Suitable for those working on a YA (14+), teen (11–16) middle grade (8–12) or young fiction (7+) novel (learn more about the types of children’s fiction here). You will join a group of 15 writers taught by Catherine Johnson, prize-winning YA and children’s fiction author and much-loved creative writing tutor. You'll discover how to create characters that resonate with your target audience and shape an engaging narrative arc, as well as key writing techniques – from point-of-view and dialogue to world-building and plotting.
With weekly teaching and workshopping on our interactive platform, plus one-to-one tutorials, and guidance from industry experts, this course will help you develop your craft and understand how your story fits within the YA and children’s fiction market. Our compact three-month schedule and online learning environment make this course ideal for writers with busy calendars in need of flexibility, as well as comprehensive advice and an energetic burst of motivation.
You’ll also attend an exclusive live industry masterclass on Zoom featuring insights from a top children's author and a leading literary agent specialising in children's fiction. When the course ends, you’ll be given the opportunity to share your work with literary agents from Curtis Brown and C&W.
Over 280 of our students have gone on to become commercially published authors, including TikTok sensation and bestselling author Cynthia Murphy (Last One to Die, Win Lose Kill Die and The Midnight Game). Other previous students of our Writing YA & Children’s Fiction course include Penny Chrimes (Tiger Heart), Rachael Fernandes (The Mercury in Me), Michael Mann (Ghostcloud) and Jenny Pearson (The Super Miraculous Journey of Freddie Yates). Whether you're in the early stages of writing, halfway through a first draft or embarking on a major rewrite – this course will give you the push you need to get the most out of your novel for younger readers.