Friday, February 10, 2012

Call for Participation: Science Writing Boot Camp (writing for children) - Highlights Foundation, Honesdale, PA


Call for Participation: Science Writing Boot Camp (writing for children) - Highlights Foundation, Honesdale, PA

Contact:    Andy Boyles, Science Editor of Boyds Mills Press and
Highlights for Children magazine
Phone:       (570) 251-4557
E-mail:       contact@highlightsfoundation.org


Science-Writing Workshop Trains Children’s Authors

NORTHEASTERN PA – In a workshop titled “Science Writing Boot Camp,” award-winning professionals—authors, editors, and a photographer—will teach the craft of writing for children in the areas of science and nature.

The workshop will be held by the Highlights Foundation from April 19 to 22, 2012, near Honesdale, PA.

“Kids need great writing that takes them into the realm of science,” says workshop leader Andy Boyles. “It’s a huge challenge to create books and articles that capture kids’ imaginations and give them insight into how science works. We’re here to help writers take on that challenge.”

Through presentations, one-to-one writing critiques, and ample writing time, the faculty will help authors propel their writing careers to new heights. The workshop will also feature photography instruction.

The faculty includes accomplished professionals.

Catherine D. Hughes is science editor for National Geographic KIDS and NG Little Kids magazines. She has authored two books in a popular new series for preschoolers: National Geographic Little Kids First Big Book of Animals and NGLK First Big Book of Dinosaurs. A third book, NGLK First Big Book of Space, is scheduled for publication in October 2012.

Sally M. Walker is the author of many popular nonfiction books and series for children of all ages. Her name is often found on nonfiction award lists, librarians’ best-in-science lists, and teachers’ bookshelves. She is best known for writing Fossil Fish Found Alive: Discovering the Coelacanth and Written in Bone: Buried Lives of Jamestown and Colonial Maryland.

Scientist, photographer, and author Doug Wechsler will present the basics of nature photography. He is the director of VIREO (Visual Resources for Ornithology) at the Academy of Natural Sciences in Philadelphia. As part of his job, he explores rain forests to photograph native birds. Wechsler’s books include the award-winners Frog Heaven: Ecology of a Vernal Pool, Bizarre Birds, Marvels in the Muck: Life in the Salt Marshes, and many others.

Laurence Pringle has written more than one hundred books for children about animals and insects as well as humanitarian and environmental issues. Among his many honors and awards, he has received a lifetime achievement award from the American Association for the Advancement of Science. In 2006, Larry was awarded the Guggenheim Foundation fellowship for science writing. His new book, Billions of Years, Amazing Changes: The Story of Evolution, debuts as a result of this fellowship.

Andy Boyles is science editor at Highlights magazine and its trade-book division, Boyds Mills Press. He has worked with Jack Myers, Sarah C. Campbell, Pamela Kirby, Laurence Pringle, Dougal Dixon, Sandra Markle, Doug Wechsler, and many others.

The workshop will be held at the home of the Highlights for Children Founders, situated in scenic northeastern Pennsylvania. Surrounded by a 1,300-acre forest, the property is home to whitetail deer, timid black bears, and a variety of birds and other wildlife—a naturalist’s delight.

The Highlights Foundation, Inc., created its Founders Workshops to raise the level of the offering of writing and illustrating for children. A variety of programs are presented for all levels of writers, from those just getting started to those who are published but wish to hone their skills. These workshops are led by successful, supportive authors and editors determined to help writers achieve their goals.

Limited to thirty participants, the intimate setting is unique. Participants are housed on-site in fully furnished and comfortable rustic cabins.

For more information, contact the program assistant, Jo Lloyd, at 570-253-1192 or jalloyd@highlightsfoundation.org.