Christyan also runs one-day mentoring sessions for individuals or small groups from his home studio. Please see other pages for details of our on-line courses.


One-to-One Mentoring Workshop Sessions at the Artist’s Studio

An Introduction to Writing and Illustrating Children’s Books

Let Diane and Christyan Fox inspire your creativity!

This one-to-one mentoring workshop session (or a couple of people if working on the same project) is a day tailored to your needs, at our home studio in Thames Ditton, with lunch included.

There's no set format for these mentoring workshops; sessions with Christyan are formatted to the individual's writing or illustration needs - at any level - with the intention of giving an overview of the current children’s book market including what publishers are looking for.

All sessions usually start with a review of any work you might already have completed, but from that point the session can go in any direction you prefer. Previous students have chosen to learn the basics of storytelling, taken a thorough look at plotting, brushed up their illustration and Photoshop skills, received advice on what makes an engaging central character, created illustrator model sheets to bring it to life, learned to break down a story... it's entirely up to you!

The full session includes lunch with Diane and Christyan, during which you can gain a different perspective on your work or discuss any further aspects with Diane.

If you don't have time for a full 5-hour session, or perhaps your project is still in the early stages, Christyan also teaches by the hour (min 2hrs).

Dates: By arrangement (weekdays only) – please contact.
Time: 10.00 - 15.00 (timing flexible – lunch included).
Fees: £275 (lunch included with a full-day session).
*additional students half price if working on the same project. 
All fees to be paid in advance.

Shorter ‘Mentoring’ Sessions

Don't have time for a full 5-hour session?

Or perhaps your project is still in the early stages - Christyan also teaches by the hour (min 2hrs).

@ £50 per hour (min. 2hrs)

For more information please email or call 0208 398 0287

Reading and Feedback Services for your Children's Book

Have you already created a children’s book and would like to receive feedback?                                                                                              

Diane and Christyan Fox can give you the benefit of their experience.

They offer a manuscript and illustration evaluation service for writers or illustrators of picture books and other children’s books.

  • A written report discussing plot, story, characters, title, illustration style, and other details.

  • Constructive criticism of your work, assessing whether it is suitable for publication.

  • Detailed suggestions on how to correct any problems with your manuscript or illustrations.

Picture books:  £99 base fee for up to 1000 words (or 1 picture book)
Longer books:  £99 base fee (first 1000 words), then £15 per 1000 words.

Turnaround time is approximately 1 week.

 

'Book in Progress' Reports

Not finished your book yet? Unsure whether you're on the right track?                                                                          

To save you time and a lot of potential effort we can review your first few chapters and detailed synopsis, up to 8,000 words, for only £199.

Turnaround time is approximately 2 weeks.

 

Make a start. Please email us with some brief background, your questions / concerns. Make sure you include your contact info. We'll get straight back to you.

If you are interested in receiving more information please email or call 0208 398 0287


About Diane and Christyan Fox

Diane and Christyan Fox are a multi-award winning author and illustrator team. Over the last 30 years they have created more than 50 international-selling children’s books as well 22 educational books and stories for the BBC. Diane and Christyan also run various courses and workshops on creating children’s books. They live in Thames Ditton, UK, and are the parents of three children - one of whom is severely disabled with Angelman Syndrome.

For more information and a full list of their books go to the About Me page.

For bookings please email or call 0208 398 0287

Please note that due to circumstances beyond our control, venues, dates, times or other details are subject to change.