Picture-book Dummy Masterclass with Alice Tait

Time: 1 HOUR per session.

'Picture-book Dummy Masterclass' is a one-to-one session with published children's author-illustrator, Alice Tait.

You've got your story; now you just need to show publishers what a great picture-book it will be!

Publishers typically expect to see a 'Dummy Book' of any new story they are presented with by an author-illustrator.

A Dummy Book is a layout of your story text over 12 double-page spreads, with the inside illustrations drawn as roughs. A Dummy Book also has a minimum of two or three illustrations worked up into a final style.

Alice Tait has full experience in working with editors and designers. She has created many of her own Picture-Book Dummies and is ready to give you expert guidance in creating your own Dummy Book.

In this Masterclass, Alice will:

1. Review your picture-book story with you and discuss breaking up the story into
   introduction, climax and conclusion.
2. Page breaks - deciding where in the story we should have
   those 12 page-turn moments.
3. Pacing - how to keep the reader involved in the plot by changing up view points, colours and scale, and by including surprises.
4. Designing your central character. Are they relatable?
   Lovable? Or are they a baddie - do we love to hate them? How can we make them memorable?
5. Choosing which illustrations could be your final illustrations and which can remain as roughs.
6. The shape of the book - square, tall or wide?
   

* The session is free-flow and will be tailored to your own needs. Alice will give you tasks to complete to help develop your Dummy Book, which
can be done in your own time after the session. If you would like Alice to review your Dummy, a follow-up session can be booked.