Writing for Children & Teens. One-on-one mentorship for the aspiring author. Start today by submitting a writing sample!
Writing for Children & Teens. One-on-one mentorship for the aspiring author. Start today by submitting a writing sample!
Aspiring to write for the children’s market but haven’t found that perfect course? Look no further! Students enrolled in our comprehensive and customizable Writing for Children and Teens course develop short stories, articles, and a final book project for children’s publications. You’ll learn the fundamentals of essential writing techniques, apply those techniques to your own writing interests, and target your manuscripts to specific markets. We’ll set you up in a classroom of one, to work with an industry professional-a published author and editor-who will give your writing personalized attention and help you navigate the publishing world. Our courses offer flexible scheduling so you can work at your own pace. The average student takes about 220 hours to complete all assignments. Although most students complete this course in 18 months, The Institute of Children’s Literature allows up to 2 years to complete Writing for Children and Teens.

Goals & Objectives

  • Define personal writing goals and work with one-on-one mentor to accomplish them
  • Identify and develop the techniques of good writing and apply them to own writing
  • Plan and develop ongoing writing projects that match writing skills and interest to editorial needs
  • Develop the ability to direct writing to specific readers and publishers. Gain knowledge that will lead to:
  1. survey and analyze the current children’s magazine and book publishers’ requirements
  2. use interest and experiences as salable idea sources
  3. revise and polish writing to prepare for submission
  4. approach publishers with manuscripts that meet current specifications

Curriculum Overview

Writing for children and teens. Learn the basics

Learn the Basics

Find your market with Writing for children and teens.

Find Your Market

Choose your own adventure when Writing for children and teens.

Choose Your Own Adventure

1

Pre-thinking: Start with an idea

500 to 750-word story based on a picture and autobiographical letter.

4

Nonfiction: Articles have their own structure, too

500 to 1,000-word nonfiction article.

8

Plan your story: Map out three story or article ideas

Develop 3 outlines for stories, articles, or a combination of both. Include up to three market choices for each outline.

2

Building a story: Each story has a structure

500 to 1,000-word story based on a word list.

5

Characterization: Creating characters that connect with your reader

5A: People your story with characters we can see.

5B: People your story with characters we understand.

9

Develop the plot: Write and revise one story (or article) plan

Complete 1 story or article based on a chosen outline from Assignment 8. Include a query letter and goals update letter.

3

Setting: A story takes place somewhere

500-word description of a specific place recalled from childhood and goals update letter.

6

Conflict: A character needs a dilemma

500 to 1,200-word story based on Assignment 5 character with market choice and goals update letter.

10

Pull all your skills together for a story or article

Submit an article or story with three magazine choices and query letter.
This is the final assignment for those who do not select the book option.

7

Revision: Revisit an assignment and revise

Revision of assignment 1,2,4 or 6.

10A

Get started on a book synopsis

Outline for fiction or nonfiction picture or MG/YA book with age level, chapter outline (if applicable), and 200 to 300-word synopsis.

10B

Write your first two chapters

Submit a complete picture book manuscript or two or three sample chapters of a MG/YA novel with publisher choice and query letter.
This is the final assignment for those who have selected the book option.

Writing for children and teens. Learn the basics

Learn the Basics

1

Pre-thinking: Start with an idea

500 to 750-word story based on a picture and autobiographical letter.

2

Building a story: Each story has a structure

500 to 1,000-word story based on a word list.

3

Setting: A story takes place somewhere

500-word description of a specific place recalled from childhood and goals update letter.
Find your market with Writing for children and teens.

Find Your Market

4

Nonfiction: Articles have their own structure, too

500 to 1,000-word nonfiction article.

5

Characterization: Creating characters that connect with your reader

5A: People your story with characters we can see.

5B: People your story with characters we understand.

6

Conflict: A character needs a dilemma

500 to 1,200-word story based on Assignment 5 character with market choice and goals update letter.

7

Revision: Revisit an assignment and revise

Revision of assignment 1,2,4 or 6.
Choose your own adventure when Writing for children and teens.

