Calling All Children's Picture Book, Chapter Book,
Middle Grade, and Young Adult Writers and Illustrators!
Did you know that graphic novels are becoming one of the fastest growing segments in children’s book publishing, generating over $21B in sales by 2029?!
Children’s Book Academy’s Mastering Great Graphic Novels interactive e-course is back and even BETTER!
This 4-week interactive (PLUS TWO BONUS instant access weeks) e-course is a gamechanger, offering step-by-step lessons, tools, industry experts, critiques, optimized submission opportunities, and so much MORE to help students enter this field!
Whether you are an experienced creative or brand new children's book writer or illustrator, you are one step away from learning how to Make and Master Great Hybrids and Graphic Novels for Kids (and Publish them)!
Children’s Book Academy’s Mastering Great Graphic Novels interactive e-course is back and even BETTER!
This 4-week interactive (PLUS TWO BONUS instant access weeks) e-course is a gamechanger, offering step-by-step lessons, tools, industry experts, critiques, optimized submission opportunities, and so much MORE to help students enter this field!
Whether you are an experienced creative or brand new children's book writer or illustrator, you are one step away from learning how to Make and Master Great Hybrids and Graphic Novels for Kids (and Publish them)!
Unlock the Secrets to Mastering Great Hybrids and Graphic Novels!
With individual feedback and support every single day and weekly critique sessions from industry experts PLUS exclusive skip-the-slush-pile submission opportunities, this ultra-generous course is a game changer!
Co-taught by an absolute dream team starting MAY 29th 2023!
With individual feedback and support every single day and weekly critique sessions from industry experts PLUS exclusive skip-the-slush-pile submission opportunities, this ultra-generous course is a game changer!
Co-taught by an absolute dream team starting MAY 29th 2023!
Do you remember learning to drive, or write, or do something that seemed equally impossible at the time? And now it's second nature? 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 everything else you need!
And good news - you absolutely DO NOT need to know how to draw to write and publish GNs or Hybrid children's books!
And good news - you absolutely DO NOT need to know how to draw to write and publish GNs or Hybrid children's books!
Interviews with the Experts
Talks with some of the most respected graphic novel experts in the industry. Learn what makes an awesome children’s graphic novel that agents and editors want to acquire. Find out what the trends are in the specialized niche of kidlit graphic novels and hybrids, and so much more. Value: $225
The Basics of Drawing and Creating Print Ready Art
Learn about or hone your illustration skills. Even if you aren’t an illustrator, it’s helpful to understand the role the illustrator and their art plays in the process of creating a graphic novel that will sell. For illustrators and author/illustrators, you will learn from the experts how to sharpen your skills and take your graphic novels to a new level. Value: $225
Critiques
It's hard to see your own work objectively, so critiques are invaluable to succeed in any genre. Grab a one-hour in-person critique with one of our co-teachers, join a small critique group, get feedback every day from one of the instructors, or in the peer feedback areas in our super interactive and supportive private community. Value: $175+ |
Step-by-Step Lessons
These lessons take you step-by-step through the process of writing, illustrating, and submitting a Picture Book, Chapter Book, Middle Grade, or Young Adult story or package in hybrid or graphic novel form, with all the tips, tools, and support you need to succeed! Value: $300
Create A Submission Package
A great graphic novel is just a manuscript on your computer. You have to grab an agent’s or editor’s attention to begin your next step in your publication journey. Learn from the experts how to write pitches, bios, targeted query letters and submission packages that entice agents and editors to read your manuscript. Value: $225
Submission Opportunities
Course participants will receive submission opportunities to an exclusive panel of wonderful agents and editors who are looking to acquire from the participants of this course. To prepare for this, students will learn how to write a wonderful elevator pitch and bio, along with their pitch packets, and receive feedback on their art. Value: $225+ |
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Bonuses
You'll also receive instant access to the following fabulous self-paced classes including: Writing Faith-Based, Spiritual, and SEL Hybrids and Graphic Novels 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! Value $750+ |
Fun!
