BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//Kids Comics Unite - ECPv6.18.3.1//NONSGML v1.0//EN CALSCALE:GREGORIAN METHOD:PUBLISH X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://kidscomicsunite.com X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Kids Comics Unite REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H X-Robots-Tag:noindex X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H BEGIN:VTIMEZONE TZID:America/New_York BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:EDT DTSTART:20220313T070000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0400 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:EST DTSTART:20221106T060000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:EDT DTSTART:20230312T070000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0400 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:EST DTSTART:20231105T060000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:EDT DTSTART:20240310T070000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0400 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:EST DTSTART:20241103T060000 END:STANDARD END:VTIMEZONE BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20230712T123000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20230817T200000 DTSTAMP:20230727T201353Z CREATED:20230615T083509Z LAST-MODIFIED:20230727T201353Z UID:10000132-1689165000-1692302400@kidscomicsunite.com SUMMARY:Website (Re)Launch Bootcamp with Janna Morishima DESCRIPTION:6 WEEK VIRTUAL COURSEwith Janna MorishimaJuly 12th – August 17th \n\n\n\n$750 or two payments of $375 \n\n\n\n*Discount price available for Studio Members \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nLearn how to create an effective author/illustrator website by yourself – and get it done. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nRegister Now\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nDon’t have a website or are unhappy with your current one? \n\n\n\nDo you feel you aren’t tech-savvy? \n\n\n\nAre intimidated or overwhelmed by all the website puzzle pieces? \n\n\n\nThis course is for you. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nFocused Guidance on the Essentials\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nDetermine your goal\, choose a website platform\, then design and build your site alongside a collective of other creators. At the end\, celebrate with a “Demo Day”! \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nPin-point your ideal audience\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nExplore website examples of a range of writer and/or illustrator creatives and what agents\, editors\, art directors\, parents\, teachers\, and librarians are looking for. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nShowcase your unique voice \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nUnsure how to best present your work and yourself online? Explore with exercises that will help you find your core message and gain confidence in your online presence. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nOVERVIEW\n\n\nIn this bootcamp\, you’ll learn everything you need to know about how to create an effective author/illustrator website. And beyond learning what you need to know\, you will put it into practice!  \n\n\nWithin six weeks\, you will have a brand new website that you built yourself and know how to edit. \n\n\nThis course includes numerous templates and checklists to help guide you through the process. Within six weeks\, you will have a brand new website that you built yourself and know how to edit.  \n\n\nIf you need more time to complete your website\, no problem. The course materials are yours to keep. You can finish at your own pace. \n\n\nAll lessons and meetings are held on Zoom\, so you can participate online from anywhere. All calls are recorded and replays are made available within 24 hours\, so if you can’t attend some of the lessons or meetings live\, you will still have access to the content.  \n\n\nBy the end\, you’ll have a professional\, organized website that showcases you and your work in an attractive way\, and you’ll have taken an important step toward connecting with your ideal readers! \n\n\nOBJECTIVES\n\n\n\n\n \n\nYou’ll learn about the different website platforms\, and how to know which one is best for you\n\n \n  \n\nYou’ll decide which types of pages you should include\, learn how to incorporate “search engine optimization” into your web copy\, and more.\n\n \n  \n\nIf you’re an illustrator\, you’ll know what you should put in your art portfolio website\, and how to use your site to market your work.\n\n \n  \n\nIf you’re an author\, you’ll learn why an author website is important\, and what to include.