Write Your Picture Book in Two Afternoons
Turn your picture book idea into a structured, written story, with expert guidance and personal feedback, in just two live workshops.
Do you dream of writing a picture book, but feel unsure where to start?
Perhaps you have an idea that has been sitting in a notebook for years. Perhaps you have started writing, but keep getting stuck. Or perhaps you simply want a clear, enjoyable way to finally get your story out of your head and onto the page.
● Live attendance is wonderful, but replays are included if you cannot make a session live.
Agatha Cornelia
Children’s book author & story architect
"In this small group workshop, I’ll guide you through my Structure-First Picture Book System, the same approach I use to write a picture book in one focused morning."
By the end, you’ll have a finished picture book manuscript.
A clear structure you can use again and again, and personal feedback to help you make your story even stronger.
You’ll learn how to:
Everything you need to turn vague thoughts into a compelling, structured draft.
Understand Picture Book Anatomy
Understand what makes a picture book a picture book, including format, page count, illustrations and age ranges.
Find the Right Publishing Format
Find the right picture book format for the country where you hope to publish.
5 Universal Story Elements
Use a simple universal story structure with five key elements.
Generate Strong Picture Book Ideas
Generate strong picture book ideas, even if you currently feel you have none.
Structure with a Practical Worksheet
Structure your own story using a clear, practical worksheet.
Essential Children’s Writing Principles
Write with essential children’s writing principles, including show, don’t tell, starting with action and using humour.
Finish your draft with more clarity and confidence
By the end, you’ll have a finished picture book manuscript, a clear structure you can use again and again, and personal feedback to help you make your story even stronger.
I read your manuscript.
Before the second session you send me your story, somewhere between 500 and 1,000 words, and I read every word of it.
In the second afternoon we look at the submitted stories together and I tell you honestly what I see. Then, after the workshop, you receive a personal written feedback document from me covering what's working, where the story loses its grip, what wants strengthening, and what I'd do next if this manuscript were mine.
I've written and published sixty books and been through the submission process more times than I can count, so I know what makes an editor lean in and what makes them pass. That's the read you're getting.
Personal manuscript feedback alone would normally cost far more, but it is included in your workshop place, alongside six hours of live teaching and support.
How The Two Workshops Unfold
The live workshop takes place on Monday 5 October and Monday 12 October at 2.30 p.m. CEST. Each session is up to three hours long and will be live online.
Can’t join live? You won’t miss out.
Both workshops will be recorded, and the replay will be available later that day, or by the following day at the latest. You can watch in your own time, complete your story, submit it by the deadline, and still receive my personal feedback on your manuscript.
Live attendance is wonderful, but replays are included if you cannot make a session live.
What happens in the first session?
I’ll teach you the foundations of picture book writing and walk you through my Structure-First Picture Book System.
Then we’ll brainstorm ideas together and you’ll have focused time to create the structure for your own picture book. You can ask questions in the chat as you work, and I’ll give you feedback on your story structure during the session.
Outcome: You’ll leave with a clear plan to turn into a full story before our second workshop.
What happens in the second session?
We’ll look at the submitted stories together and explore what is working, what can be improved and how to make each story stronger.
You’ll learn not only from feedback on your own work, but from hearing feedback on other writers’ stories too. This is often where everything clicks into place.
Outcome: After the final session, you’ll receive a personal feedback document from me with guidance on your own story and your next steps.
What happens between the sessions?
You’ll write your story using the structure we’ve created together. If you would like personal feedback in the second session, send me your manuscript, between 500 and 1,000 words, by Saturday evening before the second workshop.
From hesitation to published books
See how aspiring authors went from stuck notebooks to full manuscripts and publishing contracts.
Liesbeth Talboom
"The dream of writing my own children's books felt very unlikely to ever come true. Then I found Agatha. There turned out to be so many stories inside me. My first two picture books are now in bookshops, and there is so much more to come."
Anneke Verbeeck
"Before working with Agatha I wrote from my head. Everything that hit the page had to be good immediately, which meant there was no soul in it. She taught me to write a first draft freely, without judgment. Three days after submitting my brand new manuscript, a publisher reached out."
Anne-Lore Cassier
"After Agatha's course I wrote every single day for an entire summer. Relaxed, light, and with so much joy. She brought me straight to the heart of why I write, and the words just rolled out of me."
This is a small, personal group
Places are limited to 12 writers so that everyone can receive individual attention, feedback and support.
This workshop is for you if:
You have always wanted to write a picture book
You have an idea but don’t know how to shape it into a story
You have started a manuscript but feel stuck
You want practical teaching, writing time and kind, personal feedback
You want to write in English, Dutch, Spanish or another language
Write in your own language
You are welcome to write your picture book in your own language. The storytelling principles work across languages. If you write in a language I do not speak, you can use GPT to create an English translation to send me for feedback.
Save Your Place Now
If writing a picture book has been on your heart for a long time, this is your moment to stop waiting for the perfect time and give your story the space it deserves.
Early Bird Price
Early bird ends Friday 25th of September. Book in the first week and join for €99.
- 2 Live Workshops on Mon 5 & 12 Oct at 2.30 p.m. CEST
- Full recordings & replays available within 24h
- Personal manuscript feedback (500–1,000 words)
- Written personal feedback document and next steps
- Strictly limited to 12 participants
First-week promotional pricing.
Standard Price
After early bird period ends (after Friday 25th of September, tuition is €147).
- 2 Live Workshops on Mon 5 & 12 Oct at 2.30 p.m. CEST
- Full recordings & replays available within 24h
- Personal manuscript feedback (500–1,000 words)
- Written personal feedback document and next steps
- Strictly limited to 12 participants
Applies after week 1 early bird ends.
Twelve is the number where I can still read everyone's manuscript properly, write everyone real feedback, and have you leave knowing exactly what your story needs. Your booking holds one of those twelve places, which is why all sales are final and refunds aren't available. If something changes and you can't attend, let me know as soon as you can.
Hi, I’m Agatha Cornelia.
In Belgium and the Netherlands, I publish my children’s books under the name Aag Vernelen, and I have written and published more than 60 children’s books.
Through my writing and teaching, I help aspiring children’s book writers understand their young readers, shape their ideas into stories, and create with confidence, while staying true to their own imagination.
I believe children’s books can begin with the smallest spark of an idea. My mission is to help you turn that spark into a story you feel proud to share.
Save your place now and start writing your picture book with us.
Monday 5 October & Monday 12 October at 2.30 p.m. CEST. Live online via Zoom (replays included). Only 12 places available.