Children’s Book Writing

Interested in learning more about breaking into the field of Children's Book illustration or Writing? In this free, on-demand Information Session, learn more about the Children's Book Illustration and Children's Book Writing certificate programs, how our classes can help you expand your creative skills, polish your personal style, develop an eye-catching portfolio, and present yourself professionally to the industry. The Information Session consists of a brief slide presentation, as well as other general information about the two certificate programs. It is accessible anytime during the...

Have you ever told yourself that someday you will write a children's book? Now's your chance! Join us as we demystify the writing process and examine the wide variety of books offered to children: picture books, easy readers, early chapter books, middle grade novels, young adult novels, children's magazines, fiction and nonfiction. If you want to write for children but don't know where to start, this course is for you. It reveals the best way to choose an idea, how to benefit from critique to improve your revisions, and how to write a catchy query letter or intriguing cover letter to...

Revision is the key to improving your work to reach the next level: publication. But often the hardest part is to figure out which words to cut, which to leave in, and how to tighten up the rest. This writing course will concentrate on revision through sharing your work - picture books, easy readers, nonfiction books, and novels - for constructive feedback from classmates and the instructor. What You Will Learn: Deep dive into the revision process. Tips on writing techniques. How the submission process works for publication. How to provide and receive critique via in-class exercises....

Gain a deep understanding of the history of children's literature by studying classics of post-enlightenment writing for children. This course provides children’s book writers, illustrators and enthusiasts alike an essential exploration of the development of children’s literature over time, while also providing benchmarks for critiquing one’s own work. Reading will include several masterpieces in the genre. Learning Objectives: Analyze children/young adult literary texts within historical & cultural contexts through discussions and written assignments. Learn about the multiple literary...

#blankSection {display:none !important;} Getting Published: Navigating the Children's Book Market Course Overview This final, required course in the Children's Book Illustration Certificate and Children's Book Writing Certificate programs will guide you through the process of getting published, covering topics such as: Traditional & independent publishing options. Writing queries. How to choose professional representation (or self-management). Navigating contracts. Self-marketing techniques. Managing an effective online presence. Throughout the course, you will also work on completing a...

Let the wild rumpus begin! Do you dream of imaginary lands and mythical creatures? Learn how to inspire a child's imagination by giving them the tools necessary to explore the world around them. The well-written picture book entertains the child while developing their reading skills. In this course you'll learn about writing for children and you'll be asked to write and revise several picture book manuscripts. There will be an opportunity to read your work (in-class) and to discuss and critique the work of other students. We will discuss the needs of the illustrator, how to approach...

Discover how successful middle grade and young adult books are crafted, and begin to plot out and write a tale of your own. In this course, we will consider how a plot works, what makes a compelling character, and what drives a reader forward. Students will participate in an online critique group and have an opportunity to get their first five pages reviewed.

The market for children’s nonfiction and informational books and articles has never been better. In this course, which can be taken by those familiar with writing for children and those just beginning, students will learn about the needs and trends within nonfiction work for children ages 3-12 – magazines, trade books, school-library publishers, and book packagers. Students will gain practice researching nonfiction topics and writing for the various markets, as well as examining the variety of writing styles that can be used to write about individual topics. Topics covered in the course...

Do you have an idea for a children's book? Or have you always wondered how to make a story come alive through art? Learn to create stories through images and turn written narratives into a sequence of pictures. Through hands-on assignments, lectures, discussions and critiques, students get a solid foundation in the basics of visual storytelling, as well as sketching story characters, make action drawings, develop story boards and design working book dummies. Explore a wide variety of picture books for inspiration, alongside a real-world introduction to the publishing profession and the...