Writing Workshop: Children's Literature

Do you have an idea for a children's book, but have doubts about how to get started?

This workshop provides inspiration for writing literature for children/young people both in shorter and longer formats. Among other things, we need to look at elements such as narrator, projections, plot and language.

There will also be a series of small writing exercises to spark creativity.

About TeachersSince her debut in 1993, Cecilie Eken has written adventurously and poetically for children and adolescents in many forms: picture books, poems, novels, series. A common thread in her writing is an insistence on telling about the very big — and sometimes difficult — topics and communicating them at a child's height. “For me, it becomes easier to talk about when I am not forced to write completely realistically, but can list the big topics in a more adventurous way,” as Eken herself describes it.

She is a member of the Danish Academy and has received many awards and grants for her writing, including the Ministry of Culture's Children's Book Prize (twice), the School Librarians' Children's Book Prize and the Danish Academy's Silas Prize. She has also been nominated for the Nordic Council's Children's and Youth Literature Prize for her novel 'Styrke (Karanagalaksen Log I) 'in 2019.

In 2023, 'Omnia's House' was published, a poetic and colourful picture book filled with images by Norwegian illustrator Maren Tjelta Thu, and in 2024 the long poem 'The Strongest' about children and war.

Writing WorkshopsEvery month, Copenhagen Libraries invites you to writing workshops all over the city. The themes and trainers vary. Our writing workshops are not workshops, but stand-alone workshops of two hours in which lecturers give presentations, give participants exercises and answer their questions.

Practical InfoWriting The workshop is targeted at adults.Participation is free, but requires registration at Billetto. The writing workshop takes place at BIBLIOTEK Rentemestervej, 3rd floor, Salen. The writing workshop lasts from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. We do not provide computers, so bring your own and/or paper and pen. As a rule, there is no table space, so you probably have to sit with the computer/paper in your lap.We do not offer provisions, so bring your own water and snacks if you wish.Find your wayFrom the main entrance of the LIBRARY you can find the Hall on the 3rd floor via the main staircase or elevator.

Do you have any questions? Write to literary distributor Felix by mail: w48m@kk.dk