Write your story with the same Creative Process used by
award-winning children’s books authors and illustrators.
(Even if this is your first time writing . . . you don't know how to draw . . . or you feel like you NEVER have time.)
Quick Question . . .
Do you dream of writing a children's book but struggle with self-doubt or feeling lost?
Are you . . .
- 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.
- an educator who knows exactly what types of books the classroom (and world) needs.
- a writer or artist who wants to hone your skills for the children's market.
Get your children's book story idea out of your head and turn it into a book!
Creator's Membership
A Creator's Membership gives you everything you need to write your story, connect with other authors and illustrators, and get your book published.
Imagine seeing your book inside
of bookstores and libraries
How do I get my stories Published?
You’ve got an idea for a children’s book but where do you go from there? Unfortunately, having an idea isn’t enough. Dreaming about making a children's book isn’t going to make it a reality.
So how do published authors & Illustrators transform their ideas into award-winning picture books? They use a creative process to create stories and rely on a creative community for feedback and revision.
Mastering the creative process with a community of creative people is the most effective way to transform your ideas into award-winning children’s books. That’s why we’ve created the Creator's Membership!
Storytellers aren’t born, they're created.
We collected the creative processes that help storytellers create award-winning books that kids, parents, editors, and agents LOVE and BUY.
Introducing the Creator's Membership!
Inside the Creator's Membership, you’ll learn the Creative Processes behind award-winning children’s books taught by professional authors, illustrators, agents, and editors from the children’s book industry.
You’ll get to join a Creative Village so that you don’t have to try figure it all out on your own. You’ll get feedback and support from a creative community designed to bring your book to life.
If you’re ready to get unstuck and bring your stories to life, join the Creator's Membership now!
“We started working on the manuscript for STRONG back in April of 2019. After completing multiple drafts, we finally got interest from an agent. She loved the story idea, but I wasn't executing it right. Arree helped me rethink the approach and find the true heart of the story. The agent loved the revisions, and offered us a contract! After a few more drafts, we got a deal with Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, and our book, STRONG, comes out in May 2022! I couldn't have done this without Arree and Storyteller Academy!”
– Eric Rosswood, co-author of Strong
“At the time I took Arree’s class, I had just written a brand new draft about a dinosaur that I thought had a decent hook. So I decided to work on that one. Arree’s class was incredible because it forced me to make a physical dummy of the book. That was new for me. As a writer, I didn’t think about creating dummies of my drafts. I thought that was something for illustrators. By making the dummy, however, I could see exactly how my manuscript was working, and where it wasn’t working.
– Elaine Kearns, author of Noah Noasaurus
Learn anywhere, anytime.
With two membership levels, you can select the one that is exactly right for your goals and your schedule.
What's included in your membership:
20+ Signature Courses on writing, illustrating, and publishing children's books
Create your children's book with the creative processes of award-winning authors/illustrators.
What are your creative goals? Whether you're a beginner or more advanced, each course at Storyteller Academy is designed to help you with a specific goal. Choose your course and start learning. 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.
Foundational and Advanced Courses
Say goodbye to feeling stuck and wondering what to do next.
Our foundational courses will help you build a solid foundation for storytelling. You’ll learn how to develop ideas, write manuscripts, make dummies, create characters, and submit your book. And if you are ready to take your work to the next level, we've got advanced courses ready. You’ll learn everything from how to craft your voice, how to write rhymes, how to illustrate, how to create graphic novels, and more!
40+ craft-based mini-classes
Our on-demand 42 craft-based 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.
CREATOR'S LIVE
*EXCLUSIVES*
CREATOR'S LIVE *EXCLUSIVES*
Three Semesters in 2025
WINTER - SPRING
(1/26/25 - 4/19/25)
SUMMER
(6/1/25 - 8/30/25)
FALL - WINTER
(9/21/25 - 12/13/25)
SUMMER SEMESTER
6-Week Live Class
- The Writer’s Stretch with Melissa Manlove
Saturdays at 8 AM PT: 5/10, 5/24, 6/7, 6/21, 7/12 & 7/26
12-Week Course
Making Children’s Book Dummies with Arree Chung
Wednesdays at 10 AM PT: 6/4, 6/11, 6/18, 6/25, 7/2, 7/9, 7/16, 7/23, 7/30, 8/6, 8/13 & 8/20
2-Day Workshops
Book Layouts in InDesign and Canva with Arree Chung
Mon & Tue, June 16–17, 5–7 PM PTThe Heart and Humor of Amy Krouse Rosenthal with Marcie Colleen
Mon & Tue, July 14–15, 5–7 PM PT
Feedback Workshops
Story Feedback with Nadia Salomon & Tim McCanna
Thursdays at 5 PM PT: 6/5, 6/19, 7/10, 7/24, 8/7 & 8/21Illustration Feedback with Julie Downing, Isabella Kung & Arree Chung
Tuesdays at 11 AM PT: 6/10, 6/24, 7/15, 7/29, 8/12 & 8/26
6-Week Live Class: The Writer's Stretch
Master the joy of writing through focused prompts and live craft coaching with Executive Editor Melissa Manlove
The Writer’s Stretch with Melissa Manlove
A bi-monthly drop-in class featuring a 5-minute writing or revision prompt, followed by focused writing time and live Q&A with Melissa to spark joy, community, and accountability in your craft.
