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

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Workshops

Upcoming Workshops

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June 01, 2021 - December 31, 2021

Muslim Storytellers Fellowship

The Highlights Foundation has announced a two-year fellowship in children's literature for Muslim Storytellers. The fellowship is funded by a grant with the Doris Duke Foundation for Islamic Art’s (DDFIA) Building Bridges Program. The mission of the Building Bridges Program is to support national efforts, working with U.S. Muslims, to increase mutual understanding and well-being […]

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June 01, 2021 - December 31, 2021

Personal Retreats 3+ Nights

Imagine your own private retreat in a picturesque setting – currently just $149/day! We believe all writers and artists can benefit from the gift of time: time to create and time to dream. That’s why we developed a program called “Unworkshops” that gives you the opportunity to create your own retreat. In an “Unworkshop,” time […]

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August 03, 2021 - September 30, 2021

Revision Retreat: A Multi-Month Program for All Writers

TYPE & LENGTH: This is an online program, but for an extra cost, you can choose to spend the final 5-day retreat intensive in-person at our Retreat Center (9/26-9/30) instead of participating from home. See more about this option or register here. Online learning includes presentations, writing exercises, faculty consultations and feedback, and encouraged peer-to-peer […]

Waitlisted
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 […]

Waitlisted
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 + […]

Waitlisted
August 12, 2021 - August 15, 2021

Personal Retreat August 12 - 15, 2021

Thursday, August 12 - Sunday, August 15, 2021 (or choose 3 nights between Wednesday and Saturday, $500; and if desired, add an extra night(s) if you wish for $150 per night). Meal service begins with dinner on your arrival day, and ends with lunch on your departure day. If you have questions, email contact@highlightsfoundation.org. Your […]

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August 18, 2021 - August 21, 2021

Personal Retreat August 18 - 21, 2021

Wednesday, August 18 - Saturday, August 21, 2021, $500 Meal service begins with dinner on your arrival day, and ends with lunch on your departure day. If you have questions, email contact@highlightsfoundation.org. 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 […]

Waitlisted
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 Submission for in-course feedback session due by August 14 PARTICIPANT CAP: 20 WHY […]

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September 09, 2021 - September 11, 2021

Chapter One: How to Begin Your Chapter Book Series

TYPE & LENGTH: A three day online intensive (September 9 - September 11) to learn how to start a chapter book series, with: Live sessions via Zoom (full schedule below) Writing exercises Discussions in the virtual classroom PARTICIPANT CAP: 20 WHY THIS WORKSHOP? There are many ways that writers come to the idea of writing […]

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September 12, 2021 - September 15, 2021

PB&J: Picture Books and All That Jazz

TYPE & LENGTH: In-person 4-day/3-night retreat & workshop Retreat includes all accommodations and meals Workshop includes faculty presentations, writing exercises, editor review, round table critiques, and ample time to work on your own writing PARTICIPANT CAP: 14 WHY THIS WORKSHOP? Everyone loves picture books! But writing stories that sell means going beyond a fun idea. […]

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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 21, 2021 - September 23, 2021

Rhyming Picture Book Webinar: A Two-Night Mini

TYPE & LENGTH: Online (Webinar-style, limited participant interaction.) Two 75-minute sessions (September 21 and 23 at 7pm Eastern.) Short submission of rhyming stanza (no more than 6 lines) due by September 10. WHY THIS WORKSHOP? To rhyme or not to rhyme... a question that fills the picture book writer's mind! Join Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen and Anne […]

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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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September 22, 2021 - November 10, 2021

Line Editing Your MG or YA Novel (and Creating Your Book’s Style Guide!)

TYPE & LENGTH: An eight-week online course (September 22-November 10) featuring: Live lectures from faculty Pre-recorded lectures, resources to explore and structured assignments Weekly online group chats with your instructor and one phone consultation about your book project. Community interaction and goal-setting PARTICIPANT CAP: 16 WHY THIS WORKSHOP? The course is divided into 8 sessions: […]

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September 27, 2021 - September 29, 2021

Novels in Verse Intensive: Expand! Grow! Reach!

