Calling All Children's Picture Book, Chapter Book and Middle Grade
Writers and Illustrators! Learn everything you need to
make and publish wonderful GRAPHIC NOVELS -
Because this course has been so spectacular, we may run it again. Please click here to join our mailing list & get first dibs and early bird specials!
With weekly critiques from industry experts &
exclusive skip-the-slush-pile submission opportunities
this course is a game changer co-taught by an absolute dream team!
It's 5 magical weeks including a bonus instant-access master course in revision!
Remember learning to drive or write, or do something that seemed equally impossible at the time, come join us and learn how to write and/or illustrate graphic novels or hybrid books to make that old rejected picture book, chapter book, middle grade or young adult novel something totally fresh, exciting, and much more marketable with this course. Or do something completely new! We'll hold your hand and help you with ideas and so much more! And good news - you absolutely DO NOT need to know how to draw to write and publish GNs or Hybrid children's books!
Join Dr. Mira Reisberg, extraordinary agent Anjali Singh of Ayesha Pande Literary, Eisner-award-winning graphic novel author/illustrator Aron Nels Steinke, kidlit whisperer Dr. Mira Reisberg, and Harper Collins Children's Books graphic novel imprint Harper Alley editor, Rose Pleuler, in this game-changing, groundbreaking course. You'll get 4 weeks of live instruction plus an instant access week of writing and illustration revision lessons, tons of step-by-step lessons and formatting instruction, build-a-book worksheets, handouts, critiques, and tons of fabulous exclusive submission opportunities.
Join Dr. Mira Reisberg, extraordinary agent Anjali Singh of Ayesha Pande Literary, Eisner-award-winning graphic novel author/illustrator Aron Nels Steinke, kidlit whisperer Dr. Mira Reisberg, and Harper Collins Children's Books graphic novel imprint Harper Alley editor, Rose Pleuler, in this game-changing, groundbreaking course. You'll get 4 weeks of live instruction plus an instant access week of writing and illustration revision lessons, tons of step-by-step lessons and formatting instruction, build-a-book worksheets, handouts, critiques, and tons of fabulous exclusive submission opportunities.
Ready to Start Your Bonuses and ALL Your New Possibilities Today?
Click one of the magical pics below!
Each of these levels include the 5 weeks of lessons, the submission opportunities, the community, and the bonuses but the one hour critiques are only available when you register and they are amazing! If you do the work, Mastering Graphic Novels LIVE will change your life!
So sorry the critiquing options are all sold out except for a few
critiques with the amazing Aron.
This incredibly informative five week course features some wonderful co-teachers! You'll have the amazing Dr. Mira Reisberg, graphic novelist Aron Nels Steinke (Eisner Award winning author/illustrator and creator of the Mr. Wolf's Class series) for four weeks, plus brilliant agent and former editor Anjali Singh of Ayesha Pande Literary and Harper Alley editor, Rose Pleuler!
You'll learn how to:
You'll learn how to:
- Write great stories from Picture Book age to Chapter Books and Middle Grade Novels with different kinds of arcs
- Create memorable characters
- Illustrate graphic novels
- Format graphic novel text and illustration directions in multiple ways
- Make a marketable graphic novel pitch package
- Incorporate color blocking into your art
- Receive and learn to make lots of different kinds of graphic novel and comic templates
- Receive lots of critiques and handholding
- Receive awesome bonuses
- Receive lots of wonderful submission opportunities!
And so, so much more!
Your LIVE class includes professional mini-critiques, lots of insider information about writing, illustrating, and selling graphic novels, access to live teachers every day, opportunities to work with classmates, webinars, and submission opportunities!
PLUS, you'll receive instant access to the following fabulous self-paced classes including:
The exclusive Graphic Design in One Short Course,
Author-Illustrator Websites with Weebly
Fun with Hand Lettering and Calligraphy
Fun with Photoshop
The Magic of Clip Studio
And the recently updated Pleasures of Procreate!
Right now, and into the future, graphic novels are and will continue to be a hot market for all ages of readers, from adults to picture books. And they will continue to be much desired well into the future as we continue to live in an increasingly visual culture! In fact, graphic novels are the most checked out books from public libraries both because of their aesthetic and cool factor, and because of their ease of reading.
Invest in your future and sign up now!
Or Click Below for EVERYTHING + AN EXTRAORDINARY CRITIQUE.. So sorry the critiquing options are all sold out except for a few critiques with the amazing Aron.
Meet your Instructors

Dr. Mira Reisberg has helped MANY authors and illustrators get published. Her students have published or contracted over 700 books. She has worn just about every hat in the industry including illustrator, editor, art director, author, and literary agent. Mira holds a PhD in Education and Cultural Studies with a focus on children's literature. She has taught children's literature survey and making courses at Washington State University, Northern Illinois University, San Francisco City College Extension, and US Berkeley Extension. Mira is an award-winning children's book illustrator and writer.

