Registration • Curriculum • Perks & Bonuses • Teachers • Submissions • Contributors • Lives • Testimonials • FAQs
The Ultimate Craft and Business of Writing, Illustrating
& Publishing Children's Picture Books e-Course
REGISTRATION OPENS MONDAY SEPTEMBER 25th
Class Starts November 6th 2023!
Free Bonuses start on Registration!
What would it be like to get to work with one of these people every day in an incredible course with a FANTASTIC track-record of published students?
Here's a quick peek at just some of the people you'll get to work with live while making a magical, marketable picture book!
The incredible deal that is this AMAZING course!
This size-limited course is the equivalent of 4-5 other courses, and inexpensive compared to the university courses that cost 3 times as much (that Dr. Mira used to teach)! Plus, you're not competing with 400-900 other students like some other online offerings. It's comparable to 20 conferences or a (much more fun) Master's Degree without the certificate. Not only that, but you get valuable time and attention from skilled professionals in the KidLit industry.
Prices below include the PBLove $80 discount or the ReturningStudent $100 discount.
AND THERE ARE ALSO LOVELY PAYMENT PLANS THAT CAN BE ADJUSTED IF NEEDED!
The course with everything! Currently only $615 or $595 with a whole year of access to the course, and all the bonuses.
The course plus a LIVE interactive FULL one-hour critique with one of the experts below:
Only $175 extra at $790 or $770 (normally double this elsewhere)
This size-limited course is the equivalent of 4-5 other courses, and inexpensive compared to the university courses that cost 3 times as much (that Dr. Mira used to teach)! Plus, you're not competing with 400-900 other students like some other online offerings. It's comparable to 20 conferences or a (much more fun) Master's Degree without the certificate. Not only that, but you get valuable time and attention from skilled professionals in the KidLit industry.
Prices below include the PBLove $80 discount or the ReturningStudent $100 discount.
AND THERE ARE ALSO LOVELY PAYMENT PLANS THAT CAN BE ADJUSTED IF NEEDED!
The course with everything! Currently only $615 or $595 with a whole year of access to the course, and all the bonuses.
The course plus a LIVE interactive FULL one-hour critique with one of the experts below:
Only $175 extra at $790 or $770 (normally double this elsewhere)
Ready to Register? Click one of the pics below!
Use the time-limited, case-sensitive PBLove promo code to save $80.
And if you are a returning student from one of our interactive courses - use ReturningStudent to save $100
Make sure the code is working as we've tested it on our end and can't refund the fabulous discount.
Your FAB EXTRA FREE bonuses are waiting.
Use the time-limited, case-sensitive PBLove promo code to save $80.
And if you are a returning student from one of our interactive courses - use ReturningStudent to save $100
Make sure the code is working as we've tested it on our end and can't refund the fabulous discount.
Your FAB EXTRA FREE bonuses are waiting.
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The Ultimate Craft and Business of Writing and Illustrating Children's Picture Books Course... explained!
The Ultimate Craft & Business of Writing Picture Books course is co-taught with daily interaction by an expert publishing faculty, the weekly guests, and gifted assistants. The course also includes videos and written interviews with over 25 industry experts.
The program is designed to be extremely time flexible. You can access the lessons whenever you want and interact as much or as little as you like. The only time-specific elements are the weekly critiquing webinars, the daily office hours, and your optional critique groups (some of which are also recorded). All the materials come with a full year of access!
And this year, we’re doing things very differently with an additional inexpensive option for any student to register for this course and receive the full instant access Craft and Business of Illustrating Children’s Books Course for only $75 extra (rather than $325) because we want to encourage writers to also become illustrators, and illustrators to become authors. PLUS we’re having FIVE additional editor, agent, & art director co-teachers joining Helen and Dr. Mira each week to work directly with students during office hours, weekly critiquing webinars, & also participating in the bountiful Golden Ticket submission opportunities! WOW! You will never find this anywhere else because it's expensive and time consuming on our end but BRILLIANT for students!
The program is designed to be extremely time flexible. You can access the lessons whenever you want and interact as much or as little as you like. The only time-specific elements are the weekly critiquing webinars, the daily office hours, and your optional critique groups (some of which are also recorded). All the materials come with a full year of access!
