Intimate and inspiring workshops for children's authors and illustrators.

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Workshops

Upcoming Workshops

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February 24, 2021 - November 30, 2021

The Brown Bookshelf Presents: Amplify Black Stories 2021

A Year of Connection for Black Storytellers & Bridge-Building for Children’s Book Publishing Teams to Amplify Black Stories   In partnership with the Highlights Foundation, The Brown Bookshelf presents this year-long program set to amplify Black stories, with a focus on supporting Black storytellers while confronting industry challenges and fostering change. Download a press release. […]

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On Demand

Seize the Reader: Writing for Emotional Impact in MG and YA Novels, An On Demand Online Course

TYPE: Online (On-demand, self-paced, with monthly LIVE office hours) Here are the dates for upcoming LIVE office hours (12pm Eastern) May 6 June 3 July 1 August 5 September 2 October 7 COVID Reschedule/Refund Policy What’s the difference between Highlights Foundation workshop types? LENGTH: You can complete this program at your own pace, but you […]

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May 13, 2021 - May 16, 2021

Personal Retreat May 13 - 16, 2021

Thursday, May 13 - Sunday, May 16, 2021 (3 nights; $500) Add an extra night(s) to arrive Wednesday or leave Monday if you wish ($150 per night) Meal service begins with dinner on your arrival day, and ends with lunch on your departure day. If you need flexibility on your arrival and departure days or […]

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May 13, 2021 - May 27, 2021

Writing About Mental Health in Youth Literature: Impact & Experience

TYPE: Online (Facilitated) COVID Reschedule/Refund Policy What’s the difference between Highlights Foundation workshop types? LENGTH: 3 sessions (May 13, 20, & 27) + Optional Written Critique Opportunity PARTICIPANT CAP: 40 WHY THIS WORKSHOP? Writing about mental health is about both the impact for our readers and the experience of our writers. How do we translate […]

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May 15, 2021 - May 16, 2021

Getting Your Story Unstuck: A Weekend Intensive for Writers of Chapter Books, MG, and YA Novels

TYPE: Online (Facilitated) COVID Reschedule/Refund Policy What’s the difference between Highlights Foundation workshop types? LENGTH: May 15 & 16, 2021 (2 hours + 5 hours) PARTICIPANT CAP: 40 WHY THIS WORKSHOP? Join us for a productive weekend, packed with first page reviews, revisions, writing exercises, Q&A with an editor, and interactive lectures--all designed to help […]

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May 18, 2021 - May 19, 2021

Poetry as Inspiration: A Two-Part Mini

TYPE & LENGTH: Webinar-style, Online (Facilitated with community participation limited to chat and Q & A) Two 75-minute Zoom sessions (May 18 and 19, 2021, 7pm - 8:15pm Eastern) WHY THIS WORKSHOP? Read, connect, and explore with poets Aida Salazar, Laura Shovan, and Padma Venkatraman.  We’ll gather words and inspiration from other poets to craft […]

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May 18, 2021 - May 19, 2021

Picture Book Revision-Mini Online Course: A Two-Pack Bundle

TYPE: Online (Webinar-style, limited participant interaction.) COVID Reschedule/Refund Policy What’s the difference between Highlights Foundation workshop types? LENGTH: Two 75-minute sessions (May 18 and 19, 2021 at 7pm Eastern) WHY THIS WORKSHOP? Agents, editors, critique groups, conferences...there are so many places writers go to get editorial feedback on a manuscript. But YOU are your book's […]

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May 20, 2021 - May 23, 2021

Personal Retreat May 20 - 23, 2021

Thursday, May 20 - Sunday, May 23, 2021 (3 nights; $500) Add an extra night(s) to arrive Wednesday or leave Monday if you wish ($150 per night) Meal service begins with dinner on your arrival day, and ends with lunch on your departure day. If you need flexibility on your arrival and departure days or […]

Waitlisted
May 20, 2021 - May 23, 2021

DIY Revision for Your Novel or Nonfiction

TYPE: Online (Facilitated) COVID Reschedule/Refund Policy What’s the difference between Highlights Foundation workshop types? LENGTH: 4 Days (Thursday, May 20 - Sunday, May 23, 12 hours total) PARTICIPANT CAP: 24 WHY THIS WORKSHOP? This weekend intensive will offer some tools, insights, instructions, strategies, and practical advice that writers can use to assemble, repair, and revise […]

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May 24, 2021 - June 25, 2021

Personal Retreat: 3+ Nights between May 24 - June 25

Your own personal retreat in a picturesque setting. No distractions, nothing to worry about. We’ll provide you with comfortable lodging, three chef-prepared meals per day, and a peaceful setting that lets you focus solely on your work. Availability is varied Monday, May 24 through Friday, June 25.  Please note your desired arrival/departure days in the […]

