Develop your ideas for children's stories in this practical and interactive short course. Topics will include plot, characterisation and viewpoint, and how to approach the children's publishing industry today.
Learning modes and locations may be different depending on the course start date. Please check the location of your chosen course and read our guide to learning modes and locations to help you choose the right course for you.
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.
An opportunity to try out ideas for children’s stories, to develop your writing and learn about the current state of children’s book publishing.
Students say: "It was warm and welcoming"; "There were valuable writing exercises to get inspiration"; "I loved the feedback from the other students"; "Very enthusiastic and supportive tutor"; "It has taken the fear away from starting!".
What will we cover?
- Contemporary children’s writing - Guidance in writing for children aged 5 – 15 years.
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
- Use various writing techniques in order to develop a range of skills from plotting and planning through to characterisation, description and dialogue - Use the appropriate style for desired age group.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This is a course for beginners. No prior knowledge or experience is required.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
- Group discussion and feedback - Lots of independent writing - Tutor input illustrated by examples from published works.
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.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
Students who wish to continue actively to write for children may like to join the Writing for Children Workshop, most of whose members began as students on the City Lit’s Writing for Children course, and of whom a significant number are now published authors.
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.
Neil ArkseySee moreSee less
Neil Arksey has had a number of novels for children and young adults published by Penguin Random House. His writing has been shortlisted for and won a number of prizes. He was also part of the team that created the highly successful Little Robots TV pre-school TV series for the BBC as well as writing Kipper the Dog and other TV series for younger children. As screenwriter, story editor, consultant, head writer and series producer, Neil Arksey has been responsible for over a thousand episodes of TV drama. In the UK, he has worked on shows such as Crossroads, Family Affairs, Doctors, Mile High, and River City. And abroad, amongst other projects, he was head writer on Finnish TV drama Salatut Elämät, (Secret Lives) and series story producer on Jóban Rosszban, a hospital drama set and based in Budapest. Neil has also worked in script development for Freemantle and Global Drama Productions. He co-produced dark indie feature film, Run To Ground. In addition to working as a writer and producer, Neil has taught writing at several universities, colleges and film schools.
Josh LaceySee moreSee less
Josh Lacey is the author of many books for children including The Dragonsitter, A Dog Called Grk, and Hope Jones Saves the World. He has written for various age groups, and his books range from The Pet Potato, a picture book illustrated by Momoko Abe, to middle-grade novels like The Island of Thieves. His books have been translated into twenty languages.
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.
product
https://www.citylit.ac.uk/writing-for-children-getting-started317454Writing for children: getting startedhttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/w/r/writing_for_children_a_taster-1080.jpg7979GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Writing/Children's writing/Children's writing/Courses/Writing/Courses/Writing/Children's writing/Courses/vm/Summer offers/Courses/vm/Creative courses/Courses/Online courses/Courses/vm/Summer courses/Summer courses in writing228515921358113584136148673173113578122851358113584165313457Develop your ideas for children's stories in this practical and interactive short course. Topics will include plot, characterisation and viewpoint, and how to approach the children's publishing industry today.153035404Writing for children: getting started7979https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/w/r/writing_for_children_a_taster-1080_12.jpgInStockDaytimeSatKeeley StreetAvailable coursesOne-off onlyWeekend2027-01-30T00:00:00+00:00BeginnersJan 2027WritingHW2247979Writing for children: getting started795179Josh Laceywriting-for-children-getting-started/hw224-2627Develop your ideas for children's stories in this practical and interactive short course. Topics will include plot, characterisation and viewpoint, and how to approach the children's publishing industry today.0000-Available|2027-01-30 00:00:00An opportunity to try out ideas for children’s stories, to develop your writing and learn about the current state of children’s book publishing. This taster course does not cover picture book writing.<br><br><b>Students say:</b> "It was warm and welcoming"; "There were valuable writing exercises to get inspiration"; "I loved the feedback from the other students"; "Very enthusiastic and supportive tutor"; "It has taken the fear away from starting!".Develop your ideas for children's stories in this practical and interactive short course. Topics will include plot, characterisation and viewpoint, and how to approach the children's publishing industry today.- Contemporary children’s writing <br>- Guidance in writing for children aged 5 – 15 years.This is a course for beginners. No prior knowledge or experience is required.- Group discussion and feedback <br>- Lots of independent writing <br>- Tutor input illustrated by examples from published works. <br />
