June 3, 2026 - August 5, 2026
Online
$399Overview
Multi-Week Online Course
Join lead faculty Editor Harold Underdown and special guests Leah Henderson, Pamela Courtney, and agent and author Sera Rivers for a Crash Course in Children’s Publishing. At the end of this online course, you will have a better understanding of how the children’s book publishing industry works, including submitting, publishing, marketing a book for children, teens, or young adults, and beginning ideas about craft and critique.
Why This Workshop?
This ten-week online publishing course covers all aspects of children’s book publishing, from genres and types of books to working with a publisher (and everything in between). Material will be covered via live Zoom sessions and pre-recorded content in our online learning platform. You’ll also have access to weekly live “drop-in” hours with Harold Underdown and Pam Courtney.
You’ll also learn details about the editorial development process, including what to do once you have a finished book. The goal of the course is to demystify children’s publishing and answer ALL of your questions about the process.
You will:
- Explore genres of books, types of publishers, types of markets; fiction vs. nonfiction, flat fee vs. royalties, schools and libraries, etc.
- Find out how to get help before you submit from books, conferences, critique groups, beta readers and children.
- Find out how to get started as a professional and find your community.
- Use writing exercises to get to know your characters and develop your stories.
- Understand submissions rules and practices, including which mistakes to avoid.
- Learn about how publishers sign up manuscripts and how to make sense of contracts.
- Discover the publishing process: developmental editing, line editing, copyediting and proofreading, design, illustration, production, marketing and distribution.
It’s a Great Fit For…
- Serious beginners to the field of children’s books who are ready to devote time to learn and practice. If you’re tired of exhaustive online searches, hard-to-sift-through information, or lack of practical advice when it comes to writing for children, this course offers answers in one, thorough program. You get long-term support over 10 weeks and can learn at your own pace.
- Those who have written a story for children but have no idea how to submit it to publishers. This course will give you best practices for revising and submitting your work.
- You have sold some stories to children’s magazines and would now like to learn more about the book publishing process. We’ll give you a behind-the-scenes look at all that goes on, from submission to publication.
- Those who have written for audiences outside the children’s book industry and want to learn more about how your past writing experience can transfer into this new field.
Want to Know More About the Course and if it's Right for You?
Find an interview with lead faculty Editor Harold Underdown about what to expect and who should attend, plus:
- Sample topic videos
- Feedback from past participants
- Upcoming sessions
- And More!
Detailed Agenda
All Times are Eastern Time.
This course runs for 10 weeks and is a mix of pre-recorded content and live Zoom sessions. There are also weekly live Zoom “drop-in” hours with Harold Underdown; these are optional but encouraged. You will be notified of “drop-in” options by the first session of the course.
*Note: Your 1:1 consultation with a carefully selected mentor is scheduled after the final session of the course, at a mutually convenient time to you and your mentor.
Week 1: Crash Course Overview and Introductions (Live)
Wednesday, June 3, 2026 at 8pm – 9pm Eastern: Crash Course Overview and Introductions (Live)
- Welcome with introductions
- Overview of course syllabus, including how to access online materials and engage in the discussion board with fellow writers.
- *Please note this week may run slightly longer with introductions of fellow writers.
PLUS: Optional Live “Drop-In” Hour on Friday, June 5 at 11am Eastern facilitated by Harold Underdown with guest Pam Courtney
- Bring your questions for open discussion
Week 2: Pre-Recorded Content: Books, Publishers, Markets, and More
Pre-Recorded Content: Books, Publishers, Markets, and More
- Types of books and genres in the children’s book industry
- Types of publishers and who’s who
- Today’s children’s book market
- Additional resources, including book talks from the Highlights Foundation team
PLUS: Optional Live “Drop-In” Hour on Friday, June 12 at 11am Eastern facilitated by Harold Underdown with guest Pam Courtney
- Bring your questions for open discussion
Week 3: Getting Started with Your Story (Live)
Wednesday, June 17, 2026 at 8pm – 9pm Eastern: Getting Started with Your Story (Live)
- Reading current books, and how to do it
- Building your industry knowledge
- Getting feedback and revising
- Additional resources, including review sources, how-to books, and more!
Additional content will also be released.
PLUS: Optional Live “Drop-In” Hour on Monday, June 22 at 11am Eastern facilitated by Harold Underdown with guest Pam Courtney (Note: Takes place on Monday, June 22 to allow for Juneteenth holiday)
- Bring your questions for open discussion
Week 4: Pre-Recorded Content: Getting Started as a Professional
Pre-Recorded Content: Getting Started as a Professional
- Getting started as a writer
- Finding community, caring for yourself as a creative, and dedicating time to your craft with special guest
- Essential conversations in children’s publishing: responsible representation, anti-racism and anti-bias books
- Additional resources, including “You’re Never Too Old to Write” and more!
