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How to write children’s books – and get published
- Do you love the magic of children’s books?
- Can you get lost in them even though you’re an adult?
- Do you have ideas for kids’ books but aren’t sure what to
do with them? - Would you like a step-by-step plan on how to turn your ideas
into a published book?
You love the idea of writing books for children or young adults. Or maybe you want to write stories inspired by your own children. Perhaps you’ve even started writing your very own book …
There’s a lot more to children’s books than meets the eye. And in this course, you’ll discover exactly what you need to know in order to write a children’s story for TODAY’s kids.
The blueprint for your children’s book
The world of children’s writing changes quickly. That’s why you’ll be learning from Judith Ridge, a children’s book editor and industry expert who will reveal the trends and opportunities in the current market.
You’ll discover what topics are acceptable to publishers (you’ll be surprised) and what you should avoid if you really want to get published. We’ll also guide you step-by-step on how to approach a publisher with your story idea.
Here's what you'll learn
The course will cover:
- how to get started
- finding the right voice
- creating characters and stories young readers will enjoy
- how to write believable dialogue
- common assumptions about writing for children and
about young readers - how to structure a story that works
- the secrets to plotting for different age groups
- what you need to know about getting into the
children’s publishing market - and MUCH more
This course focuses on longer fiction, although picture books will also be touched upon.
Your own tutor who will guide you every step of the way
Lessons are delivered via our password-protected classroom. You and your online classmates are encouraged to participate and ask questions online. The presenter will answer your questions online as well. You are also encouraged to submit assignments that the presenter will give you feedback on. You need high-speed internet access (cable or ADSL) in order to participate in this course.
Exclusive access to our Online Writing Forum
When you graduate from this course, you'll get exclusive access to our online writing forum. So you’ll get ongoing support in an encouraging and very active community of creative writers.
Learn from the best
JUDITH RIDGE |
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Judith Ridge is internationally recognised as one of Australia’s leading experts on writing for children and young adults. In a highly specialised career spanning more than 20 years, Judith has worked as an editor, community arts coordinator, writer and critic. Her experience as an editor encompasses more than 6 years at the NSW School Magazine, in-house at ABC Children’s Books and as a freelancer for Random House, Penguin, Walker Books Australia and O’Brien Publishers Ireland. She has taught children’s literature at Macquarie University and established the Writing for Children and Young Adults course in the MA of Creative Writing program at the University of Sydney. |
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Your online tutorsIn addition to Judith Ridge, your online tutor include children's book editor Nicola Robinson. |
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NICOLA ROBINSON |
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Nicola has worked in the children’s book industry for more than 20 years - as an editor, manuscript assessor, reviewer, writer and community arts organiser. She has freelanced for publishing companies like Penguin Australia, Pan Macmillan and Allen & Unwin, and is now managing editor at Laguna Bay Publishing, where she oversees the production of fiction and non-fiction titles for the primary school market. ...more |
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Course content and outcomes are consistent,
regardless of whether you learn at the Centre or online
We are sticklers for consistency and quality in our courses, so you’ll achieve the same outcomes regardless of which tutor you have. Naturally, each tutor brings their own insight to the course, but you can be assured that the content is consistent across the board.
You’ll also achieve the same outcomes regardless of whether you enrol in our online or face-to-face course!
Your online classroom
You can attend the online classroom any time, any day of the week. This way, you can fit your learning into your schedule and lifestyle. You do not have to commit to a set time each week. However, you MUST complete each module during the week specified, or you won't get the most out of the course. Each week builds on the one before and you have the opportunity to ask questions and make comments about the topics we discuss each week.
How much time should you commit each week?
You need to commit a minimum of 2 to 3 hours a week. The audio program itself is around 2 hours a week. Beyond that, we recommend that you put into practice what you have learnt that week. While you are expected to commit to a minimum of 2 to 3 hours a week, we won't hold you back if you are super keen and want to spend much more time than that on your writing.
