Sheila Turnage, author of "Three Times Lucky," will discuss her book with host D.G. Martin at noon Sunday, Jan. 27, on UNC-TV's "North Carolina Bookwatch."

What does it take to write a successful book for children and young teens?

The Harry Potter series proved that the right kind of story can capture their attention and loyalty. But duplicating the Harry Potter model is no small assignment.

Sheila Turnage faces this challenge in "Three Times Lucky" by introducing readers to the crime-solving talents of two preteens from Tupelo Landing a fictional eastern North Carolina small town where everybody knows everybody else's business.

Nobody knows the town and its people better than Mo LoBeau, an 11-year-old who is sassy, charming and smart. She and her best friend, Dale Earnhardt Johnson III, lead Turnage's young readers through a most entertaining murder investigation.

The Sunday broadcast will repeat at 5 p.m. on Thursday.

"Bookwatch Classics" (programs from earlier years) airs Wednesdays at 11:30 a.m. on UNC-MX, a digital cable system channel (Time Warner No. 172 or No. 4.4). The Jan. 30 guest is Orson Scott Card, author of "Shadow Puppets."

A grant from the North Carolina Humanities Council provides crucial support for "North Carolina Bookwatch."

Workshops

The Writers' Workshop sponsors several classes at Charlotte's Providence Presbyterian Church on Saturdays from noon to 5 p.m. The cost is $70 for members and $75 for nonmembers.

Registration is in advance only, by mail or online at www.twwoa.org. Financial aid in exchange for volunteering is available. For more information, contact writersw@gmail.com or call (828) 254-8111.

n Feb. 2: Screenplay Writing, with Nathan Ross Freeman. The class will receive an overview of writing for the screen. Discussion will include various formats, structures and techniques, as well as tips on creating interesting characters and realistic dialogue. Students may bring a screenplay idea or synopsis to the class for review. Freeman has written and produced indie feature films such as "Mr. Bones" and "Authoring Action."

n Feb. 16: Writing the Short Story, with Dale Neal. This class, for beginning and experienced writers, will focus on techniques for crafting the short story. Publishing information will also be given, and students may bring up to five pages for in-class review. Neal holds a master's degree in fine arts in creative writing from Warren Wilson College. His short stories have appeared in Arts & Letters, North Carolina Literary Review, Carolina Quarterly and elsewhere. His first novel, "Cow Across America," won the 2009 Novello Literary Award and was short-listed for Foreword Novel of the Year. He is an editor and columnist at the Asheville Citizen-Times.

n March 9: Self-Editing, with Karen Ackerson. Writers of fiction or nonfiction will learn how to edit and revise their works before submitting to an agent or publisher. Techniques will be taught on how to grab the reader's interest by eliminating unnecessary details, building tension, and fine-tuning dialogue and descriptions. Participants may bring 10 pages (double-spaced) to the class for discussion. Ackerson is senior editor at the Renbourne Editorial Agency, and has edited over 220 stories, books and essays.

n March 30: Write Your Life, Part 2, with Richard Krawiec. This class is a continuation of Krawiec's popular memoirs class. In this supportive writing-intensive class, participants will learn how to draw on the "material" of your life to write and revise memoirs, stories or plays. Elements covered include time compression and expansion, how to focus on theme, recognizing your purpose, and developing your piece professionally. Krawiec is the author of numerous books and poems such as "Breakdown: A Father's Story," "Faith in What?" and "Time Sharing." His work is published in Shenandoah, Florida Review, and N.C. Literary Review, among others.

n April 13: The Fast Track to Publication, with Laine Cunningham. Fiction and nonfiction book writers will learn the three items critical to pitching agents and publishers: the query letter, synopsis, and author bio. Discover industry secrets such as how to approach publishers without an agent; what kinds of "calling cards" to mention in your query; and how to write an effective synopsis. Any writer will benefit from this class, including those working on novellas, young adult novels, short story collections, novels, memoirs or self-help books. Cunningham has been a publishing consultant for 20 years. She has conducted writing and marketing seminars at The Loft, the National Writers Union, and other national organizations.

Algonquin Young Readers

Algonquin Books announces the launch of Algonquin Young Readers, a new imprint featuring books for readers from seven to 17.

"We are excited to bring to young readers books of the same literary merit and enduring qualities that are hallmarks of the Algonquin tradition," says Elise Howard, editor and publisher of Algonquin Books for Young Readers. Howard says that the plan is to build this list to 15 titles a year, featuring primarily fiction, and also to include a few select narrative nonfiction titles.

Elisabeth Scharlatt, publisher for Algonquin Books, also commented, "This is an exciting step toward Algonquin's future, a logical way for us to grow while still keeping our adult list small. We've been thinking about attracting younger readers for a long time, and now the time is clearly right. More thrilling, though, the books themselves are extraordinary, just dazzling."

From short illustrated novels for the youngest independent readers to timely and topical crossover young adult works, this new imprint will introduce young readers to unforgettable characters, absorbing stories and superior writing.

The first list, launching this fall, includes five exceptional novels, two for young adults and three for middle-grade readers:

"The Time Fetch," by Amy Herrick (middle-grade hardcover fiction)

"Three Ring Rascals Book One: The Show Must Go On," by Kate and M. Sarah Klise (middle-grade hardcover fiction)

"Anton and Cecil: Cats at Sea," by Lisa and Valerie Martin (middle-grade hardcover fiction)

"If You Could Be Mine," by Sara Farizan (young adult hardcover fiction)

"Somebody Up There Hates You," by Hollis Seamon (young adult hardcover fiction)

The Algonquin Young Readers imprint will be introduced to librarians, booksellers, and media this spring with appearances at the American Library Association's Midwinter Conference, the American Booksellers Association's Winter Institute, and BookExpo America, the publishing industry's annual national trade show, leading up to the official launch to consumers in the fall.