You can’t put a price on fun and this course is packed with learning and laughter in an incredibly beautiful, soul-nurturing, community that will hopefully last forever! Value: Invaluable |
When you add it up, there’s over $1,975.00 of value included in this incredible course, Mastering Great Graphic Novels!
And you get all this, and MORE for just $697. BUT WAIT! We offer a time-sensitive fab $40 GNLove discount bringing the cost to only $657 until May 15th!
This includes, a whole year of access to both the course and all the bonuses!!!
For a limited time, you can add a LIVE interactive, FULL 1-hour critique with one of our experts for $175 extra with the GNLove promo code. Plus, we offer nifty payment plans that can be spread out over time.
Don’t wait!!!
Take the next step and get started on this literary journey!
Ready to Register? Just...
And you get all this, and MORE for just $697. BUT WAIT! We offer a time-sensitive fab $40 GNLove discount bringing the cost to only $657 until May 15th!
This includes, a whole year of access to both the course and all the bonuses!!!
For a limited time, you can add a LIVE interactive, FULL 1-hour critique with one of our experts for $175 extra with the GNLove promo code. Plus, we offer nifty payment plans that can be spread out over time.
Don’t wait!!!
Take the next step and get started on this literary journey!
Ready to Register? Just...
Have you ever thought about creating a graphic novel or hybrid book, but didn’t know where to start?
The answer is here!
This engaging and fun story format is becoming one of the fastest growing segments in children’s book publishing. But many published and aspiring authors feel intimidated when it comes to the thought of writing a graphic novel. If you are one of the many kidlit authors who feel this way, you’re not alone.
Join our Children’s Book Academy members, friends, and faculty on May 29, 2023, for Mastering Great Graphic Novels - an intensive and interactive [6-week] course that will give you the knowledge and courage to write great graphic novels.
I love this quote by Robin Sharma ...
“As you move outside of your comfort zone, what was once the unknown and frightening becomes your new normal.”
We give you access to the experts and tools you need to begin your journey and grow as a children’s graphic novel author. Sign up now with one of these awesome opportunities:
The answer is here!
This engaging and fun story format is becoming one of the fastest growing segments in children’s book publishing. But many published and aspiring authors feel intimidated when it comes to the thought of writing a graphic novel. If you are one of the many kidlit authors who feel this way, you’re not alone.
Join our Children’s Book Academy members, friends, and faculty on May 29, 2023, for Mastering Great Graphic Novels - an intensive and interactive [6-week] course that will give you the knowledge and courage to write great graphic novels.
I love this quote by Robin Sharma ...
“As you move outside of your comfort zone, what was once the unknown and frightening becomes your new normal.”
We give you access to the experts and tools you need to begin your journey and grow as a children’s graphic novel author. Sign up now with one of these awesome opportunities:
Who is this course for?
Your FIRST or NEXT graphic novel awaits you. Don’t wait!
- Novice kidlit authors who want to learn about the graphic novel format
- Unpublished and published kidlit authors with ideas and manuscripts who want to learn how to flip a story into a graphic novel
- Kidlit authors who have written and/or illustrated a graphic novel, but keep getting passes from agents and editors
- Illustrators who want to improve their skills and open up new paying possibilities
- Anyone who has an interest in graphic novels
Your FIRST or NEXT graphic novel awaits you. Don’t wait!
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Invest in your future - use this link or
click the pic below to register now!
For those of you I haven’t met, I’m Dr. Mira Reisberg. I love hats! Maybe that’s why I’ve worn just about every hat in the publishing industry including illustrator, editor, art director, author, and literary agent. I have over 30 years of experience in the field and hold a PhD in Education and Cultural Studies, with a focus on children’s literature. I’ve taught children’s literature courses at Washington State University, Northern Illinois University, San Francisco City College Extension, and UC Berkeley Extension. An award-winning children’s book illustrator and writer, I have walked in your shoes—my work is critiqued by my peers, I submit manuscripts, and yes, I receive rejections. It’s part of the journey. But, as the founder of Children’s Book Academy, I’m proud to say that my students have published or contracted over 1,000 books and won every major North American kidlit award that I am aware of.
I want you to be next!
I want you to be next!
