Intimate and inspiring workshops for children's authors and illustrators.
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Intimate and inspiring workshops for children's authors and illustrators.
Find Anti-Racism resources | See our COVID protocols | Log in for online courses
Imagine your own private retreat in a picturesque setting – currently just $500 for a three night stay with all meals and amenities included! 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 that gives you the opportunity to create your own retreat. In a “Personal Retreat,” time […]
OVERVIEW: This program is full, but will be offered again next year. If you would like to be notified when it is available, please add your name to the waitlist. Multi-Month Online Course, $1799 The Highlights Foundation Whole Novel Workshop offers writers the rare opportunity to have the entire draft (up to 80,000 words) of […]
OVERVIEW: This workshop is full booked. If you'd like to join the waitlist, please click here. Multi-Week Online Course Plotting a verse novel comes with its own unique needs and opportunities. Join Cordelia Jensen to analyze plot structures (non-"traditional," "traditional," and everything in between), and then outline your project in this five-week, highly engaging plotting […]
OVERVIEW: In-person 4-Day/3-Night Retreat This retreat for creatives is centered on bringing movement to your process as well as your stories. Join Padma Venkatraman and Chris Tebbetts for this “light” workshop, with time to stretch and grow your own work, and time to build new shapes and ideas together. This is an in-person workshop at […]
OVERVIEW: A Two-Night Mini Online Course Join authors Nora Shalaway Carpenter and Rob Costello to learn about the form, opportunity, and style of writing short fiction for kids and teens. This program is a great fit if you’re looking for a short course of two, 75-minute sessions offering limited interaction with the community, but loads […]
OVERVIEW: Multi-Week Online Course Join lead faculty Pat Cummings and Harold Underdown for this special Illustrators edition of our Crash Course in Children's Publishing. At the end of the course, you will understand how the children’s book publishing industry works for illustrators and author/illustrators, including ways to build your portfolio and engage with art-directors. 8 weeks […]
OVERVIEW: 3-Week Online Course This workshop is designed to bring LGBTQIA+ creators and allies together to craft picture books with clear LGBTQIA+ themes. You will learn to create books that celebrate joy, respect, and appreciation to children in today’s world, showing beauty and strength in our rainbow of experiences. Live sessions at take place twice […]
Please note: This course is full. Click here to be added to the waiting list. OVERVIEW: In-person 5-Day/4-Night Workshop and Retreat This is an in-person workshop at our Retreat Center with inspirational sessions and opportunities for time in the company of fellow creatives. We include ample time to relax, retreat, and work on your own […]
OVERVIEW: Professional & Personal Development for Educators, Librarians, Storytellers, & Publishing Professionals Build the skills you need to analyze children’s books for meaningful representation, reader engagement, visual literacy, and more. This is an in-person workshop at our Retreat Center packed with lectures, interactive discussions, and guest sessions. Lodging and meals are included. Begins at with […]
OVERVIEW: In-person 4-Day/3-Night, Black Creators HQ Meet, Greet, and Retreat This is an in-person retreat for Black Creatives. There will be time to work on your own stories, connect with fellow creatives, and retreat. Lodging and meals are included. Check-in between 3pm - 5pm Eastern on Thursday, June 23 Ends at 1:00pm Eastern on Sunday, […]
OVERVIEW: This workshop is full. Please click here to add your name to the waitlist. We'll contact you if a spot opens up! Also, we have two upcoming nonfiction courses that could be a good alternative for you: Writing Science & Nature for Kids & Teens: A Workshop for Writers and Illustrators, June 9-12, on […]
OVERVIEW: This Summer Camp is FULL. Click here if you'd like to join the Waitlist. Get away for five days at our Summer Camp in Fiction for inspiration, guidance, mentorship, community, fun, creativity, and growth. At the Highlights Foundation, "summer camp" is different than s’mores by the fire and hiking in the woods. (Though we […]
OVERVIEW: Get away for four days at our Summer Camp in Illustration for inspiration, guidance, mentorship, community, fun, creativity, and growth. At the Highlights Foundation, "summer camp" is different than s’mores by the fire and hiking in the woods. (Though we do that, too.) Our summer camp is a time to find the kind of […]
OVERVIEW: A Two-Night Mini Online Course Fantasy authors Intisar Khanani and Alisa Alering are ready to share the inner workings of world building, from physical elements of the environment, to social and cultural systems, and everything in between! This program is a great fit if you’re looking for a short course of two, 75-minute sessions […]
OVERVIEW: Get away for five days at our Summer Camp in Nonfiction for inspiration, guidance, mentorship, community, fun, creativity, and growth. At the Highlights Foundation, "summer camp" is different than s’mores by the fire and hiking in the woods. (Though we do that, too.) Our summer camp is a time to find the kind of […]
OVERVIEW: A Two-Night Mini Online Course Join verse novelist Cordelia Jensen to gain an understanding of image systems, and discover ways to infuse these extended metaphors into your work. This program is a great fit if you’re looking for a short course of two, 75-minute sessions offering limited interaction with the community, but loads of information. […]
