Overview A Two-Night Mini Online Course Reconnecting with inspiration and creativity can be a challenge for all storytellers, especially in difficult times. Join author and teacher Laurie Calkhoven for this short course with the goal of using meditation to recommit and reconnect with your muse. There will be mini-presentations on character and plot, along with strategies […]
Overview A Two-Night Mini Online Course Writing about mental health not only impacts readers—offering them hope and honesty—but also deeply affects the personal experiences of writers. The writing process, for example, creates space for healing and sharing lived truths. But how, then, do we authentically reflect mental health stories, while keeping young audiences in mind? […]
Overview A Two-Night Mini Online Course To rhyme or not to rhyme… a question that fills the picture book writer’s mind! Join Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen and Anne Marie Pace for this two-night mini to gain beginning knowledge about rhyming picture books in today's market. This program is a great fit if you’re looking for a short course of two, […]
Overview A Two-Night Mini Online Course For most nonfiction books (except picture books), the first step in pitching your project to an agent or editor isn’t a full manuscript—it’s a compelling book proposal. This crucial document does it all: it hooks readers, outlines your vision, sells your idea, and proves why you’re the right person […]
Overview A Two-Night Mini Online Course Beginning illustrators can join children’s book author/illustrator Courtney Pippin-Mathur to talk about approaches to using different media (traditional and/or digital) in your illustrations with examples from classic and contemporary illustrators. Special guest Aram Kim will join us the second day for ten tips about submitting work to an art director (traditional and/or digital) and […]
Overview Multi-Week Online Course Join novelists Jennifer Gennari and Lisa Moore Ramée for a six-week online deep dive into revision, where you'll learn to enhance emotion, sharpen action, and refine your novel’s impact. Through live sessions, structured assignments, community support, and personalized feedback, you'll build the skills needed to enrich your novel. Live Lectures (with […]
Overview An Online Course with Pre-recorded & Written Lectures, Writing Exercises, and Live Discussions with Q&A Are you ready to do a deep, deep dive into picture book structure? This online course with Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen features pre-recorded and/or written lectures, along with assignments for each letter of the "Picture Book Alphabet," plus weekly LIVE Zoom […]
Overview A Two-Night Mini Online Course Nonfiction picture books offer a unique way to present factual information in engaging and accessible ways for readers. Join celebrated nonfiction authors Mélina Mangal and Rob Sanders for this short course that connects writers to the endless possibilities for topics and forms in nonfiction picture books. This program is a great fit […]
Overview A 3-Part Online Cooperative This supportive program takes all creatives (nonfiction or fiction, picture books, novels, essays, and more) from goal-stating to finished drafts. Together, we’ll move through live sessions, writing prompts, mindfulness guidance, studio dates, daily inspirations, check-ins, and feedback with Sarah Aronson, Chris Tebbetts, and Daria Peoples, and their special guests! This […]
Overview Four Week Online Course Join verse novelist Cordelia Jensen for a four-week online course to explore the fundamentals, celebrations, and challenges of writing novels in verse. You’ll be introduced to using this form to its utmost advantage, while taking into consideration the general foundations of storytelling. Live Lectures (with closed captioning) Wednesdays at 1 – 2:30pm Eastern […]
Overview A Two-Night Mini Online Course Join author and anthologist Katherine Locke and author and agent Eric Smith 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 […]
Overview A Two-Night Mini Online Course Picture book journeys aren’t one size fits all, and that’s a good thing! Join children’s book author Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen and literary agent Rachel Orr to celebrate alternative approaches to picture book structures. This program is a great fit if you’re looking for a short course of two, 75-minute sessions […]
Overview A Two-Night Mini Online Course Getting started in the children’s book industry can be confusing. Beyond the skills needed to craft a great story, there is much to learn as you aspire to write and/or illustrate professionally and publish for kids and teens. After nearly three decades in children’s books, editor Harold Underdown has much […]
Overview A Two-Part Mini Online Course Today’s readers are desperate to learn the true and complex history of the world that they inhabit, and novels in verse provide a powerful vehicle to explore difficult periods of history. Join verse novelists Nadine Pinede and Kip Wilson to discover strategies for weaving history into the structure of a novel in […]
Overview A Two-Night Mini Online Course Sometimes feedback whispers, “This book is too quiet.” But what does that really mean? And, is there a place in the market for a “quiet” book? Join award-winning author Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow to learn ways to embrace your “quiet” book, turning up the volume for your audiences. This program is […]