And this year, we’re doing things very differently with an additional inexpensive option for any student to register for this course and receive the full instant access Craft and Business of Illustrating Children’s Books Course for only $75 extra (rather than $325) because we want to encourage writers to also become illustrators, and illustrators to become authors. PLUS we’re having FIVE additional editor, agent, & art director co-teachers joining Helen and Dr. Mira each week to work directly with students during office hours, weekly critiquing webinars, & also participating in the bountiful Golden Ticket submission opportunities! WOW! You will never find this anywhere else because it's expensive and time consuming on our end but BRILLIANT for students!
During the course, you will...
- Learn everything you need to know about making and publishing picture books
- Benefit from exclusive publishing opportunities
- Receive live and recorded mentoring
- Revel in an interactive supportive community
- Participate in daily M-F interaction and feedback from your co-teachers
- Join weekly live and recorded critiques with industry guests
What's new this session?
- Advance lessons to help you get started before the course begins
- TWO fabulous new acquiring co-teachers, some new Golden Ticket judges
- FREE LIVE advanced picture book writing and targeting your submissions Masterclass bonus for returning students!
- FREE NEW LEVERAGING LUSCIOUS LANGUAGE TO MAKE YOUR STORY SING INSTANT ACCESS MASTERCLASS!
- Skip-the-Slush-Pile with MANY new submission opportunities
- Tons of bonuses for all enrolled students
this course is for you if you want to...
- Write a fresh children’s picture book story from start to finish or jump in with one of our suggestions
- Revise and polish an existing children's book manuscript radically improving agenting and/or publication possibilities
- Write and/or illustrate a story that will make you proud
- Create a targeted cover letter ready to send to your ideal editor or agent
- Create an effective punchy pitch and bio for your cover letter and pitch fests
- Participate in weekly critiques and our super interactive private course platform
- Join an optional small critique group
- Submit to an exclusive panel of editors and agents who are looking to acquire from this course
- Have lots of fun
Why should you do this course you ask? Because you want to write, and/or illustrate and publish children's picture books! This is the only course with an unparalleled track-record of published, award-winning, and agented students!
The details
This size-limited, online interactive e-course, talent search, and community lovefest gives you everything you need to know about writing, selling and marketing children's picture books. You get 30 written and video lessons, targeted interviews with industry experts sharing insider tips, worksheets, templates, handouts, lists of publishers and agents, direct feedback, step by step directions, tons of bonuses, weekly critiques, daily office hours and submission opportunities providing a really comprehensive education.
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 and LIVE written and recorded Office Hours, this proven-track record course is designed to accommodate students from all corners of this beautiful world.
AND IF YOU ARE A RETURNING STUDENT OF THIS COURSE, we'll be doing an exclusive interactive webinar just for you ahead of the course to help you focus on what story is best for you to develop and finish during the course.
This size-limited, online interactive e-course, talent search, and community lovefest gives you everything you need to know about writing, selling and marketing children's picture books. You get 30 written and video lessons, targeted interviews with industry experts sharing insider tips, worksheets, templates, handouts, lists of publishers and agents, direct feedback, step by step directions, tons of bonuses, weekly critiques, daily office hours and submission opportunities providing a really comprehensive education.
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 and LIVE written and recorded Office Hours, this proven-track record course is designed to accommodate students from all corners of this beautiful world.
AND IF YOU ARE A RETURNING STUDENT OF THIS COURSE, we'll be doing an exclusive interactive webinar just for you ahead of the course to help you focus on what story is best for you to develop and finish during the course.
To accommodate different learning styles, the course is taught using multiple modalities and LOTS of interaction and feedback!
Learn from time-flexible daily lessons, worksheets, writing templates, videos, interviews, and much more in our password-protected platform, tons of resources including lists of publishers and agents! Get your work live critiqued in weekly topic-specific webinars.
Get daily feedback M-F from our co-teachers, upgrade for a one-on-one one-hour critique with one of our co-teachers, join an optional critique group and interact in our vibrant chat area or office hours.
Learn from time-flexible daily lessons, worksheets, writing templates, videos, interviews, and much more in our password-protected platform, tons of resources including lists of publishers and agents! Get your work live critiqued in weekly topic-specific webinars.