Choose Your Own Adventure

8

Plan your story: Map out three story or article ideas

Develop 3 outlines for stories, articles, or a combination of both. Include up to three market choices for each outline.

9

Develop the plot: Write and revise one story (or article) plan

Complete 1 story or article based on a chosen outline from Assignment 8. Include a query letter and goals update letter.

10

Pull all your skills together for a story or article

Submit an article or story with three magazine choices and query letter.
This is the final assignment for those who do not select the book option.

10A

Get started on a book synopsis

Outline for fiction or nonfiction picture or MG/YA book with age level, chapter outline (if applicable), and 200 to 300-word synopsis.

10B

Write your first two chapters

Submit a complete picture book manuscript or two or three sample chapters of a MG/YA novel with publisher choice and query letter.
This is the final assignment for those who have selected the book option.

Tuition

Full Pay

$ 1,229 full pay
  • Highest Savings
  • Access To All Assignments
  • Total $1,229

Payment Plan I

$ 79 Month
  • Most Popular
  • $99 down, 16 monthly payments of $79
  • Total $1,363

Payment Plan II

$ 59 Month
  • Lowest Monthly Payments
  • $99 down, 24 monthly payments of $59
  • Total $1,515

Materials Included In Writing For Children & Teens Course

Writing for Children and Teens Course ManualIFW PublishingThe Instruction Manual published exclusively for our students. It contains
assignments, idea generators, planning guides, writing and revision techniques
and guidelines for preparing a book submission package.
binder_smallGlassesBackpack_2kTallcat_2kTall
Magazine Markets for Children's WritersEdited by Marni McNiff, IFW Publishing, Annual EditionOffers a complete roadmap to the changing world of publishing —
get the inside scoop on what print and digital publishers are looking
for in 2024. In addition to 608 new and updated listings, you’ll find
bonus articles to boost your knowledge of the industry and increase
your odds of getting published. Plus, you’ll find sections
devoted to helping you create a polished submissions package
including how to write and format a query letter and how to properly
format your manuscript so you can make a professional
impression on publishers.
Magazine Markets for Children’s Writers by Institute for Writersscooter_2kTall
Book Markets for Children’s WritersEdited by Marni McNiff, IFW Publishing, Annual EditionOffers a complete roadmap to the changing world of publishing.
In addition to 675 new and updated listings, you’ll find bonus articles
to boost your knowledge of the industry and increase your odds
of getting published. Plus, you’ll find sections devoted to helping
you create a polished submissions package including how to
write and format a query letter and how to properly format
your manuscript so you can make a professional impression
on publishers.
2024 Book Market Guide for Children's Writers - Institute of Children's LiteraturerunningGirl_2kTall
From Inspiration to PublicationIFW PublishingOffers a wealth of practical advice on every aspect of writing for
young adults. From Inspiration to Publication is a distillation
of over 50 years of teaching individuals how to write for children
and teens, and how to market and sell. It is the best treatment of
the subject in print.
From Inspiration to PublicationgirlBackpack_2kTall.png
The Elements of Styleby William Strunk Jr. & E.B. White, 4th EditionA classic manual on the principles of English language.
Decidedly the most practical handbook of grammar,
correct usage, punctuation, and effective writing techniques.
Elements-of-Style-Book-IFWboyBackpack_2kTall.png
Searching: a Research Guide for WritersIFW Publications, 6th editionPrepared especially for our students, this handbook introduces
a variety of sources and methods available for tracking down
information, an indispensable guide to research resources.
Searching-Book-IFWwheels_2kTall
Supplementary Instructional Materials IFW Publications: Talk Aboutsscooter_2kTallrunningGirl_2kTalldog_2kwidecat_2kTall
ls-project-29-slide-1

Writing for Children &
Teens Course Materials

IFW Publishing

The Instruction Manual published exclusively for our students. It contains assignments, idea generators, planning guides, writing and revision techniques and guidelines for preparing a book submission package.

binder_smallGlassesBackpack_2kTallcat_2kTall
ls-project-29-slide-2

Magazine Markets for Children's Writers

Edited by Marni McNiff
IFW Publishing, Annual Edition

Offers a complete roadmap to the changing world of publishing — get the inside scoop on what print and digital publishers are looking for in 2024. In addition to 608 new and updated listings, you’ll find bonus articles to boost your knowledge of the industry and
increase your odds of getting published.
Plus, you’ll find sections devoted to
helping you create a polished
submissions package including how to
write and format a query letter and how
to properly format your manuscript so
you can make a professional impression
on publishers.

