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20+ Best Children’s Book Writing Courses Online

12/13/2020

 
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Find the 20+ best children’s book writing courses online free and paid from successful and well-known published authors, classes from established distance learning providers, and professional tutor-led writing workshops.

​If your dream is to write a children’s book, you can find an online children’s book writing course, a picture book writing course or children’s book writing workshop to write story books for children from the following list that details free writing classes as well as those that require a fee.
 
There are many writing for children courses, so you can start to write story books for children today! Check out these 20+ best children’s book writing courses online.​
​
Grammarly Writing Support

1. Writing Books for Children with David Walliams

From one of the most well-known and successful children’s authors you will learn all you need to know about writing for children on this course from BBC Maestro. Learn from one of the best online courses for writing children's books.

David Walliams has sold over 40 million books worldwide with hugely popular children’s books, including Gangsta Granny, Mr Stink, The Boy in the Dress, and Grandpa’s Great Escape.

  • Instant access
  • Self-paced
  • 25 lessons
  • 3.5 hours video content
 
Website: Writing Books for Children from David Walliams

UPDATE:
There is now a FREE David Walliams Mini Maestro Writing Course for children aged 7-12, which comprises 12 video lessons and a fun activity book on writing amazing stories. There is also the opportunity to enter into a prize draw for the chance to "win a lesson with David and an illustrated cover for their masterpiece!". View this FREE children's writing course.

Related reading:
  • Top Online Creative Writing Courses for Beginners
  • Top Online Creative Writing Courses by Published Authors
  • See all Articles on FREE Creative Writing Courses

2. R. L. Stine Teaches Writing for Young Audiences


​R.L. Stine is the award-winning author of the Goosebumps and Fear Street series. For all levels of writers, on this online course to write for children from MasterClass you will learn the craft of creating fictional stories for children from an author who has sold over 400 million books.​

Discover how to "conquer writer's block, develop plots, and build nail-biting suspense that will thrill young readers". The lessons cover sources of ideas, getting from idea to plot outline, plot twists and tricks, writing for different age levels, the key to scary writing, how to hook readers right away, mixing horror and humor, and much more.

  • 28 video lessons
  • Access and start course at any time
  • A self-paced course
  • Courses can be accessed for an annual fee, and the subscription comes with a 30-day guarantee.

Website: R.L. Stine Teaches Writing for Young Audiences


3. Children's Books 101: Writing for the Right Age Group – FREE

Learn the key aspects of writing and tailoring your book for its target age range with this FREE online children's book writing course.

From Reedsy, this course will give you an introduction to the children's book market, show you what publishers are looking for in the different age range markets, guide you on the industry standards for children's book in all categories, and top tips and advice on giving yourself the best chance of securing a publisher.
​
  • Enroll at any time
  • A 10-day course where each 5-minute lesson is sent via email each day
  • A self-paced course
 
Website: Children's Books 101: Writing for the Right Age Group

4. Writing a Children's Picture Book

Transform your ideas into a children's story book aimed at 2-6 year olds by learning from successful children's author David O'Connell on this online writing course from Curtis Brown Creative.

David has written many story books for children including The Revenge of the Invisible Giant, The Chocolate Factory Ghost, and The Dentist of Darkness.

This picture book writing course comprises:
  • Set course start dates
  • 6 weekly modules
  • Flexible study
 
Website: Writing a Children's Picture Book

5. Write Storybooks for Children

Enroll onto this award-winning course if you would like to entertain your own children with your storytelling or become a published children's author.

This very popular and highly rated course is available worldwide, with many students completing writing their first children's books as a result of studying on this course.

The aspects of this write story books for children course include:
  • Self-paced course
  • 18 comprehensive modules
  • A certificate of achievement is available on completion
 
Website: Write Storybooks for Children

6. Exploring Books for Children: Words and Pictures – FREE 

On this FREE writing for children course from OpenLearn via The Open University you will understand how images communicate to children readers, how pictures and words can either reinforce or contradict each other, what it means to create books for the specific audience of children, and more.

On this online writing course "you will learn how children’s fiction, ranging from classics such as Beatrix Potter to contemporary authors like Anthony Browne, combines images and text in remarkably sophisticated ways to communicate with young and old".


The aspects of this picture book writing course include:
  • 8 hours study time
  • Level 2: Intermediate level
  • This course can be accessed at any time
  • Self-paced course
  • You can download or print this course to access offline
 
Website: Exploring Books for Children: Words and Pictures

7. Writing Picture Books for Children

This is a 2-day online workshop where you will be taught by award-winning author Alan Durant via Zoom the key aspects and techniques when writing picture books for 3-7 year olds. This course is provided by The Writer's Academy at Penguin Random House.
​
Alan is a bestselling children's author who has written over 100 books, including Dear Father Christmas, Dear Tooth Fairy, Game Boy, and Always and Forever.