Aron Nels Steinke is a cartoonist and elementary school teacher. He began making comics in 2006 with the help of a grant from the Xeric Foundation and never stopped. In 2015 he and his wife Ariel Cohn won the Best Publication for Early Readers Eisner Award for their book The Zoo Box (First Second Books). Mr. Wolf’s Class (Scholastic/Graphix) is his newest book series following the adventures of a class of anthropomorphs and their teacher who just so happens to be a wolf. The first book was a New York Times Editor’s Choice selection, received a starred review from Kirkus, and has won numerous awards including the Oregon Spirit Honor Award, the OTTER Award, and Kid’s Comics Choice Award, and the Beehive Award. The second book in the series, Mystery Club, was nominated for a 2019 Harvey Award. Book 3, Lucky Stars, was named by Chicago Public Library as one of the 2019 best books of fiction for younger readers. Book Four--Field Trip, is out now wherever books are sold. Aron's Newest book Snow Day is available for preorder now! Please check out how fun, loose and delightful Aron's illustration style is!

Anjali Singh started her career in publishing in 1996 as a literary scout and is now an agent at Ayesha Pande Literary. Formerly Editorial Director at Other Press, Anjali also worked as an editor at Simon & Schuster, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt and Vintage Books. Best known for bringing Marjane Satrapi's Persepolis to the United States, after stumbling across it on a visit to Paris, Anjali also helped sell Persepolis and Persepolis 2, David B.’s Epileptic, Jessica Abel’s La Perdida, Joann Sfar’s The Rabbi’s Cat and Craig Thompson’s Habibi for Pantheon. While primarily a literary fiction editor, she championed comics whenever she could; at Houghton Mifflin over and oversaw Best American Comics for several years, and published Posy Simmonds’ Tamara Drewe and Frederik Peeters’ memoir Blue Pills. At S&S, Anjali acquired noted Italian artist Igort’s The Ukrainian and Russian Notebooks. Anjali now represents graphic novels across the adult and children’s book market. Some of her recent and forthcoming children’s GNs include Gillian Goerz’s middle grade mysteries Shirley & Jamila Save Their Summer and Shirley & Jamila’s Big Fall, Bangladeshi-American Priya Huq’s Piece by Piece: The Story of Nisrin’s Hijab; Lebanese artist Fouad Mezher’s Suraya, Mary Shyne’s Graduation Day, Steenz’s Heart of the City and Side Quest: Sam and Steenz’s Guide to Roleplaying Games (with Samuel Sattin) and comics writer Ivy Noelle Weir’s The Secret Garden on 81st St.

