Writing for Children from Udemy

Children's books are fun to read, and delightful to write. Share yours with a child, grandchild or the public, by discovering the way to write compelling children's literature in the exciting, hands-on course.

Whether your goal is a picture book, storybook, middle reader or young adult novel, this course provides all the tools you need to succeed.

You'll discover the joys of all these different children's genres:

Picture Books
Concept Books
Storybooks
Emergent Readers
First Chapter Books
Middle Readers
Young Adult Novels

The course introduces you to great fiction and nonfiction children's books for all ages.

Step by step, you'll learn and practice:

What Makes Great Children's Literature
The Difference Between Story and Plot
Dramatic Elements for Great Fiction
Character Building
Tips for Polishing Your Work

Once you've created your book, you'll learn how to:

Find a publisher or agent
Capitalize on the lucrative world of self-publishing
Market your book for fun and profit.

In addition to the lessons, the course offers extensive supplemental materials, including reference lists of great children's books in all categories, and more than a hundred links to web resources vital to any children's author.

Whether this is your first children's book or you're an experienced author looking for new techniques, Writing for Children has what you need to get your idea published. Enroll now.

What's inside

Learning objectives

Explore the different types of picture books and storybooks
Discover the difference between emergent readers and first chapter books
Learn what content belongs in a middle reader
Analyze popular themes in children's fiction
Discover the difference between story and plot
Discover the market for children's nonfiction
Create your story idea using dramatic elements as a foundation

Learn to build a compelling character children will relate to
Discover the successful way to sell your book to a publisher
Explore the lucrative world of self-publishing both physical and ebooks
Discover wonderful marketing techniques that will make your book sell
Show more
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Explore the different types of picture books and storybooks
Discover the difference between emergent readers and first chapter books
Learn what content belongs in a middle reader
Analyze popular themes in children's fiction
Discover the difference between story and plot
Discover the market for children's nonfiction
Create your story idea using dramatic elements as a foundation
Learn to build a compelling character children will relate to
Discover the successful way to sell your book to a publisher
Explore the lucrative world of self-publishing both physical and ebooks
Discover wonderful marketing techniques that will make your book sell
Show more
Show less

Syllabus

Exploring Children's Literature

Let's explore the exciting world of children's literature together!

Let's look at some wonderful picture books!

Emergent readers introduce children to reading on their own.

The next step in learning to read emphasizes more words on a page and less repetition.

Now fully proficient as readers, middle grade students are reader for more complex themes.

Young Adult novels are some of the best fiction being written today. Here's why.

Non-fiction is a best-selling children's book category. This lesson explains how to make it exciting for your readers.

Writing Your Own Children's Book

The key to writing great fiction is to understand the vital difference between plot and story.

Story patterns make it easy to write a story that's guaranteed to work! Be sure to reference The Five Story Patterns pdf, which includes the Misunderstanding pattern not described in the video.

A great children's story is based upon a solid foundation of four dramatic elements.

These tips will help you polish your manuscript to perfection.

Getting Into Print

These tips will help you stay out of the slush pile and find a publisher for your children's book.

This is the golden age of self-publishing. Here's how to become a part of it.

Learn about agents, contracts, marketing and promotion to turn your book into a bestseller.

Here are some great ideas for how to continue your journey toward becoming a children's author.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Examines different children's book genres, such as picture books, storybooks, and young adult novels, helping learners create books for various audiences

Teaches story elements, including plot, character building, and dramatic techniques, helping learners construct compelling narratives

Provides guidance on publishing and marketing, assisting learners in getting their children's books into the hands of readers

Includes supplemental materials, such as book references and web resources, enriching the learning experience

This course is taught by Steve Alcorn and Dani Alcorn, who have experience in writing children's literature

Reviews summary

Writing for children: basics

Learners say Writing for Children is a useful course with interesting facts and helpful pointers. However, some learners did say that they would like to see more visuals to make their learning more complete.

Useful course materials

"The course if full of interesting facts and helpful pointers which I am finding very useful."

Needs more visuals

"I would just like a few more visuals to make it a more complete experience."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Writing for Children with these activities:

Review Story Structure and Plot

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Review the basics of story structure and plot development to strengthen your foundation for writing children's literature.

Browse courses on Plot

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Read articles and books on story structure and plot
Analyze the plot of your favorite children's books or movies
Create an outline of a story idea, focusing on plot and structure

Watch TED Talks on Children's Literature

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Gain inspiration and insights from experts in children's literature by watching TED Talks.

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Search for TED Talks on children's literature
Watch a few TED Talks and take notes on the key points

Read 'The Writer's Journey' by Christopher Vogler

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Gain insights into the mythic structure of stories and how to apply it to your own children's literature.

