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Read Like a Writer (A One-Night Mini Course)

Online

Overview A One-Night Mini Online Course Writers fill their wells with stories: stories from the everyday happenings around them, and stories from fellow writers. Middle grade author Eric Bell asks, "Do you read like a writer?" We invite beginning writers to join Eric for a fun, webinar-style class on ways to improve your writing through […]

$39

Giving and Receiving Feedback on Novels (A Two-Night Mini Course)

Online

Overview A Two-Night Mini Online Course Novelists need feedback on their work to deepen revisions and enrich characters, plot, and pacing. In this course, novelists and real-life feedback partners Diana Ma and Christina Scheuer dig into the fundamentals of giving and receiving feedback, and explore how creating relationships and participating in reciprocal feedback cycles can […]

$59

Begin Your Chapter Book, Middle Grade, or YA Novel

Online

Overview A Two-Week Online Course Quite often, issues with a story in progress can be traced back to its beginning. In this course, Alicia D. Williams, Erin Dionne, and Chris Tebbetts will explore how your first pages and early choices can kickstart your chapter book, middle grade novel, or young adult novel, and help you navigate […]

$499

Emotions in Nonfiction Picture Books: A Two-Night Mini

Online

Overview A Two-Night Mini Online Course 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. Tuesday, March 14 (7pm – 8:15pm EST) Thursday, March 16 (7pm – 8:15pm EST) Webinar-style program with closed captioning available and limited interaction in the […]

$59

Getting Strategic About Social Media for Illustrators: A Two-Night Mini

Online

Overview A Two-Night Mini Online Course How do you build a social media following? Where should you focus your time to best connect with publishers and fellow artists? And is there a way to monetize your social activity? Join webcomic team Lisa Burdige and John Hazard to learn how illustrators can get the most out of their posts without […]

$59

Picture Book Beginnings & Endings: A Two Night Mini

Online

Overview A Two-Night Mini Online Course Picture book writers must make the most out of each and every word. Bringing readers into your story is just as important as the impact you leave them with at the end. Join picture book author Valerie Bolling to open the book on picture book beginnings and endings. This program is a […]

$59

Beyond the Craft: Practical Matters in Children’s Book Publishing

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 to […]

$59

Chapter One: An Introduction to Chapter Book Series

Online

Overview A 3-Week Online Course + Individual Consultation Chapter book series engage kids with relatable characters, engaging plots, and age-appropriate stories. Join Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen to build your knowledge about the beloved genre of chapter books with presentations, pre-recorded and written resources to prepare for live sessions, generative peer-to-peer discussions, and a post-course 1:1 consultation. Live Lectures […]

$599

First Pages, First Promises: A Two-Night Mini

Online

Overview A Two-Night Mini Online Course First pages offer a promise to our readers. No matter the genre, no matter the form—a first page is an invitation to your entire book. Join young adult author Laura Sibson and agent Leslie Zampetti for this short course to understand the promise in a powerful first page. Tuesday, […]

$59

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

Muslim Storytellers: A Crash Course in Children’s Book Publishing

Online

Overview Application-Based Online Program for Muslim Storytellers This application-based, in-community program has been created to invite new Muslim voices into the children’s book industry through a multi-week, online course. This program is funded by a grant from the Doris Duke Foundation through its Building Bridges Program. The Building Bridges Program supports national efforts, working with […]

Levity & Humor: Infusing the Right Level of Funny in Your Chapter Book, MG or YA Novel

Online

Overview A 3-Week Online Course + Individual Consultation Stories for chapter books, middle grade, and teen novels can be told in so many ways: laugh-out-loud contemporaries, action-packed graphic memoirs, emotionally-charged novels-in-verse, and more.  No matter which way you decide to tell your story, you can infuse levity and humor onto the page to hook, connect, […]

$499

Picture Book Character A – Z

Online

Overview A 5-Week Online Course with Pre-recorded & Written Lectures, Writing Exercises, and Live Discussion/Q&A From A is for ARCHETYPES to Z is for ZONE, this 5-week online course with Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen features engaging pre-recorded and written lessons with character-focused writing exercises. You'll meet weekly for live sessions with Q&A that will help you explore every aspect […]

$599

Relationships in MG & YA Novels: An Online Course with Editor Kat Brzozowski

Online

Overview A 4-Week Online Course Relationships between characters (whether they're romantic, friendly, or familial) are the backbone of every great contemporary MG and YA novel. Participate in weekly live discussions and Q&A sessions with editor Kat Brzozowski and guests to learn more about crafting deeply meaningful relationships in your novel. Live sessions at 12:00 - […]

$599

Finding Emotional Impact in Graphic Novels: A Two-Night Mini

Online

Overview A Two-Night Mini Online Course Join illustrator and graphic novelist Chuck Gonzales and editor Eileen Robinson to explore the many ways to infuse emotion into your graphic novel, through words and an understanding of illustrations. (Even if you aren't the illustrator!)  This program is a great fit if you’re looking for a short course […]

$59

Writing Poetry to Empower: A Two-Night Mini

Online

Overview A Two-Night Mini Online Course Poetry has the power to give voice to our inner stories. Whether we are looking to engage in our memories, our grief, our joys, and/or our traumas, verse can unblock the flow to access and empower our words.  Join award-winning authors Padma Venkatraman and Aida Salazar for this short course […]

$59

A Strong Start: The First 20 Pages of Your Novel in Verse

Online

Overview A 5-Week Online Course Join verse novelist Cordelia Jensen to explore how to establish a solid foundation in the first 20 pages of your verse novel. We'll seamlessly transition between drafting and revising, adding layers of emotion and action to your opening so you can use this course to set the tone for your […]