Overview A 4-Week Online Course Each novel begins with a new idea, a new page, a new chapter, and countless choices about character, plot, and pacing. This course is designed with those choices in mind. Work with celebrated novelists, Rajani LaRocca, Leah Henderson, and Chris Tebbetts to begin (or begin again) your novel in 2025. […]
Overview A Two-Night Mini Online Course Join prolific picture book author Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen for this short course to advance your picture book manuscript. Learn how you can increase emotional resonance and foster connection with your readers by revising elements like plot, pacing, character, and more. This program is a great fit if you’re looking for a short […]
Overview A Two-Night Mini Online Course Plot is the engine that drives your story. A well-crafted plot keeps readers hooked, propels your characters forward, and brings your world to life. However, starting to plot a new novel or fixing holes in an existing outline can be a difficult process, especially if you're new to plotting […]
Overview A Two-Night Mini Online Course Getting your book to readers is a goal for most writers, and agents can play an important role in this process. But how do you find an agent? Often, the query letter is what connects writers to agents. Unfortunately, navigating the querying trenches can seem like rough waters. Need […]
Overview A Two-Night Mini Online Course Join editor Harold Underdown to uncover strategies for successfully submitting your manuscript to agents and editors. 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. Monday, December 16, 2024 (7pm – 8:15pm […]
Overview A Two-Night Mini Online Course Have you ever searched the internet for "picture book word count," and found advice that conflicts even with itself—offering more exceptions than it does rules? Have you gotten feedback from editors or agents that your picture book manuscript is "too long for today's market"—but you're not sure exactly what […]
Overview A Two-Night Mini Online Course Picture books can follow a plot that depends heavily on the emotional shift from the beginning to the end of the story. That leaves writers with a lot of work to do on the middle! Join award-winning author Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow to unpack ways to develop the middle of your […]
Overview A 4-Week Online Course for Chapter Book Writers Chapter books engage young minds like no other stories can. Readers start a journey with your character in Chapter One, and then yearn for more with each page turn until they finish your entire book! (And maybe even your entire series!) Join Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen to build […]
Overview A Two-Night Mini Online Course Research is the backbone of nonfiction. It also adds depth, detail, and accuracy to fiction. Join authors Stephanie Gibeault, Jolene Gutiérrez, and Anita Yasuda as they share the tools and strategies writers need to dig into research with confidence. This program is a great fit if you’re looking for a short course […]
Overview A Two-Night Mini Online Course Creative thinking and storytelling go together like, well, Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen and Mike Ciccotello! This dynamic duo of real-life brainstorming partners will showcase the many ways you can brainstorm characters and concepts for picture books, getting you from stuck-->idea-->outline (or first draft!) more quickly. This program is a great fit […]
Overview A 4-Week Online Course Join editor Kat Brzozowski to develop the essential elements of character, voice, and plot that will help you craft a deeply meaningful contemporary novel for today's readers. The course features weekly live discussions and writing exercises, Q&A sessions, 1:1 feedback, and more. Live sessions at 12:00 - 2pm EST on […]
Overview A Two-Night Mini Online Course As literary stewards we know that Social and Emotional themes are important in KidLit. As humanitarians, we know that what impacts one human, impacts all. As children's book writers, how do we navigate the space between the human story and emotional themes with care and hope? How do we […]
Overview Multi-Week Online Course Join novelist Jennifer Gennari for this six-week online course to build the skills needed to revise and enrich your novel. The course features live sessions with faculty, structured assignments, community interaction, goal-setting, and a special guest visit with Aida Salazar to discuss line editing in action. Live Lectures (with closed captioning) […]
Overview A Two-Night Mini Online Course Whether you're a seasoned professional or just starting in the industry, understanding the opportunities available for sharing the joy (and income benefits of) your art is part of a successful illustration career. Join illustrators Leeza Hernandez and Courtney Pippin-Mathur to gain valuable insights into the world of school visits, teaching, licensing, and tips […]
Overview A Two-Night Mini Online Course Join editor Emma D. Dryden for an intensive look at world-building from the inside, out. 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, and loads of information. Tuesday, August 20 (7pm – 8:15pm Eastern) […]
Overview A Two-Night Mini Online Course Join editor Eileen Robinson and author Jennifer Gennari for thoughtful discussions and writing exercises that will help you infuse emotion into your novel, deepen your characters and plot, and build an emotional journey for your readers. This program is a great fit if you’re looking for a short course […]
Overview A Two-Night Mini Online Course As authors, educators, and professionals who bring story to kids, we have a real responsibility to nurture a love of reading in both ourselves and the young minds we influence. In fact, both are extremely intertwined. Join us for this two-night mini course that offers professional development practices in […]
