Who is this series designed for? Aspiring children's book author-illustrators or writers who want to create books for kids.  If you are new to learning about children's books and need someone to talk you through the creative process, then this is a series made for you! 

What will you learn?  We will cover the basics of:

*creating a character bible

*compelling page-turns

*creating physical and digital book dummies  

We will meet every Sunday from 2 - 4 pm Easter Standard Time beginning January 30th  through March 27th to chat about each step of the process.  You will be provided with materials. I will be available to you on these days to go over anything you need as you begin to create the book dummy for your selected story.

We will finish off with a review of the book dummies and talk about query letters, how to market and submit your work to agents and publishers. 

Where will the sessions be held?  On my profile at https://www.behance.net/temikagrooms/subscription.  This series is only available to subscribers.

When will the sessions be held?  Sessions will be weekly on Sundays in January 30th - Match 27th from 2pm - 4pm EDT (New York time/ Eastern Standard time zone). I will be available to subscribers during these months to answer any questions or need me to review their work as they have as they go through the process. 

How do you sign up?  Hit the subscriber button on my profile at https://www.behance.net/temikagrooms/subscription to join the series.  

​​​​​​​Module 1: Character Design, Color and More

Dive into the details of character design, color palettes, and explore characters for your next book dummy.  We will work through exercises as we learn tools to get to know our characters on the page.

FIRST ASSIGNMENT – Participants will illustrate a character from their own story (with 500 words or less) or choose to add a unique spin on a classic story in the public domain (example: Three Little Pigs). Come to the first session prepared with your story.

How do you create compelling page-turns that keep the reader (and the publisher) wanting more? We will thumbnails and other tools you’ll need to create your book dummy to keep readers turning those pages until the very end.

So you’ve created a book dummy, now what do you do?  A hook and a book dummy go hand in hand!  We’ll wrap up this 3-part series by exploring your new book dummy and reviewing key elements of query letters. The series will be completed with a new book dummy you can submit to an agent, editor or continue to develop as an independent publisher.

1. Come to the first session on Sunday, January 30th with a manuscript ready to discuss.

2. You will receive a reminder message on Behance to join the session each week.  I will also send you a link to join me on Discord on the KidsLitATL Channel.  

 

3. Subscribers will have access to premium content and meetings with me on a Private channel in Discord.

TeMika Grooms is a writer and children’s book illustrator with a passion for sharing stories. Here most recent illustrated non-fiction book, “Save the Crash-test Dummies” by Jennifer Swanson, was released by Peachtree Publishing in 2019.  She is an avid volunteer with the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators and the U.S. Illustrator Coordinator for SCBWI. Most recently, TeMika was selected to be a 2021 We Need Diverse Books Illustration Mentee and a member of the 2021 Cohort for the Highlights Foundation and The Brown Bookshelf Amplify Black Stories Program. 

Learn more about her work at www.TeMikaTheArtist.com