Rose Pleuler is an editor at HarperAlley, where they publish graphic novels for kids and teens, with a particular interest in diverse voices, inventive worlds, and heart. They have worked at HarperAlley since the imprint’s launch in Fall of 2020, and at HarperCollins since 2016. Before that, they worked as the assistant to the publisher at Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Books for Young Readers. Rose lives in Manhattan with a fair number of plants.
Books they've edited or co-edited include:
Another Kind by Cait May and Trevor Bream • Right to Left by Coco Fox • Blake Laser by Keith Marantz and Larissa Marantz • Pea, Bee, & Jay #5: Gotta Find Gramps by Brian “Smitty” Smith • Lightfall series by Tim Probert • Pea, Bee, & Jay series by Brian “Smitty” Smith • Geiseil-Honor winning series Beak & Ally series by Norm Feuti • The Way of the Hive by Jay Hosler • Incredible Doom series by Matt Bogart and Jesse Holden • Cat & Cat Adventures by Susie Yi • A-Okay by Jarad Greene • Treasure in the Lake by Jason Pamment • HarperAlley’s “I Can Read Comics” line, including Fish and Sun by Sergio Ruzzier, Friendbots by Vicky Fang, and Tiny Tales by Stephanie Waldo.
Books they've edited or co-edited include:
Another Kind by Cait May and Trevor Bream • Right to Left by Coco Fox • Blake Laser by Keith Marantz and Larissa Marantz • Pea, Bee, & Jay #5: Gotta Find Gramps by Brian “Smitty” Smith • Lightfall series by Tim Probert • Pea, Bee, & Jay series by Brian “Smitty” Smith • Geiseil-Honor winning series Beak & Ally series by Norm Feuti • The Way of the Hive by Jay Hosler • Incredible Doom series by Matt Bogart and Jesse Holden • Cat & Cat Adventures by Susie Yi • A-Okay by Jarad Greene • Treasure in the Lake by Jason Pamment • HarperAlley’s “I Can Read Comics” line, including Fish and Sun by Sergio Ruzzier, Friendbots by Vicky Fang, and Tiny Tales by Stephanie Waldo.
In this course, you can expect:
● To learn everything you need to know about publishing a graphic novel
● Exclusive publishing opportunities
● Live mentoring
● An interactive supportive community
If you want to:
● Write or illustrate a fresh children’s picture book, chapter book, or middle grade novel story from start to finish or jump in with one of our suggestions
● Polish an existing children's book manuscript for publication
● Revise your work to make it easy for an editor to say yes
● Radically improve your chances of publication or getting an agent
● Learn multiple ways of formatting a graphic novel script
● Create a targeted cover letter ready to send to your ideal editor or agent
● Participate in weekly critiques and our super interactive private community
● Join a critique group
● Submit to an exclusive panel of editors and agents who are looking to acquire from this course
● Have lots of fun
...then this course is for you
● To learn everything you need to know about publishing a graphic novel
● Exclusive publishing opportunities
● Live mentoring
● An interactive supportive community
If you want to:
● Write or illustrate a fresh children’s picture book, chapter book, or middle grade novel story from start to finish or jump in with one of our suggestions
● Polish an existing children's book manuscript for publication
● Revise your work to make it easy for an editor to say yes
● Radically improve your chances of publication or getting an agent
● Learn multiple ways of formatting a graphic novel script
● Create a targeted cover letter ready to send to your ideal editor or agent
● Participate in weekly critiques and our super interactive private community
● Join a critique group
● Submit to an exclusive panel of editors and agents who are looking to acquire from this course
● Have lots of fun
...then this course is for you
Here are just some of your Golden Ticket judges!
These lovely judges will review your work with an eye for acquisition!
Many of our students have been published/contracted through golden ticket judges!
These lovely judges will review your work with an eye for acquisition!
Many of our students have been published/contracted through golden ticket judges!

Andrea Colvin - Little Brown Young Readers
Andrea is the editorial director of graphic publishing at Little, Brown Books for Young Readers. Before that she was editor-in-chief of the independent comics publisher Lion Forge, where she acquired the well-received and award-nominated graphic novels Mooncakes by Suzanne Walker and Wendy Xu, No Ivy League by Hazel Newlevant, Gender Queer: A Memoir by Maia Kobabe, Upgrade Soul by Ezra Claytan Daniels, and the Amazon Graphic Novel of the Year for 2017, Lighter Than My Shadow by Katie Green.
Andrea is the editorial director of graphic publishing at Little, Brown Books for Young Readers. Before that she was editor-in-chief of the independent comics publisher Lion Forge, where she acquired the well-received and award-nominated graphic novels Mooncakes by Suzanne Walker and Wendy Xu, No Ivy League by Hazel Newlevant, Gender Queer: A Memoir by Maia Kobabe, Upgrade Soul by Ezra Claytan Daniels, and the Amazon Graphic Novel of the Year for 2017, Lighter Than My Shadow by Katie Green.

