Online Courses

at the Highlights Foundation

No two online courses at the Highlights Foundation are ever the same, but they all have one goal: to help you craft stories that inspire kids.

We offer online learning in several formats, across genres and topics. Learn more about the types of courses available, and then find one that fits your goals.

Please note: New online courses are added to the schedule frequently. Join our mailing list for the most up to date schedule additions (plus resources and more).

“What a great new supportive base of writer friends! I love the positive vibe and the spirit of “let’s do this together” that I found in this class. I have never had a writing community at all before, and I feel like I’ve come home!”

Quick Links

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Mini-Courses

Short and lecture-based with dynamic topics and lots of information. Learn more and see courses.

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Online Workshops

In-depth, with faculty and community interaction. Learn more and see available workshops.

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More Online Offerings

Why Online Learning at the Highlights Foundation?

We held our first-ever online course in 2017. Then, during the pandemic, ALL of our learning shifted online. A year-round schedule of courses and workshops was born.

Now, you’ll find a blend of online and in-person learning available at the Highlights Foundation.

Our in-person programs offer time to gather, network, learn, and retreat on our campus. Our online programs offer dedicated time to focus on learning and craft in the company of faculty and fellow creatives from anywhere you choose.

The common thread? Connection. More specifically, connection to an organization and a community of people who are dedicated to (and believe in) the power of inspiring kids through story. Join us!

I feel I’ve grown as a writer tremendously. It was like night and day. Since that class, I will tell you that I took another one somewhere else, and I was not able to manage the coursework as well as I was at the Highlights Foundation class, because you all kept me on track. So I will be forever grateful. It was it was a wonderful experience.

Online Mini-Courses

Our mini-courses are Zoom webinar-based, usually with two sessions delivered during one week. Participants do not use video or audio; instead, they tune in to the webinars and can interact with each other and faculty in the Chat.

Recordings are also made available post-course for those who can’t attend live, or want more time with the material.

“I have just recently taken several of your mini courses and I am so impressed that I will now be a regular attendee. I found the courses to be so well presented and the instructors and Highlights coordinators to be just delightful and incredibly professional. Kudos to your entire Foundation for a job well done.” (Carol Hughes)

Find a Mini-Course That Fits Your Needs:

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

Starts: September 16, 2024

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

Starts: September 23, 2024

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

Starts: September 23, 2024

Why Horror: A Two-Part Mini on Haunted Tales for MG Readers

Starts: October 15, 2024

Research Techniques: A Two-Night Mini

Starts: October 22, 2024

Marketing Opportunities for Storytellers: A Two Night Mini

Starts: November 12, 2024

Stuck in the Middle: A Two-Night Mini for Picture Book Writers

Starts: November 12, 2024

Turn Up the Volume on Quiet Picture Books: A Two-Night Mini

Starts: February 10, 2025

Explore All Programs

Online Workshops

Our online workshops are also Zoom-based, but offer more depth and live interaction than our mini-courses. These vary in length, format, and schedule, but generally include more customized instruction, a lot of interaction in an online classroom and over Zoom, and some level of 1:1 feedback, consultation, and/or group workshopping.

Lectures are also recorded for those who can’t attend some sessions live, or want more time with the material.

“…This was a terrific experience: individual conferencing, small group feedback, chat sessions, office hours, breakout sessions, and keynotes were all included! Marvelous!”

“When I enrolled, I had been concerned about being able to get the full “workshop feeling” since the course was offered online rather than in person. My concerns were for naught. I felt that we made a good community even though we were not in the same room together! The presentations were thoughtful and thought-provoking. I appreciated the mix of craft and the nuts and bolts of publishing that instructors…and guests shared with us. Discussions were substantive and fruitful. We did some powerful writing exercises together. The critiques of the writing samples we submitted were productive, direct, and kind. It is an art to give honest feedback without taking the air out of a writer! It was done so very well. I even met some nice people, remotely of course, but we set up a writing group that carried on long after the workshop was done. I recommend this workshop with enthusiasm!”