Children's Book Pro Early Bird Sign Up Date!

[LauraA]

@Lee-White I am still a bit confused about how this course works, especially in relation to the future, guided version of the class, and because there has been so much talk about limited spaces. (I'm still smarting a bit about not being able to participate in office hours last year because I didn't sign up right away, thinking there would be future go rounds for which I would be more prepared.)

The preview videos have done a good job of hinting at the content. Many of us are ready for it. Great!

Questions:

1. As I understand it, once you buy this class, it's yours. Thus we would be able to participate in a future guided session even if we buy it now when this guidance is not available? (And I'm assuming this guided part would at a proportional discount for those who would have already bought the class as compared to those who haven't.)

2. Like many people, I am signed up at the site, but how limited is "limited" enrollment? It sounds like it night not accommodate everyone who has preregistered. If we miss out, when will the next go round be?

3. Will the guided sessions be held this summer, also for ten weeks? Will the enrollment be similar to the live classes you used to have, i.e., about 15 students?

You guys have obviously done a great job of generating interest and reiterating the limited availability, but it seems to have reached the point where the long-time SVSers who are your primary target audience are becoming anxious and may compete excessively against each other, which isn't so desirable for community's sake. More information about future sessions and enrollment numbers might help us to plan better and thus not create a situation in which people who don't need the course just yet, but might be ready for it in a few months, trample over one another like it's some kind of mega Black Friday sale. I am exaggerating, of course, but you get the idea! Also, some of us are semi-professionals by now (or professionals in other fields) and we would like to plan how and when we can perhaps fit the course (especially the live version) into our busy schedules. This becomes even harder if we don't know whether there will be space for us to enroll.

SVS has been a huge part of my growth as an illustrator. You guys do such a great job of developing content and having continuing events such as Critique Arena and Jump into the Studio (I have particularly loved the Jump sessions!). The one area where I get a bit tripped up sometimes is not knowing what direction SVS is taking in enough detail to plan ahead. What is going on with the live classes on SVS (not the new site), the illustration track, office hours and/or portfolio reviews? We know you guys are busy and we truly appreciate the new offerings, but a bit more info on all the changes of course we only see after the fact would be very helpful, especially to long-term subscribers.

[Isabel Reyes Feeney]

Hi @Lee-White can I ask what the weekly live zoom sessions entail ? Also you mentioned it’s a 10 week self paced course. If it’s takes longer then the 10 weeks how long do you have access to the classes and videos once you have made the payment. My last question is apart from the live zoom sessions, why is there a limited space ? Thanks

[Isabel Reyes Feeney]

Hello again @Lee-White . I just rewatched the fairytale inn critique and I see you and Jake basically already answered all my questions maybe just the question about how long we have access to the videos once purchased the course.

[Neha Rawat]

@Isabel-Reyes-Feeney I think Lee mentioned in one of his other posts that this is a one-time fee. Once you have purchased the course, you will have lifelong access to it.

[Isabel Reyes Feeney]

@Neha-Rawat that would be awesome if it’s so

[Laurel Aylesworth 0]

@LauraA You've stated so eloquently what I suspect many of us are wondering. I'm looking forward to hearing the SVS team's response to your questions.

[LauraA]

@Laurel-Aylesworth-0 I thought pretty hard about writing what I did, because I didn't want to chance stirring up controversy or sounding adversarial. There's already way too much of that on the internet! But we are within a week of release and I still didn't feel I had enough knowledge to make a sound decision yet, and besides I have been hearing so much "through the grapevine" that suggested anxiety or a stampede, that I felt it was important to let the guys know what things look like from our POV. After all, they've worked hard on this and are quite busy with the production, and we all want it to be a success!

[Jeremy Ross]

Hi @Lee-White, thanks for the update! Super excited about this course, alongside many other fellow SVS’ers (I.e., “Rabbits”)

Do you guys have a single page that describes the course in greater detail with what’s included and excluded, especially more clarification regarding the synchronization of zoom sessions and asynchronous learning environment at our own pace?

Also, it would be really cool if long term Rabbits (say 1yr or longer) could be offered a loyalty discount of 10%? I understand the program needs to be profitable, hence the marketing and free 6 video series; however, I’ll buy it now because you guys are pro’s and amazing teachers.

Just a few thoughts for consideration.

PS. Loving the videos so far!

[Heather Boyd]

@Neha-Rawat Does that also mean I can buy it later or just when it launches because I don't have the time to included it in my schedule now? Or does that mean I buy it now and then use it later? Thanks tremendously!