TYPE & LENGTH: A three day, online intensive (September 27 – 29, 2021) with: Opportunities for learning, feedback, and interaction (detailed agenda below) Self-paced time to make progress on your novel in verse PARTICIPANT CAP: 16 WHY THIS WORKSHOP? You’ve drafted your novel in verse! You’ve read many verse novels! You want to engage in […]

Waitlisted
September 29, 2021 - October 27, 2021

Creating an Image System That Works for Your Verse Novel

TYPE & LENGTH: Five-week, online course (September 29-October 27) Build your own image system through weekly Wednesday live Zoom lectures, discussions, writing exercises, and one workshopping opportunity PARTICIPANT CAP: 16 WHY THIS WORKSHOP? What is an image system? An image system is the family of images (metaphors, similes, symbols, etc.) an author chooses to showcase […]

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September 30, 2021 - October 21, 2021

Relationships in Contemporary MG and YA Novels

TYPE & LENGTH: A four week online course (September 30-October 21), with: Weekly live sessions, Thursdays from 12-2pm Eastern Weekly writing exercises Ample self-paced time to make progress on a project, or play with your creativity 1:1 feedback from editor Kat Brzozowski on your cover letter, synopsis, and the first 10 pages of your novel […]

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October 03, 2021 - October 06, 2021

Telling It True: The Art of Storytelling in Narrative Nonfiction

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 Sunday, October 3, 2021 Ends at 1:00pm Eastern on Wednesday, October 6, 2021 PARTICIPANT CAP: 16 WHY THIS WORKSHOP: A well-told true story can […]

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October 07, 2021 - October 10, 2021

Go Back and Get It: Antiracism and Liberatory Practices for Children’s Literature

TYPE & LENGTH: A four day, in-person retreat (October 7-10) at our Retreat Center with: Opportunities for lecture, panels, collaboration, and expression In-community experience for Indigenous, Black, Asian, Latinx, and Creators of Color The retreat experience allows for time to work, recharge, and rest in your accommodations, paired with the facilitated program. (Detailed agenda below.) […]

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October 17, 2021 - November 07, 2021

Filling the Writer's Toolbox With Editor Emma Dryden

TYPE & LENGTH: 4 week online course with weekly LIVE Zoom sessions, weekly office hours, and one week of LIVE facilitated group discussions Writing exercises Post course 1:1 consultations included Submissions for facilitated group discussions, due by September 27, 2021 PARTICIPANT CAP: 24 WHY THIS WORKSHOP? Spend weeks preparing your manuscript for submission under the […]

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October 19, 2021 - November 11, 2021

Submission-Ready with Heart: A Hands-On Workshop for Author/Illustrators

TYPE & LENGTH: Online (October 19-November 11) 3 week online course with live Zoom lectures on Tuesday evenings 1:1 sessions scheduled at your convenience with valuable faculty manuscript and dummy feedback/critique Focused studio time on Thursday evenings PARTICIPANT CAP: 20 WHY THIS WORKSHOP? A tightly revised manuscript, guided by art, can tell a story with […]

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October 21, 2021 - October 24, 2021

Color, Light, Line, and Texture Hands-on Workshop

TYPE & LENGTH: In-person at our Retreat Center with hands-on art activities! Use art as a springboard to make other creative leaps. Explore new techniques that can be used in illustration and/or in other creative projects. Begins at 5:30pm Eastern on Thursday, October 21 Ends at 1pm Eastern on Sunday, October 24 PARTICIPANT CAP: 14 […]

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October 23, 2021 - November 03, 2021

Becoming a Nonfiction Writer: A Two-Part Online Course

TYPE & LENGTH: This is an online course with two parts: an intensive weekend, followed by two weeks of pre-recorded lectures, mini-lectures, Q & A sessions, and 1:1 consultations. Part 1: a two-day intensive (October 23 - 24) Part 2: consultations and live lectures (October 26 - Nov. 3) Writing exercises and small group sharing […]

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November 08, 2021 - November 11, 2021

Patricia Lee Gauch: Feelings, An Advanced Online Writing Workshop

PRE-REGISTRATION: Acceptance into the program requires a brief application including a series of questions. You will be notified by September 15, 2021 of your acceptance and then we will send you a link to register. Questions include your goals for the course and projects that you have been working on for the past 12 months, […]

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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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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 (12-1pm 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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