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

Multiple Narrator Novels: A Two Night Mini

Multiple Narrator Novels: A Two Night Mini

Starts: March 19, 2024

Writing About Mental Health for MG and YA Readers: A Two-Night Mini

Writing About Mental Health for MG and YA Readers: A Two-Night Mini

Starts: April 2, 2024

The Crash Course in Children’s Book Publishing (Spring)

The Crash Course in Children’s Book Publishing (Spring)

Starts: April 16, 2024

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

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

Starts: April 16, 2024

Just Do It! Your Collaborative Support Group for Finishing Your Draft (Spring/Summer)

Just Do It! Your Collaborative Support Group for Finishing Your Draft (Spring/Summer)

Starts: April 17, 2024

Whole Novel Workshop: A Virtual Course for Middle Grade and Young Adult Writers

Whole Novel Workshop: A Virtual Course for Middle Grade and Young Adult Writers

Starts: April 25, 2024

Working Retreat: Novelists and Graphic Novelists

Working Retreat: Novelists and Graphic Novelists

Starts: May 19, 2024

Working Retreat: Spark Inspiration with Meditation and Creative Play

Working Retreat: Spark Inspiration with Meditation and Creative Play

Starts: June 15, 2024

Summer Camp in Writing: Create and Dream!

Summer Camp in Writing: Create and Dream!

Starts: July 14, 2024

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

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

Starts: August 14, 2024

Working Retreat: Experienced Storytellers In-Company

Working Retreat: Experienced Storytellers In-Company

Starts: September 11, 2024

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: September 18, 2024

The Crash Course in Children’s Book Publishing (Fall)

The Crash Course in Children’s Book Publishing (Fall)

Starts: September 24, 2024

Working Retreat: Novels in Verse

Working Retreat: Novels in Verse

Starts: October 6, 2024

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

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

Starts: October 17, 2024

Working Retreat: Revision

Working Retreat: Revision

Starts: November 14, 2024

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

3 Questions for Meera Trehan and Sarah Kapit about Writing Multiple POV Novels

3 Questions for Meera Trehan and Sarah Kapit about Writing Multiple POV Novels

Using Multiple Perspectives in Your Novel: Some Examples

Using Multiple Perspectives in Your Novel: Some Examples

Whole Novel Workshop:  How Your Mentor’s Letter Can Help Even Before the Workshop Begins

Whole Novel Workshop: How Your Mentor’s Letter Can Help Even Before the Workshop Begins

3 Questions for Mitali Perkins and Nora Shalaway Carpenter About What Great Dialogue Can Do For Your Story

3 Questions for Mitali Perkins and Nora Shalaway Carpenter About What Great Dialogue Can Do For Your Story

Get Involved at the Highlights Foundation

Stories from Our Highlights Foundation Alumni

Celebrating Ramadan Kareem’s Book Birthday with M.O. Yuksel and Hatem Aly

Celebrating Ramadan Kareem’s Book Birthday with M.O. Yuksel and Hatem Aly

Cover Reveal: Xavier’s Voice by Ashley Franklin

Cover Reveal: Xavier’s Voice by Ashley Franklin

With Scholarship Support, Rachel Werner Grows Her Passion Project: Expanding Inclusion in Narratives

With Scholarship Support, Rachel Werner Grows Her Passion Project: Expanding Inclusion in Narratives

Celebration Station: Fall 2023

Celebration Station: Fall 2023

Our Mission in Action

Share Your Story, Inspire a Child
Scholarships
Equity & Inclusion in Kidlit
Partners & Sponsors

The Highlights Foundation positively impacts children by amplifying the voices of storytellers who inform, educate, and inspire children to become their best selves.  Learn more about our impact.