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Writing for Beginning Readers: First Chapter Books and Early Readers

Highlights Foundation Campus 392 Boyds Mills Road, Milanville, PA, United States

Overview In-person 4-Day/3-Night Workshop and Retreat Do you want to bring joy and confidence to kids who are picking up a book on their own for the very first time?  Whether fiction or nonfiction, learn how to bring your stories to life for these beginning readers. This is an in-person workshop at our Retreat Center with presentations, […]

$1299

Discovering a Deeper Level of Your Character: A Two Night Mini

Online

Overview A Two-Night Mini Online Course Discovering the inner life of your story's main character can be hard work. Join award-winning authors Kekla Magoon and Laurie Calkhoven for this short course designed to help you get to know the inner secrets of your main characters.  This deeper understanding will unlock new aspects of your story, […]

$59

Creating for Our Youngest Readers: Board, Novelty, and Concept Books

Online

Overview A Two-Night Mini Online Course Board books, novelty books, and concept books bring the world to the youngest minds. ABCs, counting, shapes, sizes, opposites, and so much more, these important books weave together language and visuals to engage caregivers and children in the book, the world, and one another. Join author/illustrators Merrill Rainey and […]

$59

Giggles and Laughs: Connecting with Humor in Picture Books, Early Readers, and Chapter Books

Online

Overview A Two-Night Mini Online Course New readers love to laugh!  When we consider crafting humor for picture books, early readers, and chapter books, it's important to learn the "why," to help your story connect and resonate with this age group.  But then how do you find the right level of funny? How do you […]

$59

Emotions in Nonfiction Picture Books: A Two-Night Mini

Online

Overview A Two-Night Mini Online Course Picture books open the world of information to readers. Join children’s book author Heidi E.Y. Stemple and editor Eileen Robinson to explore the many ways to infuse emotion into your nonfiction picture book, and hook and inspire your readers. This program is a great fit if you’re looking for a short course […]

$59

Working Retreat: Spark Inspiration with Meditation and Creative Play

Highlights Foundation Campus 392 Boyds Mills Road, Milanville, PA, United States

Overview In-person 4-Day/3-Night Working Retreat Join Kekla Magoon and Laurie Calkhoven for a retreat built to spark inspiration through meditation and creative play, and then give you time to harness that spark in your own projects.  A “Working Retreat” is lightly structured with one lecture each day, generative activities, optional consultations with faculty, and plenty […]

$1199

Show, Don’t Tell: Making it Real with Sensory Details and Small Actions

Online

Overview A Two-Night Mini Online Course Have you ever been given the writing advice, "show, don't tell"?  Join author, agent, and freelance editor Linda Epstein to find ways to do just that in your novel.  You'll learn how rich sensory details and well-placed small actions can create vivid settings, grounded dialogue between characters, and an authentic […]

$59

Crafting Meaningful Contemporary Novels: An Online Course with Editor Kat Brzozowski

Online

Overview A 4-Week Online Course Join editor Kat Brzozowski to develop the essential elements of character, voice, and plot that will help you craft a deeply meaningful contemporary novel for today's readers.  The course features weekly live discussions and writing exercises, Q&A sessions, 1:1 feedback, and more. Live sessions at 12:00 - 2pm EST on […]

$599

Chapter by Chapter: An Online Program for Chapter Book Writers

Online

Overview A 4-Week Online Course for Chapter Book Writers Chapter books engage young minds like no other stories can.  Readers start a journey with your character in Chapter One, and then yearn for more with each page turn until they finish your entire book!  (And maybe even your entire series!) Join Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen to build […]

$599

Query Letter Basics with Agent Linda Epstein: A Two-Night Mini

Online

Overview A Two-Night Mini Online Course Getting your book to readers is a goal for most writers, and agents can play an important role in this process. But how do you find an agent? Often, the query letter is what connects writers to agents. Unfortunately, navigating the querying trenches can seem like rough waters. Need […]

$59

Diving Into Your New (or Next) Novel: An Online Workshop

Online

Overview A 4-Week Online Course Each novel begins with a new idea, a new page, a new chapter, and countless choices about character, plot, and pacing. This course is designed with those choices in mind. Work with celebrated novelists, Rajani LaRocca, Leah Henderson, and Chris Tebbetts to begin (or begin again) your novel in 2025. […]

$399

Practical Matters in Children’s Book Publishing: A Two-Night Mini with Editor Harold Underdown

Online

Overview A Two-Night Mini Online Course Getting started in the children’s book industry can be confusing. Beyond the skills needed to craft a great story, there is much to learn as you aspire to write and/or illustrate professionally and publish for kids and teens. After nearly three decades in children’s books, editor Harold Underdown has much […]