Magazine Markets for Children’s Writers by Institute for Writersscooter_2kTall
ls-project-29-slide-3

Book Markets for
Children's Writers

Edited by Marni McNiff
IFW Publishing, Annual Edition

Offers a complete roadmap to the changing world of publishing. In addition to 675 new and updated listings, you’ll find bonus articles to boost your knowledge of the industry and increase your odds of getting published. Plus, you’ll find sections devoted to helping you
create a polished submissions package including
how to write and format a query letter and
how to properly format your manuscript so
you can make a professional impression
on publishers.

2024 Book Market Guide for Children's Writers - Institute of Children's LiteraturerunningGirl_2kTall
ls-project-29-slide-3

Book Markets for
Children's Writers

Edited by Marni McNiff
IFW Publishing, Annual Edition

Offers a complete roadmap to the changing world of publishing. In addition to 675 new and updated listings, you’ll find bonus articles to boost your knowledge of the industry and increase your odds of getting published. Plus, you’ll find sections devoted to helping you
create a polished submissions package including
how to write and format a query letter and
how to properly format your manuscript so
you can make a professional impression
on publishers.

2024 Book Market Guide for Children's Writers - Institute of Children's LiteraturerunningGirl_2kTall
ls-project-29-slide-4

From Inspiration to Publication

IFW Publishing

Offers a wealth of practical advice on every
aspect of writing for young adults. From
Inspriation to Publication is a distillation of over
50 years of teaching individuals how to write
for children and teens, and how to market
and sell. It is the best treatment of the
subject in print.

From-Inspiration-to-PublicationgirlBackpack_2kTall.png
ls-project-29-slide-5

The Elements of Style

By William Strunk Jr. & E.B. White
4th Edition

A classic manual on the priciples of
English language. Decidedly the most
practical handbook of grammar, correct
usage, punctuation, and effective
writing techniques.

Elements-of-Style-Book-IFWboyBackpack_2kTall.png
ls-project-29-slide-6

Searching: a Research Guide for Writers

IFW Publishing, 6th Edition

Prepared especially for our students,
this handbook introduces a variety of
sources and methods available for
tracking down information, an
indispensable guide to
research resources.

Searching-Book-IFWwheels_2kTall
ls-project-29-slide-7

Supplementary Instructional Materials

IFW Publishing

Talk Abouts

White IFW Pen BlogrunningGirl_2kTallcat_2kTallscooter_2kTalldog_2kwide
"The ICL course “Writing for Children” is a valuable introduction as well as a worthwhile refresher course of the core info a writer would need to enhance their career. The course materials are up-to-date and written in a straight-forward and humorous manner. The insights both from the course material and instructor will provide you that extra umph to keep plodding forward with your manuscripts through both good and challenging times you will be experiencing. I highly recommend it. I was a student many years ago under the tutelage of Dorothy Francis. I now have 18 books published, several award winners, and several with multiple starred reviews. My 19th book is with a publisher as I write. I now present at regional and national conferences and schools – about 90 days a year. The Institute was the springboard to a rewarding career."
- Brian J. Heinz

Submit a Writing Sample

Stop wondering if you have what it takes to be a published author!


Show us what you’ve got!

Submit a Writing Sample

Stop wondering if you have what it takes to be a published author!


Show us what you’ve got!

Submit a Writing Sample

Stop wondering if you have what it takes to be a published author!


Show us what you’ve got!

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info@instituteforwriters.com

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© 2024 Direct Learning Systems, Inc. All rights reserved.

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1000 N. West Street #1200, Wilmington, DE 19801

info@instituteforwriters.com

© 2024 Direct Learning Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. 

Institute for Writers LLC BBB Business Review