\n\n \n  \n\nWe’ll examine lots of examples of effective websites for specific cases\, like comics creators who also do freelance illustration; picture book authors who also write graphic novels; unpublished authors and illustrators; creators who are both self-published and traditionally published; and more.\n\n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSyllabus\n\n\nThe course begins on Wednesday July 12th and ends on Thursday\, August 17th. The first lesson is on July 12th\, at 12:30 pm EST. After that\, there will be five more weekly lessons on Tuesdays at 12:00 pm EST.There will also be three Friday co-working sessions at 10:30 am EST\, and three Monday office hours at 11:00 am EST. \n\n\nWe will have a “Demo Day” celebration on Thursday\, August 17th\, at 7 pm EST. \n\n\nWEEK 1: July 12\, 2023Why Your Website is Important\, and How to Get Started Launching/Revamping Your SiteWhat agents\, editors\, art directors – and parents\, teachers\, and librarians – are looking for. Determining your goal. Starting with who you are. Finding inspiration. Choosing your platform: options include Google Sites\, Squarespace\, Wix\, and WordPress. Deciding on and purchasing your domain name.WEEK 2: July 18\, 2023The Main Sections of an Author/Illustrator WebsiteYour homepage\, books page\, portfolio\, about page\, contact page\, blog\, events page\, shop\, etc. Deciding what you want on your site. What to do if you’re unpublished. “Wireframing” on paper. Choosing your color palette\, fonts\, and other design elements.WEEK 3: July 25\, 2023Write and Compile Your Website ContentWriting for the Internet – how it’s different from other types of writing. What to put on your homepage. How to write your About page. Compiling images and how to name them.WEEK 4: Aug 1\, 2023Build Your SiteSetting up your site. Adding copy and images. The importance of metadata. Using hierarchy and design to make your site as user-friendly as possible.WEEK 5: Aug 8\, 2023Make Your Website “Sticky”Why you need a mailing list signup form. How to set up a mailing list. The blog -> newsletter -> social media system. How to write and set up your automated welcome email.WEEK 6: Aug 15\, 2023Launch Your SiteIt’s time! Announce your site to friends\, family\, and your wider network. Make a plan to keep it fresh and updated.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nRegister Now\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nTESTIMONIALS\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n“Janna really helps demystify the business side of being a writer or artist and also turn it into something positive instead of scary and boring 😊.” \n\n– Jenny Mannis\n\n\n\n\n“I really gained important must-know information and resources that improved my comic craft and thoroughly explained what goes into marketing your work; the course is very student-friendly\, and the lessons were explained in an inclusive language that I could easily grasp.” \n\n– Alondra Araujo\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n“Janna’s courses are not for the casual creator – they require a commitment\, but the amount of information and support received cannot be overstated.” \n\n– Noella Bickel\n\n\n\n\n“I appreciated Janna’s insider’s perspective and the deep dive she offers into craft and marketing — a great window into the behind-the-scenes workings of the kid lit industry.” \n\n– Milani Hunt\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMEET YOUR INSTRUCTOR\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nJanna Morishima \n\n\nJanna Morishima is a literary agent specializing in graphic novels and visual storytelling. She currently represents a diverse range of comics creators\, including Misako Rocks\, Shauna Grant\, Andi Watson\, and Rivkah LaFille. She is also the founder of Kids Comics Unite\, an online community for kids and YA graphic novel professionals.  \n\n\nShe started her career at Scholastic\, where she co-founded the Graphix imprint. Later\, she was the director of the Kids Group for Diamond Book Distributors\, and launched and ran the NYC Department of Education’s “NYC Reads 365” literacy initiative. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nJuly 12th – August 17th \n\n\nWEBSITE (RE)LAUNCH BOOTCAMP with Janna Morishima \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nFAQ\n\n\nIs there a discount for Studio members?Yes\, there is a discount for Studio members! Information about the discount will be posted inside the Studio program\, and emailed to Studio members. Email hello@kidscomicsunite.com if you have questions about it. \nWhen does the course begin and end? What is the weekly schedule?The course begins on Wednesday July 12th and ends on Thursday\, August 17th. The first lesson is on July 12th\, at 12:30 pm EST. After that\, there will be five more weekly lessons on Tuesdays at 12:00 pm EST. \nThere will also be three Friday co-working