$59

Non-Traditional Picture Book Structure: A Two-Night Mini

Online

Overview A Two-Night Mini Online Course Picture book journeys aren’t one size fits all, and that’s a good thing! Join children’s book author Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen and literary agent Rachel Orr to celebrate alternative approaches to picture book structures. This program is a great fit if you’re looking for a short course of two, 75-minute sessions […]

$59

Intro to Writing Short Fiction: A Two-Night Mini for MG & YA Authors

Online

Overview A Two-Night Mini Online Course Join author and anthologist Katherine Locke and author and agent Eric Smith to learn about the form, opportunity, and style of writing short fiction for kids and teens. This program is a great fit if you’re looking for a short course of two, 75-minute sessions offering limited interaction with […]

$59

Picture Book Plotting from A to Z: A 5-Week Online Course for Writers

Online

Overview An Online Course with Pre-recorded & Written Lectures, Writing Exercises, and Live Discussions with Q&A Are you ready to do a deep, deep dive into picture book structure? This online course with Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen features pre-recorded and/or written lectures, along with assignments for each letter of the "Picture Book Alphabet," plus weekly LIVE Zoom […]

$499

From Pencil or Paint to Pixel: A Two-Night Mini for Beginning Illustrators

Online

Overview A Two-Night Mini Online Course Beginning illustrators can join children’s book author/illustrator Courtney Pippin-Mathur to talk about approaches to using different media (traditional and/or digital) in your illustrations with examples from classic and contemporary illustrators. Special guest Aram Kim will join us the second day for ten tips about submitting work to an art director (traditional and/or digital) and […]

$59

Building Brilliant Book Proposals: A Two-Night Mini

Online

Overview A Two-Night Mini Online Course For most nonfiction books (except picture books), the first step in pitching your project to an agent or editor isn’t a full manuscript—it’s a compelling book proposal. This crucial document does it all: it hooks readers, outlines your vision, sells your idea, and proves why you’re the right person […]

$59

Rhyming Picture Books: A Two-Night Mini

Online

Overview A Two-Night Mini Online Course To rhyme or not to rhyme… a question that fills the picture book writer’s mind! Join Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen and Anne Marie Pace for this two-night mini to gain beginning knowledge about rhyming picture books in today's market. This program is a great fit if you’re looking for a short course of two, […]

$59

Disability Representation in Novels for Kids: A Two-Night Mini

Online

Overview A Two-Night Mini Online Course Children's books have the opportunity to portray and celebrate the diversity of bodies, and the multitude of ways that people process and proceed throughout the world. Authentic disability representation in children's books breaks stereotypes, makes connections, and centers the disability experience. Join authors Lyn Miller-Lachmann, and Halli Gomez to learn […]

$59

Picture Book Essentials: A Two-Night Mini for Picture Book Writers

Online

Overview A Two-Night Mini Online Course Picture books are easy to love, but challenging to write. Learn the essential elements of craft that can help you turn your ideas into stories with award-winning picture book author Darcy Pattison and author/illustrator Leslie Helakoski. This program is a great fit if you’re looking for a short course […]

$59

Big Picture Revision: A Two-Night Mini with Editor Harold Underdown

Online

Overview A Two-Night Mini Online Course Gathering tools and strategies for revision are an integral part of writing stories. Join editor Harold Underdown to explore revision strategies that will pinpoint problems and opportunities in your picture book, chapter book, novel, or narrative nonfiction manuscript.  "Big picture" revision techniques are meant to support you when you […]

$59

Intro to Writing Nonfiction: History, Biography, STEAM, and Much More!

Online

Overview An Online Course with Live Presentations, Pre-recorded Lectures, Writing Exercises, and Q&A Are you ready to write nonfiction for teens and children, but don't know where to start? Join award-winning authors Jennifer Swanson and Christine Taylor-Butler for an in-depth exploration of the craft of nonfiction writing for young readers. With their guidance, you'll build […]

$449

Publishing Trends, Market Shifts & Opportunities: A Two-Night Mini

Online

Overview A Two-Night Mini Online Course Children's publishing is always changing, and often responding to change in the wider world. From understanding agents' & editors' wishlists to adjusting to trends and industry preferences, how can writers and illustrators understand new trends and opportunities? And how do societal changes like book banning and AI affect publishing? […]

$59

Thrills, Chills, & Mystery: A Two-Part Mini on Genre Tales for MG Readers

Online

Overview A Two-Night Mini Online Course Middle grade readers come to horror, mystery, thriller and sci-fi (collectively known as genre or speculative fiction) with curiosity, perhaps some trepidation, and a lot of expectations. The imaginative nature and emotional draw of these stories reflect some of the real world fears and curiosities that our readers experience […]

$59