Get daily feedback M-F from our co-teachers, upgrade for a one-on-one one-hour critique with one of our co-teachers, join an optional critique group and interact in our vibrant chat area or office hours.
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WEEK 1: HOOKS • GREAT BEGINNINGS & IDEAS
WEEK 2: characters • STRUCTURE & PLOT
WEEK 3: PROBLEMS • BIG MOMENTS & VOICE
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WEEK 4: TURNING POINTS • CLIMAXES & Endings
WEEK 5: pitching • CONTRACTS & Social MEDIA
WEEK 6: FABULOUS INSTANT ACCESS CONFERENCE
START PREPPING YOUR GOLDEN TICKET SUBMISSIONS! |
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We are so excited that after this course, our students will hit 1000 books published or contracted!
Each week we have LIVE, topic-specific, critique webinars with even more acquiring editors and agents to further increase student's work quality and chances for publication. We call these the Lives. These editors and agents, plus other decision makers, return at the end of the course to look at student-mentored work with an eye towards acquisitions.
Here are this upcoming course's awesome weekly critiquers along with our co-teachers!
Here are this upcoming course's awesome weekly critiquers along with our co-teachers!
Jill Davis
Exec. Editorial Director Hippo Park Books |
Mystery Editor
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Joni Sussman
Editor/Publisher Kar-Ben Books |
Tova Seltzer
Editorial Asst. Neal Porter Books |
Mystery Agent
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There are currently six options for The Ultimate Craft and Business of Writing and Illustrating Children's Picture Books Course, although most of these will sell out. All of them come with easy Payment Plans that can be adjusted if needed.
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We know our courses aren't cheap, but because we pay so many editors, agents, and art directors, and use top technology, it's actually fantastic value for everything you get. This is probably why the saying, "you get what you pay for" exists. If it helps, think of this in terms of how much taking 5 other courses or conferences would cost you, look out our publication statistics, and then the math is so much better.
From complete beginners to seasoned writers and illustrators, this course has something for everyone.
Our students say this course is "like attending twenty conferences or a prestigious MFA program in one course."
Our students say this course is "like attending twenty conferences or a prestigious MFA program in one course."
Our Golden Tickets give you the opportunity to put your work in front of real industry experts. You will directly pitch a select group of agents and editors in a targeted and low-stress way to bypass the slush pile or closed-house submission policy.
Last year's judges, at the end of the course, requested to see 56 full manuscript submissions!
Quite a few of these students are now agented or contracted. Woohoo! Here are just some of the folks that we have lined up for...
Last year's judges, at the end of the course, requested to see 56 full manuscript submissions!
Quite a few of these students are now agented or contracted. Woohoo! Here are just some of the folks that we have lined up for...
January 2023 Golden Ticket judges so far with more to come...
Helen H. Wu
Publisher Yeehoo Press 
Joni Sussman
Publisher Kar-Ben |
Kate dePalma
Senior Editor & Art Director Barefoot Books 
Jill Davis
Executive Editorial Director Hippo Park Press |
Kaitlyn Sanchez
Agent Bradford Literary 
Mystery Agent
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Megan Ilnitzky
Senior Editor HarperCollins 
Tova Seltzer
Editorial Asst. Neal Porter Books/Holiday House |
We'd love for you to add your story to our story of multi-multi-published students' books on shelves and at bookstores everywhere!
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THE GOLDEN TICKETS
Our Golden Tickets are an EXCLUSIVE OPPORTUNITY no other academy offers! At the end of this course, you will be able to put your work in front of real industry experts. You will directly pitch a select group of agents and editors and bypass the slush pile or closed-house submission policy. In the Ultimate Craft and Business of Writing and Illustrating Picture Books, you'll learn how to not only write memorable and marketable picture books, but also how to write powerful pitches, bios, and cover letters to catch that agent or editor's eye. Our panel of judges then look at a secret website of your pitches and bios and select ones that they're interested in seeing more from for a chance to publish your work. |
THE LIVE WEBINARS
The "LIVES" are another Children's Book Academy EXCLUSIVE available to you through this course! Each week, you'll have the opportunity to share your work with our special honorary guests in order to get some of their insights and direct coaching of your work during our live (and recorded) sessions and also hopefully make some fabulous connections. From hooks to character development to plot twists and pitches, your work is guaranteed live critiques throughout the course weeks in a friendly and supportive environment that fosters growth and community. You will not find an opportunity to impress editors and agents from the most sought-after houses anywhere else. |
FANTASTIC FREE BONUSES
- FREE Making Unusual Picture Books How to make your story stand out
- FREE Expert Writing Tips The Little Big Book of Children’s Book Writing Techniques & Terminology
- FREE Masterclass: Writing Submissions That Sell AKA Writing Cover Letters and Pitches that Agents and Editors WANT to Read!
