Today

From Pencil or Paint to Pixel: A Two-Night Mini for Beginning Illustrators

Online 392 Boyds Mills Road, Milanville, PA

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 […]

$59

#HFGather: The Resilient Writer—Writing Through Trauma and Grief

Online 392 Boyds Mills Road, Milanville, PA

The Resilient Writer: Writing Through Trauma and Grief We bring much of ourselves to our work-- for the better, many would agree, especially when writing for kids and teens. But, how do we do this work without harm to ourselves? How do we nurture our wounds, while providing honesty and hope to our readers? For […]

Free

The Crash Course in Children’s Book Publishing

Online 392 Boyds Mills Road, Milanville, PA

Registration Is Still Available for This Course We had our first session with introductions on February 28.  Course materials and content (including a recording of the first live session) are available in the online classroom now.  Our next live session is Tuesday, March 14.  Feel free to join us until then! When you register, a […]

$399

Building Brilliant Book Proposals: A Two-Night Mini

Online 392 Boyds Mills Road, Milanville, PA

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 […]

$59

Rhyming Picture Books: A Two-Night Mini

Online 392 Boyds Mills Road, Milanville, PA

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, […]

$59

Writing About Mental Health in Novels: A Two-Night Mini

Online 392 Boyds Mills Road, Milanville, PA

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? […]

$59

Reconnecting with Your Story through Meditation: A Two-Night Creative Reset

Online 392 Boyds Mills Road, Milanville, PA

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 […]

$59

Disability Representation in Novels for Kids: A Two-Night Mini

Online 392 Boyds Mills Road, Milanville, PA

Overview A Two-Night Mini Online Course Children's books have the opportunity to portray and celebrate the diversity of bodies, and the multitude of ways that people process and proceed throughout the world. Authentic disability representation in children's books breaks stereotypes, makes connections, and centers the disability experience. Join authors Lyn Miller-Lachmann, and Halli Gomez to learn […]

$59

Writing for the Educational Market: A 6-Week Online Program (Summer)

Online 392 Boyds Mills Road, Milanville, PA

Overview Multi-Week Online Course Whether you're an emerging writer, a seasoned educator, or someone looking to expand your reach in the educational market, this multi-week program will equip you with the knowledge and resources needed to navigate the ed market landscape and effectively submit work to educational publishers. Led by professionals in the educational market […]

$499

Intro to Novels in Verse: Drafting and Deepening Your Story

Online 392 Boyds Mills Road, Milanville, PA

Overview A 4-Week Online Course Novels in verse are a celebrated storytelling form. They are packed with emotion, alongside a tight pace and deeply resonating character arcs. If you are just beginning on your journey into novels in verse and wonder how to get your idea into a first draft, this course is for you. […]

$399

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

Online 392 Boyds Mills Road, Milanville, PA

Overview A Two-Night Mini Online Course Picture books are easy to love, but challenging to write. Learn the essential elements of craft that can help you turn your ideas into stories with award-winning picture book author Darcy Pattison and author/illustrator Leslie Helakoski. This program is a great fit if you’re looking for a short course […]

$59

Getting the Gig: A Two-Night Mini on Speaking Opportunities for Storytellers

Online 392 Boyds Mills Road, Milanville, PA

Overview A Two-Night Mini Online Course Whether you want to set up school visits, participate in literary festivals, and/or pitch your ideas to storyteller organizations, Alyssa Reynoso-Morris wants to help you “get the gig and get your bag.”  Alyssa booked 67 events in 2023, making an extra $19,000 in income.  In 2024, she booked 48 […]

$59

Expressing Your Voice: A Two-Night Workshop for YA & MG Novelists

Online 392 Boyds Mills Road, Milanville, PA

Overview A Two-Part Mini Online Course Join editor Kat Brzozowski and author Anna-Marie McLemore to explore creating distinct and engaging voice and authentic dialogue on the page. While a strong voice in MG & YA novels is a must, getting it right is often elusive. Kat and Anna-Marie will explore where voice comes from—inner conflicts, outside pressures, personal values, experiences, identity—and how […]

$59

From Idea & Sketch to Dummy & Submission: An Author/Illustrator Online Course

Online 392 Boyds Mills Road, Milanville, PA

Overview Multi-Week Online Course If you are illustrating AND writing your own book, and wondering how to prepare your submission, this is the course for you. You will focus on the craft of writing and illustrating a picture book with an intense level of feedback from faculty Courtney Pippin-Mathur and special guests, Natasha Khan Kazi […]

$599

Intro to Writing Nonfiction: History, Biography, STEAM, and Much More!

Online 392 Boyds Mills Road, Milanville, PA

Overview An Online Course with Live Presentations, Pre-recorded Lectures, Writing Exercises, and Q&A Are you ready to write nonfiction for teens and children, but don't know where to start? Join award-winning authors Jennifer Swanson and Christine Taylor-Butler for an in-depth exploration of the craft of nonfiction writing for young readers. With their guidance, you'll build […]

$449

Editing for Impact: Revising Your MG or YA Novel (Fall)

Online 392 Boyds Mills Road, Milanville, PA

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 need to enrich your novel. Live Lectures (with […]

$599

Just Do It! Your Collaborative Support Group for Finishing Your Draft (Fall)

Online 392 Boyds Mills Road, Milanville, PA

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 […]

$399

Whole Novel Genre: An Online Course for Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Horror, & Beyond

Online 392 Boyds Mills Road, Milanville, PA

Overview Apply for this transformative opportunity to have your entire draft (up to 80,000 words) of a novel read by faculty, with detailed written feedback and a private consultation provided. This online program in particular is for writers of science fiction, fantasy, horror, and similar genre-specific novels. Details include: Multi-week online course + Whole Novel […]

$2199

From Story to Script: An Introduction to Writing Graphic Novels

Online 392 Boyds Mills Road, Milanville, PA

Overview A 4-Week Online Course Have a great idea for a graphic novel but unsure where to begin? Whether you're an author, an illustrator, or both, this four-week online course will help you navigate the creative and structural elements of graphic novels. You'll refine your concept, explore storytelling techniques, and determine the best path forward—whether […]

$399

Successful School Visits for Authors and Illustrators: An Online Course

Online 392 Boyds Mills Road, Milanville, PA

Overview A 3-Part Online Course Connecting with your readers is an important part of a storyteller's life. Join George Jreije and guests to develop your virtual school visit, and put your plan into action with a scheduled school visit! You'll blend who you are as a storyteller with engaging content and materials to create genuine […]

$499

Revising Your Novel in Verse: An Online Course

Online 392 Boyds Mills Road, Milanville, PA

Overview A 3-Part Online Course The verse novel is an art all its own—sculpted through story and the act of revision. If you’ve done the hard work of drafting your novel in verse and are now ready to immerse yourself in revisions, we invite you to join Cordelia Jensen for this three-part program. This is an […]

$699

Our Mission in Action

Share Your Story, Inspire a Child
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The Highlights Foundation positively impacts children by amplifying the voices of storytellers who inform, educate, and inspire children to become their best selves.  Learn more about our impact.