What Students Are Saying

Testimonials

5 star rating

The BEST Course EVER!

Kanessa Doss

Ebony Lynn Mudd is a gifted instructor; and the class was simply AMAZING. This course was so much more than I ever imagined. Each week we were taught intricate details of how to study picture books and challenged to practice what we learned. Ebon...

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Ebony Lynn Mudd is a gifted instructor; and the class was simply AMAZING. This course was so much more than I ever imagined. Each week we were taught intricate details of how to study picture books and challenged to practice what we learned. Ebony showed us step-by-step how to analyze a picture book with terrific examples, and taught us how to use it to improve our own drafts. I would give this course and Ebony 10 stars if I could.

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5 star rating

WRITING PICTURE BOOKS VIA EBONY MUDD'S ROADMAP

Sherri Mercer

An indescribable experience. I would change the title to HOW TO BREAK DOWN PICTURE BOOKS THE EBONY LYNN MUDD WAY. How I read picture books will never be the same. Ebony gave us the “secret sauce” necessary to develop and revise polished manuscript...

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An indescribable experience. I would change the title to HOW TO BREAK DOWN PICTURE BOOKS THE EBONY LYNN MUDD WAY. How I read picture books will never be the same. Ebony gave us the “secret sauce” necessary to develop and revise polished manuscripts. If you want to learn how to analyze book covers, flaps, illustrations, dialogue, characters, and literary devices, and to understand exactly what editors mean by “show, don’t tell,” this is the course for you. You will leave wanting more. I can’t wait to take the other courses included in this “Roadmap.”

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5 star rating

AMAZING!! From start to finish!

Chloe Ward

How To Break Down A Picture Book To Build Up Your Manuscript is a comprehensive, deep dive into what can make or break your picture book manuscript. Filled with applicable takeaways and tools, this course is perfect for everyone. Whether you're ju...

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How To Break Down A Picture Book To Build Up Your Manuscript is a comprehensive, deep dive into what can make or break your picture book manuscript. Filled with applicable takeaways and tools, this course is perfect for everyone. Whether you're just beginning to dip your toes into the picture book word or are an advanced writer, Ebony teaches you how to better analyze pacing, first/last spreads, page turns etc. I hope you get the chance to take this class because it is a game changer!

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5 star rating

A must-need course if you want to level up your writing craft!!

Jessica Milo

I learned SO much in this course that you can't find or learn anywhere else! From how to check your pacing, to making your first and last spreads even better, this course is PERFECT for PB writers who have already learned the fundamentals and are ...

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I learned SO much in this course that you can't find or learn anywhere else! From how to check your pacing, to making your first and last spreads even better, this course is PERFECT for PB writers who have already learned the fundamentals and are looking to improve their manuscripts. This class helped me grow in my writing craft and taught me more on how to create PBs that kids will love and will want to read over and over again!

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5 star rating

An Amazing Course!

Lynn McCracken

Ebony's teaching explodes with her gift of creativity. My big takeaway is how to analyze picture books. I am hungry to take more of her courses.

Ebony's teaching explodes with her gift of creativity. My big takeaway is how to analyze picture books. I am hungry to take more of her courses.

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5 star rating

All the stars!

Jenna Johnson

This class was beyond what I expected. I now feel very prepared to draft new stories and revise my old ones into gems. Ebony is a genius y'all. And SO kind. This is the perfect class for any PB writer, new or veteran.

This class was beyond what I expected. I now feel very prepared to draft new stories and revise my old ones into gems. Ebony is a genius y'all. And SO kind. This is the perfect class for any PB writer, new or veteran.

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5 star rating

A true masterclass!

Jessica Yoon

If you've ever wanted an MFA level breakdown of a picture book, look no further. Ebony will literally leave no page unturned (including the flap copy). This course is brimming with information that you can use to improve your picture book manuscri...

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If you've ever wanted an MFA level breakdown of a picture book, look no further. Ebony will literally leave no page unturned (including the flap copy). This course is brimming with information that you can use to improve your picture book manuscripts, and Ebony's humor and wit take it over the top!

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5 star rating

Well Designed and Implemented Course

Clarissa Evans

As promised, this course contained a plethora of tools to help me improve my picture book writing skills. Ebony has deep insight into what makes an outstanding picture book. The course is well designed and truly helpful.

As promised, this course contained a plethora of tools to help me improve my picture book writing skills. Ebony has deep insight into what makes an outstanding picture book. The course is well designed and truly helpful.

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5 star rating

Every Course is a Masterclass!

Jennie Heydt

If you are looking to invest in yourself, The Voice Roadmap has all you need to level up your picture book writing. Ebony leaves you with tangible ways to revise your manuscripts. Her expertise and interactive teaching style are top notch. Ebony i...

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If you are looking to invest in yourself, The Voice Roadmap has all you need to level up your picture book writing. Ebony leaves you with tangible ways to revise your manuscripts. Her expertise and interactive teaching style are top notch. Ebony is remarkable! I'm a stronger writer because of her wisdom and kindness.

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5 star rating

So in depth!

Ryann Jones

I am amazed by all the tips and tricks Ebony has to study picture books. I have so many new tools in my belt now. She is so fun, thorough, and willing to answer any questions you may have.

I am amazed by all the tips and tricks Ebony has to study picture books. I have so many new tools in my belt now. She is so fun, thorough, and willing to answer any questions you may have.

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5 star rating

Highly recommend this class!

Abigail Mumford

Ebony isn’t reinventing the wheel, but she is rearranging how you analyze books. With clear-cut and practical examples, you learn how to inspect every cover, spread, page, line, and word to understand how the elements of a picture book build upon ...

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Ebony isn’t reinventing the wheel, but she is rearranging how you analyze books. With clear-cut and practical examples, you learn how to inspect every cover, spread, page, line, and word to understand how the elements of a picture book build upon each other. After this class, you’ll be more intentional with your studies which directly translates into being more productive when revising. And, a side effect of all that is more confidence in yourself! Come on, what are you waiting for?? Do yourself a favor, sign up for this class, and thank me (and Ebony) later!

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What You Get

What if I told you that reading picture books could be just as powerful as getting a creative writing degree? That the secret sauce you are searching for to unlock your manuscript is within the pages of each picture book you have in your home... This course will show you EXACTLY how to analyze book covers, flap copies, illustrations, dialogue, characters, and every literary device. The result? You'll leave this course knowing exactly how to apply "show vs tell" in a fresh way, how to tackle that query blurb, that pitch, those revisions, and that blank page.

    1. Next steps: I'm enrolled! What now?

    2. New Student Survey

    3. Winter 2023 Syllabus

    4. Code of Conduct Contract

    1. The Anatomy of a Picture Book

    2. Live Class Zoom Link Information (If Above Link Doesn't Work)

    3. REPLAY: First Spread, Last Spread

    4. Week One Presentation Slides

    5. Pagination Resources

    1. Replay: Show Don't Tell

    2. Week Two Presentation Slides

    1. Week Three Live Class Link Information (If the link above doesn't work.)

    2. Replay: Pacing

    3. Week Three Presentation Slides

    1. Live Session Login Info (If the above link doesn't work)

    2. Replay: Page turns, Text, Flap Copy, & Book Covers

    3. Replay: Flap Copy Pt 2

    4. Week Four Presentation Slides

Next session coming soon.

  • 8 hours of instruction. 4 live sessions and Q&As: Tuesdays 8:00pm (Eastern Time) *access to replays
  • Downloadable Content, Access to Presentation Slides, Discussion Boards
  • Instant gratification through tools you can immediately apply to your work

Video

Invest in yourself and your writing career today!