Category: Events

A New Series of Genre Writing Workshops for Kids at the Center for Fiction

I’m thrilled to be leading a new series of KidsWriting genre workshops at The Center for Fiction in April and May.

We had so much fun during last autumn’s horror-themed series and I’m excited to see how these talented young writers will interpret and engage with our spring themes–I expect it’ll be a blast.

These online sessions sold-out last time, so if you have any young writers (ages 9-12) in your life who might be interested, please don’t wait to register! Also, please help spread the word on Twitter (and anywhere else)!

Event details from The Center for Fiction’s website:

Designed for young writers, ages 9-12, these writing workshops will focus on fostering creativity in a fun, encouraging environment. Each session examines a different slice of genre fiction and will include writing sprints, interactive discussions of story structure and common tropes, and opportunities to share and review our work. Parents are encouraged to register for individual sessions based on their child’s interests or for multiple sessions at a discount.

Saturday, April 10, 1-3pm ET
Spellcasters
Witches and warlocks, mages and sorcerers—by any name, spellcasters are magic! In this workshop we’ll be discussing fictional magic systems, spells, and tools as we write stories about the people (and creatures) who make and use magic—from the mightiest wizard to the tiniest fairy.

Saturday, April 24, 1-3pm ET
Cryptozoolapalooza
Fiction’s strangest creature club has something for everyone, from Loch Ness Monsters, yetis, and Jersey Devils to chupacabras, jackalopes, and krakens! In this workshop, we’ll explore the wide world of cryptids, craft our own pseudoscientific catalog of creatures and write stories about our fantastical creations.

Saturday, May 8, 1-3pm ET
Super Spies & Top-Secret Tech
When it comes to high-octane espionage, everyone knows that elite secret agents get all the best gadgets. In this workshop we’ll explore the thrilling world of spy stories and invent incredible technology for our secret agents to use while they try to save (or destroy) the world!

  • One Class: $50
  • Two Classes: $100 $75 with coupon code KIDSWRITE2
  • Three Classes: $150 $100 with coupon code KIDSWRITE3

The Center for Fiction has TONS of amazing programming coming up, so be sure to check out all their events and workshops!

*Image art by E. L. Trouvelot.

Upcoming Horror Writing Workshops for Kids at the Center for Fiction

Illustration of a castle at night background for HalloweenI’m thrilled to be leading a new series of horror workshops for young writers at The Center for Fiction next month, kicking off the Halloween season *AND* the CFF’s KidsWriting program!

We’re going to have a lot of fun exploring some of the genre’s most popular branches and playing around with its most infamous tropes. Halloween is my very favorite holiday and even though I know this year will be different, I’m still all-in for celebrating the spooky season, and, IMHO, this is a perfect way to do that safely and creatively.

We’ll be meeting via Zoom beginning on October 10th, with the first of three sessions (detailed below), which can be bundled or taken individually. Registration is open now, but attendance is limited, so please don’t wait.

Additional info from the CFF event page:

Designed for young writers, ages 9-12, these writing workshops will focus on fostering creativity in a fun, encouraging environment. Each session breaks down a different branch of horror and will include writing sprints, interactive discussions of story structure and common tropes, and opportunities to share and review our work. Parents are encouraged to register for individual sessions based on their child’s interests or for multiple sessions at a discount.

Saturday, October 10, 11:30am – 1pm ET
Haunted Places & Ghostly Faces
In this workshop, we’ll be writing ghost stories, urban legends, and crafting original “local lore” about hauntings, cursed places, and other spooky, unexplained phenomena. Poltergeists welcome!

Saturday, October 17, 11:30am – 1pm ET
Movie Monsters & Creepy Creatures
From vampires, werewolves, and zombies, to shape-shifters, ghouls, and mummies–and everything in between–in this workshop, we’ll be writing stories about the terrifying things that go bump in the night (or in your closet)!

Saturday, October 24, 11:30am – 1pm ET
Scary Science & Techie Terrors
Whether it’s extraterrestrial invasions or evil scientists, destructive blobs or sentient computers—in this workshop we’ll be writing Sci-Fi Horror about the places where science and technology meet the unknown and the unexpected.

A version of this post appears on nrlambert.com.

Happy Children’s Book Week!

2015 Children's Book Week Poster (Art by Grace Lee).

(Art by Grace Lee).

In addition to being Star Wars Day (May the 4th Be With You!), today kicks off Children’s Book Week. Children’s Book Week began in 1919 and is a celebration of reading and children’s literature. From their site:

“Established in 1919, Children’s Book Week is the longest-running national literacy initiative in the country. Every year, commemorative events are held nationwide at schools, libraries, bookstores, homes — wherever young readers and books connect!

Children’s Book Week is administered by Every Child A Reader, a 501(c)(3) literacy organization dedicated to instilling a lifelong love of reading in children.”

If you have a minute, visit their site http://www.bookweekonline.com/ where they’ve posted a ton of local and online events, as well as links to digital tool kits for parents, educators, and librarians. Also, check the hashtag #CBW15 on Twitter for more activities, events, and information.

P.S. I love these adorable bookmark kits from the folks at Sesame Street.