Makers Plus Membership

Learn how to create children's books from award-winning authors and illustrators.

Do you have an idea for a children's book but don't know where to start? Maybe you've made a story, but you aren't sure if it's good enough? Or perhaps you're struggling to find time for your creativity?

Inside Storyteller Academy, award-winning authors and illustrators teach you their tips and techniques so that you can save time. Our curriculum takes you from having an idea to getting an agent and publishing your book.

With 24/7 access to classes and resources, you are free to learn, grow and create anywhere, at your own pace, however it fits into your schedule.

Your Top Foundational Courses

Writing Picture Book Manuscripts

Jim Averbeck, Award-Winning Picture Book Author

Learn how to turn your idea into a picture book manuscript.
Generate new story ideas when you don't have any.
Get unstuck and prepare for publication with powerful revision.

Crafting Picture Book Stories & Dummies

Arree Chung, Award-Winning Children's Book Author/Illustrator

Discover a story structure for picture books that works.
Understand the relationship between text and illustrations in modern picture books.
Learn the formatting and visual storytelling for a picture book.

Submission Ready

Ariel Richardson and Melissa Manlove, Editors at Chronicle Books

Learn what children's book editors are looking to acquire.
Hands-on writing and revising to polish your story.
Avoid submission mistakes and submit your story to publishers with confidence.

Drawing 1

Alex Leon, Painter and Artist

Overcome your fear of drawing by learning how to draw with simple shapes.
Unlock your creativity by learning how to draw out of your head.
Learn how to draw characters and backgrounds to start telling your stories visually.

Character Design

Vanessa Brantley-Newton, Award-Winning Author/Illustrator

Create characters that pop off your page.
Beginning and advanced artists learn how to design characters for children's books.
Learn how to draw expressive characters with consistency.

Start your journey today.

Your Top Advanced Courses

Self-Publishing Children's Books

Darcy Pattison, Award-Winning Children's Book Author

Self-publish your children's book with success.
Learn proven marketing techniques to scale your sales.
Turn your story ideas into a thriving book business.

Rhyming Picture Books

Baptiste and Miranda Paul, Award-Winning Children's Book Authors

Write rhyme that editors and readers will love.
Learn the technical aspects of rhythm and rhyme.
Create rhythm and rhyme without sacrificing story.

Plotting Your MG Novel

Katherine Jacobs, Editor at Zonderkids

Outline a successful plot structure for your story idea.
Revise your middle grade manuscript to strengthen your plot.
Develop marketable middle grade novels with confidence.

Writing the MG Fantasy Novel

Sage Blackwood, Award-Winning Children's Book Author

Discover a narrative voice for a successful middle grade novel.
Develop plot, characters, and dialogue to write your novel.
Build a fantasy world with rich storytelling.

Illustration 1

Julie Downing and Isabella Kung, Children's Book Authors/Illustrators

Learn the creative process of illustrating, composing, and storytelling for children's books.
Develop an illustration roadmap for your children's book.
Submit confidentally with strong illustrations for your portfolio.

Our full library contains 17 signature courses on writing, illustrating, and publishing for beginner through advanced creators. In addition to the above foundational and advanced courses you also receive:

Illustration 2
Drawing 2
Graphic Novels
Illustrating with Collage
Picture Book Wordsmith
Picture Book Production Design

Bring your story to life.

Our Most Popular Mini-Classes

Membership Bonuses

Live Q&A with Editors and Art Directors

You're invited to attend live “Ask Me Anything” sessions with industry editors and art directors so that you can get all of your publishing questions answered. Exclusive: member-only events!

Live Open Critiques & Work Sessions

Twice per month, you're invited to attend our dedicated community creative time followed by open critique groups. Attendance flexibility allows you to carve out time to work and receive valuable critiques without the long term commitment of a critique group that might not always fit into your changing schedule.

12 Live Workshops per Year

Each month, you're invited to attend our mini-class live review. Connect live with other creatives, ask the instructor your questions, and have a chance at getting your work critiqued.