The journey to a becoming a kidlit author can be scary and frustrating, but you don’t have to travel your journey alone. Many aspiring and former students who are now published experienced the exact same challenges. And now they have thriving careers!
Do any of these sound familiar?
If one or more of these are familiar to you, Children’s Book Academy can help
Do any of these sound familiar?
- I read and admire the work of other kidlit authors.
- I have a hard time coming up with story ideas.
- Sometimes I get stuck when writing a story.
- Sometimes I don’t think my stories will ever get published.
- I want to push myself to write other genres.
- I have thought about writing a graphic novel, but I don’t know where to start.
- I have written one or more graphic novels, but I’m not getting any interest from agents or editors.
If one or more of these are familiar to you, Children’s Book Academy can help
In this course, you can expect:
● To learn everything you need to know to publish a hybrid or graphic novel
● Exclusive publishing opportunities
● Live DAILY mentoring
● An interactive supportive community
Plus a whole bunch of fantastic instant access course bonuses to further help you succeed including:
● To learn everything you need to know to publish a hybrid or graphic novel
● Exclusive publishing opportunities
● Live DAILY mentoring
● An interactive supportive community
Plus a whole bunch of fantastic instant access course bonuses to further help you succeed including:
Join our experts and change the course of your kidlit publishing career
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Jill Davis is the Editorial Director of awesome new Astra Imprint, Hippo Park Books, with 30 years of K-YA
editing experience in major houses. She acquires and edits children's books for all genres and ages! |
Alyssa Eisner Henkin was an editor at Simon and Schuster, then an agent at Trident Media before founding her own agency - Birch Path Literary. Representing writers and illustrators of all ages and genres, she has negotiated over 350 deals.
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Dr. Mira Reisberg also has over 30 years of experience in the kidlit field working as a creator, editor, art director, agent, educator, and CBA founder.
Megan Ilnitzky is a Senior Editor at HarperCollins Children’s Books where she acquires and edits picture books through young adult titles and graphic novels.
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We're bringing in an additional group of outstanding editors, agents, and art directors for to give individual guidance
while also looking to acquire! And wait for it... We just added amazing HarperCollins Senior Editor editor Megan Ilnitzki to the teaching faculty who is both brilliant and incredibly generous in her critiques - going above and beyond to help our students! Think you can, think you can't - you're right either way. Join us in this extraordinary course and learn things that might just change your life in truly fantastic ways! |
These are our initial co-teachers with more to come. The extraordinary Jill Davis, Editorial Director of awesome new Astra Imprint, Hippo Park Books is our core co-teacher along with Dr. Mira Reisberg and Alyssa Henkin. We'll also have a different acquiring co-teacher each week to ensure high-value teaching and DAILY expert interactions for feedback or QandA. WOW!!! And here's Jill's bio:
Jill Davis is a thirty-year veteran of children’s books and most recently the Editorial Director of Hippo Park, an imprint of Astra Books for Young Readers. The first Hippo Park list debuted in Fall 2022 and included a comics-style picture book, Tiny Spoon VS. Little Fork. Watch for One Cool Duck - an early graphic chapter book series and The Love Report, the first in a series of middle grade graphic novels. Also watch for LGTBQ Cross My Heart and Never Lie coming soon among their other titles.
Jill has held editorial positions at Random House, Penguin, Bloomsbury, FSG, and HarperCollins. During her decade at HarperCollins, she published Harper Alley’s first book, Catherine’s War by Julia Billet and illustrated by Claire Fauvel, a middle grade graphic novel memoir of World War 2, which won a Batchelder Honor for best translation of the year from the American Library Association. Jill worked on the Olga (Olga and the Smelly Thing from Nowhere) series with Elise Gravel (a hybrid chapter book series) as well as Elise’s early graphic chapter book series, Arlo and Pips, which was nominated for an Eisner Award in 2022. She lives in NYC and Long Island, has two adult sons, two ridiculous dogs, and one lovely husband who can fix any computer problem on earth. Below are just some of the many books that Jill has acquired and/or edited. Just click to commence or pause the show.
