Writing Children's Fiction: Step 2

Take your children’s fiction writing to the next level. This inspiring, practical course guides you through developing a focused project (such as the opening chapters of a children’s novel) while receiving rich, in-depth feedback to elevate your craft.

You’ll sharpen essential storytelling skills: showing versus telling, choosing the right point of view, building unforgettable characters, shaping compelling plots, and crafting vivid action and dialogue. You’ll also learn the editing techniques professionals rely on, from structural shaping to precise line editing, before mastering the art of creating a standout synopsis and blurb.

Finally, you’ll explore how to submit to agents and publishers with confidence. By the end, you’ll not only refine your writing but also share polished work you’ll be proud of. Join us and turn your story idea into a powerful start to your children’s book journey.

Any recommended reading will be advised by the course teacher once the course is confirmed to run. You will require access to a computer or other device with internet connection.  

If you have fully engaged with all the learning activities and have attended regularly, by the end of the course, you should be able to:

• Demonstrate, via the style of your writing and your chosen theme, an awareness of your target audience  
• Plan and write a story that showcases your learning, with particular attention to structure and character development  
• Apply structural and line edits to improve and polish your writing  
• Prepare and submit professional work to agents and publishers. 

Students on this course should have completed Writing Children's Fiction Step 1 and/or have some previous experience of writing for children.

We welcome all and are committed to fostering a positive culture and sense of community among learners and staff. We expect learners to treat others with dignity and respect. Learners must be aged 16+.

If you have a disability, learning difficulty, health condition, or personal circumstances which may affect your learning, please let us know so that we can make appropriate adjustments in accordance with the Equality Act 2010.

Wherever possible, we mainstream adjustments in line with the University’s  Accessible and Inclusive Learning Policy.

Learners will have limited access to the University’s student support services who will signpost appropriate local sources of support.

Students on this course should have completed Writing Children's Fiction Step 1 and/or have some previous experience of writing for children.

You will need to have reading, listening and communication skills, including the ability to understand detailed ideas and information presented verbally and in writing. You must be comfortable learning in English if it is not your first language. You will need basic digital skills, such as using a computer and navigating a website, to access the learning materials.

Booking is available until 23:59 the day before the course start date, unless the course is full or cancelled.