Writing for children can appear perplexing at first glance. How long should a picture book be? What do people mean when they talk about middle grade? What’s the difference between YA and NA? Then there are the actual ideas! Where do you find them? What techniques can you use to coax them into being? How do you shape those ideas into something that will have impact? 

What will you do on the masterclass?
Firstly, there will be an overview of the children’s market. This will be followed by writing exercises to get ideas flowing, We will finish with dedicated time to put pen to paper and write in the company of others. By the end of the session, you will have an idea that might just be the jumping off point for your children’s novel.   

What can participants expect?
Exercises will be based around objects, names and places.  We will look at the core ideas of several successful children’s books and try to understand why these ideas are so appealing and memorable.  

Who is the opportunity for?
This workshop is for anyone interested in writing children’s books but it will not have a particular focus on picture books. We will not cover non-fiction for children.  

What do you need to take part?
You will need a device with a webcam and microphone and the Zoom app installed. Please visit https://zoom.us/ to download it. We will also email you instructions to get you started. During the session you will also need a notepad and pen.

Bursaries
We have 5 free bursary places available to writers who are: 

• • Carers; 

  • Single parents; 

  • Care leavers; 

  • Experience of being homeless; 

  • Ex-offenders; 

  • Unemployed;  

  • On a low income either on benefits or a minimum wage zero hours contract.

If you would like to apply for a bursary place, please email [email protected] and mention which category you belong to and why you would like to take part in the workshop/course. The deadline for applying is 31 January. We will aim to notify bursary applicants at least two weeks before the workshop or course is due to take place. Please note you can only apply for a bursary place for one workshop or course.  

Discounted rates
London Writers Network members receive a 10% discount on Spread the Word’s paid programme of activities, and access to two free specially programmed London Writers Network events a year. You can find out more about the London Writers Network scheme here. If you are a London Writers Network member please login to receive your discount.

To see if you are eligible for a concessionary rate, please take a look at our concessions policy.

If you’d like to read our terms and conditions before booking, you can do so here or you can view them at the bottom of every page of our website.