Overview A Two-Night Mini Online Course Have you ever been given the writing advice, "show, don't tell"? Join author, agent, and freelance editor Linda Epstein to find ways to do just that in your novel. You'll learn how rich sensory details and well-placed small actions can create vivid settings, grounded dialogue between characters, and an authentic […]
Overview A Two-Night Mini Online Course Young adult readers love horror novels–they are safe spaces to explore humanity's fears. For many queer and questioning readers, YA horror is a safe space for much more. Join young adult authors Anna-Marie McLemore and Rob Costello for this short course for writers looking to create space in their horror and […]
Overview A Two-Night Mini Online Course Chapter books and chapter book series engage kids with relatable characters, engaging plots, and age-appropriate stories. Join Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen to build your knowledge about the beloved genre of chapter books to write a story that resonates. This program is a great fit if you’re looking for a short course […]
Overview A Two-Night Mini Online Course Do you have an idea for a graphic novel for kids or teens? Or do you have an idea, and you're wondering if the graphic novel form is the right medium to tell it? Join Emily Rosenthal and Cynthia Yuan Cheng to begin your journey of transforming ideas into […]
Overview A Two-Night Mini Online Course Secondary characters play a vital role in storytelling, enriching the narrative in ways that are often overlooked. While protagonists drive the plot forward and capture our attention, secondary characters provide depth, complexity, and nuance to the fictional world. Join author Sarah Aronson to explore one of her favorite topics: The […]
Overview A Two-Night Mini Online Course Picture books can be filled with Pride! Join celebrated authors Lesléa Newman and Rob Sanders for this short course designed to bring LGBTQIA2S+ creators and their allies together to study the craft of picture books, and build confidence to create picture books with LGBTQIA2S+ characters and/or themes. The two […]
Overview A Six-Week Online Course Mold your middle grade or young adult novel, or novel in verse, into the story only you can tell, with senior literary agent, freelance editor, and author Linda Epstein. This program includes pre-recorded lectures, live discussion, writing exercises, two included 1:1 meetings with Linda to discuss your work in progress, […]
Overview A Two-Night Mini Online Course Getting ready to write a novel doesn’t just mean finding a computer or the right pen—you also need to spend time considering the elements that bring emotion and structure to your story. Join author Jennifer Gennari for this short course to learn tangible techniques for getting organized, and getting […]
Overview A Two-Night Mini Online Course Picture books open the world of information to readers. Join children’s book author Heidi E.Y. Stemple and editor Eileen Robinson to explore the many ways to infuse emotion into your nonfiction picture book, and hook and inspire your readers. This program is a great fit if you’re looking for a short course […]
Overview A Two-Night Mini Online Course Gutters in poetry bring meaning all their own. Whether you’re writing a narrative poem, a picture book in verse, or a full-length verse novel, words stand in partnership with poetic gutters. How you use stanza breaks, blank space, and the gaps between poems affects the way that readers engage […]
Overview A Two-Night Mini Online Course Writing about mental health is about both the impact for our readers, and the experience of our writers. How do we translate our lived experiences while keeping our youth audience centered? Join middle grade novelist Crystal Allen and young adult author and pediatric neuropsychologist Katie Keridan to consider what it […]
Join us for a Q&A webinar about attending in-person programs at the Highlights Foundation in 2024. It's a great session to attend if you've never been to a program on our campus before and would like to learn more about what to expect, or if you have questions about which options might be right for […]
Overview A Two-Night Mini Online Course Point of view is a core element of every novel, and the importance multiplies with every narrator added into the timeline. Join authors Meera Trehan and Sarah Kapit to explore techniques and innovative choices when bringing multiple narrators to your middle grade or young adult novel. This program is […]
Overview A Two-Night Mini Online Course New readers love to laugh! When we consider crafting humor for picture books, early readers, and chapter books, it's important to learn the "why," to help your story connect and resonate with this age group. But then how do you find the right level of funny? How do you […]
Overview A Two-Night Mini Online Course Board books, novelty books, and concept books bring the world to the youngest minds. ABCs, counting, shapes, sizes, opposites, and so much more, these important books weave together language and visuals to engage caregivers and children in the book, the world, and one another. Join author/illustrators Merrill Rainey and […]
Overview A Two-Night Mini Online Course Picture book writers must make the most out of each and every word. Bringing readers into your story is just as important as the impact you leave them with at the end. Join award-winning picture book author Valerie Bolling to open the book on picture book beginnings and endings. This program […]
