Write a Children’s Book Course Part Two
The Write a Children's Book Course
Part Two
Get the skills, expert guidance and support you need to complete your children’s book.
Fast-track your progress by studying with a successful author of over 60 children's books
This follow-on course from Writing Books for Children Part One will provide the tools and support you need to complete your chapter book for 8- to 12-year-olds.
On this course, you will receive the necessary guidance to complete, edit and polish your children’s book. You will also receive insider information on how to get published in this challenging market.
Furthermore, with the help of an award-winning writer as your tutor, you will finish your manuscript of up to 40,000 words. The primary aim of this course is to complete your manuscript through regularly handing in text instalments.
Each submission you make will be critiqued and, once the manuscript is complete, you will receive a final critique of the whole story.
The Write a Children’s Book Course Gives You...
No Automated Marking
We use traditional methods of assessing work, as editors at publishing houses would. No generic feedback!
A Flexible Schedule
Work wherever and whenever you want. You can easily fit our courses around work and other commitments.
Relevant, Usable Content
Easy-to-digest course notes that capture a lifetime of writing experience, ready for you to apply to your own writing.
Ongoing Assessment
Your writing is assessed continuously as your course progresses.
Expert, Individual Feedback
Get prompt, honest, detailed feedback on every assignment from an award-winning writer. We focus on your unique writing strengths.
No Peer Reviews!
You will only be assessed by your tutor, a leader in their field. No more guessing and wondering how to write; you'll be guided line by line.
Complete your manuscript with ease
All the tools to edit, polish and finish your children's book
Over ten modules, complete a manuscript of up to 40,000 words (this includes the first 4 000 words from the first course).
In this course, you will learn how to:
- build on your creative writing skills developed in Writing Books for Children Part One
- edit and polish your manuscript
You’ll get line-by-line feedback and mentoring from Helen Brain, which will bring about noticeable improvements to your writing.
As Helen explains:
‘I’ve made every possible mistake in my writing career, most of them multiple times. I’ve discovered that it’s better to think through a plot thoroughly before you start writing and that having a detailed plan to follow will help you get to the end without running out of steam.
I’ve learnt tricks for overcoming writer’s block and for pushing my ideas further, even if – especially if – it means leaving my comfort zone. Mostly, I’ve discovered that being kind to myself helps my creativity.
In this course I will teach you what I wish I’d learnt when I first started writing. And I’ll stand by you and support you as you plot out and write your book for children.’
NB. If your word count will be over 40 000 words, we will invoice you per 1 000 words above this.
Complete your manuscript with ease
All the tools to edit, polish
and finish your children's book
Over ten modules, complete a manuscript of up to 40,000 words (this includes the first 4 000 words from the first course).
In this course, you will learn how to:
- build on your creative writing skills developed in Writing Books for Children Part One
- edit and polish your manuscript
You’ll get line-by-line feedback and mentoring from Helen Brain, which will bring about noticeable improvements to your writing.
As Helen explains:
‘I’ve made every possible mistake in my writing career, most of them multiple times. I’ve discovered that it’s better to think through a plot thoroughly before you start writing and that having a detailed plan to follow will help you get to the end without running out of steam.
I’ve learnt tricks for overcoming writer’s block and for pushing my ideas further, even if – especially if – it means leaving my comfort zone. Mostly, I’ve discovered that being kind to myself helps my creativity.
In this course I will teach you what I wish I’d learnt when I first started writing. And I’ll stand by you and support you as you plot out and write your book for children.’
NB. If your word count will be over 40 000 words, we will invoice you per 1 000 words above this.
‘Helen gave me wings to fly. Having her as my tutor was a blessing. She did a great job teaching me what I needed to know in order to write a children’s book. I travelled a long, incredible journey under her guidance.’
Theresa Becht, Write a Children’s Book Course Part 2
Course Overview
COURSE FEE
NZ$ 1495
£ 695
ZAR 8995
Price includes VAT/GST
NUMBER OF ASSIGNMENTS
10
These are regular chapter submissions and a final edit.
NUMBER OF MODULES
10
The focus of this course is on developing your manuscript. The theory component is minimal.
COURSE DURATION
12
Work at your own pace – up to a maximum of 12 months.
START DATE: ANYTIME
Working with an individual tutor means you can start the course at any time.
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
- Basic writing skills are essential.
- Computer skills, e-mail and Internet access required.
- No previous tertiary qualification required.
Face-to-face feedback sessions
This course includes the fantastic opportunity to have two face-to-face online feedback sessions with Helen. These in-depth, individual sessions will focus on your manuscript and polishing it to a high standard. This is on top of the written feedback you will receive.
For the face-to-face option, you will need a device with a camera and microphone. The meeting will take place via Google Meet – it’s free and really simple to set up. We’ll provide guidelines if you haven’t used it before.
Tutor for this Course
Helen Brain
I’ve been writing for 25 years, and teaching creative writing for 11. I’ve seen over a thousand students graduate from my courses, and have an exceptionally high completion rate.
