Overview

Multi-Week Online Course

Join lead faculty Harold Underdown and special guests for a Crash Course in Children’s Publishing. At the end of the course, you will understand 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.

• 10 weeks of programming (with a blend of live and pre-recorded sessions)
• Live Lectures Tuesdays, 8pm – 9pm Eastern (September 24, October 8, 21, 29, November 19, 26)
• Recorded programming released on weeks when live sessions aren’t held
• Optional Live “Drop-In” Hours beginning on Friday, September 27 and ending on Friday, November 22 with Harold and special guests
• Ongoing discussion threads with engaged faculty responses
• Post-course 1:1 mentorship session included to discuss a work-in-progress and/or publishing related question
• Closed captions available at all live sessions, and in recordings (access to recordings through December 31, 2024)
• 50 participants max

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.

It’s a Great Fit For…

• Serious beginners to the field of children’s books who are ready to devote some 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.

Detailed Agenda

All Times are Eastern Standard Time.

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).

This course runs for 10 weeks and is a mix of pre-recorded content and live Zoom sessions. Live sessions are Tuesdays at 8pm Eastern. Dates are noted in the agenda below.

There are also weekly live Zoom “drop-in” hours with Harold Underdown on Fridays at 11am Eastern; these are optional but encouraged and run from September 27 – November 22.

*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.

Click on the headings below to explore the agenda in more detail.

How It Impacts Kids

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.

Testimonials from Our Community

“The Crash Course in Children’s Publishing was perfect to jumpstart my journey in writing picture books. Harold is a wealth of information and the insights that he and the guest speakers share are priceless. I find myself looking back at my notes when a new question pops up. Not only that, but Harold welcomes questions and communication after the course is finished. I still keep in contact with three other members that have become my critique partners. The course ends with a 1:1 meeting with a mentor that helps launch you in the right direction. I am happy to say that 4 months after the course, I signed with my agent. I am hopeful that there will be a day that my stories will be in the hands of children and the grown-ups that read with them.” (Kellie Beggs)

“The experience was terrific. I learned a great deal. When I enrolled, I had been concerned about being able to get the full “workshop feeling” since the course was offered online rather than in person. My concerns were for naught. I felt that we made a good community even though we were not in the same room together! The presentations were thoughtful and thought-provoking. I appreciated the mix of craft and the nuts and bolts of publishing that instructors (special shout out to the fabulous Alison Green Myers and Harold Underdown!!!!), and guests shared with us. Discussions were substantive and fruitful. We did some powerful writing exercises together. The critiques of the writing samples we submitted were productive, direct, and kind. It is an art to give honest feedback without taking the air out of a writer! It was done so very well. I even met some nice people, remotely of course, but we set up a writing group that carried on long after the workshop was done. I recommend this workshop with enthusiasm!”

“I was able to confidently complete my draft and query letter. It was the highlight (no pun intended) of my year! Thank you. I am looking forward to working with my mentor, as well.”

“I loved getting deep insight into the children’s book world today and also a better understanding of the business of the publishing world and how to navigate it. It was a comprehensive overview – and the instructors were positive and supportive.”

“I can’t say enough about the instructors. The knowledge they shared was incredible and very non-threatening to one who is just trying to get started. I found encouragement in the midst of the reality of the hard work and time requirements.”

“I am thrilled with this experience. So many of my questions have been answered and I learned a great deal. Harold is wonderful and I enjoyed listening to him. Allison did a great job, too, especially about query letters.”

Resources

• 3 Questions for Harold Underdown about Our Crash Course in Children’s Publishing
• Who should attend? Watch the video.
• Podcast: Talks with Harold Underdown About the Online Crash Course
• 7 Quick Tips for Beginning Writers
• How to Start Revising That First Draft
• Getting Out of the Slush Pile
• Course booklist on Bookshop.org
• 3 Tips from a (Busy) Newbie for Soaking Up the Crash Course
• What Do Agents Do?
• Sharing Your Work for Critique: Let the Conversation Happen