Registration // Curriculum // Perks and Bonuses // Submissions // Expert Faculty // Guests // Testimonials // FAQs
Learn everything you need to know to
write and publish wonderful children's picture books!
With weekly critiques from industry experts &
exclusive skip-the-slush-pile submission opportunities
this course is a game changer!
Hooray, Hooray!!!
Calling All Children's Picture Book Writers and Illustrators!
Register Now and Apply for Scholarships
The next live training series begins January 11, 2021, runs 6 weeks and
includes a bonus instant-access mini-conference!
Calling All Children's Picture Book Writers and Illustrators!
Register Now and Apply for Scholarships
The next live training series begins January 11, 2021, runs 6 weeks and
includes a bonus instant-access mini-conference!
From complete beginners to seasoned writers and illustrators, this course has something for everyone. Find out why our students say this course is "like attending twenty conferences or a prestigious MFA program in one course."
In this course, you can expect:
● To learn everything you need to know about publishing a picture book
● Exclusive publishing opportunities
● Live mentoring
● An interactive supportive community
If you want to:
● Write a fresh children’s picture book 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
● Write a story that you can later illustrate to increase your chances for publication
● Create a targeted cover letter ready to send to your ideal editor or agent
● Participate in weekly critiques and our super interactive private FB group
● 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!
What's new this session?
● TWO fabulous new acquiring co-teachers, some new Golden Ticket judges
● FREE LIVE advanced picture book writing and targeting your submissions minicourse/workinar and bonus for returning students!
● Skip-the-Slush-Pile with at least Ten Fantastic submission opportunities
● Tons of bonuses for all enrolled students
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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 over 25 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: The next course starts January 11th, 2021 and runs for 5 full faculty weeks, PLUS a bonus instant-access mini-conference week. 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.
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: The next course starts January 11th, 2021 and runs for 5 full faculty weeks, PLUS a bonus instant-access mini-conference week. 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.
There are two levels of Payment for the Craft and Business of Writing Children's Picture Books
The Big Bonus, which includes all the materials, bonuses, submission opportunities, interactive community and so much more.
Then there are the Full Course with ONE HOUR critiquing opportunities below. These are only available at the time of registration. We currently have an early bird discount of $100 off with this PBLove code when checking out, so do grab it while you can.
The Big Bonus, which includes all the materials, bonuses, submission opportunities, interactive community and so much more.
Then there are the Full Course with ONE HOUR critiquing opportunities below. These are only available at the time of registration. We currently have an early bird discount of $100 off with this PBLove code when checking out, so do grab it while you can.
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PLUS ALL THE BONUSES, INDIVIDUAL ATTENTION, FABULOUS COMMUNITY,
WEEKLY CRITIQUING WEBINARS WITH AGENTS & EDITORS
PLUS TWELVE FANTASTIC SUBMISSION OPPORTUNITIES!
WEEKLY CRITIQUING WEBINARS WITH AGENTS & EDITORS
PLUS TWELVE FANTASTIC SUBMISSION OPPORTUNITIES!
Need more info? Keep scrolling!
From complete beginners to seasoned writers and illustrators, this course has something for everyone. Find out why our students say this course is "like attending twenty conferences or a prestigious MFA program in one course."
If you want to:
If you want to:
- Write a fresh children’s picture book 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
- Write a story that you can later illustrate to increase your chances for publication
- Create a targeted cover letter ready to send to your ideal editor or agent
- Participate in weekly critiques and our super interactive private FB group
- 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
Each week we have LIVE topic-specific critiquing webinars with 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 students mentored work with an eye towards acquisitions.
Last year's panel of Golden Ticket judges, who 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!
We will announce this year's judges when we have them finalized, so keep checking back.
REQUESTED TO SEE 56 FULL MANUSCRIPT SUBMISSIONS!
Quite a few of these students are now agented or contracted. Woohoo!
We will announce this year's judges when we have them finalized, so keep checking back.
We'd love you to add your story to our many now-published students' books on shelves at bookstores everywhere!
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WEEK 1
WEEK 3
WEEK 5
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WEEK 2
WEEK 4
WEEK 6
START PREPPING YOUR GOLDEN TICKET SUBMISSIONS! |
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THE GOLDEN TICKETS
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 this course, you will learn how to not only write memorable and marketable picture books, but also how to write great pitches, bios, and covers letters to catch that agent or editor's eye. Our panel of judges will look 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 will have the opportunity to share your work with our special honorary guests in order to get some of their insight and direct coaching of your work during our live (and recorded) sessions. 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. |
AND a BRAND NEW FREE LIVE higher level writing and targeting your publishers or agent bonus mini-course for returning students!