Features of this children’s book writing workshop include:
  • This picture book writing course has set start dates
  • There are a set number of place numbers available
 
Website: Writing Picture Books for Children

8. Writing for Young Readers – FREE

In this FREE online writing course from Alison you will learn about writing structures, plot, language, character, setting, forms, theme, genres, and proofreading.

This writing class aims to show new and aspiring writers how to write for young readers. It also offers a solid foundation in editing and publishing as well as writing. Whether you want to write fantasy, adventure, contemporary stories or picture books, this course could be the ideal option for you.

  • 5-6 hours study time
  • Self-paced course that can be accessed at any time

Website: Writing for Young Readers

9. Children's Writing Courses Online

Various writing courses are available from City Lit which are taught by practicing writers on the art of writing for children and young adults.

At the time of publishing this article, the following online courses are available for enrollment. All of these courses have set start dates and can be accessed by the website link below. 

  • Writing for children: a taster
  • Writing for children: workshop
  • Writing for children
  • Writing for children: advanced
  • Picture book writing
  • Picture book writing: advanced
  • Writing non-fiction for children: a taster
  • How to write a great opening for your children's book
  • Writing YA fiction: a taster
  • Editing your children's novel
  • Developing your writing for children
  • Writing children's poetry
  • Writing middle grade fiction: a taster
  • Plot your children's novel in two days
  • Writing plays for Young Adults
 
Website: Children's Writing Courses Online

10. The Craft & Business of Writing Children's Picture Books

On this fun, interactive e-course from The Children's Book Academy, you will "learn everything you need to know to write and publish wonderful children's picture books!"

Students of this course can benefit whether writing a complete picture book story from start to finish, polishing an existing story so it's ready for publication, or crafting a story that can be illustrated to enhance your chances of publication.

Features of this picture book writing course include:
  • Students will have the opportunity of submitting their manuscript to an exclusive panel of editors and agents
  • This course has set start dates
  • A 6-week course
 
Website: The Craft & Business of Writing Children's Picture Books

11. Writing for Children

From this practical course, students will discover the basic thematic, linguistic, and stylistic aspects that are essential to be successful when writing for children.

This is an online writing for children course from the Dept for Continuing Education at the University of Oxford. You will learn "the core skills needed to write a children's book and how to engage children through accessible writing" from experts.
​
  • 10-week course
  • This course has set start dates
 
Website: Writing for Children

12. Writing for Young Readers: Opening the Treasure Chest – FREE 

This is an free online writing course from Coursera which is a "combination of video lectures, online readings, peer reviews, and guest appearances from world-renowned children’s authors".

Once enrolled onto this course you will look at establishing effective writing habits, how to use your own experiences in your writing, experimenting writing with different viewpoints, watch many videos including interviews with children's authors, understand the variety of genres when writing for young children, and much more.
​
  • Approximately 13 hours to complete
  • 4-week course
  • Enroll at any time
  • Click on the “Enroll for Free” box and select the “Full Course, No Certificate” option to undertake this course for free.
 
Website: Writing for Children

13. Children's Story Book Writing Diploma

On this accredited children's book writing course from Reed.co.uk, you will learn everything you need to know about writing a children's story.

This is a CPD (continuing professional development) course where you will learn what other children's writers do well, the importance of the first page and first line, how to write dialogue that makes your story flow, and much more.

If you would like to gain a qualification while learning to write story books for children, this online writing course could be the ideal option for you.

  • Self-paced course
  • 13 modules
  • Course will take about 20 hours to complete
 
Website: Children's Story Book Writing Diploma

14. How to Write, Create and Publish a Stand-Out Children's Book

If you would like to develop advanced writing skills and become an assured children's book author, this self-paced and instant access online writing course from Udemy could benefit you. This online course states: "The Ultimate Guide to Writing, Designing, Formatting, Launching and Publishing your Children's Picture Storybook."

As per Udemy's website:
  • You will learn the essential steps and critical elements to write and create your children's book.
  • Learn how to self-publish your book to Amazon KDP and Ingram Spark
  • You will learn how to create a paperback, hardback and eBook for Free using Canva
  • Learn the book launch basics for when your book goes 'LIVE'
  • You will learn Canva features and techniques that can be used for creating stunning book covers and interiors
  • Create unique book mock-ups for marketing that are FREE!
​
Course description: Learn How to Create a Stand-Out Children's Book

Have you ever wanted to create and author your own children's storybook but are unsure where to start?