Jill Davis is a thirty-year veteran of children’s books and most recently the Editorial Director of Hippo Park, an imprint of Astra Books for Young Readers. The first Hippo Park list debuted in Fall 2022 and included a comics-style picture book, Tiny Spoon VS. Little Fork. Watch for One Cool Duck - an early graphic chapter book series and The Love Report, the first in a series of middle grade graphic novels. Also watch for LGTBQ Cross My Heart and Never Lie coming soon among their other titles.
Jill has held editorial positions at Random House, Penguin, Bloomsbury, FSG, and HarperCollins. During her decade at HarperCollins, she published Harper Alley’s first book, Catherine’s War by Julia Billet and illustrated by Claire Fauvel, a middle grade graphic novel memoir of World War 2, which won a Batchelder Honor for best translation of the year from the American Library Association. Jill worked on the Olga (Olga and the Smelly Thing from Nowhere) series with Elise Gravel (a hybrid chapter book series) as well as Elise’s early graphic chapter book series, Arlo and Pips, which was nominated for an Eisner Award in 2022. She lives in NYC and Long Island, has two adult sons, two ridiculous dogs, and one lovely husband who can fix any computer problem on earth. Below are just some of the many books that Jill has acquired and/or edited. Just click to commence or pause the show.
Alyssa Eisner Henkin began her publishing career in 1999 as an editor at Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers where she edited many celebrated titles including Thank You, Sarah by Laurie Halse Anderson, the Little Quack series by Lauren Thomson and The Mother Daughter Book Club series by Heather Vogel Frederick.
In late 2006, Alyssa made the leap to literary agent at Trident Media Group, where she spent the next fourteen years negotiating hundreds of book deals as well as film and theatrical deals for her award-winning clients including R.J. Palacio, Ruth Behar, Julie Berry, and Jen Bryant.
In early 2021, Alyssa fulfilled her lifelong dream of starting her own business with the founding of Birch Path Literary. Here she continues to foster exciting new book projects among her “OG” clients and many newcomers alike.
Alyssa represents both writers and illustrators of picture books, chapter books, middle grade, YA and of course graphic novels! Below are just some of the many books that she has sold.
In late 2006, Alyssa made the leap to literary agent at Trident Media Group, where she spent the next fourteen years negotiating hundreds of book deals as well as film and theatrical deals for her award-winning clients including R.J. Palacio, Ruth Behar, Julie Berry, and Jen Bryant.
In early 2021, Alyssa fulfilled her lifelong dream of starting her own business with the founding of Birch Path Literary. Here she continues to foster exciting new book projects among her “OG” clients and many newcomers alike.
Alyssa represents both writers and illustrators of picture books, chapter books, middle grade, YA and of course graphic novels! Below are just some of the many books that she has sold.
Check back to see our Phenomenal Group of Golden Ticket Judges who will look at student's pitches bios and optional art with an eye for acquisition!
Wahoo for our Comprehensive Course Curriculum!
Ready for Instant Access?: Advance Week 1! Getting Started and Learning That You Can Really Do This!
This advance week is a major confidence booster where you’ll begin generating ideas for your graphic novel or hybrid. You’ll learn to adapt any of your existing picture books to young adult stories; how to adapt something classic from the Public Domain or Classic Literature to make it marketable and fresh; or begin writing a new graphic novel! Learn from case studies, and use our proven worksheets! At the end of the week, lightbulbs will go off as you realize, “I can do this!”
Week Two: Plotting, Scripting, Playing,
Pacing, and Formatting his week we embark on an awesome road trip together as we explore different ways to plot (and we don’t mean scheme) and pace for maximum drama and/or humor. Think 3 act, 5 act, 7 point structures and more! Learn about universal themes, Graphic Novel terms, easy peasy ways to format, and see some great scripting examples that make you wonder why you didn’t try this sooner. You’ll also get your first peek at a pitch packet. You might even happy dance and say, “I’m actually doing this!” Office Hours and our Weekly Critiquing Webinar will focus on Plots and Possible Endings + Spread Critiques, moving you right along.
Week Four: Your Submission Package, Publishers & Agents, Making Connections, Resources, and More!
