Want to write for younger readers?

Imagine being able to capture the imagination of children.
Imagine their wide-eyed wonder as they read their favourite stories.
Imagine ... writing those stories yourself.

What is it that makes popular picture books so magical? How do you really know what appeals to children? Writing a picture book that publishers want to pay you for is an art. But there are clear guidelines you can follow.

Discover exactly what you need to do next

In this course, you'll discover what you need to do to turn your story idea into a real picture book that kids will love to read.
 
Say you have a beautifully-crafted story – funny and lively, sad, or with a deep insight. Is it a first draft, or is it ready to submit? How can you tell? What should you do next? Should you get your story illustrated?
 
One of the most common phrases used about picture book texts is “deceptively simple”. And that’s just it – the writing is deceptive. It appears simple, but requires a lot of skill to be effective. In this course we plan to show you some of the secrets and techniques you need to write a good children’s picture book.

What will you learn in the Writing Picture Books course?

This is a practical guide which offers you a solid foundation for approaching your writing. The course will cover:

• understanding the nature of children’s picture books
• working with illustrations
• language and rhythm
• what’s so different about the picture book?
• point of view, structure and pace
• finding the right voice
• choosing your topic
• the industry: market, gatekeepers, legal and financial considerations
• and MUCH more

The course is also suitable for illustrators interested in working on picture books. While the focus of the course is on writing, there is a lot of information about the way authors and editors think which will show you how to better interpret the text and improve the characterisation. Learn how to make your illustrations better – how to extend the text and make it into a completely new jewel-like work.

This course focuses on picture books for younger children. If you'd like to write for slightly older children, please go to our course Writing Books for Children and Young Adults.

Learn from the best

CATHIE TASKER

Cathie has edited over 150 children’s picture books, both popular and award-winning titles. She has worked with some of Australia’s greatest picture book creators – Rod Clement, Bruce Whatley, Jackie French, Mem Fox, Bronwyn Bancroft, Cathy Wilcox, Rodney McRae, Nan Hunt, Pamela Lofts, Wendy Orr, Ben Redlich, Craig Smith, Nette Hilton, Ann James, Patricia Mullins, Dee Huxley, Judith Rossell, and many others. She has worked in-house at Scholastic Australia and HarperCollins. ...more