- FREE Bonus Videos The Brilliant Barbara Bottner Bonus Interviews dig deeper into course materials
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Is now the time to....
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Dr. Mira Reisberg has helped MANY authors and illustrators get published. Her students have published or contracted over 1,400 books and won just about every major North American kidlit award that she knows of. Mira has worn just about every hat in the industry including illustrator, author, editor, art director, and literary agent. She holds a PhD in Education and Cultural Studies with a focus on children's literature and art education. Mira has taught children's literature survey and marketing courses at Washington State University, Northern Illinois University, San Francisco City College Extension, and US Berkeley Extension. She is also an award-winning children's book illustrator and writer.
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Helen H. Wu is a children’s book author, illustrator, translator and publisher. As the Publisher of Yeehoo Press, an independent children’s book publisher based in San Diego, California, she is fascinated by the differences and similarities between cultures. As the author and/or illusrtator of over 22 books, including Tofu Takes Time, illustrated by Julie Jarema (Beaming Books, 2022) and Long Goes To Dragon School, illustrated by Mae Besom (Yeehoo Press, 2023). She loves to share stories that empower children to understand the world and our connections. Helen resides in sunny Southern California, with her family and two kids. Learn more about her at helenhwu.com and follow her on Twitter at @HelenHWu and on Instagram at @HelenHWu.
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Kaitlyn Sanchez is a fabulous literary agent now at Bradford Literary Agency who loves our students and represents quite a few of them including: Heather Bell, Jolene Gutierrez, Alyssa Reynoso-Morris, David McMullin, and Pooja Nukala! She is also a mom, wife, middle school math teacher and picture book author. Context Literary represents high-quality children's literature, women's fiction, and narrative non-fiction. Kaitlyn's MSWL says, "On one side, 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!)".
Kate dePalma is a Senior Acquiring Editor at Barefoot Books, where according to Publisher's Marketplace she is the #1 top picture book acquiring editor! Wow! She is also a multi-published author and an art director. Kate began her career at The University of Texas Press as a Fellow in Copyediting, and then made the move into children’s publishing at Peachtree Publishers in Atlanta, GA. Now as Senior Editor at Barefoot Books, Kate helps others create unique and intriguing children's books.
Megan Ilnitzky is a Senior Editor at HarperCollins Children’s Books. She edits picture books through young adult titles. She is looking for character-driven picture books, commercial middle grade fantasy, and voice-driven contemporary middle grade and teen fiction. Across all age levels, she's particularly drawn to joyful, magical, and inclusive stories from diverse voices. Her list includes books by M.O. Yuksel, Jason June, Rochelle Hassan, Phil Stamper, George Jreije, Samantha Berger, Breanna Carzoo, Jeanne Walker Harvey, and more. She also works on programs for Maurice Sendak and C.S. Lewis's The Chronicles of Narnia and is part of the team for Soman Chainani's New York Times bestselling The School for Good and Evil series.
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SOME OF THE BOOKS MIRA ACQUIRED, EDITED, & ART DIRECTED FROM THIS COURSE ALONE:
SOME OF HELEN'S BOOKS AND BOOKS FROM YEEHOO PRESS!
What kinds of formats will there be?
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 Mighty Networks group, weekly live critiques with extraordinary critique guests, daily office hours with co-teachers, and Q&As that are recorded, 2 e-books, and optional small critique groups.
Who will benefit from this class?
Anyone who has a passion or interest in writing or illustrating children's picture books.
When does the class start?
The next class starts January 9, 2023.