We’re ready to walk you through preparing your work to share with our wonderful skip-the-slush-pile group of acquiring editors, agents, and art directors and beyond! We’ll hold your hand as you create an optimized pitch and brief bio, AND art samples if you like, while also making your more detailed submission package. This is where the community village that we’ve all formed really comes in handy to make sure everyone who participates gets help. We’ve even got a nifty Tracking Template and more submission examples to help you. Office Hours and our Weekly Critiquing Webinar will focus on your Pitches, Bios, and Art Samples.
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Week One: Meeting and Making Your Characters Memorable. Mapping and Playing with Art
We’ll teach you about the different ages and genres for kidlit GN and how to get inspired with archetypes. Discover the joy in developing your unique characters that connect with different age readers. It’s time to start diving in with our writing templates and learn some amazingly easy illustration techniques from Cherry Mo. Have fun playing with your GN using thumbnail templates for Illustrators AND Writers. Ask questions in our DAILY office hours. Make connections with kindred spirits and decision makers. Office Hours and our Weekly Critiquing Webinar will focus on ideas and character art. Trust us, this is very helpful.
Week Three: Illustration, Design, Fonts, Promotion, Websites and Social Media
Let’s deep dive into different way to illustrate (and you don’t need to be a pro to illustrate). We share time and sanity saving tips and techniques as you learn more about drawing, and the stylistic elements of working with panels, tools and line, fills and color, fonts to use and where to get them, along with how to create print ready art. Experiment with reusable blank templates or create your own. We’ll also give tips for promoting your work and an awesome interview with Paige Braddock who shares her Peanut, Butter, and Crackers outline and sample color pages. Office Hours and our Weekly Critiquing Webinar will focus on your Writing Scripts with Setting; and Illustration Samples
Week Five: Another Instant Access Week
Learning and Revising Your peer critique groups will continue as will your peer feedback areas as you learn the luscious art of revision. Have fun revising your story and art with these groovy suggestions that will also improve all your future creative projects. Learn from an exceptional group of editors, art directors, and graphic novelists with final words of wisdom and even more writing and illustrating techniques. Revel in the sense of accomplishment with all that you’ve learned and how much you’ve grown as a kidlit creative. Get ready to submit and celebrate knowing that you absolutely do not have to have a complete graphic novel script or dummy to get a contract.
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Week Six: Celebrating and Submitting
Throughout this exceptional course you’ll learn to write and/or illustrate children’s books for different kid ages that you can submit as either a graphic novel, a hybrid, or as a regular picture book, chapter book, middle grade, or young adult. You’ll have created, or be on your way to completing, something uniquely yours that you get to easily submit via our group of editors, agents, and art directors hungry for fresh graphic novel talent. There’s lots more including a section on Finding Your Own Diversity, + a bonus mini-course on writing faith-based, spiritual, and social emotional learning graphic novels and hybrids among others.
No other course will give you this level of daily personal attention as we celebrate you and your creativity
while teaching techniques that open publishing doors.
Throughout this exceptional course you’ll learn to write and/or illustrate children’s books for different kid ages that you can submit as either a graphic novel, a hybrid, or as a regular picture book, chapter book, middle grade, or young adult. You’ll have created, or be on your way to completing, something uniquely yours that you get to easily submit via our group of editors, agents, and art directors hungry for fresh graphic novel talent. There’s lots more including a section on Finding Your Own Diversity, + a bonus mini-course on writing faith-based, spiritual, and social emotional learning graphic novels and hybrids among others.
No other course will give you this level of daily personal attention as we celebrate you and your creativity
while teaching techniques that open publishing doors.
If you want to:
- Write or illustrate a graphic novel from an idea, an existing manuscript, something in the public domain, or jump in with one of our suggestions
- Dramatically improve your chances of getting an agent or being published
- Learn multiple ways of formatting a graphic novel manuscript
- Learn which agents and publishing companies are looking for graphic novels
- Create a targeted query letter ready to send to your ideal editor or agent
- Participate in critiques with our super interactive and supportive private community
- Submit to an exclusive panel of agents and editors who are looking to acquire from the participants of this course
- Have lots of fun
Submission Opportunities
Many of our students have been published or contracted through golden ticket opportunities! We already have some awesome editors, agents, and art directors lined up to look at our 2023 course cohorts work with more to come!