Overview A Two-Night Mini Online Course Dialogue has the ability to amplify your characters' voices, bring authenticity to your settings, and seriously unlock the pace and beats of your plot. Join award-winning authors Nora Shalaway Carpenter and Mitali Perkins for this short course focused on getting the most out of your novel's dialogue. Tuesday, February […]
Overview A Two-Night Mini Online Course Discovering the inner life of your story's main character can be hard work. Join award-winning authors Kekla Magoon and Laurie Calkhoven for this short course designed to help you get to know the inner secrets of your main characters. This deeper understanding will unlock new aspects of your story, […]
Overview A 5-Week Online Course Join verse novelist Cordelia Jensen to explore how to establish a solid foundation in the first 20 pages of your verse novel. We'll seamlessly transition between drafting and revising, adding layers of emotion and action to your opening so you can use this course to set the tone for your […]
Overview A Two-Night Mini Online Course Join author and writing motivator Sarah Aronson for a short course to spark the start of your 2024 novel. Sarah will bring her wealth of care and knowledge to help you discover how YOU are the heart of the next novel you tell. This program is a great fit if you’re […]
Overview Online Weekend Intensive Gearing up to work on any genre of middle grade or young adult novel in 2024? Then join authors Sona Charaipotra, Dante Medema, and guest Trisha Tobias to set goals and build the roadmap to your finished draft, with an eye toward the business of publishing. This online weekend intensive will […]
Overview A Two-Night Mini Online Course Poetry has the power to give voice to our inner stories. Whether we are looking to engage in our memories, our grief, our joys, and/or our traumas, verse can unblock the flow to access and empower our words. Join award-winning authors Padma Venkatraman and Aida Salazar for this short course […]
Overview A Two-Night Mini Online Course Join illustrator and graphic novelist Chuck Gonzales and editor Eileen Robinson to explore the many ways to infuse emotion into your graphic novel, through words and an understanding of illustrations. (Even if you aren't the illustrator!) This program is a great fit if you’re looking for a short course […]
Overview A 4-Week Online Course Relationships between characters (whether they're romantic, friendly, or familial) 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 - […]
Overview A 5-Week Online Course with Pre-recorded & Written Lectures, Writing Exercises, and Live Discussion/Q&A From A is for ARCHETYPES to Z is for ZONE, this 5-week online course with Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen features engaging pre-recorded and written lessons with character-focused writing exercises. You'll meet weekly for live sessions with Q&A that will help you explore every aspect […]
Overview A 3-Week Online Course + Individual Consultation Stories for chapter books, middle grade, and teen novels can be told in so many ways: laugh-out-loud contemporaries, action-packed graphic memoirs, emotionally-charged novels-in-verse, and more. No matter which way you decide to tell your story, you can infuse levity and humor onto the page to hook, connect, […]
Overview Application-Based Online Program for Muslim Storytellers This application-based, in-community program has been created to invite new Muslim voices into the children’s book industry through a multi-week, online course. This program is funded by a grant from the Doris Duke Foundation through its Building Bridges Program. The Building Bridges Program supports national efforts, working with […]
Overview Multi-Week Online Course Join novelist Jennifer Gennari for this six-week online course to build the skills needed to revise and enrich your novel. The course features live sessions with faculty, structured assignments, community interaction, and goal-setting. Live Lectures (with closed captioning) Wednesdays at 7-8pm EST (September 27, October 4, October 11, 18, 25, and […]
Overview A Two-Night Mini Online Course First pages offer a promise to our readers. No matter the genre, no matter the form—a first page is an invitation to your entire book. Join young adult author Laura Sibson and agent Leslie Zampetti for this short course to understand the promise in a powerful first page. Tuesday, […]
Overview A 3-Week Online Course + Individual Consultation Chapter book series engage kids with relatable characters, engaging plots, and age-appropriate stories. Join Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen to build your knowledge about the beloved genre of chapter books with presentations, pre-recorded and written resources to prepare for live sessions, generative peer-to-peer discussions, and a post-course 1:1 consultation. Live Lectures […]
Overview A Two-Part Mini Online Course Join author Aminah Mae Safi and editor Kat Brzozowski to explore a Voice that is uniquely your own. A Voice that comes from within— inner conflicts, outside pressures, personal values, experiences, identity, and so much more. This program is a great fit if you’re looking for a short course of […]
Overview A Six-Week Online Course with Pre-recorded Lectures, and Live Discussion/Q & A/Writing Exercises Mold your middle grade or young adult novel into the story only you can tell, with senior literary agent and writer Linda Epstein. Pre-recorded lectures released on Fridays before the next live class Live sessions via Zoom (with discussion/Q & A and […]
