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:

  • explore what inspires you
  • learn to write both fiction and nonfiction
  • develop engaging characters
  • hook your reader with dynamic plots, conflicts, and resolutions
  • discover (and learn to appreciate!) the art of constructive feedback and revision
  • transform your children’s stories and articles into sellable manuscripts

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:

  • explore what inspires you
  • learn to write both fiction and nonfiction
  • develop engaging characters
  • hook your reader with dynamic plots, conflicts, and resolutions
  • discover (and learn to appreciate!) the art of constructive feedback and revision
  • transform your children’s stories and articles into sellable manuscripts

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.

How to become a children's author

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!

How to become a children's author

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!

Running Girl. how to become a children's author

Where our students have been published

How to Become a children’s author, scooters girl

Choose The Course For You

Writing for Children & Teens

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

Writing for Magazines

Create short stories & articles that magazine publishers are looking for and tap into today’s industry trends.

Assignments

7

TIME

155 Hours / 12-18 Months

TUITION

$1,220 or $79/month

IDEAL FOR

Pre-published writers

Writing for Children & Teens

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

Writing for Magazines

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

Meet your instructor

Guides to great writing

Student Testimonials

Review from institute of Children's Literature graduate Angelie Tumaghap Martz
Review from institute of Children's Literature graduate Shayna Kershaw
Peter D’Hollander
ICL Graduate
Angelie Tumaghap Martzke
ICL Graduate
Shayna Kershaw
ICL Graduate
Peter D’Hollander
ICL Graduate
Review from institute of Children's Literature graduate Angelie Tumaghap Martz
Angelie Tumaghap Martzke
ICL Graduate
Review from institute of Children's Literature graduate Shayna Kershaw
Shayna Kershaw
ICL Graduate

Writer’s Resources

Our most recent writing contest, YA Fantasy First Pages closed on 8/31/2024. We will be having our winners webinar in early Winter of 2024. Click here to be notified of future 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. Get notified of our next writer’s webinar 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.

how to become a children's author

Want to write for adults?

ICL’s sister school, Institute for Writers, offers creative writing courses, contests, and critiques designed for the adult publishing market