sessions at 10:30 am EST\, and three Monday office hours at 11:00 am EST. \nWe will have a “Demo Day” celebration on Thursday\, August 17th\, at 7 pm EST. \nWhat if I can’t attend any or all the live lessons due to schedule conflicts?The lessons are all recorded and replays will be available within 48 hours. \nWhat format is the course delivered in?Live lessons\, co-working sessions\, and office hours are held via Zoom. The lesson replays are video recordings hosted privately on YouTube. \nClass discussion will also happen asynchronously in the Mighty Network course activity feed. \nHandouts\, checklists\, and templates will be in pdf format and hosted in the Mighty Network course space. \nHow long do I have access to the course?As long as the KCU Mighty Networks exists\, you will have access to the course content! Hopefully this means “lifetime access”! 🙂 \nWhat if I’m not happy with the course?If you are not happy with the course or decide it’s not right for you for any reason\, let us know within the first three weeks of the course and we’ll give you a full refund. \nCan I take this course at my own pace?Yes\, you can definitely take it at your own pace. I’ve designed the course to be very hands-on\, and the goal is to get you to the finish line with a brand-new public website by the end of the 6 weeks. \nBut if you need more time\, that’s perfectly fine! You will still have access to all the lessons and can complete everything at whatever rate works best for you. \nI am unpublished. Do I need a website yet? Is it weird for an unpublished author to have a website?I absolutely recommend that you should have a website\, for several reasons: \nFirst\, there is a psychological benefit to investing in yourself and presenting your writing or artwork to the world in a professional way. It’s a way of taking yourself seriously and internalizing that you are committed to your work. \nSecond\, by starting a website now\, and keeping it fresh with a blog or a periodically updated portfolio\, you are creating the foundation that will allow you to launch a stronger marketing campaign\, once your books are on track for publication. \nThird\, having a website gives you much greater control over your online presence. One of the first things that an agent or editor does when they are reviewing your pitch is google you. Ideally\, your website is one of the first things they see\, and allows you to make a good impression. \nWhy do I need a website as an Author or Illustrator? Isn't social media enough?No\, please don’t rely on social media as your sole online presence! First of all\, you don’t own your social media account. The social media platform owns it\, and can revoke your account at any time. They could go out of business. They could change their algorithm and make your content almost impossible to find. \nIf you buy your own domain and create your own website\, you own it 100%. You have total control and can more easily curate it to reflect exactly what you want the world to know about you and your work. Websites are also much more flexible and can grow as your career grows. For example\, at some point you may want to add an online store\, or a course\, or digital downloads\, etc.\, and this is easy to do with your own website. \nWhat if I already have a website\, but I’m not happy with it?This course is great for you! The goal is to buckle down and create a completely new website\, or at least make major revisions to your current site. \nWhat if I’m not very tech savvy?This course will help you find a website platform that is easy to use. And the course is not just about learning\, but also doing. So you’ll be building your website during the course\, and you’ll have the opportunity to ask for help if you get stuck at any point. \nIs it expensive to host your own website?Not necessarily! Some platforms (like Wix) have “free” versions that cost nothing. \nIn this course\, though\, I will show you why I think it’s worth it to pay for at least the minimum “paid” version. (If you’re curious\, this article explains a lot of the reasons!) Both Wix and Squarespace have basic plans that cost $16 per month. Wordpress is free\, but you’ll have to pay for hosting and other upgrades like security plug-ins\, so it ends up being similar in cost. \nThis course will help you figure out the costs and decide on what’s best for you. \nDo I have to pay a separate fee for my website platform?Yes\, you’ll have to pay yearly hosting and domain charges. Unless you use Google Sites\, in which case you only have to pay the annual domain charge\, which could be as low as $12 a year. (Yes\, it is possible to build a simple\, secure\, functional author/illustrator website for as little as that!) \nWhat if I'm already paying for one website platform\, and decide I want to switch to a different one?If you already have a website with one platform (for example Wordpress)\, but you don't like it and want to switch\, you can definitely build a new website and then switch your domain so it points to your new website. You may need to contact your platform’s helpdesk for assistance in making this switch\, but it usually isn’t too difficult. URL:https://kidscomicsunite.com/workshop/website-launch-bootcamp-with-janna-morishima/ CATEGORIES:Virtual,Workshop ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://kidscomicsunite.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/website-launch-bootcamp-1920x1080-1.jpg LOCATION:https://kidscomicsunite.com/workshop/website-launch-bootcamp-with-janna-morishima/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20230823T123000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20230823T140000 DTSTAMP:20230822T180249Z CREATED:20230727T192758Z LAST-MODIFIED:20230822T180249Z UID:10000136-1692793800-1692799200@kidscomicsunite.com SUMMARY:Using 3-Part Structure for Effortless Storytelling with Shauna Grant DESCRIPTION:Virtual WorkshopWed\, August 23rd12:30-2pm EST \n\n\n\n\nRegister Now\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nOVERVIEW\n\n\n\nIn this 1.5 hour workshop\, Shauna Grant will help you break down your stories to make the storytelling process less daunting!  \n\n\n\nYou will learn how to identify your story’s theme\, to break down your story into beginning\, middle\, and end\, and to make plotting more manageable by breaking down each section. \n\n\n\nPlus learn how Shauna treats planning her graphic novel like writing an essay!  \n\n\n\nYou will come away with a guide for creating graphic novel outlines and ideas to keep each page its own refreshing building block that’ll guide readers onwards. \n\n\n\n \n\n\n\nSHauna J. Grant\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nWith a love for all things pink and magical\, Shauna J. Grant is a cartoonist who creates cuteness! She specializes in stories that focus on emotions\, empathy\, and finding magic in oneself. Her bubbly anime-inspired comics\, with a focus on diverse characters\, have been published by Scholastic\, First Second\, and IDW\, with Mimi and the Boo-Hoo Blahs being her most recent work. She resides in upstate New York with her magical puppy Sugarpaws\, drawing comics that people of all ages can fall in love with. \n\n\n\nFind her at ShaunaDraws.com\, Twitter: @ShaunaDraws\, and Instagram/Tiktok: @ShaunaDrawsCute  \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThis workshop is free for Kids Comics Studio Members. Click here to join Studio. URL:https://kidscomicsunite.com/workshop/using-3-part-structure-for-effortless-storytelling-with-shauna-grant/ CATEGORIES:Virtual,Workshop ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://kidscomicsunite.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/shauna-grant_workshop_article.jpg LOCATION:https://kidscomicsunite.com/workshop/using-3-part-structure-for-effortless-storytelling-with-shauna-grant/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20230830T123000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20230830T133000 DTSTAMP:20230803T194340Z CREATED:20230727T195428Z LAST-MODIFIED:20230803T194340Z UID:10000137-1693398600-1693402200@kidscomicsunite.com SUMMARY:Creative Process with Sandra and John Metaphrog DESCRIPTION:Virtual InterviewWed\, August 30th12:30-1:30pm EST \n\n\n\n\nRegister Now\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nOVERVIEW\n\n\n\nSandra and John will share their creative process\, working together on story and art\, from initial ideas to finished graphic novels. This talk will focus on their recent commissioned work for Harper Collins (Collins Big Cat) and collaborating with editors and designers.  \n\n\n\nJohn Chalmers and Sandra Marrs aka Metaphrog are a Franco-Scottish duo\, creators of children’s graphic novels. Their books have received multiple Eisner Awards nominations and they are winners of The Sunday Herald Scottish Culture Awards Best Visual Artist 2016. Their latest titles\, Harris and Grace\, and Freya\, were commissioned by Harper Collins\, London\, and are out now. \n\n\n\nFind them at metaphrog.com; on twitter @metaphrog and on Instagram @metaphrog_art \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThis interview is free for Kids Comics Studio Members. Click here to join Studio. URL:https://kidscomicsunite.com/workshop/creative-process-with-sandra-and-john-metaphrog/ CATEGORIES:Industry Interview,Virtual ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://kidscomicsunite.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/metaphrog_interview_article.jpg LOCATION:https://kidscomicsunite.com/workshop/creative-process-with-sandra-and-john-metaphrog/ END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR