Write a Children's Book Course

$ 1 295.00

Write a Children’s Book Course Part One

Write a Children’s Book Course
Part One

Get the skills, expert guidance and support you need to write a children’s book

Fast-track your progress by studying with a successful author of over 60 children's books

The Write a Children’s Book Course Part One takes you through the process of writing a book for children step by step.

This lucrative market (think J. K. Rowling and Jeff Kinney) is always open to new writers who have cracked the code of what inspires children and holds their attention.

But how do you write a successful novel for this challenging audience (aged 7- to 12-years old)? This course answers that question.

You’ll discover how to plot a children’s book, how to make sure it appeals to the right age group, and how to engage your readers so that they keep turning the pages.

If you’re worried about dead ends in your story, we’ll teach you how to structure your story, create and build tension, and avoid the pitfalls that make a story dry up.

The Write a Children's Book
Course Gives You...

No Automated Marking

We use traditional methods of assessing work, as editors at publishing houses would. No generic feedback!

A Flexible Schedule

Work wherever and whenever you want. You can easily fit our courses around work and other commitments.

Relevant, Usable Content

Easy-to-digest course notes that capture a lifetime of writing experience, ready for you to apply to your own writing.

Ongoing Assessment

Your writing is assessed continuously as your course progresses.

Expert, Individual Feedback

Get prompt, honest, detailed feedback on every assignment from an award-winning writer. We focus on your unique writing strengths.

No Peer Reviews!

You will only be assessed by your tutor, a leader in their field. No more guessing and wondering how to write; you'll be guided line by line.

Write Your Book for Children

The best way to jump-start your children's story

Over ten modules, complete numerous assignments and a solid start of 5,000 words towards your manuscript. You’ll get line-by-line feedback and mentoring from Helen Brain, which will bring about noticeable improvements to your writing.

As Helen explains:

‘I’ve made every possible mistake in my writing career, most of them multiple times. I’ve discovered that it’s better to think through a plot thoroughly before you start writing, and that having a detailed plan to follow will help you get to the end without running out of steam.

I’ve learnt tricks for overcoming writer’s block and for pushing my ideas further, even if – especially if – it means leaving my comfort zone. Mostly, I’ve discovered that being kind to myself helps my creativity.

In this course, I will teach you what I wish I’d learnt when I first started writing. And I’ll stand by you and support you as you plot out and write your book for children.’

Write Your Book for Children

The best way to jump-start your children's story

Over seven modules, complete numerous assignments and a solid start of 5,000 words towards your manuscript. You’ll get line-by-line feedback and mentoring from Helen Brain, which will bring about noticeable improvements to your writing.

As Helen explains:

In this course, I will teach you what I wish I’d learnt when I first started writing. And I’ll stand by you and support you as you plot out and write your book for children.’

‘It is brilliant that at the end of the course you have a completed manuscript. Helen Brain is excellent; she is an expert in her subject matter and gives constructive feedback. It was an absolute pleasure working with her.’

Renata Dry, Write a Children’s Book Course

Course Overview

COURSE FEE

$ 1 295

Price includes GST

NUMBER OF ASSIGNMENTS

14 The assignments vary in length.

NUMBER OF MODULES

10 These modules include around 200 pages of course notes.

COURSE DURATION

10 Work at your own pace – up to a maximum of eight months.

START DATE: ANYTIME

Working with an individual tutor means you can start the course at any time.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Basic writing skills are essential.
Computer skills, e-mail and Internet access required.
No previous tertiary qualification required.

Our Graduate Students' Successes

We are proud of our graduates who have achieved success. Here are a few among dozens of our creative writing success stories.

Martin Steyn

Martin Steyn completed the Write a Novel Course. He had his first novel, 'Donkerspoor' ('Dark Traces'), published by Lapa in 2014. The book was an instant success and bestseller, and had to be re-printed. His second book, 'Skuldig' ('Guilty'), received even greater acclaim. Since then, he has written two more novels.

Gareth Ward

Gareth Ward's novel that he worked on during the course went on to win multiple awards. 'The Traitor and the Thief', a rip-roaring young adult steampunk adventure, won the 2016 Storylines Tessa Duder Award, the 2018 Sir Julius Vogel Award for Best Youth Novel, a 2018 Storylines Notable Book Award, and was a finalist in two categories at The New Zealand Book Awards for Children and Young Adults. Gareth has this to say about studying with The Writers College: 'Hand on heart, there is no way I would have been published without Alex’s guidance.'

Trish Nicholson

Trish Nicholson, a former Short Story Course graduate, keeps notching up successes on the writing front. Trish won first prize in the Flash500 competition, with four stories shortlisted during that year. She won first prize in the 'shorter story' at the Winchester Writers' Conference in the UK, as well as runner-up in the ‘short story’ category. Two of her stories were commended in the South Island Writers' Association competition. A finalist in both the H.E. Bates Short Story Competition and the Neil Gunn Writing Competition, Trish is one of our most successful creative writing graduates yet.

