Fred Koehler

Fred Koehler is an artist, novelist, and screenwriter whose real-life misadventures include sunken boats, shark encounters, and narrow escapes from hurricanes. His published works include the illustrated novel Garbage Island, the Boston Globe Horn Book honoree One Day, the End, and the New York Public Library Best of the Year Flashlight Night, among others. He currently has an animated series, a graphic novel, and many more stories in the works. Fred lives in Florida with his wife, kids, and a rescue dog named Cheerio Mutt-Face McChubbybutt. Visit ilikefred.com

Sprinting Toward Failure: A Fail-Fast Method for Character & Story (with Sarah McGuire)

ARCs Readers (and editors) often fall in love with a character before getting hooked on a plot. Join Fred Koehler and Sarah McGuire for an ideation sprint where every participant will create a brand new concept/character combo designed for compelling story and character arcs. We'll learn how to test our ideas in real time and determine whether or not they're worth developing further. Participants will leave with additional questions to help them flesh out their concept and a framework they can apply to any future idea.

Writing Between the Lines: How an Illustrator Thinks About Your Picture Book Manuscript

You think you've got the perfect picture book. Perhaps the publisher agrees. But what makes for manuscript magic in the picture book category? Join illustrator Fred Koehler, whose book One Day, the END with author Rebecca Kai Dotlich went on to win a Boston Globe Horn Book honor. By understanding how an illustrator thinks, you'll be able to better craft stories that would make any artist excited to partner with you. Participants will leave with handouts to help them prepare any future picture books they write for an illustrator collaboration.