PLUS: Optional Live “Drop-In” Hour on Friday, June 26 at 11am Eastern facilitated by Harold Underdown with guest Pam Courtney
- Bring your questions for open discussion
Week 5: Digging Into Character with Special Guest Leah Henderson (Live)
Wednesday, July 1, 2026 at 8pm – 9pm Eastern: Digging Into Character with Special Guest Leah Henderson (Live)
- Knowing your characters: creative exercises
- Character backstory
- Little known facts
- Character voice
- Character interview
- Place as character
NO DROP-IN HOUR THIS WEEK.
Week 6: Pre-Recorded Content: Researching Agents, Editors, Publishers & the Submission Process
Pre-Recorded Content: Researching Agents, Editors, Publishers & the Submission Process
- Publishers and editors
- Agents and what they do
- Submissions
Additional content will also be released.
PLUS: Optional Live “Drop-In” Hour on Friday, July 10 at 11am Eastern facilitated by Harold Underdown with guest Pam Courtney
- Bring your questions for open discussion
Week 7: Query Letter Basics & Query Writing Workshopping with Agent Sera Rivers (LIVE)
Wednesday, July 15, 2026 at 8pm – 9pm Eastern: Query Letter Basics & Query Writing Workshopping with Agent Sera Rivers (LIVE)
PLUS: Optional Live “Drop-In” Hour on Friday, July 17 at 11am Eastern facilitated by Harold Underdown with guest Pam Courtney
- Bring your questions for open discussion
Week 8: Getting the Deal (Live)
Wednesday, July 22, 2026 at 8pm – 9pm Eastern: Getting the Deal (Live)
- Acquisitions
- The contract
- Understanding terms and royalties
- What to watch out for
- Additional resources including “Believing After 10 Rejections” and more!
PLUS: Optional Live “Drop-In” Hour on Friday, July 24 at 11am Eastern facilitated by Harold Underdown with guest Pam Courtney
- Bring your questions for open discussion
Week 9: What Comes After: The Editing and Publishing Process (Live)
Wednesday, July 29, 2026 from 8pm – 9pm Eastern: What Comes After: The Editing and Publishing Process (Live)
- Developmental editing, line-editing, copyediting, and proofreading.
- Design and illustration
- Production
- Marketing
- Distribution
- The “end”
- Additional resources including a video highlighting self-publishing in today’s market, and more!
Additional Pre-Recorded Content: Digging Into the Illustration Process
- Sketches
- Approval of sketches
- Art samples
- Final art
- The book design
- and more with Daria Peoples
PLUS: Optional Live “Drop-In” Hour on Friday, July 31 at 11am Eastern facilitated by Harold Underdown with guest Pam Courtney
- Bring your questions for open discussion
Week 10: Where Do We Go From Here? (Live)
Wednesday, August 5, 2026 at 8pm – 9pm Eastern: Where Do We Go From Here? (Live)
- Questions you still have
- Details about mentor pairing
- Evaluating your goals and next steps of action
Post-Course Mentorship Session
You will be asked to complete a survey assessing your publishing goals and needs (you may complete this survey between weeks six and ten.) Your mentor will be able to review your survey 1-2 weeks following the course. You will then work with your mentor to select a time to meet and materials to exchange. You’ll meet for a 1:1 session with your mentor at the chosen time. Mentors will be thoughtfully matched with writers based on survey needs and goals.
About the Crash Course in Children’s Publishing
DUMMY ROW - WILL BE HIDDEN
What Level of 1-to-1 Guidance Can I Expect in the Crash Course?
Feedback Expected
- Informal Q & A sessions held at all live programming.
- Post-course consultation/mentorship session with a publishing mentor to discuss work-in-progress and/or publishing-related questions.
What Level of Time Commitment Should I Plan For? Are Sessions Recorded?
Commitment Required for the Best Experience
If your schedule does not allow you to attend live sessions, that’s OK! You’ll have access to the recordings. They’re posted the day after the session, and they’ll be available through September 30, 2026. Closed captions will be available on all live sessions, and recordings from live sessions. The course also includes writing exercises, community interaction, and goal setting. To maximize your investment in the course, take advantage of these.
The Highlights Foundation strives for a safe and inclusive environment. You will have access to our Community Standards prior to the workshop where we ask for your respectful engagement with fellow creatives, including our faculty and staff.
Are There More Resources to Learn About the Crash Course?
How Can I Connect with Other Participants of This Workshop?
Pre-Workshop
One week prior to your course, you will receive a link to our virtual classroom where you can introduce yourself to fellow writers, and engage in Highlights Foundation related resources (including our Community Standards).
How Does The Crash Course in Children's Publishing Support Our Mission?
Our mission is to positively impact children by amplifying the voices of storytellers who inform, educate, and inspire children to become their best selves. Stories help kids develop language, build the power of imagination, understand their world and value their lives as they see themselves reflected within. This course educates and encourages creators as they bring their voices to this important work.