Suzanne Maine

Suzanne Main completed the Basics of Creative Writing Course. Her children's novel, 'How I Alienated my Grandma', won the 2014 Storylines Tom Fitzgibbon Award.

Andy Evans

Andy Evans completed the Basics of Creative Writing Course and the Literary Short and Flash Fiction Course. He had his first short story, 'The Wooden Hills', published in 'Takahē' magazine. He placed third in the NZ Writers College Short Story Competition with his story 'Gravity'.

Taemumu Richardson

Taemumu Richardson was shortlisted in the Writers' Forum Short Story Competition. This is a big achievement as this competition draws a huge number of entries globally. She was also shortlisted for the Flash500 flash fiction competition, longlisted in the NZ Writers College Short Story Competition and received an honourable mention in the L. Ron Hubbard Writers of the Future contest. Tae had a story published in the literary magazine 'Takahē'.

Megan Frith

Megan Frith completed our Short Story Course and our Novel Writing Course. Her short story ‘Scars‘ came first in the 2014 Page & Blackmore Short Story Competition. She went on to place third in the 2015 Page & Blackmore Short Story Competition for her short story titled ‘Till Death‘. Recently, two of her stories were published in 'Horizons 2', an anthology compiled by the Top of the South branch of the NZ Society of Authors.

Helen Brain

I’ve been writing for 25 years, and teaching creative writing for 11. I’ve seen over a thousand students graduate from my courses, and have an exceptionally high completion rate.

I’m very interested in the craft of writing and believe that this is something that can be learned and practised so that the story that appears on the page correlates more closely with the story in your head.

I love teaching one-on-one, and supporting my students as they stretch themselves creatively and technically.

Achievements:

Over 60 books published for children, young adults, 1997 – 2019
Here be Lions, a memoir, published 2006
Fiery Spiral trilogy acquired by US publisher Catalyst Press 2018
Ibby South Africa Honours list multiple years
ATKV Award for her teen novel Tamara
Three of her books have been selected for the SACBF (South African Children’s Book Forum) Honours List

Course Curriculum

Module 1

Coming up with an Idea

The developmental stages of children
The length and language levels of books for each age group
Where to get ideas to write about
How to begin plotting: the simplest form of structure
Three writing exercises

Module 2

Creating Characters

Creating characters that readers can relate to
Understanding your character’s personality
Physical traits, habits and other ways to reveal personality and character
The importance of the back story
One writing exercise

Module 3

Creating Secondary Characters

The antagonist: creating a strong opponent
Other secondary characters – the sidekick/friend, the mentor, the sceptic etc.
One writing exercise

Module 4

Plotting Your Story

What exactly is a plot?
Structuring your novel according to the Three Act Structure
One writing exercise

Module 5

Creating Setting and Dateline

Exploring the setting for your story
Plotting your story according to a dateline/calendar
Two writing exercises

Module 6

Points of View and Writing Dialogue

Choosing a point of view
Master some dialogue writing techniques
Two writing exercises

Module 7

How to Structure a Scen

How to develop and structure a scene
One writing exercise

Module 8

Starting to Write

8 Key techniques for strong writing
Show Don’t Tell
Use the Active Voice
Pacing and Tension
Techniques to help you write regularly.
One writing exercise

Module 9

Revising Your First Draft

Revise and strengthen your first draft
One writing exercise

Module 10

Writing the remaining quota of 4 000 words

Write what remains of your 4000 words
One writing exercise

NB

The writing exercises vary in length and complexity throughout the course. They are designed to develop and support the writing you will be doing for your own book while on the course.

Bonus session!

Attend a group video meeting

Helen runs four Google Meet face-to-face sessions per year for all of her students. You will be invited to attend while you are on the course. This is not compulsory (but a lot of fun).

This course offers an advanced course option

What Our Students Say

The course was wonderful. I learnt so much, and I’m sure I can put all these new-found skills to great use. Many of the skills I developed can be applied to writing – not just for children, but for teenagers or adults too – and are therefore a very valuable asset to have! It was hard work at times, but definitely worth the effort. My tutor was fantastic. She really pushed me to be better, and I appreciated that she was honest about what needed changing, but supportive enough that I wasn’t crushed by criticism. She was direct and helpful, but always made sure that I was the one putting in the effort so that I could develop better writing skills under my own steam. With her help, I feel like I have developed bigger ‘writing muscles’ and more confidence. Thanks, Helen! I now have a finished manuscript that I’m very happy with. It was a fantastic experience. I recommend it to anyone who is even considering it – worth every penny!