Anjali Singh - Ayesha Pande Literary
Agent and co-teacher Anjali Singh started her career in publishing in 1996 as a literary scout and is now an agent at Ayesha Pande Literary. Formerly Editorial Director at Other Press, Anjali also worked as an editor at Simon & Schuster, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt and Vintage Books. Best known for bringing Marjane Satrapi's Persepolis to the United States, after stumbling across it on a visit to Paris, Anjali also helped sell Persepolis and Persepolis 2, David B.’s Epileptic, Jessica Abel’s La Perdida, Joann Sfar’s The Rabbi’s Cat and Craig Thompson’s Habibi for Pantheon. While primarily a literary fiction editor, she championed comics whenever she could; at Houghton Mifflin over and oversaw Best American Comics for several years, and published Posy Simmonds’ Tamara Drewe and Frederik Peeters’ memoir Blue Pills. At S&S, Anjali acquired noted Italian artist Igort’s The Ukrainian and Russian Notebooks. Anjali now represents graphic novels across the adult and children’s book market. Some of her recent and forthcoming children’s GNs include Gillian Goerz’s middle grade mysteries Shirley & Jamila Save Their Summer and Shirley & Jamila’s Big Fall, Bangladeshi-American Priya Huq’s Piece by Piece: The Story of Nisrin’s Hijab; Lebanese artist Fouad Mezher’s Suraya, Mary Shyne’s Graduation Day, Steenz’s Heart of the City and Side Quest: Sam and Steenz’s Guide to Roleplaying Games (with Samuel Sattin) and comics writer Ivy Noelle Weir’s The Secret Garden on 81st St.
Agent and co-teacher Anjali Singh started her career in publishing in 1996 as a literary scout and is now an agent at Ayesha Pande Literary. Formerly Editorial Director at Other Press, Anjali also worked as an editor at Simon & Schuster, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt and Vintage Books. Best known for bringing Marjane Satrapi's Persepolis to the United States, after stumbling across it on a visit to Paris, Anjali also helped sell Persepolis and Persepolis 2, David B.’s Epileptic, Jessica Abel’s La Perdida, Joann Sfar’s The Rabbi’s Cat and Craig Thompson’s Habibi for Pantheon. While primarily a literary fiction editor, she championed comics whenever she could; at Houghton Mifflin over and oversaw Best American Comics for several years, and published Posy Simmonds’ Tamara Drewe and Frederik Peeters’ memoir Blue Pills. At S&S, Anjali acquired noted Italian artist Igort’s The Ukrainian and Russian Notebooks. Anjali now represents graphic novels across the adult and children’s book market. Some of her recent and forthcoming children’s GNs include Gillian Goerz’s middle grade mysteries Shirley & Jamila Save Their Summer and Shirley & Jamila’s Big Fall, Bangladeshi-American Priya Huq’s Piece by Piece: The Story of Nisrin’s Hijab; Lebanese artist Fouad Mezher’s Suraya, Mary Shyne’s Graduation Day, Steenz’s Heart of the City and Side Quest: Sam and Steenz’s Guide to Roleplaying Games (with Samuel Sattin) and comics writer Ivy Noelle Weir’s The Secret Garden on 81st St.

Adria Goetz - Martin Literary Management
Adria Goetz is a Senior Literary Manager, currently accepting queries for picture books, middle grade, graphic novels, adult fiction, quirky gift books, and devotionals. She represents books for the general market, as well as the Christian market. She graduated from the University of Washington with a Bachelor’s degree in English with a Creative Writing emphasis, as well as the Columbia Publishing Course. Prior to becoming a Literary Manager, Adria fostered her knack for developing creative work during her three years as an intern and assistant at Martin Literary & Media Management. In 2019, she was selected as a Publishers Weekly Star Watch Honoree. She was recently proud to represent The Ocean Calls by Tina Cho, The Whatifs by Emily Kilgore, Taste Your Words by Bonnie Clark and Todd Bright, The Ugly Doodles by Valeria Wicker, No Ordinary Thing by G.Z. Schmidt, Batter Royale by Leisl Adams, Halal Hot Dogs by Susannah Aziz, and Lou by Breanna Carzoo.
Adria Goetz is a Senior Literary Manager, currently accepting queries for picture books, middle grade, graphic novels, adult fiction, quirky gift books, and devotionals. She represents books for the general market, as well as the Christian market. She graduated from the University of Washington with a Bachelor’s degree in English with a Creative Writing emphasis, as well as the Columbia Publishing Course. Prior to becoming a Literary Manager, Adria fostered her knack for developing creative work during her three years as an intern and assistant at Martin Literary & Media Management. In 2019, she was selected as a Publishers Weekly Star Watch Honoree. She was recently proud to represent The Ocean Calls by Tina Cho, The Whatifs by Emily Kilgore, Taste Your Words by Bonnie Clark and Todd Bright, The Ugly Doodles by Valeria Wicker, No Ordinary Thing by G.Z. Schmidt, Batter Royale by Leisl Adams, Halal Hot Dogs by Susannah Aziz, and Lou by Breanna Carzoo.

