Where you'll see our published grads
Your course for one-on-one, personalized mentorship
Perfect for any writer looking to learn essential writing techniques, apply those techniques to their writing interest, and target their manuscripts to specific markets.
We have so much in store for you! Your first step is to share a sample of your writing with us. Your writing sample will tell us you have what it takes to write for today’s market.
Why Writing for Children and Teens?
CUSTOMIZED LEARNING
PERSONALIZED FEEDBACK
CONFIDENCE BUILDING
ACCOUNTABILITY
WORK AT YOUR OWN PACE
PATH TO PUBLISHING
CUSTOMIZED LEARNING
PERSONALIZED FEEDBACK
CONFIDENCE BUILDING
ACCOUNTABILITY
WORK AT YOUR OWN PACE
PATH TO PUBLISHING
“The Writing for Children and Teens course has been helpful in developing the skills I've always wanted to hone. It has put me one step closer to achieving my goal of being a published author.”
- Samantha Altizer
"This course gave me clear examples on how to improve my writing. The assignments brought me out of my comfort zone to explore new ideas and concepts. I would definitely recommend this course for anyone looking to write for children or teens.”
- Laura Baker
“This course is wonderful. I have enjoyed all of the assignments and I have learned so much. I am feeling more confident about my writing. My instructor was amazing to work with. I highly recommend this course to anyone interested in writing for children's magazines or books.”
- Erin Clemens
Curriculum Overview
Learn the Basics
Find Your Market
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.
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
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
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.
Materials Included In
Writing For Children & Teens
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.
Decidedly the most practical handbook of grammar,
correct usage, punctuation, and effective writing techniques.
a variety of sources and methods available for tracking down
information, an indispensable guide to research resources.
assignments, idea generators, planning guides, writing and revision techniques
and guidelines for preparing a book submission package.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Supplementary Instructional Materials
IFW Publishing
Talk Abouts
2024 Market Guides
Published annually by The Institute with you in mind. Our 2024 Market Guides offer a complete roadmap to the changing world of publishing for children’s books and magazines. With over 1,200 listings for children’s publishers, you’ll have the inside scoop on what print and digital publishers are looking for in 2024.
Guides to Great Writing
MEET OUR INSTRUCTORS
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
METHOD OF PAYMENT: Pay using your credit or debit card! We accept Visa, Discover, Master Card and American Express.
10 DAY NO-RISK TRIAL: Our goal is to provide you with the writing skills and knowledge needed in today’s publishing industry. We are confident that you will enjoy our writing courses so we offer you a 10 day no-risk trial! If for some reason you are unsure or dissatisfied, we’ve got you covered. The Institute For Writers Student Protection Policy:
- You have 10 days once you enroll in your course to change your mind. If you’re not completely satisfied, simply notify us, return the materials and get a FULL REFUND. It’s that easy.
- After 10 days, you have the ability to cancel your course at any time. Whether you have paid in full or on a monthly payment plan, you qualify for our Student Refund Policy.
REFUND POLICY: Our student service team focuses on student satisfaction. However, if you choose not to continue your writing course, we offer a refund policy. Cancellations within the first 5 days of enrollment receive a full refund. After the first 5 days your refund amount is based on: Tuition collected, Lessons completed, and Enrollment date. Learn more about our refund policy.
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!
1000 N. West Street #1200, Wilmington, DE 19801
© 2024 Direct Learning Systems, Inc. All rights reserved.
Licensure & Memberships
Recommended for college credits by the Connecticut Board for State Academic Awards
College credits obtained through Charter Oak State College
Approved as a private business and trade school in the state of Delaware
1000 N. West Street #1200, Wilmington, DE 19801
© 2024 Direct Learning Systems, Inc. All rights reserved.
1000 N. West Street #1200, Wilmington, DE 19801
© 2024 Direct Learning Systems, Inc. All rights reserved.