View The Writer's Journey - 25th Anniversary Edition... on Amazon

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Read the book and take notes on the different stages of the hero's journey
Analyze how the hero's journey applies to a children's book you've read or written

Five other activities

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Show all eight activities

Attend a Children's Book Fair or Festival

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Connect with other children's authors, illustrators, and industry professionals to expand your network and gain valuable insights.

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Research local children's book fairs or festivals
Attend the event and network with attendees

Write a Character Sketch

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Develop compelling characters that will connect with young readers by creating detailed character sketches.

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Brainstorm ideas for your character's personality, motivations, and backstory
Write a description of your character's physical appearance and mannerisms
Write a dialogue that reveals your character's voice and personality traits

Write Daily Writing Prompts

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Improve your writing skills and generate story ideas by practicing daily writing prompts.

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Find writing prompts online or in books
Write for 15-20 minutes each day, responding to the prompt

Attend a Children's Writing Workshop

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Learn from experienced children's authors and hone your writing skills through hands-on workshops.

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Research and find children's writing workshops in your area
Attend the workshop and actively participate in the exercises

Contribute to Open Source Children's Literature Projects

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Gain experience and contribute to the children's literature community by participating in open source projects.

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Find open source children's literature projects on platforms like GitHub
Review the project documentation and contribute in areas where you have expertise

Career center

Learners who complete Writing for Children will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Author

Authors write books. They may collaborate with editors, researchers, and agents. Authors who write for children have an interest in helping to create great books for children's literature. This course may be helpful for authors of all kinds, but it may help you create great works of literature that children will love to read.

See salaries and explore the career path for Author

Publisher

Publishers produce and distribute books. This includes books for children, as well as books for adults. This course may be helpful for publishers who work with children's literature. It can give you a good understanding of what makes for great children's literature, and how to spot great manuscripts that have the potential to become great works.

See salaries and explore the career path for Publisher

Literary Agent

Literary agents market and negotiate contracts for writers. They work closely with editors and publishers to help authors sell their works. This course may be helpful for literary agents who work with authors of children's literature. It can help you to better understand what children's literature is, what makes for great children's literature, and what makes these kinds of books successful. This course can help you to do your job better, giving your clients the chance to succeed.

See salaries and explore the career path for Literary Agent

Editor

Editors prepare written materials for publication. The editing process involves reviewing written information, correcting errors, and ensuring that written material is in a consistent format. This course may be helpful for editors of children's literature. It provides an understanding of how children's literature is written, so that you can help authors of children's literature to improve their work before it goes to publication.

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Teacher

Teachers instruct and guide students. This includes instructing students about how to read and write. This course may be helpful for teachers who want to improve their ability to teach reading and writing, especially to younger students. It can give you a good understanding of what makes for great children's literature, and how to teach children to read and write using examples of great children's literature.

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Librarian

Librarians help people find and use books. This includes children's literature. This course may be helpful for librarians who work with children or who want to strengthen their children's literature section. It can help you to understand what makes for great children's literature and to create a collection of books that children will love.

See salaries and explore the career path for Librarian

Speech-Language Pathologist

Speech-Language Pathologists help people with speech and language disorders. This can include children with reading difficulties. This course may be helpful for speech-language pathologists who work with children. It can give you a good understanding of how children learn to read and write, and how to help children who are struggling with reading and writing to improve their skills.

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Educational Consultant

Educational consultants provide advice and support to parents, teachers, and schools. This can include advice on how to improve reading and writing instruction. This course may be helpful for educational consultants who work with children. It can give you a good understanding of how children learn to read and write, and how to help children who are struggling with reading and writing to improve their skills.

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Curriculum Developer

Curriculum developers design and develop educational materials. This can include materials for teaching reading and writing. This course may be helpful for curriculum developers who work on materials for children. It can give you a good understanding of what makes for great children's literature and how to create materials that will help children learn to read and write.

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Instructional Designer

Instructional designers design and develop learning experiences. This can include learning experiences for teaching reading and writing. This course may be helpful for instructional designers who work on materials for children. It can help you to understand what makes for great children's literature and how to create learning experiences that will help children learn to read and write.

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Training Specialist

Training specialists design and deliver training programs. This can include training programs for teachers of reading and writing. This course may be helpful for training specialists who work with teachers of reading and writing. It can help you to understand what makes for great children's literature and how to create training programs that will help teachers to improve their instruction.

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Education Policy Analyst

Education policy analysts research and analyze education policies. This can include policies related to reading and writing instruction. This course may be helpful for education policy analysts who work on policies related to reading and writing instruction.

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Education Researcher

Education researchers conduct research on education. This includes research on reading and writing instruction. This course may be helpful for education researchers who work on research related to reading and writing instruction.

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School Administrator

School administrators manage schools. This can include managing schools that teach reading and writing. This course may be helpful for school administrators who want to improve their understanding of reading and writing instruction.

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Education Professor

Education professors teach and research education. This can include teaching and researching reading and writing instruction. This course may be helpful for education professors who teach and research reading and writing instruction.

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