$499

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

Talk to Me: the Ins and Outs of Dialogue that Drives Plot and Delivers Reader Satisfaction

Online

Overview A Two-Night Mini Online Course Dialogue has the ability to amplify your characters' voices, bring authenticity to your settings, and seriously unlock the pace and beats of your plot. Join award-winning authors Nora Shalaway Carpenter and Mitali Perkins for this short course focused on getting the most out of your novel's dialogue. Tuesday, February […]

$59

Picture Book Beginnings and Endings: A Two Night Mini

Online

Overview A Two-Night Mini Online Course Picture book writers must make the most out of each and every word. Bringing readers into your story is just as important as the impact you leave them with at the end. Join award-winning picture book author Valerie Bolling to open the book on picture book beginnings and endings. This program […]

$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

Multiple Narrator Novels: A Two Night Mini

Online

Overview A Two-Night Mini Online Course Point of view is a core element of every novel, and the importance multiplies with every narrator added into the timeline. Join authors Meera Trehan and Sarah Kapit to explore techniques and innovative choices when bringing multiple narrators to your middle grade or young adult novel. This program is […]

$59

Free Q&A: In-Person Programs at the Highlights Foundation

Online

Join us for a Q&A webinar about attending in-person programs at the Highlights Foundation in 2024.  It's a great session to attend if you've never been to a program on our campus before and would like to learn more about what to expect, or if you have questions about which options might be right for […]

Free

Breaks, Blank Space, and Gaps: Poetic Gutters in Novels in Verse and Poetry

Online

Overview A Two-Night Mini Online Course Gutters in poetry bring meaning all their own. Whether you’re writing a narrative poem, a picture book in verse, or a full-length verse novel, words stand in partnership with poetic gutters. How you use stanza breaks, blank space, and the gaps between poems affects the way that readers engage […]

$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

Before the Book: A Two-Night Mini to Get Organized and Get to the Heart of Your Story

Online

Overview A Two-Night Mini Online Course Getting ready to write a novel doesn’t just mean finding a computer or the right pen—you also need to spend time considering the elements that bring emotion and structure to your story.  Join author Jennifer Gennari for this short course to learn tangible techniques for getting organized, and getting […]

$59

Writing with Pride: A Two-Night Mini for Picture Book Writers

Online

Overview A Two-Night Mini Online Course Picture books can be filled with Pride!  Join celebrated authors Lesléa Newman and Rob Sanders for this short course designed to bring LGBTQIA2S+ creators and their allies together to study the craft of picture books, and build confidence to create picture books with LGBTQIA2S+ characters and/or themes. The two […]

$59

The Untapped Influence of Secondary Characters: A Two-Night Mini for Writers

Online

Overview A Two-Night Mini Online Course Secondary characters play a vital role in storytelling, enriching the narrative in ways that are often overlooked. While protagonists drive the plot forward and capture our attention, secondary characters provide depth, complexity, and nuance to the fictional world. Join author Sarah Aronson to explore one of her favorite topics: The […]

$59

Graphic Novels for Beginners: A Two-Night Mini for Writers and Illustrators

Online

Overview A Two-Night Mini Online Course Do you have an idea for a graphic novel for kids or teens?  Or do you have an idea, and you're wondering if the graphic novel form is the right medium to tell it?  Join Emily Rosenthal and Cynthia Yuan Cheng to begin your journey of transforming ideas into […]

$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

Can You Feel It? Emotional Impact in Novels: A Two-Night Mini for Writers

Online

Overview A Two-Night Mini Online Course Join editor Eileen Robinson and author Jennifer Gennari for thoughtful discussions and writing exercises that will help you infuse emotion into your novel, deepen your characters and plot, and build an emotional journey for your readers. This program is a great fit if you’re looking for a short course […]

$59

Social and Emotional Themes in KidLit: A Two-Night Mini for Writers

Online

Overview A Two-Night Mini Online Course As literary stewards we know that Social and Emotional themes are important in KidLit. As humanitarians, we know that what impacts one human, impacts all. As children's book writers, how do we navigate the space between the human story and emotional themes with care and hope? How do we […]

$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

Brainstorm Like a Boss: A Two-Night Mini for Picture Book Creatives

Online

Overview A Two-Night Mini Online Course Creative thinking and storytelling go together like, well, Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen and Mike Ciccotello!  This dynamic duo of real-life brainstorming partners will showcase the many ways you can brainstorm characters and concepts for picture books, getting you from stuck-->idea-->outline (or first draft!) more quickly. This program is a great fit […]

$59

Research Techniques: A Two-Night Mini

Online

Overview A Two-Night Mini Online Course Research is the backbone of nonfiction. It also adds depth, detail, and accuracy to fiction. Join authors Stephanie Gibeault, Jolene Gutiérrez, and Anita Yasuda as they share the tools and strategies writers need to dig into research with confidence. This program is a great fit if you’re looking for a short course […]

$59

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

Successful Strategies for Submitting Your Manuscript to Agents and Editors

Online

Overview A Two-Night Mini Online Course Join editor Harold Underdown to uncover strategies for successfully submitting your manuscript to agents and editors. This program is a great fit if you’re looking for a short course of two, 75-minute sessions offering limited interaction with the community, but loads of information. Monday, December 16, 2024 (7pm – 8:15pm […]

$59

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

Summer Camp in Illustration: Intensive Artistic Inspiration

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

Overview In-person 4-Day/3-Night Workshop and Retreat Get away for four days at our Summer Camp in Illustration for inspiration, guidance, support, community, fun, creativity, and growth. At the Highlights Foundation, “summer camp” is different than S’mores by the fire and hiking in the woods. (Though we do that, too.) Our summer camp is a time […]

$1549

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