
Pared down to the most basic, plot is simply the way your story is told. This month we're taking a look at specific essential elements…
Our online, self-paced courses have been launching writers’ careers since 1969. Work with a published author and professional editor as your one-on-one mentor to improve your creative writing skills and learn how to become a children’s author.
Together you’ll:
Think of our one-on-one method of instruction and time-tested curriculum as your launchpad—providing the structure, guidance, and support you need to stay focused on your craft and prepare your writing for today’s publishing marketplace.
Our online, self-paced courses have been launching writers’ careers since 1969. Work with a published author and professional editor as your one-on-one mentor to improve your creative writing skills and learn how to become a children’s author.
Together you’ll:
Think of our one-on-one method of instruction and time-tested curriculum as your launchpad—providing the structure, guidance, and support you need to stay focused on your craft and prepare your writing for today’s publishing marketplace.
As a student at the Institute, you’ll look beyond the end of your manuscript to the business of selling and publishing your work. Your instructor will teach you how to write children’s stories and articles, navigate the publishing industry, and how to become a children’s author. Fine-tune your fiction and nonfiction manuscripts to meet submission standards. You don’t have to do it alone!
As a student at the Institute, you’ll look beyond the end of your manuscript to the business of selling and publishing your work. Your instructor will teach you how to write children’s stories and articles, navigate the publishing industry, and how to become a children’s author. Fine-tune your fiction and nonfiction manuscripts to meet submission standards. You don’t have to do it alone!
Learn fiction and nonfiction techniques, how to package your submissions, and how to target your manuscripts to publishers. Kickstart your children’s book, from Picture Book to Young Adult, your choice.
10
220 hours/ 2 years
$1,515 or $79/month
Pre-published writers
Create short stories & articles that magazine publishers are looking for and tap into today’s industry trends.
7
155 Hours / 12-18 Months
$1,220 or $79/month
Pre-published writers
Learn fiction and nonfiction techniques, how to package your submissions, and how to target your manuscripts to publishers. Kickstart your children’s book, from Picture Book to Young Adult, your choice.
ASSIGNMENTS 10
TIME 220 Hours/2 Years
TUITION $1,515 or $79/month
IDEAL FOR Pre-Published Writers
Create short stories & articles that magazine publishers are looking for and tap into today’s industry trends.
ASSIGNMENTS 7
TIME 155/12-18 Months
TUITION $1,220 or $79/month
IDEAL FOR Pre-Published Writers
Our most recent writing contest, Bedtime Stories Picture Book Contest is closed. Click here to view all contests.
After each writing contest, we hold a live workshop to announce the winners. The contest judge will reveal tips for writing in the contest genre and critique the winning entries sharing why they worked--and how they can be even better. ICL Bedtime Stories Picture Book webinar is August 5, 2025. View more details here.
Take your manuscript to the next level with an in-depth analysis by a publishing industry professional. View Critique Offerings Here.
Free writing resources at your fingertips to become a children's author. Guides to help improve your writing. View all of our writers toolkit resources here.
Weekly news & tips for upcoming writing contests, workshops, resources and more!
Pared down to the most basic, plot is simply the way your story is told. This month we're taking a look at specific essential elements…
Reading is a natural part of writing. How can we reflect on our favorite writers and their own perseverance to make us better writers?
Reading is a natural part of writing. How can we reflect on our favorite writers and their own perseverance to make us better writers?
Inspiration isn't a direct line. It's more of a cloud or fog, and we're walking through it all the time.
For writers, every experience, and vacation, is an opportunity to pack away information for possible use someday in a story or article.
ICL’s sister school, Institute for Writers, offers creative writing courses, contests, and critiques designed for the adult publishing market
1000 N. West Street #1200,
Wilmington, DE 19801
©2025 Direct Learning Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy.
1000 N. West Street #1200,
Wilmington, DE 19801
©2025 Direct Learning Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy.