Do You Learn From Authors? — A Reader University Post

By Stacy S. Jensen


This is the sixth post in a series of 12 ways to help authors (and your writing) by reading.

This is a fun one.

Who doesn’t love learning?

This is a great way to work on your writing and support your favorite authors.

You can learn when you:

• enroll in a workshop
• read a craft book
• listen at the library

In the last year, I’ve been able to do all three and have improved my writing with these opportunities. Many authors share their writing techniques in workshops at conferences or via online classes. If you admire an author consider taking a class from him or her. Last year, I took the Making Picture Book Magic Class with author Susanna Leonard Hill. To date, this was the best class I’ve taken online. I refer to the material often.

Several years ago, I attended a retreat taught by author Linda Ashman. She released a craft book last year: The Nuts and Bolts Guide to Writing Picture Books. I scooped up this book, because I love Linda’s books and loved her workshop. I wasn’t disappointed when I read the book. It helped me during my work on ReviMo in January.

Well, it wasn’t a library, but I attended a reading and signing with author and illustrator Peter Brown. It was fun to see him draw the tiger from Mr. Tiger Goes Wild and to see an author present to a room filled with children and adults (and my wandering toddler). 

These are easy ways to learn from your favorite authors. What’s your favorite way to learn from authors (including reading their books)?

(This post originally appeared on Stacy S. Jensen's blog on February 10, 2014)

About the Author: Stacy S.Jensen worked as a newspaper reporter and editor for two decades. Today, she writes picture books and revises a memoir manuscript. She lives in Colorado Springs with her husband and toddler.