Writing for young people involves putting yourself in the mind of a young person. What were some of the experiences you had growing up: family, friends, school, crushes, hobbies? Join published children's author Eric Bell through a series of writing prompts designed to spark your memories of childhood and/or adolescence. In Eric's KNoW (Kidlit Novel Workshop), a virtual workshop, participants engage with such prompts every week as they embark on the journeys of writing for middle grade and/or young adult audiences. This WOTS session will simulate the experience of being in KNoW, with time to write together, and an optional opportunity to share your writing and receive (only positive) feedback. Though we may write autobiographically to some extent, all writing will be treated as fictional to ensure a supportive, non-judgmental environment.

Eric Bell (he/him) is the author of ALAN COLE IS NOT A COWARD (Katherine Tegen Books/HarperCollins, 2017) and ALAN COLE DOESN’T DANCE (Katherine Tegen Books/HarperCollins, 2018), two middle grade novels about a gay seventh grade boy dealing with bullies, crushes, the power of art, and coming out. The first book was nominated to the Rainbow Book List for GLBTQ Books for Children and Teens. The books have also been translated into multiple languages. Eric is also featured in the queer middle grade short story anthology THIS IS OUR RAINBOW: 16 STORIES OF HER, HIM, THEM, AND US (Knopf). Eric is a teacher of writing classes, a virtual workshop leader, a freelance editor and writing coach, and an employee at a library. He lives and writes in Pennsylvania.