Children's Picture Book Writing Workshop

Want to develop and idea for a children's book. Join us over two x 3-hour sessions.


Artidote
Artidote
5.0 (3)

3 hours Class size 6 to 16 guests       £75 (PayPal Pay in 3 available)
Norwich Activities
What to expect at our Children's Picture Book WritingWorkshop

What to Expect at Our Children's Picture Book WritingWorkshop

What to Expect at the workshop
Together we’ll explore:

  • simple story arcs
  • the rule of three
  • the power of the hero’s journey
  • dramatic visual storytelling with memorable characters
How to:
  • write a synopsis
  • sketch out a flat-plan
  • page layout
  • storyboarding
  • typography, pacing and structure
Helping you move from vague idea to an illustrated story concept.


Who is the workshop aimed at?

Who Is the Workshop Aimed At?

This is a supportive creative space for beginners, procrastinators and people who’ve always said “I’d love to write a children’s book one day.”


What makes this workshop different??

What Makes This Workshop Different??

This isn't a formal classroom or rigid writing course. It's a relaxed, creative space place where storytelling, drawing, imagination and experimentation all come together. We’ll share ideas and practical guidance with encouragement and feedback from the group. This collaborative approach will help the storytelling to feel real and publishing possible.

What's a flatplan? It's an easy way to sketch out your story book ideas, its quick, and avoids overthinking, you can make make changes, refine, edit and rewrite your text, exploring your ideas and storylines as they slowly start to take shape.


Keep it simple

Keep It Simple

You don't need to be scared of sketching out your storybook, the simpler the better. As you work through your pages we'll show you how you use drama, scale and variation in your layouts to get your ideas across. Making sure each page works with the words.


Developing your characters

Developing Your Characters

There are simple ways to add character and personality to your sketches, this is something we'll cover on the second workshop.


Why choose Artidote in Norwich

Why Choose Artidote in Norwich

  • Small group sizes (6-14)
  • Central Norwich studio location
  • Relaxed and friendly atmosphere
  • Focus on creative confidence, not rigid instruction.
Our studio Is a bright, airy and welcoming space full of light, art and plants. It's been designed to make you feel good. There is plenty of space, with a range of seating, ergonomic chairs and height adjustable sit-stand desks. This ensures you can sit, stand and move throughout your time here.


A children's picture book writing workshop that will help you get rough ideas, characters and half-finished thoughts down on paper.
This workshop runs over two x 3-hours sessions. Ticket price is for both sessions.
Wednesday 10th June - 6.30-9.30pm
Wednesday 17th June - 6.30-9.30pm
You’ll work alongside writer Lee Carnihan and designer/Artidote co-founder Floyd Sayers to shape and inspire the children’s storybook that’s been sitting quietly in the back of your mind for years. The goal is to reduce fear, create clarity, build momentum and give yourself permission to find your voice.
Lee Carnihan - author of The Fire and The Fox, a modern-day fable based on a Finnish myth about the origin of the Northern Lights—will be sharing his insight and experience of writing and illustrating a children's book with you. From first words to final edit and first sketch to the finished print, Lee will be there to help you every step of the way.
Floyd Sayers - After studying graphics, typography and photography at Camberwell Art School, Floyd’s career included working for major publishers in London. Involved in creative children’s book publishing projects for more than 20 years including design, art direction and commissioning. This has given him the insights, skills and confidence to share practical ideas, creative exercises and visual storytelling techniques to help bring your own children’s story book to life. He’s currently writing and developing his first project aimed at 3-5 year olds, so this workshop has grown directly from his own personal creative journey.
Floyd Sayers - Having studied graphics, typography and photography at Camberwell Art School, Floyd worked for major publishers in London involved in design, art direction and commissioning. His career spand more than 20 years working on numerous creative children’s book projects. This has given him the insights, skills and confidence to share practical ideas, creative exercises and visual storytelling techniques to help bring your own children’s story book to life. He’s currently writing and developing his first project aimed at 3-5 year olds, so this workshop has grown directly from his own personal creative journey.
What you'll get
It's not what you get, it's what you'll take away!
At the end of the 2 sessions you should have the first draft of your Children's story book. Alongside a rough visual of how the illustrations work with the words. You'll know how many pages, the size of the book and the age of reader it's aimed at. More work will follow but it's a great start!
Knowledge required
Absolutely no knowledge or skills required this is a beginner focused workshop with all welcome.
What to bring
Nothing. Any (BYOB) drinks and nibbles. Tea and coffee will be provided.
Suitable for

Suitable for adults, and kids (minimum 16 years old).

