Online Courses
at the Highlights Foundation
No two online courses at the Highlights Foundation are ever the same, but they all have one goal: to help you craft stories that inspire kids.
We offer online learning in several formats, across genres and topics. Learn more about the types of courses available, and then find one that fits your goals.
Please note: New online courses are added to the schedule frequently. Join our mailing list for the most up to date schedule additions (plus resources and more).
“What a great new supportive base of writer friends! I love the positive vibe and the spirit of “let’s do this together” that I found in this class. I have never had a writing community at all before, and I feel like I’ve come home!”
Mini-Courses
Short and lecture-based with dynamic topics and lots of information. Learn more and see courses.
Online Workshops
In-depth, with faculty and community interaction. Learn more and see available workshops.
More Online Offerings
Why Online Learning at the Highlights Foundation?
We held our first-ever online course in 2017. Then, during the pandemic, ALL of our learning shifted online. A year-round schedule of courses and workshops was born.
Now, you’ll find a blend of online and in-person learning available at the Highlights Foundation.
Our in-person programs offer time to gather, network, learn, and retreat on our campus. Our online programs offer dedicated time to focus on learning and craft in the company of faculty and fellow creatives from anywhere you choose.
The common thread? Connection. More specifically, connection to an organization and a community of people who are dedicated to (and believe in) the power of inspiring kids through story. Join us!
I feel I’ve grown as a writer tremendously. It was like night and day. Since that class, I will tell you that I took another one somewhere else, and I was not able to manage the coursework as well as I was at the Highlights Foundation class, because you all kept me on track. So I will be forever grateful. It was it was a wonderful experience.
Online Mini-Courses
Our mini-courses are Zoom webinar-based, usually with two sessions delivered during one week. Participants do not use video or audio; instead, they tune in to the webinars and can interact with each other and faculty in the Chat.
Recordings are also made available post-course for those who can’t attend live, or want more time with the material.
“I have just recently taken several of your mini courses and I am so impressed that I will now be a regular attendee. I found the courses to be so well presented and the instructors and Highlights coordinators to be just delightful and incredibly professional. Kudos to your entire Foundation for a job well done.” (Carol Hughes)
Find a Mini-Course That Fits Your Needs:
Disability Representation in Picture Book Illustration: A Two-Night Mini
Starts: May 7, 2024
Writing with Pride: A Two-Night Mini for Picture Book Writers
Starts: May 14, 2024
The Untapped Influence of Secondary Characters: A Two-Night Mini for Writers
Starts: May 21, 2024
From Pencil or Paint to Pixel: A Two-Night Mini for Beginning Illustrators
Starts: May 28, 2024
Graphic Novels for Beginners: A Two-Night Mini for Writers and Illustrators
Starts: June 3, 2024
Writing with Pride: A Two-Night Mini for Young Adult Horror Writers
Starts: June 11, 2024
Take Your Idea from Story to Chapter Book: A Two-Night Mini
Starts: June 11, 2024
Income Streams for Illustrators: A Two-Night Mini
Starts: September 3, 2024
Online Workshops
Our online workshops are also Zoom-based, but offer more depth and live interaction than our mini-courses. These vary in length, format, and schedule, but generally include more customized instruction, a lot of interaction in an online classroom and over Zoom, and some level of 1:1 feedback, consultation, and/or group workshopping.
Lectures are also recorded for those who can’t attend some sessions live, or want more time with the material.
“…This was a terrific experience: individual conferencing, small group feedback, chat sessions, office hours, breakout sessions, and keynotes were all included! Marvelous!”
“When I enrolled, I had been concerned about being able to get the full “workshop feeling” since the course was offered online rather than in person. My concerns were for naught. I felt that we made a good community even though we were not in the same room together! The presentations were thoughtful and thought-provoking. I appreciated the mix of craft and the nuts and bolts of publishing that instructors…and guests shared with us. Discussions were substantive and fruitful. We did some powerful writing exercises together. The critiques of the writing samples we submitted were productive, direct, and kind. It is an art to give honest feedback without taking the air out of a writer! It was done so very well. I even met some nice people, remotely of course, but we set up a writing group that carried on long after the workshop was done. I recommend this workshop with enthusiasm!”
Find an Online Workshop That Fits Your Needs:
Shape Your Story: A 6-Week Novel Intensive with Author & Agent Linda Epstein
Starts: May 9, 2024
The Crash Course in Children’s Book Publishing: Illustrator’s Edition
Starts: June 25, 2024
Picture Book Plotting from A to Z: A 5-Week Online Course for Writers
Starts: July 18, 2024
Writing for the Educational Market: A 6-Week Online Program
Starts: August 15, 2024
Successful School Visits: A Three Part Online Course
Starts: August 28, 2024
Line Editing Your MG or YA Novel: An Online Course
Starts: September 17, 2024
Just Do It! Your Collaborative Support Group for Finishing Your Draft (Fall)
Starts: September 18, 2024
The Crash Course in Children’s Book Publishing (Fall)
Starts: September 24, 2024
From Idea & Sketch to Dummy & Submission: An Author/Illustrator Online Course
Starts: September 24, 2024
Revising Your Novel in Verse: An Online Course
Starts: October 9, 2024