Writing for children
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.
Choose a start date
- Course Code: HW289
- Dates: 14/01/25 - 25/03/25
- Time: 17:30 - 19:30
- Taught: Tue, Evening
- Duration: 11 sessions (over 11 weeks)
- Location: Online
- Tutor: Andrew Weale
Course Code: HW289
Choose a start date
Duration: 11 sessions (over 11 weeks)
Please note: We offer a wide variety of financial support to make courses affordable. Just visit our online Help Centre for more information on a range of topics including fees, online learning and FAQs.
What is the course about?
A structured overview of the skills involved in writing for children of various ages. You will also gain an up-to-date knowledge of publishing for children.
Students say: "The course has been a fantastic experience for me, meeting enthusiastic and like minded people was just a bonus. We had an excellent, well versed teacher/author in children's writing to encourage, and give us great sound knowledge, that will no doubt help us in our writing futures. Thank you to the tutor, Would highly recommend!
This course will really give you a full understanding of how to write different kinds of children's books, from picture books to teens. It's worth the money as what you learn is priceless. Great teacher who has loads of energy, experience as an author herself and she gives helpful and truthful feedback. If you're looking to be a children's writer, this will be invaluable in giving you the confidence and tools to make it a reality. And it's fun!".
This is a live online course. You will need:
- Internet connection. The classes work best with Chrome.
- A computer with microphone and camera is best (e.g. a PC/laptop/iMac/MacBook), or a tablet/iPad/smart phone/iPhone can be used if you don't have a computer but please note the experience may be less optimal.
- Earphones/headphones/speakers.
We will contact you with joining instructions before your course starts.
What will we cover?
- The picture book format and picture book text, as well as writing for younger and developing readers, middle grade readers, teens and young adults.
- Aspects of writing craft, as they apply to writing fiction for children of all age groups, e.g. character, plot, dialogue etc
- The work of a diverse selection of contemporary authors, through Q&A and analysis
- The use of fairytales and study of child development as we go up the age ranges
Please note, students often start the course intending to write for one particular age group, but find that, as the weeks progress, they are drawn to write for others!
What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...
- respond to, and assess, pieces of writing with sensitivity
- use various writing techniques through which your creativity can be expressed
- identify the variety of books available for children today
- promote your own work further (if desired).
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
Entry is open to all potential writers who can write fluent English.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
Talks, illustrated with contemporary children’s books
Class writing exercises
Group discussion and group work
Independent reading and writing projects outside class.
All writing courses at City Lit will involve an element of workshop. This means that students will produce work which will be discussed in an open and constructive environment with the tutor and other students. The college operates a policy of constructive criticism, and all feedback on another student’s work by the tutor and other students should be delivered in that spirit.
For classes longer than one day regular reading and writing exercises will be set for completion at home to set deadlines.
City Lit Writing endeavours to create a safe and welcoming space for all and we strongly support the use of content notes in our classes. This means that learners are encouraged to make their tutor and classmates aware in advance if any writing they wish to share contains material that may be deemed sensitive. If you are unsure about what might constitute sensitive content, please ask your tutor for further clarification and read our expectations for participating in writing courses at City Lit.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
Bring a notebook, paper and writing materials, enthusiasm and loads of persistence. A reading list will available from City Lit or online by the start of the course.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
Developing Your Children’s Book (HW232)
All students are invited to join us at Late Lines, our regular performance night for City Lit writers. Students are also encouraged to submit their work to Between the Lines, our annual anthology of creative writing. For the latest news, courses and events, stay in touch with the Department on Facebook and Twitter.
Andrew Weale is a poet and author of five picture books, including Nora: The Girl Who Ate and Ate and Ate, and the Red House Award winning Spooky Spooky House. He also lectures on picture book writing at Winchester University as part of the Children’s Writing MA, and mentors writers for the highly successful Golden Egg Academy.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.