An adult must accompany any attending kids (the adult may observe for free).


FAQ

Can this workshop help me finally start the project I keep putting off?
YES
I can't draw does that matter?
Not at all, we'll show you basic skills to visualise your story and get your ideas down on paper, starting with simple stick figures. Using a flatplan is part of the process, this is a useful early stage to get the flow of the book and the words working alongside very basic drawings.
Is this workshop more about writing or illustration?
Both. We’ll explore storytelling through words and pictures. You’ll look at how images, pacing, character and narrative work together to bring a story to life.
See more FAQs   
What happens between the two workshop sessions?
You’ll have a week between sessions to reflect, gather ideas, sketch, write or develop your concept further. The second session helps build on what you started in week one.
Do I need any previous experience?
You don't need any previous experience either in writing or design, If you love Children's books - this is for you. If you're a curious creative wanted to have a go at something new - this is for you. You don't need to come with an idea, but if you have an idea that's fine.
What will the atmosphere be like?
We'll be creating an energy in the room that will be relaxed, fun and playful. The idea behind the group is to be supportive and encouraging when sharing our work and ideas, with positive feedback and suggestions. This is not a creative workshop to bring any negative thoughts or criticism!
Location

Artidote, Capitol House (Studio 12, first floor) - Studio 12, Capitol House, 4-6 Heigham Street, Norwich NR2 4TE

Capitol House, is next to Norwich Kitchens & Bathrooms on the corner of Heigham Street and Barn Road. Diagonally opposite the car park for Home Bargins and TKMaxx.

Children's Picture Book Writing Workshop location
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Artidote
Artidote

5.0 (3)

Artidote began in a simple way. In January 2024 I started a small free art group in Norwich. After more than 40 years working in the creative industries, I wanted to step away from the computer and get back to art and craft, making things by hand again.
Through word of mouth, the group quickly filled up. We capped it at 25 people and met once a month. People loved having a space where they could relax, experiment and make things without pressure.
At the start of 2025 I began running small creative workshops to see if there was interest beyond the art club. We hosted sip and paint evenings in coffee shops, ran workshops for organisations and networking groups, and creative sessions for local businesses. Over 200 people took part in that first year, and the feedback and testimonials were incredibly encouraging.
Later that year my partner Bev and I closed our existing business after ten years. It was a big decision, but it created the opportunity to turn our old showroom into something new. We transformed it into a welcoming creative studio filled with natural light, plants, colour and art. That space became Artidote.
What makes Artidote workshops different? These aren’t traditional art classes, I don’t see myself as an art teacher. My role is more like a creative workshop facilitator — helping people explore ideas, experiment and discover their own creativity.
Most people who come to Artidote say the same thing when they arrive:
“I’m not creative"or I can't draw." Many haven’t made any art since school, that’s completely normal.
Our workshops are designed to help people relax, try new things and enjoy the process of making without worrying about getting it right.
There’s never any pressure and judgement, just curiosity, play and creativity.
Over the past two years we’ve experimented with more than 25 different workshop ideas, including:
* Abstract portrait painting
* Clay and charcoal sculpture
* Cardboard mask making
* Lino and gel printing
* Watercolour and ink
* Cyanotype printing
* Tetrapak printmaking
* Life drawing
* Lego creativity sessions
* Designing family crests
* Creating ideas for children's books
* Drawing personal maps of meaningful journeys
Some workshops are light and playful, others become unexpectedly meaningful. One workshop where people drew maps of personal journeys from their lives became quite emotional for the group. That’s one of the wonderful things about creativity, you never quite know where it might lead.
Artidote workshops are:
  • Beginner friendly
  • Relaxed and welcoming
  • Small groups (around 20–25 people)
  • Social and creative
All materials are provided and you don’t need any experience, just bring curiosity and an open mind.
Creative art and craft has a powerful effect on people, when we start making things with our hands, something changes. We slow down, become absorbed in the process. Ideas appear that we didn’t expect. For many people it’s the first time they’ve made something creative since childhood.
Our hope is that people leave feeling inspired and perhaps rediscover creativity as a regular part of their lives. Creativity isn’t just about art, It’s really about connection, curiosity and community.
That’s what Artidote is all about.

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2026-07-03 15:00:00
class 1E57MXLBSX b30fa37a8c654059964d2a78c24cea95 production norwich Norwich East of England GB norwich