I’m very interested in the craft of writing and believe that this is something that can be learned and practised so that the story that appears on the page correlates more closely with the story in your head.
I love teaching one-on-one, and supporting my students as they stretch themselves creatively and technically.
Achievements:
- Over 60 books published for children, young adults, 1997 – 2023
- Here be Lions, a memoir, published 2006
- Fiery Spiral trilogy acquired by US publisher Catalyst Press 2018
- Film rights optioned for Fiery Spiral TV series 2023
- Ibby South Africa Honours list multiple years
- ATKV Award for her teen novel Tamara
- Multiple books have been selected for the SACBF (South African Children’s Book Forum) Honours List
Course Curriculum
Module 1
- Submit next complete chapter up to 3 600 words
- 30-minute Google Meet video call with tutor
Module 2
Text Instalment 2
- Submit next complete chapter up to 3 600 words
- Rewrites: Previous chapter
Module 3
- Submit next complete chapter up to 3 600 words
- Rewrites: Previous chapter
Module 4
Text Instalment 4
- Submit next complete chapter up to 3 600 words
- Rewrites: Previous chapter
Module 5
Text Instalment 5
- Submit next complete chapter up to 3 600 words
- Rewrites: Previous chapter
Module 6
Text Instalment 6
- Submit next complete chapter up to 3 600 words
- Rewrites: Previous chapter
- 30-minute Google Meet video call with tutor
Module 7
Text Instalment 7
- Submit next complete chapter up to 3 600 words
- Rewrites: Previous chapter
Module 8
Text Instalment 8
- Submit next complete chapter up to 3 600 words
- Rewrites: Previous chapter
Module 9
Text Instalment 9
- Submit next complete chapter up to 3 600 words
- Rewrites: Previous chapter
Module 10
Text Instalment 10
- Edit and proofread complete manuscript
- Submit final manuscript for assessment
NB
- Two individual Google Meet sessions are included in the course fee. Additional Google Meet sessions are available.
- If your total wordcount exceeds 40 000 words, an additional fee will be charged per 1 000 words.
Bonus sessions!
Attend a group video meeting
Helen runs four Google Meet face-to-face sessions per year for all of her students. You will be invited to attend while you are on the course. This is not compulsory (but a lot of fun).
What Our Students Say
Get These Additional Benefits
Lifetime Course Access
Benefit from free lifetime access to future course updates and access to our writing resources.
Work at Your Own Pace
Our courses work around you. You can pace your course around your busy life.
500+ Bonus Articles on Our Blog
A superb, constantly updated resource with articles on writing and interviews with writers.
Work Opportunities
Top students are invited to join our writers and editors for hire service.
Be the First to Know About Writing Competitions
We'll help you keep up to date with the latest competition announcements
Join a Community of Writers
You will have access to our friendly Facebook community, daily writing tips and writing inspiration.
Risk-Free 100% Money-Back Guarantee
We are so confident that you will love your course that if you’re not 100% satisfied with the quality of our training, simply ask for a refund within 30 days.
Complete the Application Form to Enrol on the Write a Children’s Book Course Part 2
You will receive an approval email and invoice within one working day.
Should your form not submit, please let admin know at info@thewriterscollege.com
Questions?
We've Got Answers
During the course, you will be required to submit a number of text instalments in order to complete your manuscript. The number of chapters and the word count will vary from student to student, based on the project. The hand-in schedule will be agreed upon between you and your tutor.
Once a text instalment has been completed and emailed to your tutor, you will receive feedback. A final review of all submitted work will be done at the end of the course.
Absolutely. You have direct communication with your tutor for the duration of the course. The more questions you ask, the more you will get out of the course.
You will get lifetime access to the course. You will also benefit from future updates and improvements to the course.
For the majority of our courses, only your tutor will see your work. It will remain completely private unless you get it published. The journalism courses might see your work published in the public domain, but you do have the final say as to whether or not this happens.
You will receive a Writers College Certificate upon successful completion of the course, provided you meet the following conditions:
- You must have completed all of the writing assignments.
- The course must have been completed within 12 months of registration.
- A minimum average of 50% must be achieved.
- Students must have successfully completed the Part 1 Course.
- Computer skills as well as email and Internet access are required.
- Use of Microsoft Word and the Track Changes function.
- No previous tertiary qualification is required.
- Access to a library or a bookshop.
Because you will work with an individual tutor, you can start your course as soon as your application has been approved. There are no specific start dates as would be the case with a traditional college.
An application is usually approved within one working day. Once we receive proof of payment, your can start your course.
You could be starting your course today!
The speed at which you work is entirely up to you and will depend on the complexity and word count of your project.
Once your application has been approved, you will receive notification of approval and an invoice via email. As soon as we receive proof of payment, the first module as well as your tutor’s email address and your login details will be sent to you. Your tutor will also be in touch to welcome you.
Any work created on our courses is owned by you. We will never make a claim to anything you produce. We follow the rule that copyright subsists with the creator (you).