The Institute of Children’s Literature is the place for time-tested, customized online courses for children’s writers. Whichever course you choose, you’ll identify your strengths and build upon them, discover where you fit in the market, and gain confidence to put yourself out in the publishing world.
Basic KidLit Courses
Our basic level KidLit courses are designed with both new and intermediate writers in mind, making them an ideal fit whether you're just entering the writing industry, have prior experience and want to refine your skills, or are looking to discover your niche. If you have ideas you're eager to put on paper or aspire to get your writing published, these KidLit courses provide the guidance and support you need to achieve your goals.
Writing For Children & Teens
Our signature, most comprehensive course.
- Explore methods for generating ideas and conducting research.
- Improve key writing techniques to craft both fiction and nonfiction.
- Learn revision strategies to polish your manuscripts.
- Identify children’s publishers that are suitable for your work.
- Kickstart your children’s book—choose from picture book to YA.
Assignments: 10 | Time: 2 years | Tuition: $1,515 or $79/month
Writing For Magazines
A compact, economical version of Writing for Children & Teens.
- Learn essential writing elements and apply them to your work.
- Create five fiction or nonfiction manuscripts.
- Develop a plan for turning ideas into a fully developed manuscript.
- Explore publishers and submission strategies.
Assignments: 7 | Time: 18 months | Tuition: $1,220 or $79/month
Advanced KidLit Courses
Prerequisite: Basic Course Graduate with Instructor Recommendation
Elevate your writing in our advanced online courses for children’s writers. Spark your creativity in storytelling and nonfiction by crafting short stories and articles ready for magazine submission. Or bring your dream children’s book to life.
Beyond The Basics
An in-depth exploration of magazine manuscript development
and submission strategies.
- Pitch, develop, and form fiction and nonfiction ideas into market-ready manuscripts.
- Create persuasive query letters that capture editors' attention.
- Master revision techniques to refine your work.
- Research and select magazine publishers for each manuscript.
Assignments: 8 | Time: 2 years | Tuition: $1,515 or $79/month
Writing & Selling Children's Books
Our exclusive course on writing children’s books.
- Plan and structure either three picture books or a novel for youth readers.
- Tap into your strengths and focus on fiction or nonfiction.
- Hone your revision skills to sharpen your book(s).
- Prepare submission materials for your chosen publisher(s).
Assignments: 9 | Time: 2 years | Tuition: $1,515 or $79/month
Student Testimonials
Peter D’Hollander
ICL Graduate
Angelie Tumaghap Martzke
ICL Graduate
Shayna Kershaw
ICL Graduate
Peter D’Hollander
ICL Graduate
Angelie Tumaghap Martzke
ICL Graduate
Shayna Kershaw
ICL Graduate
Student Testimonials
Peter D’Hollander
ICL Graduate
Angelie Tumaghap Martzke
ICL Graduate
Shayna Kershaw
ICL Graduate
Peter D’Hollander
ICL Graduate
Angelie Tumaghap Martzke
ICL Graduate
Shayna Kershaw
ICL Graduate
Student Testimonials
Peter D’Hollander
ICL Graduate
Angelie Tumaghap Martzke
ICL Graduate
Shayna Kershaw
ICL Graduate
Peter D’Hollander
ICL Graduate
Angelie Tumaghap Martzke
ICL Graduate
Shayna Kershaw
ICL Graduate
Peter D’Hollander
ICL Graduate
Angelie Tumaghap Martzke
ICL Graduate
Shayna Kershaw
ICL Graduate
Peter D’Hollander
ICL Graduate
Angelie Tumaghap Martzke
ICL Graduate
Shayna Kershaw
ICL Graduate
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