Are you new to publishing children's books and would like to learn the entire process from start to finish? If so, I will show you the entire process from getting your book written, designed, formatted, and published on two of the world's largest platforms, Amazon KDP and IngramSpark.

Regardless of your budget or experience, you will learn all of the essential steps throughout the 8 Sections of this course. In addition to this, you will learn how to create paperback, hardback and eBooks; therefore, one book can offer three ways of developing additional sources of income.

Website: How To Write, Create and Publish a Stand-Out Children's Book

15. Writing Children's Books: From Idea to Publishing

Study this online writing for children course from Didacton.com where you will learn how to write books for different age groups, how to actualize your ideas, writing the first draft, what makes a successful children's book, how to find an illustrator, the options to publish your book, and much more. Ideal if you’re looking for a writing children's books course.

This course provides both theory and practical applications, a writing teacher will be on hand to give advice and feedback on assessments or quickly answer questions, and you will receive the latest version of this children's book writing course whenever there is an update.

  • 14 lessons
  • Instant access and self-paced course
  • Course takes about 4 months on average to complete
  • Two course fees available: self-tuition option or study with a tutor
  • A certificate of completion is available upon completion for a fee
 
Website: Writing Children's Books

16. Write a Children's Book Part 1

If you would like to learn how to structure your children's story, create and build tension, and avoid the pitfalls that can make a story "dry up", this online writing for children course from UK Writers College could help you. This course is aimed at writing for children aged 8-12 years old.

The course tutor is Helen Brain, who has been an author for 25 years with over 60 published books for children and young adults, and a teacher of creative writing for 11 years. By the end of this course students will have completed a solid foundation of 5,000 towards a manuscript.

  • 7 modules and 7 assignments
  • Instant access and self-paced course (up to a maximum of 8 months)
 
Website: Write a Children's Book Part 1

17. Writing for Children – An Introduction

From City Academy this online introduction to writing for children is "a fun and lively online course enabling writers to create picture books for children".

Using interactive prompts and games, students will learn how to spark joy and surprise when writing for children. Also, you will explore techniques to write age-appropriate content from start to finish. There is support from a professional writer, and the course is beginner friendly.

The features of this picture book writing course include:
  • This course has set start dates
  • The course is either over a 2-week or 2-day period depending on which start date is booked
 
Website: Writing for Children – An Introduction

18. Writing Books for Children Diploma Course

An online certified and accredited writing course from Centre of Excellence which "takes you from a complete beginner in writing and covers the many aspects of publishing, focusing on those all-important writing techniques, right through to how to get an agent and build your author’s platform".

Whatever the age range of your target market, you will be equipped with all the information needed to write books that are age specific. Guidance will also provided on working towards publication, whether that be traditional publishing or self-publishing.

  • 14 modules
  • This diploma course will take up to 150 hours to complete
  • There is no time limit for completing this course
  • This course can be started at any time
 
Website: Writing Books for Children Diploma Course

19. Children's Writing Course

From Oplex Careers this is an online course aimed at writing for a younger audience. This course states "whether you need to brighten up your CV, want to work in a field related to the different areas of children’s writing discussed in this course, are looking for a career change or just want to learn something new, the online Children’s Writing Course is ideal".

You will discover the important aspects when writing for children, including creating characters, developing and incorporating a backstory, tailoring your perspective to children as the target audience, and more.

  • Instant access course – start at any time
  • Self-paced (up to 12 months to complete, which can be extended)
  • Approx 70 hours study time
  • 13 modules
  • Full tutor support provided
  • Exam fees are included in the price
  • Level 3 CPD Certificate of Achievement awarded upon completion
 
Website: Children's Writing Course

20. How to Write a GREAT Children's Book

On this instant access, self-paced course from Udemy, you will "master the ability to create stories that kids will love with the help of two bestselling authors".

The learning outcomes of this writing for children course are creating quality children's fiction, understanding the children's writing genre like a pro, how to submit to book publishers with confidence, and how to self-publish and sell your books via Amazon, etc.

  • 10 sections, 28 lectures, 1 h 39 mins total course length
  • Self-paced course that can be accessed at any time

Website: How to Write a GREAT Children's Book

Conclusion
​Now you’ve decided to progress your writing for children skills, learning from a published author or via a professional distance learning platform will help you to develop your writing further.
 
If you make time to write each day, even for just a few minutes, and apply the techniques and tips from a writing class, you will see the improvements and your growth as a writer.
 
Also, you can connect with other writers with the same interest and passion for writing who you can discuss ideas with or ask for advice and feedback.
 
I wish you all the best on the next step of your writing journey!


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