<br />
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 <a href=" https://www.citylit.ac.uk/expectations-for-participating-in-writing-courses" target="_blank">expectations for participating in writing courses at City Lit</a>.Bring a notebook, paper and writing materials, enthusiasm and loads of persistence.Students who wish to continue actively to write for children may like to join the Writing for Children Workshop, most of whose members began as students on the City Lit’s Writing for Children course, and of whom a significant number are now published authors.<br><br>All students are invited to join us at <a href=" https://www.citylit.ac.uk/latelines" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Late Lines</a>, our regular performance night for City Lit writers. Students are also encouraged to submit their work to <a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/betweenthelines" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Between the Lines</a>, our annual anthology of creative writing. For the latest news, courses and events, stay in touch with the Department on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/citylitcreativewriting" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Facebook</a> and <a href=" https://www.twitter.com/citylitwriting" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Twitter</a>.Children's writingChildren's writingvirtual3035413Writing for children: getting started7979https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/w/r/writing_for_children_a_taster-1080_11.jpgInStockEveningTue-WedOnlineAvailable courses1 to 4 weeksWeekday2026-10-20T00:00:00+00:00BeginnersOct 2026WritingHW2467979Writing for children: getting started795179Neil Arkseywriting-for-children-getting-started/hw246-2627Develop your ideas for children's stories in a practical interactive session. Topics will include plot, characterisation and viewpoint, and how to approach the children's publishing industry today.0000-Available|2026-10-20 00:00:00An opportunity to try out ideas for children’s stories, to develop your writing and learn about the current state of children’s book publishing. This taster course does not cover picture book writing.Develop your ideas for children's stories in a practical interactive session. Topics will include plot, characterisation and viewpoint, and how to approach the children's publishing industry today.- Contemporary children’s writing <br>- Guidance in writing for children aged 5 – 15 years.- Use various writing techniques in order to develop a range of skills from plotting and planning through to <br>characterisation, description and dialogue<br>- Use the appropriate style for desired age group.This is a course for beginners. No prior knowledge or experience is required.- Group discussion and feedback <br>- Lots of independent writing <br>- Tutor input illustrated by examples from published works. <br />
<br />
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 <a href=" https://www.citylit.ac.uk/expectations-for-participating-in-writing-courses" target="_blank">expectations for participating in writing courses at City Lit</a>.Bring a notebook, paper and writing materials, enthusiasm and loads of persistence.Students who wish to continue actively to write for children may like to join the Writing for Children Workshop, most of whose members began as students on the City Lit’s Writing for Children course, and of whom a significant number are now published authors.<br><br>All students are invited to join us at <a href=" https://www.citylit.ac.uk/latelines" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Late Lines</a>, our regular performance night for City Lit writers. Students are also encouraged to submit their work to <a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/betweenthelines" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Between the Lines</a>, our annual anthology of creative writing. For the latest news, courses and events, stay in touch with the Department on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/citylitcreativewriting" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Facebook</a> and <a href=" https://www.twitter.com/citylitwriting" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Twitter</a>.Children's writingChildren's writingvirtual3035443Writing for children: getting started7979https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/w/r/writing_for_children_a_taster-1080_10.jpgInStockEveningTue-WedOnlineAvailable courses1 to 4 weeksWeekday2026-09-08T00:00:00+00:00BeginnersSep 2026WritingHW7067979Writing for children: getting started795179Andrew Wealewriting-for-children-getting-started/hw706-2627Develop your ideas for children's stories in this practical and interactive short course. Topics will include plot, characterisation and viewpoint, and how to approach the children's publishing industry today.0000-Available|2026-09-08 00:00:00An opportunity to try out ideas for children’s stories, to develop your writing and learn about the current state of children’s book publishing. <br><br><b>Students say:</b> "It was warm and welcoming"; "There were valuable writing exercises to get inspiration"; "I loved the feedback from the other students"; "Very enthusiastic and supportive tutor"; "It has taken the fear away from starting!".Develop your ideas for children's stories in this practical and interactive short course. Topics will include plot, characterisation and viewpoint, and how to approach the children's publishing industry today.- Contemporary children’s writing <br>- Guidance in writing for children aged 5 – 15 years.- Use various writing techniques in order to develop a range of skills from plotting and planning through to <br>characterisation, description and dialogue<br>- Use the appropriate style for desired age group.This is a course for beginners. No prior knowledge or experience is required.- Group discussion and feedback <br>- Lots of independent writing <br>- Tutor input illustrated by examples from published works. <br />
