Tell Your Story: Novels

Novels are an exciting genre in children’s literature, whether they are middle grade (ages 8-13) or  young adult (ages 13 and up.) There are seemingly endless novel categories, too: novels in verse, contemporary, horror, fantasy, historical fiction, mystery and narrative nonfiction.

Whatever your novel interest, we’ve got resources and workshops to help you begin, revise, plot, outline, receive feedback, develop characters and more.

No matter where you are on your journey, we’re glad you’re here.  We can give you the skills you need to create the very best novel for kids and teens.

Novel Workshops

Whole Novel Genre: An Online Course for Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Horror, & Beyond

Whole Novel Genre: An Online Course for Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Horror, & Beyond

Starts: October 8, 2025

Just Do It! Your Collaborative Support Group for Finishing Your Draft (Fall)

Just Do It! Your Collaborative Support Group for Finishing Your Draft (Fall)

Starts: October 8, 2025

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

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

Starts: October 14, 2025

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

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

Starts: October 21, 2025

From Story to Script: An Introduction to Writing Graphic Novels

From Story to Script: An Introduction to Writing Graphic Novels

Starts: October 23, 2025

Whole Novel Workshop: An In-Person Retreat for Novelists (October)

Whole Novel Workshop: An In-Person Retreat for Novelists (October)

Starts: October 26, 2025

Successful School Visits for Authors and Illustrators: An Online Course

Successful School Visits for Authors and Illustrators: An Online Course

Starts: October 28, 2025

Marketing Opportunities for Storytellers: A Two-Night Mini

Marketing Opportunities for Storytellers: A Two-Night Mini

Starts: November 3, 2025

Pitch Perfect: Finding Your Novel’s Theme and Crafting the Pitch

Pitch Perfect: Finding Your Novel’s Theme and Crafting the Pitch

Starts: December 2, 2025

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Inspiring Children Through Story

“My picture book … deals with parents separating. One little boy, who parents recently divorced, went to bed with [it] many nights. This deeply moved me to know this picture book helped this little boy.

“I tutor 2nd grade reluctant readers. My understanding of picture book structure and prose allows me to help them learn more than words. Rather than just read the story, we talk about it.”

“You mean I get to keep this book forever?”

…Spoken by a child in tears who was gifted with one of my books at a school visit and had never owned a book before.

“When I hear kids giggle while I’m reading [my book] I feel like I’ve done the job I intended to do.

Novel Resources

Staff Picks: Graphic Novels Bookshelf

Staff Picks: Graphic Novels Bookshelf

3 Tips For A Good Story or Novel Beginning

3 Tips For A Good Story or Novel Beginning

How the ‘Whole Novel’ Helped One Author Navigate the Muddy Middle

How the ‘Whole Novel’ Helped One Author Navigate the Muddy Middle

6 Ways Research Can Enhance Your Fiction Writing

6 Ways Research Can Enhance Your Fiction Writing

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Get Involved at the Highlights Foundation

Stories from Our Highlights Foundation Alumni

A Flea for Justice: Celebrating a Book Birthday with Valerie Bolling and TeMika Grooms

A Flea for Justice: Celebrating a Book Birthday with Valerie Bolling and TeMika Grooms

From Spark to Final Sketches: My 7-Step Picture Book Dummy Process 

From Spark to Final Sketches: My 7-Step Picture Book Dummy Process 

The Perils of Girlhood: Celebrating a Book Birthday With Melissa Fraterrigo

The Perils of Girlhood: Celebrating a Book Birthday With Melissa Fraterrigo

Tic-Tac-Toe Chicken: Celebrating a Book Birthday With Kimberly Tso

Tic-Tac-Toe Chicken: Celebrating a Book Birthday With Kimberly Tso

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