Kirk Benshoff - First Second Books
Kirk Benshoff is the art director for First Second. He has over 15 years of experience creating graphic novels. He has been with the company since 2019 and has had the pleasure of working with creators such as Howard Cruze, John Patrick Green, Ben Hatke, Faith Erin Hicks, Carey Pietsch, Gene Luen Yang, and more. When he’s not working on comics, he’s trying to get his books back from his kids who keep stealing them.
Kirk will also do a special masterclass speaking live and answering questions on graphic novels, best practices in working on them, and designing comics
Kirk Benshoff is the art director for First Second. He has over 15 years of experience creating graphic novels. He has been with the company since 2019 and has had the pleasure of working with creators such as Howard Cruze, John Patrick Green, Ben Hatke, Faith Erin Hicks, Carey Pietsch, Gene Luen Yang, and more. When he’s not working on comics, he’s trying to get his books back from his kids who keep stealing them.
Kirk will also do a special masterclass speaking live and answering questions on graphic novels, best practices in working on them, and designing comics

Joni Sussman - Kar-Ben Publishing
Joni Sussman has been the Publisher at Kar-Ben Publishing for 17 years. Celebrating almost 50 years of publishing award-winning Jewish-themed picture books for children. Kar-Ben publishes both fiction and non-fiction for preschool through middle school readers, including Jewish holiday books, life-cycle stories, Bible tales, folktales, picture book biographies, stories about American and world Jewish history, Israel, the Holocaust, the rich diversity within the Jewish community, and other Jewish topics.
Joni Sussman has been the Publisher at Kar-Ben Publishing for 17 years. Celebrating almost 50 years of publishing award-winning Jewish-themed picture books for children. Kar-Ben publishes both fiction and non-fiction for preschool through middle school readers, including Jewish holiday books, life-cycle stories, Bible tales, folktales, picture book biographies, stories about American and world Jewish history, Israel, the Holocaust, the rich diversity within the Jewish community, and other Jewish topics.

Rose Pleuler - HarperAlley
Rose Pleuler is an editor at HarperAlley, where they publish graphic novels for kids and teens, with a particular interest in diverse voices, inventive worlds, and heart. They have worked at HarperAlley since the imprint’s launch in Fall of 2020, and at HarperCollins since 2016. Before that, they worked as the assistant to the publisher at Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Books for Young Readers. Rose lives in Manhattan with a fair number of plants.
Books they've edited or co-edited include:
Another Kind by Cait May and Trevor Bream • Right to Left by Coco Fox • Blake Laser by Keith Marantz and Larissa Marantz • Pea, Bee, & Jay #5: Gotta Find Gramps by Brian “Smitty” Smith • Lightfall series by Tim Probert • Pea, Bee, & Jay series by Brian “Smitty” Smith • Geiseil-Honor winning series Beak & Ally series by Norm Feuti • The Way of the Hive by Jay Hosler • Incredible Doom series by Matt Bogart and Jesse Holden • Cat & Cat Adventures by Susie Yi • A-Okay by Jarad Greene • Treasure in the Lake by Jason Pamment • HarperAlley’s “I Can Read Comics” line, including Fish and Sun by Sergio Ruzzier, Friendbots by Vicky Fang, and Tiny Tales by Stephanie Waldo.
Rose Pleuler is an editor at HarperAlley, where they publish graphic novels for kids and teens, with a particular interest in diverse voices, inventive worlds, and heart. They have worked at HarperAlley since the imprint’s launch in Fall of 2020, and at HarperCollins since 2016. Before that, they worked as the assistant to the publisher at Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Books for Young Readers. Rose lives in Manhattan with a fair number of plants.
Books they've edited or co-edited include:
Another Kind by Cait May and Trevor Bream • Right to Left by Coco Fox • Blake Laser by Keith Marantz and Larissa Marantz • Pea, Bee, & Jay #5: Gotta Find Gramps by Brian “Smitty” Smith • Lightfall series by Tim Probert • Pea, Bee, & Jay series by Brian “Smitty” Smith • Geiseil-Honor winning series Beak & Ally series by Norm Feuti • The Way of the Hive by Jay Hosler • Incredible Doom series by Matt Bogart and Jesse Holden • Cat & Cat Adventures by Susie Yi • A-Okay by Jarad Greene • Treasure in the Lake by Jason Pamment • HarperAlley’s “I Can Read Comics” line, including Fish and Sun by Sergio Ruzzier, Friendbots by Vicky Fang, and Tiny Tales by Stephanie Waldo.