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June 01, 2021 - June 18, 2021

Writing the Rainbow: Crafting Picture Books With LGBTQIA+ Themes Online Workshop June 2021

TYPE: Online (Facilitated) COVID Reschedule/Refund Policy What’s the difference between Highlights Foundation workshop types? LENGTH: 3 weeks (June 1-18, 2021) Two sessions per week, plus 1:1 meetings PARTICIPANT CAP: 20 WHY THIS WORKSHOP? Picture books bring the world into the hands of young readers. They celebrate all of us as individuals, families, and communities. In […]

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June 01, 2021 - November 18, 2021

Anatomy of a Novel: Six-Month Exploration of Craft with Agent Linda Epstein

TYPE & LENGTH: Online (Program with monthly pre-recorded lectures, participant feedback sessions, and live monthly discussions via Zoom. 6 Months (June 1-November 18, 2021; approximately 2.5 hours of content per month, plus individual expectations for revisions, writing exercises, and community discussions) Please see tentative agenda for more details. $200 per month for 6 months; choose […]

Waitlisted
June 04, 2021 - June 18, 2021

Deep Dive into Children’s Book Illustration: A Two-Week Artist Intensive

TYPE: Online (Facilitated) COVID Reschedule/Refund Policy What’s the difference between Highlights Foundation workshop types? LENGTH: 2 weeks (June 4-16) PARTICIPANT CAP: 20 WHY THIS WORKSHOP? This two-week intensive is all about support, accountability, and a deep dive into craft for illustrators who are serious about: moving their career forward, and getting their work ready for […]

Waitlisted
June 08, 2021 - June 10, 2021

Bringing Your Plot to Life: A Two-Part Mini for Novelists

TYPE & LENGTH: Webinar-style, Online (Facilitated with community participation limited to chat and Q & A) Two 75-minute Zoom sessions (June 8 and 10, 2021, 7pm - 8:15pm Eastern) WHY THIS WORKSHOP? Plot. There’s no way around it, only through it. Bring your plot to life by exploring the work of contemporary authors Padma Venkatraman, […]

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June 09, 2021 - August 11, 2021

Crash Course in Children's Publishing: Everything You Need to Know Online Course Jun-Aug 2021

TYPE & LENGTH: Multi-week online course with recordings and resources in the virtual classroom as well as live sessions and office hours. 10 weeks of released content, plus optional mentoring after the course for 1:1 consultation. Approximately 2.5 hours per week of content (some live, some recorded and printed resources). COVID Reschedule/Refund Policy What’s the […]

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June 14, 2021 - June 17, 2021

Developing a Series in Chapter Books Online Workshop

TYPE: Online (Facilitated) COVID Reschedule/Refund Policy What’s the difference between Highlights Foundation workshop types? LENGTH: 4 days PARTICIPANT CAP: 20 WHY THIS WORKSHOP? Beloved characters. Story arcs and plot development that excites growing readers. Long-term revenue opportunities. This workshop takes a deep look at the intersection of craft and commercial viability in writing and selling […]

Waitlisted
June 24, 2021 - August 12, 2021

So You Want to be an Author/Illustrator?

TYPE & LENGTH: 8-week, facilitated online workshop with: Self-paced recordings and resources (minimum of 1.5 hours of content provided per week) Weekly assignments and resources (including craft assignments, peer feedback, and discussion in the virtual classroom; time commitment required can vary) Live Zoom sessions (5 evening lectures; approximately 1 - 2 hours in length depending […]

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July 04, 2021 - August 05, 2021

Picture Book Character A-Z Online Course

TYPE & LENGTH: This 5-week online course is largely self-paced, with new content and assignments released weekly in our virtual classroom. There are weekly live office hours via Zoom for Q&A on Thursdays at 7pm Eastern. There are optional weekly, live small group meetings during weeks 2, 3, & 4 to informally share work. Additional […]

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July 08, 2021 - July 11, 2021

Online Summer Camp in Fiction: Explore, Play, and Inspire

TYPE & LENGTH: A four day, online intensive (Thursday, July 8 through Sunday, July 11) centered on mentorship, inspiration, and community with: opportunities for learning, feedback, and interaction (detailed agenda below) ample self-paced time to make progress on a project, or play with your creativity PARTICIPANT CAP: 35 WHY THIS WORKSHOP? Dedicate four days to […]

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July 12, 2021 - July 15, 2021