- FREE How to Build a Website Great for authors & illustrators
- FREE How to Write and Illustrate Brilliant Board Books Another great FREE bonus for both authors and illustrators
- FREE Bonus Videos The Brilliant Barbara Bottner Bonus Interviews dig deeper into course materials
- FREE Social Media Tips & Tricks Learn to setup your accounts & develop a social media following to help promote your books
- FREE Learn Photoshop We offer this at two levels: beginners (Part 1) and seasoned users (Part 2) in one low-cost course
- Expert Writing Tips FREE The Little Big Book of Children’s Book Writing Techniques & Terminology
- Plus an awesome bonus for the first 20 to register: Half off our delicious start today "Let's Get Funny: Writing Humor for Kids" course (which is getting rave reviews)
- BUT WAIT THERE'S EVEN MORE - a quickie intro to humor with Amy Fitzgerald!!!
- AND a BRAND NEW FREE LIVE higher level writing and targeting your publishers or agent bonus mini-course for returning students!
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Sign Up
For The Full Course with all the amazing bonuses, daily interaction and mentoring, weekly critiques with editors and agents, keep forever handouts and worksheets, a fantastic community and so much more!
For The Full Course with all the amazing bonuses, daily interaction and mentoring, weekly critiques with editors and agents, keep forever handouts and worksheets, a fantastic community and so much more!
Since interning at BookEnds in 2015, James McGowan has continuously leveled-up to become an acquiring Associate Agent and Social Media Manager for the team.
A Staten Island native, he holds a Master’s Degree in English and is a passionate lifelong reader. James only recently realized he could also be a writer and his debut picture book, GOOD NIGHT, OPPY, is launching Fall 2021 from Boyds Mills & Kane Press.
James is open to picture books of all kinds, but is especially drawn to humorous and nonfiction picture books.
He is very excited about co-teaching the Craft and Business of Writing Children’s Picture Books.
Follow him on twitter at www.twitter.com/jmcgowanbks or Instagram at www.instagram.com/jmcgowanbks
A Staten Island native, he holds a Master’s Degree in English and is a passionate lifelong reader. James only recently realized he could also be a writer and his debut picture book, GOOD NIGHT, OPPY, is launching Fall 2021 from Boyds Mills & Kane Press.
James is open to picture books of all kinds, but is especially drawn to humorous and nonfiction picture books.
He is very excited about co-teaching the Craft and Business of Writing Children’s Picture Books.
Follow him on twitter at www.twitter.com/jmcgowanbks or Instagram at www.instagram.com/jmcgowanbks
Rosie Ahmed is an Assistant Editor with Dial Books for Young Readers, a division of Penguin Young Readers. Before that, she was an editorial assistant at Dial and the former Kathy Dawson Books. Rosie has interned with Bloomsbury Children’s and the Charlotte Sheedy Literary Agency, and earned her MA in Creative Writing at the University of South Dakota. She works on picture books, middle grade, young adult, graphic novels, and nonfiction that give children the stories they need in order to thrive.
Dr. Mira Reisberg has helped MANY authors and illustrators get published. She has worn just about every hat in the industry including illustrator, 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 also works as an editor and art director at Clear Fork Publishing's children's imprint Spork and is an award-winning children's book illustrator and writer. You can follow her on Twitter at @ChildrensBookAc. In fact, Mira took a job with Clearfork Publishing's children's book imprint, Spork Kid's Books, so she could further help students by acquiring, editing, and art directing their books. These are the first books to be published from that collaboration, and several of the authors of these books will be joining us live in our Facebook group to "pass it on" and help new students.
SOME OF THE MANY BOOKS MIRA AND HER PUBLISHER HAVE ACQUIRED FROM THIS COURSE ALONE:
For a limited time only, use code PBLove
FOR AN ADDITIONAL $100 OFF the prices below!
FOR AN ADDITIONAL $100 OFF the prices below!
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AND SO MUCH MORE!
Registering for the Craft and Business of Writing Children's Picture Books is an incredibly useful investment in your career with a priceless return on this investment. The course comes with a money back guarantee that if you fully participate and do the work throughout the course, if at the end of a year you don't feel that you learned a lot, we'll give you your money back!
Still a little unsure? Here are some testimonials from amazing students who have taken this transformative journey before you, all of whom are now multi-published!
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Join former students who have now received over 375 contract offers and others who have signed with their dream agents. Here's a wee video from former student AND NOW MULTI-MULTI AWARD-WINNER Yuyi Morales.
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Marcie Colleen is now multi, multi published with a major kidlit career!
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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 three books and more on the way!