Kaitlyn Sanchez - Context Literary
Kaitlyn Sanchez is a mom, wife, middle school math teacher, picture book author and agent with Context Literary Agency. Context Literary represents high-quality children's literature, women's fiction, and narrative non-fiction. Kaitlyn's MSWL says, " I really connect with emotional writing and, on the other, very funny stories. But both, both is THE BEST! (Creators who can do this are magicians, in my eyes!)".
Kaitlyn Sanchez is a mom, wife, middle school math teacher, picture book author and agent with Context Literary Agency. Context Literary represents high-quality children's literature, women's fiction, and narrative non-fiction. Kaitlyn's MSWL says, " I really connect with emotional writing and, on the other, very funny stories. But both, both is THE BEST! (Creators who can do this are magicians, in my eyes!)".

Stephanie Guerdan - HarperCollins Children's
She is an Associate Editor at HarperCollins Children's. She came to HarperCollins in 2017 following jobs at a literary agency and as a bookseller. Some of the titles she has worked on include New York Times best-selling author Natalie Lloyd’s Problim Children trilogy, critically acclaimed author Tiffany D. Jackson’s sophomore novel Monday’s Not Coming, and The Lady’s Guide to Petticoats and Piracy, the sequel to the Stonewall Honor-winning The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue by Mackenzi Lee. She is interested primarily in middle grade and YA, especially in speculative genres and graphic novel formats, with a focus on inclusive stories from fresh voices.
She is an Associate Editor at HarperCollins Children's. She came to HarperCollins in 2017 following jobs at a literary agency and as a bookseller. Some of the titles she has worked on include New York Times best-selling author Natalie Lloyd’s Problim Children trilogy, critically acclaimed author Tiffany D. Jackson’s sophomore novel Monday’s Not Coming, and The Lady’s Guide to Petticoats and Piracy, the sequel to the Stonewall Honor-winning The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue by Mackenzi Lee. She is interested primarily in middle grade and YA, especially in speculative genres and graphic novel formats, with a focus on inclusive stories from fresh voices.

Erica DeChavez - HarperCollins Children's
is a Filipino-American illustrator and author, and also a full time designer of picture books, middle grade books, graphic novels, and board books for HarperCollins Publishers. She is the designer of the New York Times bestselling graphic novel PopularMMOS Presents A Hole New World and has the pleasure of working with talented artists and writers on many different books for children. She made her illustrator debut with the indie published The Girls' Q&A Book on Friendship. Erica enjoys a good cup of tea, playing with her jack russell terrier, Maxwell, and lives with her boyfriend in Brooklyn, NY. You can visit her online at www.PandaErica.com.
is a Filipino-American illustrator and author, and also a full time designer of picture books, middle grade books, graphic novels, and board books for HarperCollins Publishers. She is the designer of the New York Times bestselling graphic novel PopularMMOS Presents A Hole New World and has the pleasure of working with talented artists and writers on many different books for children. She made her illustrator debut with the indie published The Girls' Q&A Book on Friendship. Erica enjoys a good cup of tea, playing with her jack russell terrier, Maxwell, and lives with her boyfriend in Brooklyn, NY. You can visit her online at www.PandaErica.com.