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 of course there are the extra bonuses! The course includes over 30 lessons + tons of bonus materials, 5 weeks of M-F instructor access plus a bonus instant access week, and lifetime access to your community + a 1 week mini-conference. You’ll register through Infusionsoft, which will automatically convert currency for you and we have nifty payment plans available.
When registering, use the case-sensitive PBLove promo code to save $100. Make sure the code is working as we've tested it on our end and can't refund money. We also have wonderful scholarships right here!
When registering, use the case-sensitive PBLove promo code to save $100. Make sure the code is working as we've tested it on our end and can't refund money. We also have wonderful scholarships right here!
When does registration end?
January 1, 2023. 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, this course usually sells out. We recommend that you register sooner rather than later
I’m primarily an artist, will this course be relevant for me?
While the primary focus of the course is writing children's picture books, you will learn a ton of helpful information and most-likely increase your chances of publication as a much desired author/illustrator. A separate, instant access illustration course that is normally $325, will be available to purchase at a deeply discounted price of $75.
What will I need?
Computer and Internet access, a great attitude and open mind, and a willingness to play with creativity.
Are there any specific time requirements?
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 and daily office hours also happen at a specific day and time and are provided in advance, but if you can't make it live, they are also written and recorded for later viewing.
What do I do if I have further questions?
You can email Mira at mira@childrensbookacademy.com with "Children's Picture Book Writing Course Question" in the subject headline.
How long does the course stay open after it ends?
Students have an additional year or more access to the course after it ends.
Do you offer refunds?
Sorry, there are no refunds. We appreciate your understanding.
Ready to Start Today? Click one of the magical pics below!
Use the time and case-sensitive PBLove promo code to save $80.
Or if you've taken this course before use ReturningStudent to save $100
Make sure the code is working as we've tested it on our end and can't refund the fabulous discount
Use the time and case-sensitive PBLove promo code to save $80.
Or if you've taken this course before use ReturningStudent to save $100
Make sure the code is working as we've tested it on our end and can't refund the fabulous discount
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Still a little unsure? Check out these student's testimonials below!
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All the manuscripts I worked on with Mira, went on to be published! I learned to really think deeper about the backstory of each character- before the story begins. I learned to actually enjoy the revisions and editing, whereas before I feared it. Mira critiqued two of my manuscripts and both are under contract with publishers. I know I would not be published, had I not found Mira’s wonderful Children’s Book Academy classes. I had been floundering for years as a writer. Taking my first class was like suddenly realizing what I had been doing wrong. Within months of taking my first class I had a contract. Mira offers Golden Tickets from agents and editors which is a unique opportunity to get your work noticed. I can’t recommend this highly enough. It’s the best class I have ever taken and I’m forever grateful. ~ Shirin Shamsi author of The Moon from Dehradun: A Story of Partition; Zahra's Blessing: A Ramadan Story; Laila and the Sands of Time; The Girl Who Dared; Planting Friendship and many more.
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Join former students who have now published or received over 1,400 contracts and others who have signed with their dream agents. Here's a wee video from a long ago student who has worked incredibly hard and is now a MULTI-MULTI AWARD-WINNER - Yuyi Morales.
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Marcie Colleen is also now multi, multi published with a major kidlit career thanks to her hard work, talent, perseverance, and willingness to learn from many sources!
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Jenny Kouts is also multi published and doing great in Greece! Yay Jenny!
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And here's Danielle Dufayet, now published with four books and more on the way!
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These expert contributors will speak to you in customized videos and written interviews sharing their perspectives on everything from writing tips and secrets on how they structure their books, to researching and writing non-fiction, to writing biographies, to crafting perfect rhymes, to creating luscious language, to working with plot, to getting rejected and keeping on going, to what they look for in buying books, to what they look for in submissions, to creating an authors platform to make you more attractive to publishers, and SO MUCH MORE! Heads up we are revising this list soon!
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Is this your time to shine?
Just click one of the pretty pics below and Join us.
Just click one of the pretty pics below and Join us.
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Here's a tiny sneak peek from a much larger video interview with Marsha Diane Arnold where she shares words of wisdom for beginning writers. In the full interview, Marsha shares about her writing process, how she embeds or unearths deeper meanings in her stories, and how she crafts character-driven stories. She's pretty fabulous as are our other gifted contributors.
