Learn Practical Skills At Home

Your comprehensive lessons are clear and well-organized; easy to follow, yet challenging and engaging at the same time. Each lesson begins with an introductory note from your instructor, plus a preview outlining the subject matter and study objectives.

Next comes the reading assignment from your textbook, lesson book or supplemental references. Practice exercises help you check and review the key concepts you’ve learned. Then, turn in your open-book exam (available online) or writing assignment for the lesson, whenever YOU are ready.

Enroll online or call 1-800-535-1613 to speak with an Admission Advisor!

Meet Your Instructor

Your instructor/authors are dedicated to imparting to you their expertise in children’s writing. They are committed to sharing their special insight with you, and bolstering your confidence as they personally evaluate and critique your writing throughout the course.

Wanda Gray, chief instructor of the course, has been involved in education and creative writing since 1962. Jane Skelton, one of the technical editors of this course, is also an educational textbook author. Michele Spirn, technical advisor, is an accomplished author who has published 40 children's books. Two of her most popular books are included with your course. Al Garrotto, co-author of the course, has written both fiction and non-fiction books and articles.

What You’ll Learn Lesson By Lesson in this Course

Lesson 1, The World of Children’s Literature

Trends in children's literature; why people write for children; traits of a children's writer; what makes a best seller; the life cycle of a work of children's literature; avoiding common pitfalls.

Lesson 2, Assessing Your Writing Skills

Fundamental grammar, punctuation, and other important elements; assessing your strengths and weaknesses; figures of speech; stylized expression; voice.

Lesson 3, Beginning The Writing Process

Using personal computers, word processing software, and typewriters; planning and researching your writing project; setting a timetable and goals; proven writing techniques; overcoming writer’s block; ways to generate ideas; drafting, revising, proofreading, and editing your work; exercises for building your writing skills.

Lesson 4, Analyzing Your Audience

The reading abilities and personalities of children in various age groups; fiction versus non-fiction; timeless appeals; appropriate and inappropriate material.

Lesson 5, Picture Books

An analysis of good and poor examples of concept books, picture books, and story books; how to use pictures effectively with words.

Lesson 6, Easy Readers

An analysis of good and poor examples of books in the easy reader category; how to appeal to first- and second-graders; establishing a more “grown-up” approach with fewer illustrations; bridging the gap between picture books and full-fledged chapter books.

Lesson 7, Chapters Books

An analysis of good and bad examples of chapter books; characteristics of chapter books; what appeals to children ages 7 to 10; understanding and writing for the pre-young adult category.

Supplement: Time Management Guide

How to be more productive and work more efficiently.

Lesson 8, Specialty Books

An analysis of good and poor examples of specialty books; an examination of today's most popular specialty book categories, including pop-up books, puzzle and game books, poetry and verse, and plays.

Lesson 9, Writing Non-Fiction & Writing For Magazines

Non-fiction categories; doing research; non-fiction writing techniques; quoting, paraphrasing, and documenting sources; writing and submitting to magazines.

Lesson 10, Developing A Writing Project Proposal

Choosing the subject and target audience; selecting an age-appropriate genre; organizing your ideas; summarizing your story. You’ll submit a writing project idea for evaluation by your instructor.

Lesson 11, Writing Skills I - Creating Characters

Practical procedures and special techniques for developing believable characters; making your characters memorable through description and dialogue; establishing a unique point of view.

Lesson 12, Writing Skills II - Developing Plot

Practical exercises for developing the theme, setting, plot, and other vital story components; sequencing descriptive action; developing conflict and suspense; keeping the action going.

Lesson 13, Writing Skills III - Saying It With Style

Techniques for improving your literary exposition skills; choosing the right words; using dialogue effectively; adding sensory language; developing your own voice and style; using humor.

Lesson 14, Writing The First Draft

Getting motivated; avoiding procrastination; pacing yourself. Using the techniques you learn in Lessons 11, 12, and 13, you’ll produce and submit a rough draft of your selected writing project.

Lesson 15, Revising & Rewriting, Part I

Organizing your ideas; maintaining focus; development; style; unity; coherence; practical revision exercises and techniques. You’ll revise your initial draft using the skills you learn in this lesson.

Lesson 16, Revising & Rewriting, Part II

How the revision process works; analyzing material as you go; revision exercises; checklists. You’ll use your instructor’s evaluation and suggestions from your first draft to improve and strengthen your writing project.

Lesson 17, Editing & Proofreading

Grammar review; exercises to improve your editing skills; using editing and proofreading checklists. You’ll apply the skills you learn in this lesson to edit and proofread the latest draft of your writing project.

Lesson 18, Submitting Your Manuscript

What editors want; finding your niche; identifying potential publishers; proper submission format; preparing query and cover letters; dealing with rejection. To accompany your final manuscript draft, you’ll write a cover letter to be evaluated by your instructor.

Lesson 19, Preparing The Manuscript For Publication

What to expect if a manuscript is accepted; understanding publishing contracts; copy editing; looking at and revising galley proofs; expected earnings; subsidiary rights.