for children adventure.’
‘Pauline has coaxed me out of my comfort zone and allowed me to find my creative spark.’
‘Pauline’s experience in primary literacy is also invaluable when it comes to understanding what children need from a book and what motivates them to read.’
‘I attended a masterclass on writing children’s books with Pauline Tait a couple of months back and it blew me away. In such a short period of time, she made it all so clear, so DOable, and I left feeling inspired and clear on the steps I would need to take.’