Online Summer Camp in Nonfiction: Explore, Dig Deep, Inspire

TYPE & LENGTH: A four day, online intensive (Monday, July 12 through Thursday, July 15) centered on mentorship, inspiration, and community with: opportunities for learning, feedback, and interaction (detailed agenda below) ample self-paced time to make progress on a project, or play with your creativity PARTICIPANT CAP: 35 WHY THIS WORKSHOP? Dedicate four days to […]

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July 16, 2021 - July 18, 2021

Online Summer Camp in Illustration: A Weekend Intensive in Artistic Inspiration

TYPE & LENGTH: A three day, online intensive (Friday, July 16 through Sunday, July 18) centered on mentorship, inspiration, and community with: opportunities for learning, feedback, and interaction (detailed agenda below) play with words and materials to inspire your work ample self-paced time to make progress on a project PARTICIPANT CAP: 24 WHY THIS WORKSHOP? […]

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July 26, 2021 - August 20, 2021

Novelists at Work: Crafting Your Pitch to Sell Your Story

TYPE & LENGTH: Online recordings released on July 26 and August 2 with lectures and writing prompts Two live Zoom sessions on July 30 and August 9 to discuss recorded material, review exercises, and provide an open Q & A Written feedback on the first 40 pages of your novel + a 20 minute 1:1 […]

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August 05, 2021 - August 09, 2021

Writing Science and Nature for Kids and Teens In-person Retreat and Workshop

TYPE & LENGTH: 5 days, in-person at our Retreat Center with lectures, writing exercises, faculty consultations and feedback, with ample time to relax, retreat, and work on your own writing. (If you are looking for the ONLINE version of this course, please click here.) Begins at 5:30pm Eastern on Thursday, August 5, 2021 Ends at […]

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August 09, 2021 - August 23, 2021

Writing Science and Nature for Kids and Teens Online

TYPE & LENGTH: Two-week, online course with 5 live Zoom sessions plus pre-recorded content hosted in our virtual classroom (If you are looking for the in-person version of this course, please click here.) The virtual classroom includes: recorded lectures, printed resources, writing prompts, and a discussion board to engage with fellow writers Written feedback + […]

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August 21, 2021 - August 27, 2021

The Whole Novel Workshop

TYPE: In-Person or Online (You Choose Based on Your Travel Comfort Level and Desired Experience) One week active workshop time (feedback and mentorship intensive) Preparation activities are as noted in the agenda, with firm deadlines In-person price: $2,499, which includes a 6-night retreat on our campus Online-only price: $1,799 DATES: Pre-retreat dates to note include […]

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August 28, 2021 - August 31, 2021

Writing First Chapter Books and Early Readers

TYPE & LENGTH: In-person at our Retreat Center with lectures, writing exercises, faculty consultations and feedback, with ample time to relax, retreat, and work on your own writing. Begins at 5:30pm Eastern on Saturday, August 28, 2021 Ends at 1:00pm Eastern on Tuesday, August 31, 2021 PARTICIPANT CAP: 20 WHY THIS WORKSHOP? Do you remember the first time you […]

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September 19, 2021 - September 23, 2021

The Craft and Heart of Writing Poetry for Children

TYPE & LENGTH: In-person at our Retreat Center with lectures, writing exercises, faculty consultations, and ample time to relax, retreat, and work on your own writing Begins at 5:30pm Eastern on Sunday, September 19 Ends at 1:00pm Eastern on Thursday, September 23 PARTICIPANT CAP: 16 WHY THIS WORKSHOP? Poetry is at the heart of this […]

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September 22, 2021 - December 11, 2021

Crash Course in Children's Publishing: Everything You Need to Know Online Course Sept-Dec 2021

TYPE: Online (Facilitated) COVID Reschedule/Refund Policy What’s the difference between Highlights Foundation workshop types? LENGTH: 10 weeks PARTICIPANT CAP: 40 WHY THIS WORKSHOP? At the end of this course, you will understand how the children’s book publishing industry works, including writing, revising, submitting, publishing, and marketing a book for children, teens, or young adults. You'll […]

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On Demand

Getting Your Middle Grade or Young Adult Novel Unstuck: An On Demand Online Workshop 2021

This is an on-demand course. You can begin it at any time. You will have access to the course for six months after your registration date. Online Course Info: Whether you’ve jotted down ideas for a novel but can’t get your story off the ground, you’re stuck in the middle of a draft with no […]

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On Demand

Meditations for Writers & Illustrators: An On Demand Course 2021

This is an on-demand course. You can begin it at any time. Online Course Info: This is an "on demand" course consisting of 12 pre-recorded, guided meditations and a 12-page meditation guide. Your registration includes a pdf of the meditation guide and six-months of access to the 12 videos included in this package. What You'll […]

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