Children's Book Writing Courses
Be inspired to write children's novels and short stories at the college where Andrea Levy, Malorie Blackman, Anna Burns, and other celebrated authors studied.
Bring your stories to life for young readers with City Lit’s children's book writing courses, available online and in London. Whether you’re interested in writing picture books, middle-grade novels, or young adult fiction, our expert-led courses will guide you through the creative process of crafting engaging and age-appropriate stories.
Learn how to create memorable characters, build exciting plots, and master the unique style and tone needed to captivate young audiences. Explore the different categories within children’s literature, from early readers to teens, and discover the key elements of writing for children, including pacing, dialogue, and character development.
From picture books to teen thrillers: learn the art of writing for children and young adults on our range of weekday, evening and weekend courses. Our tutors are all successful children's authors who can provide guidance and constructive feedback as you get to grips with the genre and begin to write your story. All our writing courses are taught by practicing writers.
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14 courses available
Picture book writing: advancedWould you like to workshop, edit and polish your picture book texts for young children? This course is designed for advanced picture book writers wishing to hone and improve their own stories.Full fee £229.00 Senior fee £229.00 Concession £149.00- Writing for children: getting startedDevelop 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.Full fee £79.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £51.00
- Picture book writingWould you like to write a picture book text for young children? This course is designed for children's writers and for illustrators wishing to write their own stories; a starter course to develop both your ideas and your technique.Full fee £179.00 Senior fee £179.00 Concession £116.00
- Writing great child charactersWrite your way to compelling and convincing child characters that truly connect with your readers, in this fun, interactive course.
Online
Sat 28 Nov 2026Sophie MckenzieFull fee £79.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £51.00 - Writing for children: a tasterFind out more about writing children's stories in this practical and interactive, short taster session.Full fee £19.00 Senior fee £19.00 Concession £19.00
- Writing a bear book for children
Have fun and learn skills in writing for children, while you create a bear character and write/start writing a bear story for children, inspired by wonderful bear books including Winnie the Pooh, Paddington, We’re Going on a Bear Hunt, Where’s my Teddy? and The Last Bear.
Keeley Street
Sat 5 Dec 2026Penny JoelsonFull fee £79.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £51.00 - Picture book writing: a tasterFind out more about writing a picture book text in this practical and interactive, short taster session.
Online
Mon 7 Dec 2026Andrew WealeFull fee £19.00 Senior fee £19.00 Concession £19.00 - Writing for children: workshop
This ongoing workshop offers an opportunity to develop your work-in-progress with constructive feedback from tutor and classmates.
Full fee £279.00 Senior fee £279.00 Concession £181.00 - Writing for children
Always wanted to write a children's book? This practical course will enable you to take the first steps in writing for younger readers with a focus on learning how and what to write for different age groups.
Full fee £279.00 Senior fee £279.00 Concession £181.00 - Developing your writing for children
Made a start with writing a children's book? For those who have learned the basics and understand the age bands into which fiction is structured by contemporary children’s publishing, this practical course will deepen your understanding and develop your ability to create stories appropriate to the age bands and genres of contemporary children's fiction.
Full fee £279.00 Senior fee £279.00 Concession £181.00 - Writing children's poetryIn this interactive workshop you will be exploring a range of poetic styles for the different age groups. There will be plenty of practical activities, and a chance to perform a poem in a final ‘slam’.
Online
Sat 22 May 2027Andrew WealeFull fee £79.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £51.00 - How to plot your children’s novel
You’re a writer with some experience and a great idea for a children’s novel, but plotting is the thing that lets you down. On this one-day interactive course you’ll explore ways of structuring your book, finding fresh ways to build your story.
Online
Sun 13 Jun 2027Sophie MckenzieFull fee £79.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £51.00 - Editing your children’s novel
This course is for you if you have a complete (or near-complete) draft of a novel for children and want to learn how to edit it. Covering all aspects of editing in brief, you will come away with techniques to use and an understanding of the editing process.
Online
Sat 3 Jul 2027Penny JoelsonFull fee £79.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £51.00 - Picture book writing: getting startedWould you like to write a picture book text for young children? This taster course is designed for children's writers and for illustrators wishing to write their own stories; a starter course to develop both your ideas and your technique.
Online
Sat 7 Aug 2027Andrew WealeFull fee £79.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £51.00
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