When I started the course, my goal was to begin a book and see it through to the end. My vague knowledge of how to do this was clarified by the course notes, but it was the step-by-step process of actually writing a book, and the feedback from my tutor, that I found most valuable. I would never have completed my book without Helen’s guidance. She was forthright and challenging, her input insightful. Whenever I felt that my story wasn’t good enough, or that I wasn’t a good enough writer, she was there to pound me back into shape. Essentially, Helen provided me with the self-confidence to see a story through to its end … and more importantly, the courage to start the next one. I am halfway through my new book, and I have Helen to thank for it. Overall, I would describe my experience with the college as absolutely brilliant. I loved the back and forth process of feedback and rewriting. I am a MUCH better writer for it. I would do it again in a heartbeat. Thanks!

My experience with the course was invaluable. I learnt so much. The course content and assignments have made me a much stronger writer. My tutor Helen was amazing – incredibly inspiring and insightful. She gave me a different perspective on writing, and my final manuscript wouldn’t have been half as strong if it wasn’t for her. I owe her a lot. The Writers College is professional, credible and well worthwhile. The course absolutely met all of my objectives and more! It has made me a much more critical, thorough and refined writer, and it has motivated me to reach my writing goals.

Overall, I would describe the course as fantastic. The most useful part was the feedback I received from Helen. I knew most of the content but the application of it to my own children’s book was what I needed help with. Helen was so helpful; I feel like she became a friend and mentor on the journey.

Writing a book seemed overwhelming but with the proper material and guidance from a tutor, the process was a lot less stressful than I anticipated. It was highly enjoyable and I have learnt valuable skills. Helen became more of a mentor and she went out of her way to help me. She was very encouraging and patient, she gave me the opportunity to explore my creative side. I looked forward to receiving each new module. I feel more confident in my writing skills thanks to her guidance. The course exceeded my expectations, it was a fantastic experience. I recommend the Writers’ College to budding writers.

Lifetime Course Access

Benefit from free lifetime access to future course updates and access to our writing resources.

Work at Your Own Pace

Our courses work around you. You can pace your course around your busy life.

500+ Bonus Articles on Our Blog

A superb, constantly updated resource with articles on writing and interviews with writers.

Work Opportunities

Top students are invited to join our writers and editors for hire service.

Be the First to Know About Writing Competitions

We'll help you keep up to date with the latest competition announcements

Join a Community of Writers

You will have access to our friendly Facebook community, daily writing tips and writing inspiration.

Risk-Free 100% Money-Back Guarantee

We are so confident that you will love your course that if you’re not 100% satisfied with the quality of our training, simply ask for a refund within 30 days.

Questions?
We've Got Answers

How does the course work?

The course consists of seven modules. Detailed course notes covering the content of each module will be emailed to you. At the end of each module, you will be required to complete several writing exercises.

Once a writing assignment has been completed and emailed to your tutor, you will receive an assessment and feedback, and the module will be considered complete. The next module will then be emailed to you.

Is it interactive? Can I ask my tutor questions?

Absolutely. You have direct communication with your tutor for the duration of the course. The more questions you ask, the more you will get out of the course.

For how long will I get access to the course?

You will get lifetime access to the course. You will also benefit from future updates and improvements to the course.

Will anyone else see my work?

For the majority of our courses, only your tutor will see your work. It will remain completely private unless you get it published. The journalism courses might see your work published in the public domain, but you do have the final say as to whether or not this happens.

What are the conditions of certification?

You will receive a Writers College Certificate upon successful completion of the course, provided you meet the following conditions:

You must have completed all of the assignments.
The course must have been completed within ten months of registration.
A minimum average of 50% must be achieved.

What are the admission requirements?

Basic writing skills are essential.
You must be proficient in the English language.
Computer skills as well as email and Internet access are required.
Use of Microsoft Word.
No previous tertiary qualification is required.
Access to a library or a bookshop.

When can I start a course?

Because you will work with an individual tutor, you can start your course as soon as your application has been approved. There are no specific start dates as would be the case with a traditional college.

An application is usually approved within one working day. Once we receive proof of payment, your can start your course.

You could be starting your course today!

What is the minimum estimated time commitment?

The speed at which you work is entirely up to you. After studying the modules, the exercises at the end of each module should take about two to four hours to complete. A complete chapter could take much longer, depending on the speed at which you write.

When will I get access to the course?

Once your application has been approved, you will receive notification of approval and an invoice via email. As soon as we receive proof of payment, the first module as well as your tutor’s email address and your login details will be sent to you. Your tutor will also be in touch to welcome you.

Who owns the rights to the work I produce?

Any work created on our courses is owned by you. We will never make a claim to anything you produce. We follow the rule that copyright subsists with the creator (you).

‘Overall, I would describe the course as fantastic. The most useful part was the feedback I received from Helen. I knew most of the content but the application of it to my own children’s book was what I needed help with. Helen was so helpful; I feel like she became a friend and mentor on the journey.’