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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- Picture book writing
Course start date: Sun 25 Jan 2026 (and 5 other dates)Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Andrew WealeWould 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 £159.00 Senior fee £159.00 Concession £80.00 - Picture book writing: advanced Course start date: Mon 26 Jan 2026 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Andrew WealeWould 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 their skills and improve their own stories.Full fee £209.00 Senior fee £209.00 Concession £105.00 - Writing for children: a taster Course start date: Tue 31 Mar 2026
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Andrew WealeFind out more about writing children's stories in this short, practical and interactive taster session.Full fee £19.00 Senior fee £19.00 Concession £19.00 - Writing for children: workshop Course start date: Mon 20 Apr 2026 (and 2 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Josh LaceyFor experienced children's writers, this ongoing workshop offers an opportunity to develop your work-in-progress with constructive feedback from tutor and classmates.Full fee £259.00 Senior fee £259.00 Concession £130.00 - Writing for children Course start date: Tue 21 Apr 2026 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Andrew WealeAlways wanted to write a children's book? This practical course will develop your ability to write for different age groups and genres of contemporary children's fiction.Full fee £259.00 Senior fee £259.00 Concession £130.00 - Advanced writing for children: editing your novel - part 2Course start date: Thu 23 Apr 2026
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Penny JoelsonLearn how to edit the finer details of a children’s/YA novel, using the skills you learn to line-edit your own novel during the course.
Full fee £209.00 Senior fee £209.00 Concession £105.00 - How to plot your children’s novel Course start date: Wed 29 Apr 2026
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Sophie McKenzieYou’re a writer with some experience and a great idea for a children’s novel, but plotting is the thing that lets you down. Over six weeks on this fun and interactive course you’ll learn how to structure your book, finding fresh ways to develop your idea into a compelling plot.Full fee £159.00 Senior fee £159.00 Concession £80.00 - Writing middle grade fiction: a taster Course start date: Sat 16 May 2026
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Neil ArkseyMiddle grade fiction now has a profile higher than ever before. Find out more about this rich and exciting category of fiction for young people and develop your own ideas for middle grade stories.Full fee £79.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £40.00 - Writing children's poetry Course start date: Sat 23 May 2026
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Andrew WealeIn 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’.Full fee £79.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £40.00 - Writing for children: getting started Course start date: Tue 14 Jul 2026 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Andrew WealeDevelop 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.Full fee £79.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £40.00 - Picture book writing: getting started Course start date: Sat 8 Aug 2026
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Andrew WealeWould 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.Full fee £79.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £40.00 - Developing your writing for children Course start date: Tue 13 Jan 2026 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Josh LaceyAlways wanted to write a children's book? On this intensive, practical course you will develop your ability to write contemporary children's fiction and learn how to make your children's story stand out from the crowd!Full fee £259.00 Senior fee £259.00 Concession £130.00 - Advanced writing for children: editing your novel - part 1 Course start date: Thu 15 Jan 2026
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Penny JoelsonLearn how to edit a children’s/YA novel as a whole and chapter by chapter, looking at the ‘bigger picture’ and using the skills you learn to edit your own book during the course.
Full fee £209.00 Senior fee £209.00 Concession £105.00
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