<br />
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 <a href=" https://www.citylit.ac.uk/expectations-for-participating-in-writing-courses" target="_blank">expectations for participating in writing courses at City Lit</a>.Bring a notebook, paper and writing materials, enthusiasm and loads of persistence.Students who wish to continue actively to write for children may like to join the Writing for Children Workshop, most of whose members began as students on the City Lit’s Writing for Children course, and of whom a significant number are now published authors.<br><br>All students are invited to join us at <a href=" https://www.citylit.ac.uk/latelines" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Late Lines</a>, our regular performance night for City Lit writers. Students are also encouraged to submit their work to <a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/betweenthelines" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Between the Lines</a>, our annual anthology of creative writing. For the latest news, courses and events, stay in touch with the Department on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/citylitcreativewriting" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Facebook</a> and <a href=" https://www.twitter.com/citylitwriting" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Twitter</a>.Children's writingChildren's writingvirtual797951HW224,HW246,HW706NONESat,Tue-Wed08/09/26 - 09/09/2617:30 - 20:0017:3020:002 sessions2One-off only,1 to 4 weeksWeekend,WeekdayOnlineKeeley Street,OnlineJosh Lacey,Neil Arksey,Andrew WealeBeginnersAvailable courses2027-01-30T00:00:00+00:00,2026-10-20T00:00:00+00:00,2026-09-08T00:00:00+00:00Daytime,EveningJan 2027,Oct 2026,Sep 2026Writing7979Writing for children: getting startedwriting-for-children-getting-started/hw224-2627,writing-for-children-getting-started/hw246-2627,writing-for-children-getting-started/hw706-2627Develop your ideas for children's stories in this practical and interactive short course. Topics will include plot, characterisation and viewpoint, and how to approach the children's publishing industry today.,Develop your ideas for children's stories in a practical interactive session. Topics will include plot, characterisation and viewpoint, and how to approach the children's publishing industry today.0000-Available|2026-09-08 00:00:00An opportunity to try out ideas for children’s stories, to develop your writing and learn about the current state of children’s book publishing. This taster course does not cover picture book writing.<br><br><b>Students say:</b> "It was warm and welcoming"; "There were valuable writing exercises to get inspiration"; "I loved the feedback from the other students"; "Very enthusiastic and supportive tutor"; "It has taken the fear away from starting!".,An opportunity to try out ideas for children’s stories, to develop your writing and learn about the current state of children’s book publishing. This taster course does not cover picture book writing.,An opportunity to try out ideas for children’s stories, to develop your writing and learn about the current state of children’s book publishing. <br><br><b>Students say:</b> "It was warm and welcoming"; "There were valuable writing exercises to get inspiration"; "I loved the feedback from the other students"; "Very enthusiastic and supportive tutor"; "It has taken the fear away from starting!".Develop your ideas for children's stories in this practical and interactive short course. Topics will include plot, characterisation and viewpoint, and how to approach the children's publishing industry today.,Develop your ideas for children's stories in a practical interactive session. Topics will include plot, characterisation and viewpoint, and how to approach the children's publishing industry today.- Contemporary children’s writing <br>- Guidance in writing for children aged 5 – 15 years.This is a course for beginners. No prior knowledge or experience is required.- Group discussion and feedback <br>- Lots of independent writing <br>- Tutor input illustrated by examples from published works. <br />
<br />
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 <a href=" https://www.citylit.ac.uk/expectations-for-participating-in-writing-courses" target="_blank">expectations for participating in writing courses at City Lit</a>.Bring a notebook, paper and writing materials, enthusiasm and loads of persistence.Students who wish to continue actively to write for children may like to join the Writing for Children Workshop, most of whose members began as students on the City Lit’s Writing for Children course, and of whom a significant number are now published authors.<br><br>All students are invited to join us at <a href=" https://www.citylit.ac.uk/latelines" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Late Lines</a>, our regular performance night for City Lit writers. Students are also encouraged to submit their work to <a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/betweenthelines" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Between the Lines</a>, our annual anthology of creative writing. For the latest news, courses and events, stay in touch with the Department on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/citylitcreativewriting" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Facebook</a> and <a href=" https://www.twitter.com/citylitwriting" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Twitter</a>.Children's writingChildren's writingconfigurable