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!
We hope you'll join us in this fantastic live and recorded
time-flexible course!
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Frequently Asked Questions
When does the class start?
The class officially starts May 29th 2023 but there's an instant access advance week plus a whole bunch of bonuses as soon as you register.
When does registration end?
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.
How long does the course stay open after it ends?
Students have an additional year’s access to the course and bonuses.
What kinds of training methods will be used?
We offer helpful weekly subject-specific videos, daily lessons, daily live interaction with co-teachers, video interviews with expert course contributors, written and video lessons, written and video interviews, step-by-step worksheets, handouts, a fabulous highly interactive invitation-only community group, (not Facebook) weekly live critiques with extraordinary guest critiquers that are recorded as videos, Q&As, optional small critique groups, and wonderful peer feedback areas.
Is there a limit on the number of participants who can take this course?
Yes. Due to the fact that this is an interactive course with talent search opportunities, the number of participants is limited.
What will I need?
Computer and Internet access, a great attitude, open mind, and a willingness to play with language, ideas, and art if you're game.
What if I can't be there Live? Are there any specific time requirements?
The only time sensitive requirement is if you want to submit your work for a live online critique, which does have a deadline. The weekly webinars also happen at a specific day and time provided in advance, but if you can't make it live, but EVERYTHING is recorded for later viewing with a whole year of access. If you join one of the optional critique groups, then you need to honor your group's timelines.
Do I have to be an illustrator to take this course and can I publish graphic novels without illustration skills?
Anyone who has a passion or interest in writing or illustrating graphic novels will benefit from this course. You do not need to know how to illustrate to write a graphic novel or hybrid book. But if you are interested in being an illustrator, this course will give you the basics to get started plus, there will be a matchmaking forum for illustrators who don’t want to write to connect with writers who aren’t interested in illustrating.
What do I do during Week 3, if I’m not an illustrator?
Like picture books, the author of a graphic novel isn’t always the illustrator. However, learning how to illustrate a graphic novel, will help you become a better storyteller. We don’t expect you to walk away as an artist in one week, but you may discover a playful interest in developing your illustrator skills. No matter what, it's important to know what the illustrator and author bring to the table and the terminology used to create a great graphic novel.
As an artist, will this course be relevant for me?
You will learn a ton of helpful information about writing and illustrating that may create a revenue stream you hadn’t thought about. Illustrators will also have the option to avail themselves of all the writing lessons as well. It can also increase your chances of publication as a much-desired author/illustrator.
Are there professional critique opportunities as part of this course?
Absolutely and they are pretty fantastic.
Are there submission opportunities as part of this course?
Yes there are wonderful submission opportunities unavailable anywhere else plus you'll make personal connections with all the co-teachers.
How much will I be investing in this course and how do I pay?
We have fantastic staggered discounts. So, the sooner you register, the bigger your discount. And there are the extra bonuses! The course includes over 30 lessons plus 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. The cost is subject to change and because of the staggered discounts, click on the CLICK HERE TO REGISTER button to get the correct price for this course.
Do you offer payment plans?
Yes, we have nifty payment plans available.
Do you offer refunds?
Sorry, there are no refunds. Because we limit the course size and give bonus passwords at the time of purchase, we do not offer refunds. We appreciate your understanding.
What do I do if I have further questions?
You can email Mira Reisberg directly at mira@childrensbookacademy.com with "Mastering Great Graphic Novels" in the subject headline.
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OPEN YOUR MIND, CHANGE YOUR WORDS, TWEAK YOUR ART & CHANGE YOUR LIFE! WE WANT TO DO EXTRAORDINARY THINGS WITH YOU!
Our students have now published or contracted
over 1400 children's books and won every major US Kidlit award.
And now we're ready to rock it even more!
CLICK ONE OF THE OPTIONS BELOW & Don't forget the GNLove code!
And here are just some of the things you can buy with that sweet discount!
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