Launch Yourself as a Children's Author
Find Your Audience. Build Your Brand. Get Published
Selective Small-Group 3-Week Mentorship for New & Aspiring Children's Picture Book Authors.
- Australian Eastern Time Zone (Sydney/Melbourne): Wednesdays, July 22, 29, and August 3 at 08:00 AM
- US Eastern Time Zone (New York): Tuesdays, July 21, 28, and August 2, at 18:00 PM
Allow 90 minutes for each live workshop with ample opportunity for Q&A in a small, focused group. Can't make a session? Don't worry, we will record them and share access in your student area (alongside detailed notes) after each session.
With many real-world examples, practical resource downloads, and opportunities to ask questions throughout, you will learn…
Workshop #One: Building an Author Platform Publishers Notice [Sam Smith]
Most aspiring authors don't realize that building a platform happens before you are published. They send out manuscripts and wonder why they aren't hearing back. But what happens when a publisher Googles you? In this intensive with Sam Smith, you'll learn about finding your voice, clarifying your author brand, and building credibility so publishers and readers take you seriously, even before publication.
Workshop #Two: What a Publisher Like EK Books Looks for in New Authors [EK Books Managing Editor]
When a publisher looks to sign a new children's book author, they are engaging in a years-long business partnership. Do you have what it takes to convince a publisher that you can hold up your side of the deal? Learn from the EK Books acquiring editor what the award-winning children's publishing house looks for in new authors, and get clear steps you can take to set yourself up for success.
Workshop #3: Promoting Your Book From Idea Through Launch and Beyond [Sam Smith]
Throughout your journey as a children's author, you will encounter various gatekeepers, from the publisher to bookstore buyers, reviewers, and more. From social media to leveraging your brand and building network skills, learn how to set yourself up for success at every stage so you can stop leaving the future of your books (and yourself as a creator) to chance.
After the mentorship, you will have time to apply your learnings to your manuscript and share your book with EK Books for consideration for publishing and development opportunities!
Meet your mentor
Samantha Smith's debut picture book, Harriet's Hungry Worms (EK Books, 2023), has wriggled into the hearts of children, parents, and educators - earning international recognition including the 2024 NYC Big Book Award (Picture Books: Ages 4-8), North American Book Awards (Silver), and Rubery Book Award (Shortlisted). Her next two picture books are being published by EK Books and are scheduled for release in 2027.
Alongside her work as an author, Sam is an experienced communications strategist and brand consultant. Through her consultancy, Pinnacle Collective, she helps organisations and creative professionals shape compelling stories, build their brands, and connect authentically with audiences across channels.
When she’s not writing or supporting clients to build their brand, Sam is active in the children’s literature community as a CYA judge, a proud Author Ambassador for the Little Readers Read-a-thon and an Author Pen Pal. She is also a member of the Australian Society of Authors, the Children’s Book Council of Australia, and the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators.
After the live lecture, you will be invited to improve your manuscript and send it to EK Books for consideration.
At EK Books, we are on the lookout for new authors to work with but want to make sure that authors are giving their books and messages the best chance of success. After the session, participants will be invited to send your manuscript to us for consideration.
Change your future as a children’s author
Join us for three weeks that could change your future as a children’s author.
While this mentorship ideal for aspiring children’s authors, we welcome authors at any stage of their journey.
Because we want to make sure that we are working with authors who will make the best use of the powerful ideas shared, and stand a genuine chance of success either with EK Books and/or other publishers, we invite applications before proceeding with enrollment.
Spaces limited - Enroll now
This is a professional mentorship program for new and aspiring children's authors serious about building an ignorable brand and advancing toward publication. You do not need to have a publishing contract, but we expect participants to have at least one manuscript draft or idea in an advanced stage of development.
The investment in this program including all workshops in small, interactive groups, and lifetime access to the recording and notes, as well as priority, inner-circle access to publishing opportunities with EK Books, is $675 USD. Please apply below to proceed.
Workshops begin on July 19 (US time) / July 20 (Australia time).
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