Rave Reviews for online course:
Writing Books for Children and Young Adults
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KIRRYN MILLS"This course was full of practical exercises and insightful readings. The online course Writing Books for Children with Judith Ridge clarified many aspects of the writing process and the specific needs of a younger audience. As a busy mother of two I found the online mode flexible and convenient. I could learn at my own pace and take as much or as little time as I needed. Perfect!" |
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MICHELLE CAMPBELL"The most enjoyable part of the course for me was the feedback from my tutor. It was so helpful in developing my writing to hear her feedback, not only my own work but that of the other students. The course has really given me the confidence to send some of my work to publishers. I now know what I really want to do....WRITE." |
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SHELLEY STEPHENS
“I loved the flexibility of the course and the nurturing environment created by Valerie and Judith. Putting your writing out there for everyone to see can be pretty daunting for first-timers but the tutors and my classmates were encouraging and supportive which really helped boost my confidence. Judith provided supportive and constructive feedback that really helped push my writing along. |
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE TESTIMONIALS
Next available course
5-WEEK ONLINE COURSE:
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NEXT AVAILABLE
5-WEEK ONLINE COURSE:
Writing Books for Children and Young Adults
TIME: Whenever it suits youFEE: $395 (includes GST)
COURSE STARTS THE WEEK BEGINNING:
Available
Can't start on this date?
No problem. We'll have another course starting in about two weeks. Enter your details in the yellow form below and we'll email you when the new date is announced.
ONLINE COURSE DEMO
RAVE REVIEWS ABOUT THE
ONLINE COURSE: WRITING FOR CHILDREN AND YOUNG ADULTS
“I really enjoyed having a reason to write again and looked forward to feedback every week. I found it really motivating and this course has inspired me to spend more time on my writing. Judith was fantastic - her feedback was detailed and insightful. The online delivery was very convenient as I could choose when to do each module, even split it up over the week if I was particularly pushed for time.”
- Alison Millar
“I've learned so much from doing the Writing Books for Children and Young Adults Course. I had an idea for a book but knew it was lacking in substance and structure. The skills and knowledge I have gained have given me confidence and filled me with enthusiasm. Our last assignment pulled everything together for me and before I knew it, I was writing a draft for something I felt had real potential. I really appreciated Judith's choice of passages in the handouts, and enjoyed listening to the audio classes."
- Philippa Siebert
"In just 5 weeks, this course provided me with a spade and keys to begin to unearth and unlock the treasure chest of stories I had buried under years of work and other commitments. It also gave me confidence in my ability to share a story with others. Whilst my treasures may turn out to be another's trinkets, and I am becoming familiar with rejections (or should I say improvement opportunities), it is wonderfully motivating to receive the Sydney Writers' Centre newsletter each week and to feel a part of a community of writers."
- Cherri Willemse
“The thing I found most enjoyable about the course was the fact I could do it at home, online. Loved it! Great, constructive feedback from Nicola. It was good to be able to read everyone's feedback too so you got even more tips from her.”
- Kate Griffith
"The fact that you could download the online course material is superb. I'm sure I'll listen to it many times. I've benefited from the course by having a professional review samples of my work and give me real world feedback on what's good and what needs more work."
- Craig Priddle
"I received some good tips in regards to publishers and what they want. There was a great deal of very useful information and it was presented very well."
- Michelle Crook
"The audio programs were really good. It was great reading other people's work and seeing how they approach assignments. It has given me new motivation and inspiration to write. It made me realise I might be good at different types of writing. The best thing was I could make use of time in the car (I work and have two small children so am very time-poor)."
- Jodi Webb
"The weekly assignments were superb and forced me to consider many different aspects of writing a story well whilst getting feedback on my own work. I am now able to write dialogue more effectively and can understand the important concept of 'show vs tell' and have tools to further improve my skills in these and other areas.
"The best thing about this mode of delivery was the convenience of participating when geographically a long way from the Sydney Writers' Centre. It was easy, convenient, flexible and well sturctured."
- Cherri Ryan
"I looked forward to Monday mornings and the start of a new module. Each task was a new challenge that I really enjoyed attempting. It was good to be able to read the other classmates work and just get an idea of how other people worked through the tasks. I have truly learnt a lot from this course. I had a manuscript I thought was ready to go. However, since completing the course I have re-written the whole piece. I have come away with a lot more understanding of what I need to do to write better.
"It was very easy and convenient. I liked the idea of downloading onto my MP3. I found I listened to each module three times each week. It was great not to be committed to a set time to do classes. I could learn at my own pace and take as much or as little time as I needed. Perfect!"
- Julie Lynch
"I really enjoyed participating in the writing tasks set for each module. They challenged me to play with new ideas, voices and genres. The audio recordings and printouts had a great deal of information which I can easily refer back to whenever I need. I found the tutor's responses invaluable. I feel I have truly benefited from this course, the tutor and students were encouraging and insightful. My vision is now much clearer on how and where to begin."
- Amanda Francey
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE TESTIMONIALS
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