An ideal introduction to the world of children’s story writing; students gain confidence and learn to turn their ideas into exciting and creative children’s fiction.
Whether you want to publish your work or write stories just for your own children, City's Writing for Children short course delivers a comprehensive introduction to the subject, covering several areas and ages.
Over the course of 10 weekly evening classes you will learn how to apply theoretical knowledge to practical writing tasks and learn more about the market for children’s books and how to succeed as a children’s writer.
Taught from our central London location, the course offers flexibility and expert tuition.
This Introductory Writing for Children short course is for students who would like to write books for children aged 3-16.
The first part will focus on learning writing techniques in the context of children’s books, covering a range of areas including gathering ideas, characterisation, settings, and dialogue. We will examine how to tackle books for different age ranges, from picture books to Young Adult.
The second part will look at plotting and structure, point of view, pace and editing as well as what publishers and agents are looking for.
Each week students will tackle writing exercises and there will be some element of sharing work. We will also look at texts from a variety of published children’s authors.
By the end of the Children's Writing evening course, students should have a strong grasp of what it takes to succeed in the tough but rewarding world of writing for children.
Writing for Children is ideal preparation for our Writing for Children Intermediate course.
“ The tutoring was excellent. ”
Geoff Prout
Former student
“ I have really enjoyed the course - I now begin to understand the nuts and bolts of a story in a way that I had never before grasped. I can now have an initial idea, draft a workable plot (sort of ...) and slowly start moving the story along - none of which I could do 10 weeks ago. The course has been well-structured, encouraging and informative. I have found it immensely helpful. ”
Janice Taylor
Former student
“ It was a great course. Sophia is a great tutor, very eloquently spoken and clearly knows her subject ”
Jessica Smith
Former student
“ I wish I did this course years ago, when I first started writing. ”
Anonymous
Former student
“ Sophia is an excellent teacher and her knowledge of the children’s book market seems endless! She is engaging and paced the course excellently. ”
Anonymous
Former student
“ Great overall course covering all the basics of children’s writing. Really inspiring. Sophia is very engaging, really thoughtful in her responses to questions and work, and really encouraging. ”
Anonymous
Former student
“ Sophia is a brilliant, passionate, engaging and open teacher. What I liked most is the sense she gave that being a writer is an entirely possible choice for all of us – with a bit of hard work and knowledge. ”
Anonymous
Former student
“ I really enjoyed the course and felt it built in a logical way that helped me understand everything easily. Listening to everyone and having feedback [on my work] was very beneficial. ”
Anonymous
Former student
“ Fantastic! It was exactly what I was looking for…I now know I can bring my characters to life. Some excellent teaching tools ”
Johnathan Chalmers
Former student
“ I thought the course was very thorough, engaging and I learned a great deal. Thank you so much ”
James Stevens
Former student
Over the course of 10 weekly evening classes on the Writing for Children short course, you will learn:
This course is open to anyone interested in writing for children.
Good written and spoken English.
Picture books
Chapter books and Middle Grade
Young Adult
Reading on Writing
Anna Wilson
Anna Wilson started out as a picture book editor at Macmillan Children’s Books and went on to be an editor at HarperCollins. She has published over 50 books for children and young teens including picture books, short stories, poems, fiction series and non-fiction titles.
Anna was a tutor and Associate Lecturer at Bath Spa University for seven years. She also has extensive experience in running writing workshops in schools and is a tutor for the Arvon Foundation, the London Lit Lab and the Writers’ Block in Cornwall.
