Upcoming Programs
New For 2026
The Short Novel Writing Workshop
Gary Schmidt & Shelley Tanaka
Sunday, Feb 8 – Wednesday, Aug 26, 2026,
3:00- 5:00 PM EST | Online | Workshop recorded
Level: Advanced
Short novels are in demand. Teachers want them, librarians want them, and kids want them. And yet authors continue to churn out 200-page-plus books for young readers.
Now in our second year, this unique offering brings together beloved faculty members Gary Schmidt and Shelley Tanaka to walk you through the process of writing a short novel (approximately 80-120 pages) from beginning to end. That’s right, you will come up with a novel premise and by the end of the workshop you should be able to write the full manuscript with the help of these two amazing mentors.
We can only accept ten students for this intensive workshop. Registration opens December 1, 2025 and closes January 9, 2026.
The Graphic Novel Writing Workshop
Elizabeth Bicknell & Eugene Yelchin
Sundays, Feb 22 - June 14, 2026
3:00-4:30 PM EST | Online | Workshop recorded
Are you an author interested in writing a graphic novel? Maybe you’re an illustrator looking to explore the genre. Or, maybe you are an author/illustrator already working on graphic novels, and you want to hone your skills even more. This workshop is for all of you!
Graphic novels keep readers of all levels engaged and entertained. And as writers that is exactly what we want to do. Our graphic novel intensive is designed for both authors and author/illustrators who wish to develop their graphic novel writing skills and write a graphic novel with the support of expert mentors.
New for 2026, join Elizabeth Bicknell, faculty member and former Executive Editorial Director of Candlewick and award-winning author illustrator Eugene Yeltsin for this unique opportunity to plot, lay out, and write the script for a complete graphic novel. That’s right, you will come up with a graphic novel idea, and by the end of the workshop you should be able to write the full manuscript with the help of these two amazing mentors.
We can only accept ten students for this intensive workshop. Registration opens December 1, 2025 and closes January 16, 2026.
Whale Rock Mentorships, Winter 2026
Whale Rock Faculty
January - June 2026
Build Your Own Schedule
Level: Advanced
Our Mentorships are immersive, writing experiences designed to offer writers one-on-one attention, feedback and skill building from expert, MFA-level faculty members.
New for winter 2026, we’re introducing a build-your-own mentorship to meet your unique needs. Some of you have sought the opportunity to have a mentor read your entire novel. Others of you hoped for a mentorship where your mentor could read your work, offer feedback and then re-read your work with revisions. This winter we’re experimenting with a mentorship model designed to meet you exactly where you are, to meet your individual needs, on your schedule. Whether you’re working on picture book, middle grade, or young adult, our mentors are here to help you reach your goals.
The History of Children’s Literature
Gary Schmidt
Wednesdays, January 14 - March 4, 2026
7:00-8:30 PM EST | Online | Workshop recorded
Level: All Levels
THIS WORKSHOP IS FULL
Are you interested in exploring and understanding children’s literature more deeply? Perhaps you’re feeling uninspired in this moment in history, and you’re looking for new ways to access your craft. Maybe you seek a little bit of both.
Here at Whale Rock we regularly turn to mentor texts as part of our curriculum. In January 2026 we're taking mentor texts to a whole new level. Join Gary Schmidt for eight weeks as he brings his many years' of experience teaching literature to both undergraduates and to MFA students to explore the history of children's literature through your lens as a children's author or illustrator.
You’ll walk away with a deeper understanding of the purpose children's literature has served both for young readers and for the culture as a whole, personal insight into your role as a children's author at this moment in time, and new story ideas and inspiration
Republishing your Backlist: Adjusting your mindset
Erin Dionne & Nancy Werlin
Sunday, January 25, 2026
7:00-9:00 PM EST | Online | Workshop recorded | $40
Level: Published authors or those interested in understanding publishing rights
The publishing industry often feels like a rollercoaster. It may seem like the biggest hurdle is getting published, but a huge post-publishing challenge is sustaining the life of your stories. Many backlist books dwindle, selling only one or two copies a year. Or worse, the books just go out of print. But authors are not powerless!
Join Erin Dionne and Nancy Werlin, two published authors who have taken control of their backlists by reclaiming their rights and republishing and reissuing their work. This intensive session will introduce participants to the possibilities of republishing your backlist and the process of regaining your copyright for out-of-print titles. Participants will have a 30 minute Q&A period when they can ask additional questions. You will leave with a step-by-step template to guide your journey.
Beyond the Hero’s Journey: Exploring Story Structure
Erin Dionne
Tuesday, January 27, 2026
7:00-8:30 PM EST |Online | Workshop recorded | $35
Level: All levels
We’re all familiar with the hero’s journey, but there are many other paths our stories can take. More and more, novels are pushing the boundaries, exploring new ways and structures with which to tell stories.
Explore a the different types of story structures, including fishbone, “little e,” braided narratives, the heroine’s journey, spiral structure, and others. You’ll review these structures, identify their unique elements, and assess what types of projects they may each be best for.
Whether you’re drafting a new manuscript, whether you’ve completed a draft, or whether you simply want to have a deeper understanding of craft, don’t miss out on this seminar, designed to add more tools to your writer's toolbox.
