Some of the stories we remember most are the ones someone read to us. From favorite bedtime books to holiday stories brought out year after year, picture books have a way of staying with us long after childhood. What does it take to create that kind of magic?
Join traditionally published New Hampshire author Matt Forrest Esenwine for a 90-minute webinar on Zoom exploring the craft of writing picture books. Drawing on his book I Am Today and other examples, Matt will share how carefully chosen words, thoughtful page turns, and illustrations work together to create stories that readers want to revisit. He’ll also offer insight into the creation and submission processes, including potential pitfalls.
In this webinar, you will learn:
- What makes writing a picture book different from other forms of writing.
- How to balance descriptive details with room for illustrations.
- How page turns and plot pacing keep readers engaged.
- Why word economy matters—and how to make every word count.
- How an illustrator you might never meet becomes an essential storytelling partner.
- What to consider when submitting your work to publishers.
Whether you’re imagining a holiday tale, drawing on a childhood memory, or exploring an entirely new idea, this beginner-friendly webinar will help you take the next step toward a picture book of your own.
Event Details:
- Date: Wednesday, December 16, 2026
- Time: 7:00 – 8:30pm
- Location: NHWP Zoom Room
- Cost: $35 for NHWP members | $45 for non-members
- Additional information, including Zoom link, will be emailed 1 to 2 days prior to the event.
- Register: https://nhwp.app.neoncrm.com/event-detail?event=2924
About Matt Forrest Esenwine:
Matt Forrest Esenwine is the author of more than a dozen children’s books including the Kirkus-starred Flashlight Night (Astra Young Readers, 2017) and I Am Today (POW! Kids Books, 2022), recipient of the 2023 NH State Literary Award for Outstanding Children’s Literature. Meanwhile, his poetry can be found in books like his 2026 NCTE Notable poetry anthology, A Universe of Rainbows (Eerdmans Books for Young Readers, 2025), The National Geographic Book of Nature Poetry (National Geographic Kids Books, 2015), and the Donald Hall tribute, Except for Love (Encircle, 2019), among others. Learn more at MattForrest.com.
