ExpertRating Online offers an online writing course in children's books that teaches the do's and don'ts of writing for children, focusing on identifying the children's book category that best fits your writing style. Upon completion of the course, you receive an international (ISO 9001:2000) ExpertRating certification that is "recognized by hundreds of employers and Government bodies in the U.S. and other countries." This six-week comprehensive online writing course covers topics including: an in-depth look at the children's book market and children's picture books; beginning readers; middle school and high school readers; what has worked and what hasn't for professional writers of children's fiction, nonfiction and magazine articles; researching book ideas; editing; what publishing houses are looking for; marketing techniques; the submission process; contracts and promotion; and organizations and online writing communities that offer support for writers. Lead by children's author, editor, library instructor and college instructor, Carol Parenzan Smalley, it is reasonably priced at $99.99. To find out more or register for ExpertRating Online Writing Course (Children's Writing): http://www.expertrating.com/certifications/InstructorLed/Writing-Publishing/Children-Writing-for/Children-Writing-for.asp?affid=102
Gotham Writers' Workshop Children's Book Writing Classes Online focus on the basic elements of craft in children's writing: plot, theme, character, dialogue, setting, voice, point-of-view and description. Two ten-week workshops are offered in children's book writing. Level I Children's Book Writing helps you to begin a children's book, includes lectures on the basics of craft and writing exercises, and allows two opportunities to submit work for critique. Advanced Children's Book Writing focuses on developing projects and receiving feedback, working toward completion of a publishable work. Rated "Best of Web" by Forbes, tuition is $395.00. For more information or registration in Gotham Writers' Workshop: http://www.writingclasses.com/CourseDescriptionPages/GenrePages.php/type/O/ClassGenreCode/CB
The Institute of Children's Literature offers a full curriculum of online writing courses for children's books that are college credited and include one-to-one instruction with accredited professional instructors, Children's Writer (a monthly online newsletter), Children's Writer's Guide (annual review of the children's writing field), and Rx for Writers, containing articles and writing tips, online interviews with experts and open chat rooms. Assignments are completed at your own pace and returned with detailed editing and notes summarizing your strengths and weaknesses. For more information, or a free aptitude test and enrollment in The Institute of Children's Literature: http://www.institutechildrenslit.com/
Mediabistro.com offers a six-week Children's Picture Book Writing course (September 15 through October 27), that promises a completed first draft picture book and cover letter upon completion. Classes include weekly lectures and chats, feedback and discussion of assignments and technical support. Topics covered include: writing in pictures; developing premise into plot; techniques for hooking readers and editors; making language sing; why editors choose their own illustrators; and marketing a manuscript. This online creative writing course for children's books is instructed by award-winning journalist, novelist and picture book author, Dashka Slater and tuition is $425.00. For more information or to enroll in Children's Picture Book Writing: http://www.mediabistro.com/courses/cache/crs4958.asp
Coursebridge.com offers a $69.00 course, Writing and Publishing Children's Books, consisting of four online lessons. Lessons focus on the steps involved in writing and finding a publisher for your finished work. The course is instructed by English teacher and freelance writer, Kerri Mabee. Topics include: story basics; the process of writing for children; the basics of becoming a published writer; and the process of becoming published. For more information or to sign up for Coursebridge.com's online writing course for children's books: http://www.coursebridge.com/html/courses/WRITING/CBWPCB01.ASP
The offerings of the above online writing courses for children's books demonstrate the need to learn about the market, as well as the basics of writing for children. Issues such as the type of book and age group being written for must be considered. Marketing skills must be learned, such as locating an interested publisher, writing a query letter that will stand out, the ins and outs of the submission process, as well as contracts and promotion. It is easy to see how an online writing course could be very helpful, indeed.