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 […]
Overview A Two-Night Mini Online Course Join author and writing motivator Sarah Aronson for a short course to spark the start of your 2024 novel. Sarah will bring her wealth of care and knowledge to help you discover how YOU are the heart of the next novel you tell. This program is a great fit if you’re […]
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, […]
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 […]
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 […]
Overview In-person 4-Day/3-Night Working Retreat Join the creative duo of Denise Fleming and Ashley Wolff for time to create and connect. Denise and Ashley will be joined by special guests Merrill Rainey and Retreat Assistant Rofa Shuhratzoda. This Working Retreat is lightly structured with one lecture each day, generative activities, optional consultations with faculty, and […]
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 […]
Overview In-person 4-Day/3-Night Working Retreat Novelists and Graphic Novelists, join Julie C. Dao and Wendy Xu for time to create and connect during a retreat built just for you. A Working Retreat is lightly structured with one lecture each day, informal conversations, optional consultations with faculty, and plenty of time to create in the comfort […]
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 […]
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 […]
Overview A Two-Night Mini Online Course Young adult readers love horror novels–they are safe spaces to explore humanity's fears. For many queer and questioning readers, YA horror is a safe space for much more. Join young adult authors Anna-Marie McLemore and Rob Costello for this short course for writers looking to create space in their horror and […]
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 […]
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 […]
Overview In-person 5-Day/4-Night Working Retreat This retreat for experienced authors and illustrators has been thoughtfully crafted to share, grow, and cultivate creativity when you've been working in the industry for a long time. Come retreat in-company with your peers about your career, challenges, deadlines, upcoming projects, and new dreams. This Working Retreat is lightly structured […]
Overview Multi-Week Online Course Join novelist Jennifer Gennari for this six-week online course to build the skills needed to revise and enrich your novel. The course features live sessions with faculty, structured assignments, community interaction, goal-setting, and a special guest visit with Aida Salazar to discuss line editing in action. Live Lectures (with closed captioning) […]
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. […]
Overview A 3-Part Online Cooperative This supportive program takes all creatives (nonfiction or fiction, picture books, novels, essays, and more) from goal-stating to finished drafts. Together, we’ll move through live sessions, writing prompts, mindfulness guidance, studio dates, daily inspirations, check-ins, and feedback with Sarah Aronson, Chris Tebbetts, and Daria Peoples, and their special guests! This […]
Overview Multi-Week Online Course Join novelists Jennifer Gennari and Lisa Moore Ramée for a six-week online deep dive into revision, where you'll learn to enhance emotion, sharpen action, and refine your novel’s impact. Through live sessions, structured assignments, community support, and personalized feedback, you'll build the skills needed to enrich your novel. Live Lectures (with […]
Overview A Two-Night Mini Online Course Reconnecting with inspiration and creativity can be a challenge for all storytellers, especially in difficult times. Join author and teacher Laurie Calkhoven for this short course with the goal of using meditation to recommit and reconnect with your muse. There will be mini-presentations on character and plot, along with strategies […]
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 […]