OVERVIEW: A One-Night Mini Online Course Writers fill their wells with stories: stories from the everyday happenings around them, and stories from fellow writers. Middle grade author Eric Bell asks, "Do you read like a writer?" Join Eric for a fun, webinar-style class on ways to improve your writing through the enjoyment of reading. This […]
OVERVIEW: A 3-Part Online Course, with Optional In-Person Retreat Join editors Harold Underdown and Eileen Robinson for this 3-part online course that offers the skills and space you need to revise, rebuild, and enliven your story. You'll make real progress in weekly online sessions + a 1:1 consultation with faculty (Part 1), faculty-supported independent revision […]
OVERVIEW: In-person 5-Day/4-Night Workshop and Retreat This intensive Whole Novel Workshop offers writers the rare opportunity to have the entire draft (up to 80,000 words*) of a novel read by faculty, with detailed written feedback and two private consultations provided. Attention in an intimate setting makes this program one that guarantees significant progress in preparation […]
OVERVIEW: A Two-Night Mini Online Course Sharing the publishing journey can also be a gratifying experience, especially if it's with someone whose artistic values align with yours. Join Mayra Cuevas and Marie Marquardt, co-authors of the critically-acclaimed YA novel Does My Body Offend You?, to learn more about collaborative approaches to writing and publishing. This program is […]
OVERVIEW: In-person 5-Day/4-Night Workshop and Retreat This intensive Whole Novel Workshop offers writers the rare opportunity to have the entire draft (up to 80,000 words*) of a novel read by faculty, with detailed written feedback and two private consultations provided. Attention in an intimate setting makes this program one that guarantees significant progress in preparation […]
OVERVIEW: In-person 4-Day/3-Night Working Retreat Picture book writers and illustrators: set aside time to focus on your picture book project! Here is a special retreat just for you. Join author Darcy Pattison, author/illustrator Leslie Helakoski, and editor Trisha de Guzman to work on your picture book manuscript during this retreat. It also includes one consultation, […]
OVERVIEW: Multi-Week Online Course Live Lectures (with closed captioning) Wednesdays at 7-8pm EST (September 14, 21, 28, October 5, 12, 19) Weekly Writing assignments Connection with peers in the virtual classroom, and optional Community Office Hours for peer-to-peer discussion (Thursdays at 7pm during the course) 1:1 20-minute phone consultation about your project (no written feedback) Weekly […]
OVERVIEW: A 2-Part Online Course This is an online course with two parts: an intensive weekend, followed by one week of mini-lectures, Q & A sessions, and 1:1 consultations. You'll engage in many aspects of writing nonfiction for children to create a strong foundation for your work, and build a network of fellow writers who […]
OVERVIEW: In-person 4-Day/3-Night Workshop and Retreat This workshop takes a deep look at the intersection of craft and commercial viability in writing and selling a chapter book series. This is an in-person workshop at our Retreat Center with mentorship, hands-on activities, presentations, and ample time for resting, writing, sketching, and more. This program includes: A […]
OVERVIEW: Multi-Week Online Course The relationships between characters are the backbone of every great contemporary MG and YA novel. Participate in weekly live discussions and Q&A sessions with editor Kat Brzozowski and guests to learn more about crafting deeply meaningful relationships in your novel. Live sessions at 12:00 - 2pm EASTERN each Thursday, September 22 […]
Please note that this workshop is waitlisted. Please add your name to the waitlist if you would like to be notified if an opportunity becomes available to take this program. Join Us To: Move your novel to the next level working one-to-one with editor Patricia Lee Gauch. What You'll Learn: Writing a novel is, like […]
OVERVIEW: Multi-Week Online Course 10 weeks of programming (mix of live and recorded) Live Lectures Wednesdays, 8pm – 9pm Eastern (October 12, 26, November 9, 16, 30, and December 14) Recorded programming released on weeks when live sessions aren’t held Optional Live Office Hours beginning on (Friday, October 14) Ongoing discussion threads with engaged faculty […]
OVERVIEW: A Two-Night Mini Online Course Join agent Sera Rivers and editor Jennifer Baker to gain a better understanding of the submission process, from querying your work through acquisitions. This program is a great fit if you’re looking for a short course of two, 75-minute sessions offering limited interaction with the community, but loads of […]
OVERVIEW: Whether your picture book is character-driven or plot-driven, character anchors the story. This on-demand course is designed to give you tools and knowledge to develop strong characters that your readers will love. Online, On-Demand Self-Paced Course Five chapters of prepared online lessons that you can access on-demand for up to 6 months from the […]
OVERVIEW: Take this deep, deep dive into picture book structure with lessons on each letter of the “Picture Book Alphabet” designed by Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen. This on-demand course is designed to give you tools and knowledge to plot your picture books with care. Online, On-Demand Self-Paced Course Included are five chapters prepared online lessons that you […]
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