A highly intensive, practical introduction to the world of children’s story writing. Aimed at beginners, the course makes up part of City's range of short creative writing courses which boasts a growing list of published alumni.
No starting dates
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Starting date to be confirmed
- Duration: 12 weeks (unconfirmed)
- Location: Online (unconfirmed)
Testimonials
Writing for Children Summer School Course overview
sDelivered over 5 days in a short intensive burst, this children’s writing summer school will cover writing books for children aged 3-16 and will teach students how to apply theoretical knowledge to practical writing tasks, how the market for children’s books works and how to succeed as a children’s writer.
This highly practical week-long introduction to Writing for Children will explore writing techniques in the context of children’s books, including characterisation, settings, dialogue and plotting. It will also examine how to tackle books for different age ranges, from picture books to Young Adult.
Towards the second half of the week students will learn how to refine their writing and understand what publishers and agents are looking for.
In each session, students will tackle writing exercises and there will be some element of sharing work. We will also look at texts from a variety of published children’s authors.
By the end of the Children's Writing summer school, students should have a strong grasp of what it takes to succeed in the tough but rewarding world of writing for children.
Who is it for?
Whether you want to publish your work or write stories just for your own children, City's Writing for Children summer school will provide a comprehensive introduction to the subject Taught from our central London location, the course offers flexibility and expert tuition.
Find out more about our Creative writing and publishing courses
Benefits
- Delivered by a professional writer
- Taught in small groups
- Awarded a City, University of London certificate
What will I learn?
Over the course of 5 daily classes on the Writing for Children summer school, you will learn how to:
- Understand the market - who exactly are you writing for?
- Identify what works about successful stories, across a range of texts;
- Create strong settings, stand-out characters and convincing dialogue;
- Build pace and structure into your work;
- Use descriptions that will bring your writing to life;
- Edit and revise your writing, including when to cut;
- Understand what agents and publishers are looking for in a publishable manuscript - the practicalities as well as the indefinable 'it';
- Submit your work to publishing professionals.
Eligibility
This course is open to anyone interested in writing for children.
English requirements
Good written and spoken English.
Recommended reading
Picture books
- Klasen, J. (2012) I Want My Hat Back. London: Walker Books
- Donaldson, J. (2016) The Gruffalo/The Snail and the Whale. London: MacMillan Children's Books
- Child, L. (2010) Charlie and Lola. London: Puffin.
Chapter books and Middle Grade
- Hoy, C & Nadin, J. (2016) Flying Fergus. London: Picadilly Press
- Stanton, A. (2011) Mr Gum. Dean & Son
- Stevens, R. (2016) Murder Most Unladylike. London: Puffin
- Cowell, C. (2017) How to Train Your Dragon. London: Hodder Children’s Books
- Dowd, S. (2016) The London Eye Mystery. London: Puffin.
Young Adult
- Crossan, S. (2016) One. London: Bloomsbury Children’s Books
- Thomas, A. (2017) The Hate U Give. London: Walker Books
- Lawrence, P. (2017) Indigo Donut. London: Hodder Children’s Books
- Nelson, J. (2015) I’ll Give You the Sun. London: Walker Books
- Rosoff, M. (2005) How I Live Now. London: Penguin.