[Neha Rawat]

@Heather-Boyd I I think you can buy it whenever and learn at your convenience. But I'm really not clear on the synchronisation of the live zoom sessions and mentorship with the course.

[Kim Hunter]

If we sign up, will we be able to access the videos over and over like the rest of the SVS courses? I rent goats for a living and right now is the start of my super busy season. I'll be offline for days at a time but will try to get back to the farm for any live lessons, etc. I really want to do this. It sounded like we'd get some one on one critiques on our work. Did I understand that correctly?

[jakecrowe]

@Kim-Hunter the videos are yours to own forever. It sounds like the zoom sessions are more support sessions to answer questions and what not. They have specifically stated that they are not critiques.

[Lee White]

Video Access: You guys are correct, you will have lifelong access to the videos once you purchase.

Upgrading to guided version: If you buy the video series now, you will be able to upgrade to the instructed versions later. The cost will take your purchase into account and apply it toward the overall fee.

Zoom Sessions: These times will vary to try to accomodate different time zones, etc. but they will happen once a week. They are for Q&A and some light instruction. Not full critiques.

Drip Schedule: The videos will come out weekly over 10-12 weeks. You can keep pace with that or watch them anytime you want. The zoom sessions will end at the end of the class though.

Limited Release: For this first round, the sign up will only last a week or so. Then the class will not be available for purchase again for a little while. It WILL come back around though if you miss this round. The reason for this is so we can sync our zoom sessions to the weekly drip schedule.

Hope that helps clear up some questions. : ) Let me know if you need anything in the meantime.

[Heather Boyd]

@Lee-White So if we don't purchase now (this round through) we have no access to upgrade to guided version, correct?

I don't have the time and I am still working through the curriculum, and I don't want to take a spot someone else who wants to take it now could have. I don't mind waiting but I obviously don't want to miss out on the guided version because I'd like feedback.

Also does buying the video series mean I am taking the class this round?
Is there a page for costs I can look at?

And thanks

[Valerie Light]

@Lee-White Thank you for continuing to field these questions.

I'm sure I'm not the only one who is trying to schedule time for this class around our work and family obligations. If we're 10 days out from the first video class being launched, can you tell us what weekday the Zoom sessions might be, so I can make sure I don't miss them? For me, the thing that has me most interested in taking this class is that real-time zoom component.

And, do you have an info sheet that tells us the plan for this class vs the Instructed version, and compares the prices? I'm really trying to make an informed decision.

[Lee White]

@Valerie-Light There will be more info at Childrensbookpro.com soon. We will show the critique and have more specifics on the zoom times. We are still scheduling that part now.

We are still working on the prices for the instructed version, but if you buy the video series, that price will be taken off your upgrade to the instructed version. For example, the video series costs $500, if the instructed version costs $2500, you would only pay the $2000 at that point. The plan for the instructed version is you would still follow our curriculum and assignments, but you would have someone helping you out and giving you feedback the whole time.

@Heather-Boyd if you purchase the video series, you can work on it whenever you like. The lessons are dripped out weekly, but it doesn't mean you have to follow that schedule. Don't worry about taking a spot from someone. By "limited" enrollment, we are really talking about a timeframe, not a number of students.

You CAN upgrade to the guided version later if you like. : )

[LauraA]

@Lee-White said in Children's Book Pro Early Bird Sign Up Date!:

By "limited" enrollment, we are really talking about a timeframe, not a number of students.

Oh! So as many people who want to buy it can buy it and participate in the zoom sessions? Thank you for clearing that up! That's a whole different thing!

[carolinebautista]

@Lee-White So would you use the early bird part to prep for the instructional part, maybe with a different manuscript?

[Lee White]

@carolinebautista You could definitely do that. That is what I would do if I was taking the class. It can never hurt to familiarize yourself with the content and then get feedback when you are ready.

We are still trying to solve the problem of what to do with people who want to bring in their own stories. Many times people want to do that, but the story actually isn't ready to illustrate. Then we spend WEEKS trying to get the manuscript corrected. It's a really tough issue because the focus we want in our class is how to illustrate the text. There are a few options we are discussing on this such as instructor approval on the manuscript before you can start Another option is just to warn students that we will not be evaluating the writing, so you have to make sure it is 100% complete before starting the class.

In order to give students manuscripts to use in the class, we hired 3 professional writers to do manuscripts that are available for use in the course. That way students don't have to worry about that part of it.

[Lee White]

Oh, I should add that the class will begin launching content next week (May 24). This week will just be signing up and getting ready for it. : )