Get that story idea out of your head
and turn it into a children's book!
Makers Self-Study gives you everything you need to learn how to write, illustrate, and submit your story.
(Even if this is your first time writing . . . you don't know how to draw . . . or you feel like you NEVER have time.)
Is this for you?
Do you feel like an imposter every time you think about writing your children's book? Maybe you wonder if you have the time or if you are actually capable of writing something worth publishing.
We'll let you in on a little secret. That is how everyone feels at the beginning of their creative journey. The very first step to actually turning your idea into a book, is believing that you can do it.
You'll fit right in here if you are . . .
- a dreamer who longs to write or illustrate children's books but also has to maintain a “real job.”
- a parent deep in the trenches, spending hours reading children's books, and needing to tuck anything for yourself inside a hectic schedule.
- a current or former educator who knows exactly what types of books the classroom (and world) needs.
- a professional writer or artist who wants to hone your skills for the children's market.
Your dream of writing a children's book is achievable.
Don't listen to anyone who tells you otherwise (including yourself).
But how do you get started?
Inside Storyteller Academy, award-winning authors and illustrators teach you their storytelling techniques and tips. Our curriculum takes you from having an idea to getting an agent and publishing your book.
You will have 24/7 access to classes and resources at your fingertips. So if you're ready to make your children's book dream into a reality, join us inside Makers Self-Study.
Fun Fact:
Did you know that taking courses on writing and illustrating puts you in the top 3% of people trying to get their children's book published?
How It Works
What's included in your monthly subscription:
1. 20+ SIGNATURE COURSES ON WRITING, ILLUSTRATING, AND PUBLISHING CHILDREN'S BOOKS
Plus access to all new signature courses we develop!
Each signature course takes a deep dive into the creative process with six learning modules, printable handouts, guides, and resources.
Clear action items following each lesson (homework!) allow you to implement the lessons through your story immediately.
The best part . . . all the lessons are pre-recorded and available to watch 24/7, as many times as you like, for the duration of your membership.
Never fall behind or miss a replay window again.
2. 35+ craft-based mini-classes
Plus access to all of the new mini-classes we develop each year!
Mini-classes are bite-sized, skill-based courses designed to focus on a specific element of writing, illustrating, or business.
Most mini-classes are about a hour long, allowing you to elevate your skills in manageable chunks of time.
All of these classes are pre-recorded and available on-demand.
3. engaging, interactive community of fellow creatives
You have found your people!
Our community of over 1,000 members (and growing!) is available to support you in your creativity, encourage you through disappointment, and answer questions.
Your dream of writing a children's book could tuck you into a dark corner of your house all alone, or it could be shared with creative, devoted, friends who share the same goals.
Did you know?
66% of authors also
work a day job?
*data as of 2017
Do you have time for this?
You are busy. You barely have time for the things you NEED to do, let alone the things you WANT to do, especially when the thing you want to do is follow a creative dream that you may or may not have even told anyone about.
We built Makers Self-study for YOU.
But here is another little tip we've learned over the years. Your dream is patient. You don't need to put unnecessary pressure on yourself.
There is no time limit.
If you can only give yourself a couple of hours on the weekends, then do that. If you have the summer free, create then. Give your dream the time you have, when you have it. It's not going anywhere, and it's totally worth it.
So much to learn inside. Here's a preview.
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.
“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
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.
“Storyteller Academy gave me the encouragement and tools to turn my fine art background into a burgeoning career in illustration. This means the world to me, because, I have always known that I wanted to write and illustrate children’s stories since I was little girl stapling copy paper together to make my own books. However, I was lacking mentorship and direction; I never knew anyone who had walked the path before me. 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, Illustrator of Hair and the Holy Spirit
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.
– Cathy Wu, winner of Little, Brown Emerging Artist Award for 2021
Start your journey today.
Monthly Membership
- All access to 21 signature courses on writing, illustrating, and publishing children's books.
- All access to 42 craft-based, self-study mini-classes.
- Step-by-step guides, checklists, and worksheets to help you through the creative process.
- Access to our illustration and writing community of storytellers!
- Early access to buy a place in a mentored critique group or one-on-one critiques with instructors.
$15 on your first month
$25/month
Annual Membership
- All access to 21 signature courses on writing, illustrating, and publishing children's books.
- All access to 42 craft-based, self-study mini-classes.
- Step-by-step guides, checklists, and worksheets to help you through the creative process.
- Access to our illustration and writing community of storytellers!
- Early access to buy a place in a mentored critique group or one-on-one critiques with instructors.
- GET A FREE How to Write Children's Books Workbook or How to Illustrate Children's Books Workbook (for ANNUAL membership only).
$240 on your first year
$250/annual
($20.83/month)
Frequently Asked Questions
With the Makers Self-Study membership, you take courses at your convenience, and are able to create children's books with the time you have.
In fact, having a membership will save you time! No more searching the internet for the answers to your questions. No more worrying over coordinating schedules to make live events happen.
We don't lie to you. Writing children's books is not easy. It takes time, creativity, and thought, but it is a skill you can learn.
If you have a story and the desire to bring it to life, then your story will be good enough.
Inside the Makers Self-Study 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.
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.
Occasionally we sell our individual courses, but the Makers Self-Study membership was built to give you access to all of the information you need, whenever you need it. Each course you take, every skill you master, will leave you hungry for the next one.
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.
All of Storyteller Academy’s courses can be accessed ONLINE. We recommend that you have a personal computer or tablet for an optimal experience.
While Makers Self-Study 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.
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.
Makers Self-Study members do not have this feature. If you would like more support, you can purchase more direct feedback through a written critique, a 30-minute one-on-one critique, or you can upgrade to Makers Pro.
You get access to our 21 signature courses and 42 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:
Build a Lead Magnet
Build and Test FB Ads
Character Design
Crafting Picture Book Stories
Drawing 1: Drawing with Mental Models
Drawing 2: Drawing in 3-D
Find and Build Your Audience
Graphic Novels
Hire a VA and Build a Team
Illustrating with Collage
Illustration 1
Illustration 2
Making Picture Book Dummies
Picture Book Production Design
Picture Book Wordsmith
Plotting Your MG Novel
Rhyming Picture Books
Self-Publishing Children’s Books
Submission Ready
Writing Picture Book Manuscripts
Writing the Middle-Grade Fantasy Novel
Mini-Classes:
Adobe Illustrator
Best Creative Year Ever
Build an Author Business
Building an Author Website
Crafting a Strong Beginning
Creating Atmosphere
Creating Characters
Creative Focus and Habits
Drawing People for Children's Books
Find My Art Style
How to Query Agents
Illustrating Novelty and Board Books
Illustrating Early Readers
Illustrating Middle Grade Covers
Making Comics
Meterology
Middle Grade Novel in Verse
Nailing Your Middle Grade Voice
Nonfiction Picture Books
Overcoming Fear
Painting People with Acrylics
Perspective and Point of View
Photoshop Basics
Picture Book Story Frameworks
Pitch Your Story
Presenting a Winning Portfolio
Picture Book Biographies
Revise Your Novel
Social Media
School Visit Presentations
Storytelling in Rhyme
Symbolism & Storytelling
Textures in Your Illustrations
Unlock Your Maker Mindset
Watercolors
Writing Chapter Books
Writing Early Readers
Writing For the Educational Market
Writing Humor
Writing Natural Rhyme That Sells
Writing Nature with All 5 Senses
Writing Voice
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