Maddy Price - Weidenfeld & Nicolson
Maddy joined W&N in September 2019 as Editorial Director for non-fiction. She has previously worked at Hodder & Stoughton and Transworld Publishers, also in non-fiction. History is her number-one love and her authors have included the bestselling historians Lucy Worsley and Tracy Borman. She enjoys all types of history and time-periods, but her favourite historical figure is Thomas Cromwell. As well as history she commissions memoir, popular science, nature writing, big ideas and upmarket gift books. She loves any intelligent non-fiction that inspires and entertains.
Maddy joined W&N in September 2019 as Editorial Director for non-fiction. She has previously worked at Hodder & Stoughton and Transworld Publishers, also in non-fiction. History is her number-one love and her authors have included the bestselling historians Lucy Worsley and Tracy Borman. She enjoys all types of history and time-periods, but her favourite historical figure is Thomas Cromwell. As well as history she commissions memoir, popular science, nature writing, big ideas and upmarket gift books. She loves any intelligent non-fiction that inspires and entertains.
The 6 W's of This Course
Who: The course is co-taught with daily interaction by the expert publishing faculty, the weekly guests, and the published assistants. The course also includes videos and written interviews with industry experts.
What: It's a size-limited, online interactive e-course, talent search, and community lovefest with everything you need to know about writing, selling and marketing children's picture books. There are written and video lessons, worksheets, templates, handouts, lists of publishers and agents, feedback, and step by step directions, providing a really comprehensive education.
Where: It all happens in the comfort of your own home, a café, the library, on vacation, anywhere that you can get Internet access. With recorded LIVE webinars, this proven-track record course is designed to accommodate students from all corners of this beautiful world.
When: This course launches May 9th, 2022 and runs for 5 full weeks. The program is designed to be extremely time-flexible... you can access the materials and interact as much or as little as you like. You will have access to the course materials for one year after the course ends.
How: Access daily lessons on our password-protected website, with tons of resources including lists of publishers and agents, worksheets, writing templates, videos and interviews, and much more! Get your work critiqued in weekly topic-specific webinars. Interact via our private Facebook group where questions are answered and small critique groups are set up for those who want them.
Why: The most important aspect —you want to write and publish children's picture books. This is the only course with a phenomenal proven track-record of published, contracted, and now agented former students. CBA students have had over 700 of books published or contracted after taking our classes!
We are so thrilled to say that our students have won every major national North American children's book award, including the Newbery. Here's a brief testimonial from the incredible Donna Barba Higuera, who just won the 2022 Newbery Award (the Oscars of kidlit)! Donna took our middle grade course when there was nothing else like it. Now we're doing something else completely original. Thank you Donna!
Curriculum
Week One
Overview History of Graphic Novels What's a Graphic Novel? Writing Part 1 Graphic Novels for Grades K-2 (ages 5-7) and CBs (ages 7-9) MG Graphic Novels for ages 7-9 YA Novels ages 12-18 Character & Character Development Getting Inspired with Literary Genres & Archetypes Getting Started with Ideas and Writing Week Three
Introduction to Illustrating Graphic Novels Basics - How to Draw Interview with Hugh D'Andrade Visual Elements Stylistic Elements Blank Graphic Novel or Cartoon Panel Templates Tools & Line Fills & Color Type More Fonts Creating Print Ready Art Page Braddock's Outline for Peanut, Butter, and Crackers + Interview |
Week Two
Plotting Part One Including The 3 Act Structure Plotting Part Two with 5 Act Structures Plotting Part Three The 7 Point Structure Plotting Part Four Structure and Pacing Universal Themes Writing and Formatting The Script More about Creating Scripts Interview with Graphic Novel author (but not an illustrator) Lee Nordling) sharing his submissions for two published graphic novels Week Four
Submitting Your Work Writing Pitches and Bios, Creating the Submission Package Queries and Proposals Graphic Novel Agents Graphic Novel Publishers Connecting with Agents and Publishers Tracking Submissions |
Week Five
Revision and Fabulous Interviews • More Important Writing and Illustrating Tips • Fun with Revising Your Story •
Fun with Revising Your Illustrations • Awesome Interviews with graphic novel editors, writers, and art directors!
Revision and Fabulous Interviews • More Important Writing and Illustrating Tips • Fun with Revising Your Story •
Fun with Revising Your Illustrations • Awesome Interviews with graphic novel editors, writers, and art directors!
We hope you'll join us in this fantastic, first-time-for-CBA live course!
CHOICE #1 THE COURSE, BONUSES, & SUBMISSION OPPORTUNITIES!
CHOICE #2 CLICK ON THE IMAGE BELOW FOR THE COURSE, BONUSES, & SUBMISSION OPPORTUNITIES PLUS AN AMAZING CRITIQUE. So sorry the critiquing options are all sold out except for a few critiques with the amazing Aron.