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From Tanja Bauerle
I just completed The Craft and Business of Writing Children’s Picture Books. The wonderful Mira Reisberg is so incredibly generous and knowledgeable that the past five weeks have been filled with resources, information and practical applications that I can’t wait to implement into my own writing. I feel so inspired and feel like my inner writer is blossoming, all that’s to the marvelous Mira. I highly encourage you to take any of Mira’s courses. You will not be disappointed and the tools that she will bestow on you will propel you onwards. |
From Melanie Moschella
I thoroughly enjoyed the online format of “The Craft and Business of Writing Children’s Picture Books”! Every weekday there was a new lesson posted with lecture notes and informative videos from other children’s book authors [and editors, agents, and book sellers]. I had an idea for a picture book, but as a new writer I did not know how to get started. What I especially liked about this class was our small critique groups and the one-on-one critique with Dr. Reisberg. Dr. Reisberg understands the children’s book industry and her feedback and continued encouragement has been wonderful! |
From Marcy Pusey
Just completed five weeks with the Children's Book Academy… and I have to say: It was SUPERB. FANTASTIC. The class has so inspired and equipped me, that I’ve been more intentional about submitting, working, pitching, querying… and writing. I have some new, great, practical “tools” in my writer’s toolbox that I didn’t have before. I’ve left with a new fantastic critique group, an e-book with all the information, access to the website for awhile longer, and Mira. Mira is amazing. Since the class ended, I've won second place in the Perfect Character Driven Pitch contest. I submitted a book to a publisher I’ve worked with before (SNAP Learning) who loved my work and bought it! |
From Wendy Greenley
For the past five weeks I've been a student at Dr. Mira Reisberg's Children's Book Academy. Mira's passion for the subject was palpable, and her record of successes with previous students an inspiration. I came away with a renewed sense of focus and a conviction that it isn't enough to write good picture books--children deserve great picture books and it is up to writers to rise to the challenge. Seriously, thanks, Mira. |
From Danielle Heitmuller
Dr. Mira Reisberg is an excellent teacher. She pushes you to do your best, but in such a supportive and nurturing way. The Children's Book Academy improved my writing skills tenfold. I feel confident in submitting my manuscript and ready to write more with my newly acquired knowledge. |
From Audrey Couloumbis
One of the truest truths of writing is that we never know it all, we rarely face the same challenges with the next book that we met with the last. Consequently, we're always learning. I've taken two courses with Mira Reisberg's Children's Book Academy, although I had my doubts, at first, that an online class would be satisfying. But it had been too long since I'd had the opportunity to take any class, anywhere, and I decided to give it a try. I wasn't disappointed. I learned a lot in each class and of course...I'm looking forward to the next. |
will speak to you in custom created videos and written interviews sharing their perspectives on everything from writing tips and secrets on how they structure their books, researching and writing non-fiction, writing biographies, crafting perfect rhymes, creating luscious language, working with plot, getting rejected and keeping on going, what they look for in buying books, what they look for in submissions, creating an authors platform to make you more attractive to publishers and so much more.
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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: We will be announcing the 2021 start date soon.
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, 6 weeks of M-F instructor access 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.
Q: When does registration end?
A: Because our courses generally only happen once a year, and due to the high success rate of our students, usually sell out, we recommend that you register sooner rather than later.
Q: I’m primarily an artist, will this course be relevant for me?
A: While the primary focus of the course is writing children's picture books, you will learn a ton of helpful information and may increase your chances of publication as a much desired author/illustrator.
Q: What will I need?
A: Computer and Internet access, Facebook access, a great attitude and open mind, and a willingness to play with language and ideas.
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 "Children's Picture Book Writing Course Question" 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. The Facebook group with links to the webinars and extra materials stays open indefinitely.
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. However, we do offer a 100% learning money back guarantee, that if you read the lessons, participate and do the work during the course, and at the end of a year, don't feel that you learned a lot, we will refund your money in full.
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: We will be announcing the 2021 start date soon.
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, 6 weeks of M-F instructor access 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.
Q: When does registration end?
A: Because our courses generally only happen once a year, and due to the high success rate of our students, usually sell out, we recommend that you register sooner rather than later.
Q: I’m primarily an artist, will this course be relevant for me?
A: While the primary focus of the course is writing children's picture books, you will learn a ton of helpful information and may increase your chances of publication as a much desired author/illustrator.
Q: What will I need?
A: Computer and Internet access, Facebook access, a great attitude and open mind, and a willingness to play with language and ideas.
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 "Children's Picture Book Writing Course Question" 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. The Facebook group with links to the webinars and extra materials stays open indefinitely.
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. However, we do offer a 100% learning money back guarantee, that if you read the lessons, participate and do the work during the course, and at the end of a year, don't feel that you learned a lot, we will refund your money in full.
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.
Is this your time to shine?
Use the delightful discount code and join us: PBLove
Use the delightful discount code and join us: PBLove
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