Pacific Coast Children's Writers Novel Workshop

Our international attendees (from 20 USA states and Canada) are a savvy, motivated group. These teens through seniors describe each other as “friendly,” “interesting” and “supportive,” and they relish our hands-on format.

Alumni include aspiring writers, as well as published authors Elizabeth Shreeve (Simon & Schuster), Joni Sensel (Henry Holt, Bloomsbury), Heather Tomlinson (Henry Holt), Bobbie Pyron (WestSide Books, Tegen/HarperCollins), Marsha Diane Arnold (PenguinPutnam, Random House, Abrams), Zu Vincent (Front Street Books), Mary Cronk Farrell (Clarion), Jan Neubert Schultz (Carolrhoda), Joy N. Hulme (Random House, HarperCollins), Ella Thorp Ellis (Atheneum, Henry Holt, Delacorte),and Annemarie O’Brien (Knopf/Random, forthcoming in 2013)—plus MFA graduates in Children’s Literature, a Chronicle Books editorial assistant, an award-winning screenwriter, and others equally dedicated. Regardless of your experience, we believe you’ll find our “community” both helpful and congenial.

Peer manuscripts (up to 8 are faculty-critiqued in open clinics) are a rich blend. These stories are populated, for example, by girls who want to be professional musicians or athletes (or just want to be liked)... and by kids who deal with racism and autism; homelessness and deafness. Feisty humor often enlivens the pages. Peers, family and pets interact with our teen and tween heroes—as do occasional ghosts and sage spirits.

Where does your story take place? Our enrollees’ tales have landed us in medieval London, Gold Rush California, a 1920s Utah coal mine, the outbacks of Australia, rice paddies of Thailand, and more. We’ve travelled by sea around the world, by jeep in an African safari, and on foot through Costa Rican ruins.

But these tales aren’t just travelogues. They’re driven by each protagonist’s deep-seated desire and character arc, or emotional journey—at least, that’s our goal. What do your story people long to know or attain?

For all their manuscripts’ diversity, our enrollees have a common denominator. Like you, perhaps, they love a good novel, and will take steps to get theirs published!

We’re always pleased to share alumni successes. Here are some satisfying examples:

In 2011, ANNEMARIE O’BRIEN sold her novel, Dance With Borzoi, to Knopf/Random House. Annemarie met her Knopf editor at our 2009 PCCWW workshop.
In 2006, JONI SENSEL signed with our PCCWW agent Jennifer Rofe of the Andrea Brown Literary Agency, who then sold her YA novel, The Farwalker’s Quest, to Bloomsbury Children’s Books. In 2010, Joni’s fourth novel was published. Joni says, “Attending this workshop allowed me to meet a dynamic agent whom I would not have otherwise considered for my work. I’m really glad I participated!”
In 2009, BOBBIE PYRON’s debut novel, The Ring, was published by WestSide Books. It has been nominated for the American Library Association’s Rainbow Project list. Bobbie says, “The positive feedback and helpful advice I got at PCCWW led to this book finding its perfect home.” Her second novel, A Dog’s Way Home, was sold to Katherine Tegen Books, a HarperCollins imprint.
Following the 2009 PCCWW, several alumni were accepted into Vermont College of Fine Arts’ MFA program in Writing for Children and Young Adults—including MANDY ROBBINS TAYLOR and SHERYL SCARBOROUGH. Mandy is “excited to have this opportunity. I am so thankful to workshop faculty and attendees, and my TeenSpeak critiquer Carrie, for all of their awesome feedback.”
In 2009, MARY CRONK FARRELL signed with an agent. Her historical fiction manuscript, now titled Ellie Paints the Sky, was critiqued at our 2006 workshop.
KAREN STANTON won first prize in the Friends of Sacramento (CA) Public Libraries Writers Contest for Plum Was Here, a coming-of-age novel she had shared at PCCWW.
HEATHER TOMLINSON’s debut novel, The Swan Maiden, was published by Henry Holt in 2007. After Heather signed contracts with our editor and agent, she announced: “I’m thrilled to pieces. Many thanks to PCCWW for providing the fantastic opportunity to meet with them both!”
ANNEMARIE O’BRIEN won third prize for a YA novel manuscript in the 2005 Friends of Sacramento (CA) Public Libraries Writers Contest. The submission landed her a coveted spot in Vermont College of Fine Arts’ prestigious MFA Program in Writing for Children and Young Adults, where she graduated in 2009, after winning the college’s Houghton-Mifflin Clarion award that year (cash prize, plus editor’s critique and consult) for From Russia with Dasha. “The excellent PCCWW faculty and peer feedback have helped me improve my manuscripts for the eight years I’ve attended,” Annemarie says.

GUATEMALA. The radiant faces of these Mayan middle schoolers reflect their love of books—a scarcity in their village. Following our 2005 workshop, travel-adventure novelist David Dennis and other Washington State volunteers flew to a small, rural Guatemala middle school, delivering 30 books donated by PCCWW attendees, plus 200 books from the World Bank Family Network Book Project.

PCCWW writers and other donors also contributed money, which David used in Guatemala to buy the kids books—approximately $200 worth (U.S. equivalent). There are about 30 students in this middle school, with no local public library or book store (the nearest book store is an hour’s drive). A few books are sold at a nearby grocery store. Before PCCWW and World Bank donations, this middle school’s “library” consisted of a small cabinet with only a few books (see photo).

David reports, “The Mayan students and teachers were ecstatic that the school now has a full-fledged library. Latest donations range from picture books to Popul Vuh to Harry Potter. Thanks to everyone for your generous donations!”

AFRICA. Writer Caren McNelly McCormack sent good news about 2005 PCCWW enrollees’ book donation to Africa: “The teachers and students of Enkijabe Empiris Preschool in the Maasai village of Kilgoris, Kenya were delighted to receive the box of picture books donated by our PCCWW participants. These 25 books and 20 books from other writers are the only books in this school’s library! We’ve given these kids the great gift of reading.