Choose Your Plan

Monthly Membership

All access to 17 signature courses on writing, illustrating, and publishing children's books.
All access to 36 craft-based self-study mini-classes.
Step-by-step guides, checklists, and workbooks to help you through the creative process.
Connect with fellow storytellers and keep tabs on the industry.
BONUS: Live Q&A sessions with Editors and Art Directors.
BONUS: Invitation to create dates and open critiques twice per month.
BONUS: Invitations to 1 live review (workshop) for a mini-class per month.

$35/monthly

Annual Membership

Save $70

and get a FREE How to Write or Illustrate Children's Books Workbook

Get instant access to our 17 signature courses on writing, illustrating, and publishing children's books.
All access to 36 craft-based self-study mini-classes.
Step-by-step guides, checklists, and workbooks to help you through the creative process.
Connect with fellow storytellers and keep tabs on the industry.
BONUS: Live Q&A sessions with Editors and Art Directors.
BONUS: Invitation to create dates and open critiques twice per month.
BONUS: Invitations to 1 live review (workshop) for a mini-class per month.

$350/annually

FREE Annual Bonus

How to Write or Illustrate Children's Books Workbook

Testimonials

“Being a part of such an amazing group keeps me moving toward my goals. There is such a wide variety of course selections. I want to learn it all. But I struggled with finding the time for the workshops within my time zone. Suddenly I was able to take all the courses I wanted at my own pace.”

– Dorothy Wawa, Children's Book Author

“I am grateful to Storyteller Academy for carving a clear path that showed me that my lifelong dream is tangible with actionable steps and building supportive relationships.”

– LaTonya Jackson, Author-Illustrator

“I have been seeking to learn more about the process of writing and illustrating children's books for several years, and have definitely made the most progress since joining Storyteller Academy!”

– Cathy Wu, winner of Little, Brown Emerging Artist Award for 2021

Frequently Asked Questions

I'm really busy. Do I have time to make a children's book?

With the Makers Plus membership, you take courses at your convenience, and are able to create books with the time you have.

You will get unstuck by finding the information you need and save time.

Are my stories good enough?

Inside the Makers Plus membership you'll discover what makes a great story and how to improve your story.

You'll sharpen your creative skills and turn your hobby of writing or drawing into a life-long successful career.

What will I learn with a Makers Plus membership?

You will learn how to write and illustrate children's books.

You'll also learn how to get an agent, self-publish, and build a successful business.

Basically, it's everything you need to know. All in one place.

Can I buy an individual course?

Occasionally we sell our individual courses, but the Makers Plus membership was built to give you access to all the information you need, whenever you need it.

Each course you take, every skill you master, will leave you hungry for the next one.

What is the difference between a signature course and a mini-class?

Our signature courses dive deep into the craft of writing and illustrating. Each course contains pre-recorded lessons and handouts designed to improve your craft one module at a time.

Our mini-classes are bite-sized, skill-based courses designed to focus on a specific element of writing, illustrating, or business. Ranging from 30 minutes to 8 hours, depending on the topic, mini-classes are pre-recorded and available on-demand.

Is this all online? What equipment do I need?

All of Storyteller Academy’s courses can be accessed ONLINE. We recommend that you have a personal computer or tablet for an optimal experience.

What if I am not computer literate?

While Makers Plus is completely online to allow for unrestricted access to resources, technology does come with the potential for headaches.

Our student support team will walk you through any technical knowledge you need to know. Our staff is there to answer questions whenever they arise.

If I join the membership, how long does it last, and if I don't think it is for me after all, can I cancel?

You can cancel anytime. And there's a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try it risk-free. You can sign up to renew monthly or annually.

Will I get individual feedback?

Makers Plus members can submit their work for review for the 12 monthly mini-class live reviews. But there is no guarantee that your work will be chosen. If you would like more support, you can purchase more direct feedback through a written critique or a 30-minute one-on-one critique.

Which courses do you offer?

You get access to our 17 signature courses and 36 mini-classes. You'll also receive access to all NEW courses and mini-classes as they are released throughout the year for as along you are member.

Signature Courses:

Character Design

Crafting Picture Book Stories

Drawing 1: Drawing with Mental Models

Drawing 2: Drawing in 3-D

Graphic Novels

Illustrating with Collage (NEW!)

Illustration 1

Illustration 2

Making Picture Book Dummies

Picture Book Production Design

Picture Book Wordsmith