CHOICE #3 THE COURSE, BONUSES, & SUBMISSION OPPORTUNITIES PLUS AN AMAZING CRITIQUE WITH ARON!!!
CLICK THE PIC BELOW FOR THE COURSE, BONUSES, & SUBMISSION OPPORTUNITIES PLUS AN AMAZING CRITIQUE
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
Q: What kinds of formats will there be?
A: We will have helpful weekly subject-specific show and tell videos, daily lessons, video interviews with expert course contributors, written lessons, written interviews, step-by-step worksheets, handouts, a highly interactive secret Facebook group, weekly live critiques with extraordinary guest critiquers, and Q&As that are recorded as videos that remain indefinitely available along with the Facebook group, 2 e-books, and optional small critique groups.
Q: Who will benefit from this class?
A: Anyone who has a passion or interest in writing or illustrating children's picture books.
Q: When does the class start?
A: The class starts May 9th 2022
Q: How much will I be investing in this course and how do I pay?
A: We have fantastic staggered discounts so the sooner you register, the bigger your discount. And of course there are the extra bonuses!The course includes over 30 lessons + tons of bonus materials, 4+ weeks of M-F instructor access plus 2 bonus instant access weeks, and lifetime access to your community! You’ll register through Infusionsoft, which will automatically convert currency for you and we also have nifty payment plans available.
Q: When does registration end?
A: Because our courses generally only happen once a year, and due to the fact that we size limit our courses, which probably helps with the high success rate of our students, we're hoping this course sells out. We recommend that you register sooner rather than later.
Q. I'm a writer, not an illustrator. Will this course work for me and can I publish graphic novels without illustration skills?
A. You absolutely do not need to know how to illustrate to write a graphic novel or hybrid book, but if you want to learn how to, those lessons are also available for you plus, we'll be having a matchmaking forum for illustrators who don't want to write to connect with writers not interested in illustrating. Illustrators will also have the option to avail themselves of all the writing lessons as well.
Q: I’m primarily an artist, will this course be relevant for me?
A: You will learn a ton of helpful information about both writing and illustrating that may increase your chances of publication as a much desired author/illustrator.
Q: What will I need?
A: Computer and Internet access, a great attitude and open mind, and a willingness to play with language and ideas and art if you're game or an illustrator.
Q: Are there any specific time requirements?
A: No! The only time sensitive areas are if you want to submit your work for a live webinar critique, there is a specific deadline, and if you join one of the optional critique groups you need to honor your group's critiquing timeline. The weekly webinars also happen at a specific day and time provided in advance, but if you can't make it live, they are also recorded for later viewing.
Q: What do I do if I have further questions?
A: You can call Mira directly CALIFORNIA time at 503.255.0152 or email mira@childrensbookacademy.com with "Mastering Graphic Novels" in the subject headline.
Q: How long does the course stay open after it ends?
A: Students have an additional year or more access to the course after it ends.
Q: Do you offer refunds?
A: Sorry, there are no refunds. Because we give bonus passwords at the time of purchase, it is impossible to offer refunds. We appreciate your understanding.
Q: What kinds of formats will there be?
A: We will have helpful weekly subject-specific show and tell videos, daily lessons, video interviews with expert course contributors, written lessons, written interviews, step-by-step worksheets, handouts, a highly interactive secret Facebook group, weekly live critiques with extraordinary guest critiquers, and Q&As that are recorded as videos that remain indefinitely available along with the Facebook group, 2 e-books, and optional small critique groups.
Q: Who will benefit from this class?
A: Anyone who has a passion or interest in writing or illustrating children's picture books.
Q: When does the class start?
A: The class starts May 9th 2022
Q: How much will I be investing in this course and how do I pay?
A: We have fantastic staggered discounts so the sooner you register, the bigger your discount. And of course there are the extra bonuses!The course includes over 30 lessons + tons of bonus materials, 4+ weeks of M-F instructor access plus 2 bonus instant access weeks, and lifetime access to your community! You’ll register through Infusionsoft, which will automatically convert currency for you and we also have nifty payment plans available.
Q: When does registration end?
A: Because our courses generally only happen once a year, and due to the fact that we size limit our courses, which probably helps with the high success rate of our students, we're hoping this course sells out. We recommend that you register sooner rather than later.
Q. I'm a writer, not an illustrator. Will this course work for me and can I publish graphic novels without illustration skills?
A. You absolutely do not need to know how to illustrate to write a graphic novel or hybrid book, but if you want to learn how to, those lessons are also available for you plus, we'll be having a matchmaking forum for illustrators who don't want to write to connect with writers not interested in illustrating. Illustrators will also have the option to avail themselves of all the writing lessons as well.
Q: I’m primarily an artist, will this course be relevant for me?
A: You will learn a ton of helpful information about both writing and illustrating that may increase your chances of publication as a much desired author/illustrator.
Q: What will I need?
A: Computer and Internet access, a great attitude and open mind, and a willingness to play with language and ideas and art if you're game or an illustrator.
Q: Are there any specific time requirements?
A: No! The only time sensitive areas are if you want to submit your work for a live webinar critique, there is a specific deadline, and if you join one of the optional critique groups you need to honor your group's critiquing timeline. The weekly webinars also happen at a specific day and time provided in advance, but if you can't make it live, they are also recorded for later viewing.
Q: What do I do if I have further questions?
A: You can call Mira directly CALIFORNIA time at 503.255.0152 or email mira@childrensbookacademy.com with "Mastering Graphic Novels" in the subject headline.
Q: How long does the course stay open after it ends?
A: Students have an additional year or more access to the course after it ends.
Q: Do you offer refunds?
A: Sorry, there are no refunds. Because we give bonus passwords at the time of purchase, it is impossible to offer refunds. We appreciate your understanding.