ICS Writing Books for Children

ICS Writing Books for Children

With our Writing Books for Children course you can learn the language and storytelling skills that go into creating those simply-told stories for children that enchant generation after generation. Competition is fierce, but by acquiring the specialist skills in storytelling for children that you will gain from our course, you can become a children's author, writing for children of all ages and winning a place in their hearts and those of their parents.

Our Writing Books for Children course will introduce you to the storytelling skills you need to write engaging and marketable stories for children. The writing course is devised by Karen King, who is a successful children's author with over 80 books for children to her name. It introduces you to the fundamentals of storytelling for children.

You'll learn how to write a book for five different age groups, from babies and toddlers to twelve year olds, applying your skills to picture books, and traditional fiction and nonfiction books for children.

You'll find out the importance of writing books for children that feature age-specific plots, vocabulary and grammar. You'll discover the importance of character development and engaging dialogue, and explore ways in which to find inspiration for your stories. And to make sure your stories for children have the best chance of being considered for publication, you'll also learn to present them in a professional and visually effective format.

Entry Requirements

You don't need any previous experience or qualifications to enrol in our Writing Books for Children course. That's because we believe in making home study - and a rewarding future - as accessible as possible.

Where will I go from here?

Completing our Writing Books for Children course can bring you one step closer to your goal of becoming a children's author. While very few writers are lucky enough to make it to the bestseller lists, there is always a need for new children's literature, and if you find your niche, it is possible to make a successful living in the field.

What will I gain?

On completion, you'll receive the ICS Diploma in Writing Books for Children.

Assessment

Assessments are a great way of checking your progress, while projects allow you to apply your learning to real-world situations. Throughout the Writing Books for Children course, you'll complete eight exercise-based assessments.

  • Assessment 1: write four letters on the same subject, aiming each at children of different ages
  • Assessment 2: create a brief plot for a children's detective novel
  • Assessment 3: create a plot for your first children's book
  • Assessment 4: create character profiles for the protagonists of your children's book
  • Assessment 5: write dialogue
  • Assessment 6: write a story for children under seven, or the beginning of a story for children over seven
  • Assessment 7: write the story for a picture book
  • Assessment 8: revise and rewrite the story that you submitted for Assessment 6 

Generally, assessments can be sent to us online via the ICS Student Community: it's the fastest way to receive your results.

What will I get?

Teaching support

  • We won't leave you on your own. Your experienced personal tutor is available online and over the phone, ready to help you with all the guidance and motivation you need.

Peer support

  • When you enrol, you become part of the ICS Online Student Community. As well as being able to contact tutors and submit work online, you'll have instant access to your fellow students, and the chance to discuss your work, ask questions and make new friends.

Specialised texts

  • All of your teaching materials have been prepared by experts in your chosen field. They've also been devised with the unique requirements of home study in mind, making them highly effective distance learning tools.
  • As a Writing Books for Children student, you'll receive the supporting text book - Write a Children's Book and Get it Published. You'll also receive five complimentary children's books to aid in your studies: All In One Piece, How Kind!, Don't Be Horrid, Henry, Bill's New Frock and Saffy's Angel.

Study Period

9 months

Hours of study

100 hours

That's equivalent to just over 2 ½ hours of study a week over the nine-month support period.

Support period

9 months

Course code

D15

Course cost

£429.00

Additional fees

There are no registration or examination fees for our Writing Books for Children course.

See your course content

Key Topics

Getting Started

  • Explore your market and examine sources of ideas. Discover what publishers are looking for. Consider what age group you want to write for and whether you want to write for boys, girls or both.

Plotting the Story

  • Explore conflict and plot structure. Learn how to write with your own voice and how to grab the attention of a reader from the first page.

Creating Characters Children will Love

  • Examine different types of characters and learn how to write believable characters. Consider the roles of the key character, secondary characters and minor characters. Explore character names.

Dialogue

  • Discover how to write realistic dialogue and examine the different purposes of dialogue.

Writing Picture Books

  • Learn how to see the world through a child's eyes. Discover how to make every word count and how to hold the interest of a young child. Consider how to write to the level of a young child.

Writing Non-fiction

  • Explore the non-fiction and educational markets, as well as the activity book market. Learn how to write non-fiction. Discover how to design activities that appeal to children.

You can either pay for your Writing Books for Children course in full or opt for a monthly payment plan.

Course fee: £429 (excluding discounts)

Or speak to one of our course advisors now for payment plans.