Writing Picture Books: What Editors Want First-Time Authors to Know
with Cara Stevens
This course includes:
11 video lessons on writing, revising, and publishing picture books
9 simple, actionable homework assignments to guide your draft to completion
PDF guides for revising your manuscript and writing your query letter and synopsis
Lifetime course access
Perfect If: You want to tell great stories to young readers.
Open To: Children's book writers of all levels.
Original price was: $349.00.$249.00Current price is: $249.00.
Original price was: $349.00.$249.00Current price is: $249.00.Enroll Now
100% money-back guarantee for 14 days, no questions asked.
Already purchased? Log in to access
You’ll Leave This Course With:
- An actionable guide for writing and publishing picture books to delight young readers.
- A clear understanding of the picture book publishing industry, including what publishers look for and how to query with confidence.
- Proven writing and revision strategies for picture books.
- A polished manuscript draft—or several, as you can return to this course over and over again.
Write musical, memorable picture books that will delight children and adults alike in Writing Picture Books: What Editors Want First-Time Authors to Know.
We gravitate to picture books from a desire to share our passions, our heritage, and the joy and magic of our lives with young readers. At the same time, writing for children requires precision, clarity, and a deep understanding of what makes a story work.
This course guides first-time picture book authors through the unique craft and business of writing for young readers, with an emphasis on what editors are really looking for in today’s competitive marketplace. You will end this course with a marketable manuscript where every word counts, where children feel empowered—and where editors will pay attention.
In eleven focused, actionable lessons, you will:
- Generate picture book ideas that readers—and agents and publishers—will want to buy.
- Compose a picture book with strong pacing, structure, language, and characters.
- Learn what publishing options are the best fit for your story.
- Develop a synopsis/query letter combination that sells.
By the end of the course, you’ll have a strong grasp of the essential elements of picture book storytelling, a polished manuscript draft, and a clear path toward publication.
Pictures books are a great place to share your passion, your heritage, and your world with young readers. Share your world with the next generation and craft your most successful story in Writing Picture Books: What Editors Want First-Time Authors to Know.
What’s Included:
You’ll receive:
- 11 video lessons and transcripts on writing, editing, and publishing successful picture books.
- 9 straightforward, actionable homework assignments to help you write your best picture book.
- A guided list of questions to help you revise your manuscript towards querying and publication.
- Two bonus handouts on writing a synopsis and query letter that will wow agents and publishers.
About Support & Structure for Your Creativity (Black Friday Bonus):
As part of our Black Friday Sale, your enrollment also includes Elle LaMarca’s January 2026 Support & Structure For Your Creativity live 3-week course (a $295 value).
Here’s what you get in Support & Structure For Your Creativity:
Week One: Reset & Reconnect with Your Creativity (January 6)
- Clear creative resistance and set realistic intentions
- Complete a mindset reset for your writing practice
- Identify your specific creative needs and patterns
- Build sustainable routines and rituals that actually support your work
Week Two: Structure & Accountability that Supports Your Art (January 14)
- Find your personal balance between creative freedom and discipline
- Create flexible writing rhythms that fit your lifestyle
- Master time-blocking and micro-goals for self-paced learning
- Release the guilt about “not doing enough” that paralyzes progress
Week Three: Sustaining Your Creative Spark (January 20)
- Stay inspired and accountable for long-term success
- Keep momentum going beyond the course experience
- Return confidently after creative breaks and reframe “falling off track”
- Build ongoing community through critique groups, writing communities, and mentorship
This course gives you dedicated support and structure when you need it most. You’ll connect live with other writers, get practical strategies for when your motivation wanes, and learn to navigate the roadblocks that typically stall progress.
100% MONEY-BACK GUARANTEE
If for any reason you are not satisfied with the course, you may request a full refund within 14 days, no questions asked.
This course includes:
11 video lessons on writing, revising, and publishing picture books
9 simple, actionable homework assignments to guide your draft to completion
PDF guides for revising your manuscript and writing your query letter and synopsis
Lifetime course access
Perfect If: You want to tell great stories to young readers.
Open To: Children's book writers of all levels.
Original price was: $349.00.$249.00Current price is: $249.00.
Original price was: $349.00.$249.00Current price is: $249.00.Enroll Now
100% money-back guarantee for 14 days, no questions asked.
Already purchased? Log in to access
Join dozens of happy writers!
Meet Your Instructor
Cara Stevens
Cara J. Stevens is a professional writer, editor, and book coach with more than two decades of experience in publishing and media. She is the author of Picture Perfect: An Insider’s Guide to Writing Picture Books as well as nearly 90 published children’s books with major publishing houses in the US and UK. Her work spans fiction, nonfiction, and licensed titles for young readers. Cara coaches aspiring authors through the book development and publishing process, with a specialty in helping professionals and creatives bring their stories to life. She brings both practical industry knowledge and an encouraging, accessible teaching style to her work.