Writing books for children and young adults

Evening classes with Judith Ridge
Evening classes (once a week) for five weeks
6.30pm-8.30pm
Course fee: $395 (includes GST)

Next available course:

Monday 12 Apr 2010

ONLINE Writing books for children course

Time: Whenever suits you
Cost $395
Click here for more info.

The next available course starts the week beginning:

Monday 01 Mar 2010

What will you learn from this course?

Would you like to write children’s books? Do you want to know the secret to writing a book that children and younger readers will love? This course will help you do just that! You’ll learn how to write a book for kids that will engage, inspire and entertain.

This course in Writing Books for Children and Young Adults 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

The course will focus on longer fiction, although picture books will also be touched upon.

It doesn't matter if you're not sure if you can write.

It doesn't matter if you don't know how to plot, characterise or write dialogue (we'll show you!)

It doesn't matter if you think your stories are silly (some of the best children's stories spring from a fertile imagination).

It doesn't matter if you've never written before.

In this course, you'll learn details about what publishers are looking for - and study what other successful children's/young adult writers do to turn their novels into best-sellers.

We'll reveal the techniques you need to know in order to build a foundation for a career as a children's author. The framework is straightforward - and we'll show you how to inject your creative genius to create compelling and unique stories.

Whether you want to write a simple book for your own kids or have bigger dreams of seeing your novel on the shelves in book stores - this course will help you achieve your goals.

Who presents this course?

This course is presented by Judith Ridge. Judith Ridge is well-known in Australia and internationally for her involvement with writing for children. Judith has worked with the Children's Book Council, as an editor at ABC Children's Books and the NSW School Magazine and freelances as an editor for Random House. Judith edited Handle with Care: Making Friends with Animals by Paul McGreevy - one of Halstead Press' all-time top sellers. She has also edited Piccolo and Annabelle 4: The Steamer Demons by Stephen Axelsen (Random House) and numerous books for ABC Books.

Find out what Judith's students say about the course Writing Books for Children and Young Adults.

This writing course is held at the Sydney Writers' Centre in our professional harbouside training rooms in the evenings.

Don't live in Sydney?
If you can't make it to our training rooms here in Sydney check out our online version of the course.
Click here for more information.

Want more information?

Please send me a course outline for Writing books for children and young adults

Title :

* First name :

* Last name :

* Email address :

* State :

Country :

* How did you hear about us?

Would you like to receive our free newsletter?
Subscribe to our free newsletter

Enter Word Verification in box below *
Captcha Image

Privacy Policy:
We will never sell or distribute your personal details. Any details collected will only be used by the Sydney Writers' Centre to notify you of relevant course information.

Course dates and fees

Evening classes with Judith Ridge
Evening classes (once a week) for five weeks
6.30pm-8.30pm
Course fee: $395 (includes GST)

Next available course:

Monday 12 Apr 2010

ONLINE Writing books for children course

Time: Whenever suits you
Cost $395
Click here for more info.

The next available course starts the week beginning:

Monday 01 Mar 2010

Writing books for children and young adults

Rave reviews about our Writing Books for Childrens course: "I could have listened to Judith for hours - she has seemingly endless passion and information to share! "I didn't know much about writing beyond high school English so the course has given me valuable insight and the confidence and contacts to start writing." - Jane Wessling "Judith knew her stuff and it showed in her enthusiasm when she taught the class. Judith provided information I didn't even know I would need when writing for children. I took on everything from themes to focus on language and what children like compared to what adults think children would like." - Megan Hughes "Being Danish it was essential for me to learn about Australian writers and Judy was spot on and I now have a long list of writers to read up on. It was fabulous to spend 2 hours in Judy's company every Thursday night, she has got a fantastic energy. "I am even more dedicated to building up stories around my characters. I am inspired to make my writing happen." - Christina Biel "I am writing more, and within a week of finishing the course, I was able to have a fresh look at one of my manuscripts; re-edit the work, and finally take the plunge and submit it to publishers." - Jacy Kattan "I feel more confident about my ability to write children's stories that are engaging and also how to proceed to the next stage of getting them published." - Chris Mitchell "Judith is a fantastic teacher. She covered all the aspects that I expected out of the course and more. She made extra effort in reviewing work and suggesting and providing additional reading material to my particular area of interest. She openly shared her expertise and encouraged us all. "Judith and the centre created a nurturing and open environment for us to discuss our work. The course was intimate in size but felt very professional in content." - Libbie Doherty read more ...

Rave reviews about our Writing Books for Childrens course:

"I could have listened to Judith for hours - she has seemingly endless passion and information to share!

"I didn't know much about writing beyond high school English so the course has given me valuable insight and the confidence and contacts to start writing."
- Jane Wessling

"Judith knew her stuff and it showed in her enthusiasm when she taught the class. Judith provided information I didn't even know I would need when writing for children. I took on everything from themes to focus on language and what children like compared to what adults think children would like."
- Megan Hughes

"Being Danish it was essential for me to learn about Australian writers and Judy was spot on and I now have a long list of writers to read up on. It was fabulous to spend 2 hours in Judy's company every Thursday night, she has got a fantastic energy.

"I am even more dedicated to building up stories around my characters. I am inspired to make my writing happen."
- Christina Biel

"I am writing more, and within a week of finishing the course, I was able to have a fresh look at one of my manuscripts; re-edit the work, and finally take the plunge and submit it to publishers."
- Jacy Kattan

"I feel more confident about my ability to write children's stories that are engaging and also how to proceed to the next stage of getting them published."
- Chris Mitchell

"Judith is a fantastic teacher. She covered all the aspects that I expected out of the course and more. She made extra effort in reviewing work and suggesting and providing additional reading material to my particular area of interest. She openly shared her expertise and encouraged us all.

"Judith and the centre created a nurturing and open environment for us to discuss our work. The course was intimate in size but felt very professional in content."
- Libbie Doherty

read more ...