Digging Deeper: Using Subtext to Add Depth to Your Story
Laurie Calkhoven
WHEN: Tuesday, March 10, 2026
7:00 - 9:00 PM EST | Online | Recorded
$30 early bird pricing through February 10. $36 afterwards
Do you wonder why some passages in novels resonate more than others? Are you sometimes blown away by the meaning and metaphors found in a piece of writing? Do you wonder whether you will ever be able to write like that?
Subtext, the true meaning simmering underneath the surface, adds depth and layers of meaning to our scenes. Often what’s missing from our work is the most important part—the motives, thoughts, emotions, and human truths that resonate with readers and offer multiple interpretations.
Join former editor and author Laurie Calkhoven to explore how contemporary authors use subtext in their writing and then engage in exercises that will help you infuse subtext into your own.
The Page Turner's Toolbox: Revising for tension and flow
Chris Tebbetts
Tuesdays, April 14 - May 5, 2026
7:00-8:30 PM EST | Online | Workshop recorded
Level: All levels
Join best-selling author and teacher Chris Tebbetts for this four-week generative, craft-focused workshop that will focus on tools and techniques for creating stories that keep readers engaged and … well … turning pages.
We’ll kick off our workshop with sentence -level revisions,and subsequent sessions will examine scene-level, story-level, and thematic revisions. The final session will include additional time for an optional open mike and sharing of work.
Perfect for authors who wish to tighten their prose, figure out plotting, and/or who gravitate towards propulsive, immersive, and fast-reading fiction. You’ll walk away with newfound revision skills that include knowing how to keep your readers turning those pages, the ability to spot redundancies, the ability to make your prose work for your story, and more.
Revise Your Picture Book Manuscripts:
A Faculty-Led, Writer-Centered Critique Group
Karen Krossing
Wednesdays, April 22 - June 24, 2026 (No session May 27)
7:30 - 9:10 PM EST | Online
Level: All Levels
BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND! Do you have picture book manuscripts that you’d like to revise with a small, committed group of writers dedicated to helping you produce your best work? Join award-winning author and MFA-level instructor Karen Krossing for this in-depth, hands-on, nine-week workshop limited to eight participants. You’ll use your own manuscripts to explore picture-book craft/revision, you'll discuss craft elements you can apply to your own manuscripts, and you’ll participate in weekly online discussions that dive into picture book craft topics.
The History of Children’s Literature, Fall 2026
Gary Schmidt
Tuesdays, August 25 - October 13, 2026
7:00-8:30 PM EST | Online | Workshop recorded
Level: All Levels
Are you interested in exploring and understanding children’s literature more deeply? Perhaps you’re feeling uninspired in this moment in history, and you’re looking for new ways to access your craft. Maybe you seek a little bit of both.
Here at Whale Rock we regularly turn to mentor texts as part of our curriculum. In January 2026 we're taking mentor texts to a whole new level. Join Gary Schmidt for eight weeks as he brings his many years' of experience teaching literature to both undergraduates and to MFA students to explore the history of children's literature through your lens as a children's author or illustrator.
You’ll walk away with a deeper understanding of the purpose children's literature has served both for young readers and for the culture as a whole, personal insight into your role as a children's author at this moment in time, and new story ideas and inspiration
Caboose Farm Retreat
Faculty: TBD
Sunday, November 1 - Friday, November 6, 2026
All day | In-Person | DETAILS COMING
All Levels
Join us for our beloved Caboose retreat, where participating authors not only get more words on the page but also enjoy genuine bonding time with our incredible faculty. Our home for the week, Caboose Farm in Sabillasville, MD, offers lovely lodging in small homes at the foot of the Catoctin Mountain Park. We guarantee you’ll leave the week feeling connected and inspired, with more words on the page, and with a full belly.
Participants are guaranteed cozy dinners and thoughtful one-on-one time with each instructor.
In Person Master Skills Workshop
Patti Gauch and Gary Schmidt
Sunday, November 8 - Saturday, November 14, 2026
All day | In-Person | DETAILS COMING
Level: Advanced
Join Patti, Gary and other children’s literature authors for a week designed to help you dive deep into your craft and take your writing to the next level. Each year, our instructors bring new lessons, new prompts and new exercises to help you master your craft.
WRITE! NOW & WRITE NIGHT!
Winter 2026 Write Now!
WHEN: January 13 - April 30, 2025
Tuesday & Thursday mornings
10:00 AM - 12:30 PM ET
PLEASE NOTE: There is no Write Now! on:
Thursday, April 2, 2026
Our schedule may be impacted if an in-person event is scheduled.
WHERE: Online
There’s nothing like a regular meeting time and space to keep your writing commitments honest. Our Write Now! groups are FREE and offer the support you need to show up and work each week. (Note: You must be a newsletter subscriber to participate in Write Now!)
Winter 2026 Write Night!
WHEN: January 13 - April 28, 2026
Tuesday evenings 7:30 PM ET
WHERE: Online
There’s nothing like a regular meeting time and space to keep your writing commitments honest. Write Night! offers the same creative space and community of Write Now! - reimagined to spark evening energy.
Every Tuesday, we will kick off the night with conversation - sharing goals, questions, book recommendations and more. Weekly prompts will be designed to jumpstart ideas, and from there, we will log off and begin writing. Write Night! is intentionally open-ended, giving writers time to remain in flow state if desired, and flexibility to write for as long as they’d like (or as long as they can stay awake).
Our Write Now! and Write Night! groups are FREE and offer the support you need to show up and work each week. (Note: You must be a newsletter subscriber to participate.)