Overview A 3-Part Online Course 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 planning (Part 2), and a culminating virtual […]
Overview A Two-Part Intensive Online Course Whether you’re writing fiction or nonfiction, focus your research with this two-weekend online intensive. Join Stephanie Gibeault, Jolene Gutiérrez, Anita Yasuda and special guests agent/author Jacqui Lipton and editor/author Feather Flores for interactive lectures, discussions, Q&A with an editor and agent, a 1:1 consultation, and resources for all writers. Live Presentations via Zoom (with […]
Overview A Short Intensive Online Course Thinking about starting a podcast for kids, but don’t know where to start? Join librarian, writer, and podcast innovator Matthew Winner to find the heart of your podcast for kids. This online intensive workshop will include presentations, small group discussions, a Q & A gathering, and more! Live Lectures (with closed […]
Overview A Two-Night Mini Online Course Getting started in the children’s book industry can be confusing. Beyond the skills needed to craft a great story, there is much to learn as you aspire to write and/or illustrate professionally and publish for kids and teens. After nearly three decades in children’s books, Editor Harold Underdown has much to […]
Overview A Two-Night Mini Online Course Picture book writers must make the most out of each and every word. Bringing readers into your story is just as important as the impact you leave them with at the end. Join picture book author Valerie Bolling to open the book on picture book beginnings and endings. This program is a […]
Overview A 4-day Online Intensive with Lectures, Discussion, Discovery, & Read Alouds 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 for children in today’s world, showing beauty and strength in our rainbow […]
Learn the tools and strategies writers need to dig into research with confidence.
Overview A Two-Night Mini Online Course How do you build a social media following? Where should you focus your time to best connect with publishers and fellow artists? And is there a way to monetize your social activity? Join webcomic team Lisa Burdige and John Hazard to learn how illustrators can get the most out of their posts without […]
Overview A Six-Week Online Course with Pre-recorded Lectures, and Live Discussion/Q & A/Writing Exercises Mold your middle grade or young adult novel into the story only you can tell, with senior literary agent and writer Linda Epstein. Pre-recorded lectures released on Fridays (March 3, 17, 24; April 7, 14, 21) Live sessions via Zoom (with discussion/Q […]
Overview A Two-Night Mini Online Course Join children’s book author Heidi E.Y. Stemple and editor Eileen Robinson to explore the many ways to infuse emotion into your nonfiction picture book, and hook and inspire your readers. Tuesday, March 14 (7pm – 8:15pm EST) Thursday, March 16 (7pm – 8:15pm EST) Webinar-style program with closed captioning available and limited interaction in the […]
Overview Multi-Week Online Course Join novelist Jennifer Gennari for this six-week online course to build the skills needed to revise and enrich your novel. The course features live sessions with faculty, structured assignments, community interaction, and goal-setting. Live Lectures (with closed captioning) Tuesdays at 7-8pm EST (March 7, 14, 21, 28, and April 4 & […]
Overview Multi-Week Online Course Characters are the foundation for every aspect of your story. They’re also the vehicle through which readers will connect with your story. Use this course to deepen your understanding of your characters in picture books through novels to unlock secrets and make decisions about point of view, plot, pacing and more. […]
Overview A Two-Week Online Course Quite often, issues with a story in progress can be traced back to its beginning. In this course, Alicia D. Williams, Erin Dionne, and Chris Tebbetts will explore how your first pages and early choices can kickstart your chapter book, middle grade novel, or young adult novel, and help you navigate […]
Overview A Two-Night Mini Online Course Novelists, join us for two evening sessions to develop your book’s editorial style guide so you can keep details clear, concise, and consistent as you revise. This program is a great fit if you’re looking for a short course of two, 75-minute sessions offering limited interaction with loads of […]
Overview A Two-Night Mini Online Course Novelists need feedback on their work to deepen revisions and enrich characters, plot, and pacing. In this course, novelists and real-life feedback partners Diana Ma and Christina Scheuer dig into the fundamentals of giving and receiving feedback, and explore how creating relationships and participating in reciprocal feedback cycles can […]
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?" We invite beginning writers to join Eric for a fun, webinar-style class on ways to improve your writing through […]
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 Online, On-Demand Self-Paced Course Included are 4 pre-recorded online sessions you can access on-demand for up to 6 months from the date of your registration Imagine your reader cemented in place by your story, unable to move until they reach the end. Imagine your reader racing to place your book into the hands of […]
Overview A Self-Paced, Online On-Demand Course Seven (7) pre-recorded online sessions you can access on-demand for up to six (6) months from the date of your registration. A 20-minute Zoom call with Erin or Chris after you register. Optional monthly office hours on the first Tuesday of each month from 7-8pm EST for up to […]