12-Week Course: Making Children’s Book Dummies
Learn the step-by-step from award-winning author/illustrator Arree Chung
Making Children’s Book Dummies with Arree Chung
A 12-week hands-on course guiding you from story concept through pacing and page-turn structure to create and refine a polished children’s book dummy via live lessons and feedback.
2-Day Live Class: The Heart and Humor of Amy Krouse Rosenthal
Discover how to write with joy, wonder, and wit—just like Amy, with Marcie Colleen
The Heart and Humor of Amy Krouse Rosenthal with Marcie Colleen
A 2-day live class exploring the wit, wonder, and emotional depth of Amy Krouse Rosenthal’s work. Learn how to infuse your stories with heart and humor as we study Amy’s books, films, and creative legacy—then bring that spirit to your own writing.
2-Day Workshop: Book Layouts in InDesign and Canva
Learn layout design for picture books using InDesign and Canva with Arree Chung
Book Layouts in InDesign and Canva with Arree Chung
A 2-day live class covering the essentials of layout design in InDesign and Canva. Learn how to format picture books and illustrated stories with professional polish—perfect for dummies, comps, and self-publishing.
Instructor-led Feedback Workshops
Submit your work for constructive feedback based on your skill-level
Story Feedback
Receive actionable, expert critiques on every stage of your manuscript—from solidifying your core concept, hook, and character to polishing pacing, subtext, and word choice.
Illustration Feedback
Get professional guidance on your artwork—whether you’re refining basic drawing skills or elevating your portfolio with composition, color theory, and submission-ready illustrations.
Submission Opportunities and Coaching
Deepen your industry knowledge and submit with confidence.
Stand out in the crowd and get your story seen by literary agents and editors from traditional publishers. We’ll help you craft your story and get it in front of agents and editors with submission workshops, the pitch party, and the annual showcase!
Coaching
This season's coaches are:
- Ariel Richardson from Chronicle Books
- Jennie Dunham of Dunham Literary
- Myrna Foster
- Amy Flynn of Storyteller Academy
ANNUAL PITCH PARTY
Think American Idol for children's books . . .
Once a year, we host three agents for a rapid round of live pitching. Storyteller Academy staff read short pitches submitted by students and a responding “thumbs up!” from an agent is an invitation for that creator for an above-the-slush submission opportunity.
Coaching
This season's coaches are:
- Ariel Richardson from Chronicle Books
- Jennie Dunham of Dunham Literary
- Myrna Foster
- Amy Flynn of Storyteller Academy
ANNUAL PITCH PARTY
Think American Idol for children's books . . .
Once a year, we host three agents for a rapid round of live pitching. Storyteller Academy staff read short pitches submitted by students and a responding “thumbs up!” from an agent is an invitation for that creator for an above-the-slush submission opportunity.
The Agent Series
Three times per year we host The Agent Series. Students are invited to submit their query to receive feedback as a learning opportunity.
Following the live event, all students are invited to submit their manuscript with an above-the-slush query.
Annual Showcase
All eyes on your stories.
NEW! Each year we will be featuring our students' best work in a virtual showcase. Chosen work will be presented to an exclusive list of editors and agents to highlight those stories that have been polished and are submission ready.
The Agent Series
Three times per year we host The Agent Series. Students are invited to submit their query to receive feedback as a learning opportunity.
Following the live event, all students are invited to submit their manuscript with an above-the-slush query.
Annual Showcase
All eyes on your stories.
NEW! Each year we will be featuring our students' best work in a virtual showcase. Chosen work will be presented to an exclusive list of editors and agents to highlight those stories that have been polished and are submission ready.
Join a Critique Group
**Next Placement: FEBRUARY 2024**
Find your people!
Several times per year, we place members into peer critique groups. Connect with creatives, share feedback, and support each other's creative journeys.
You can also join a mentored critique group, a groupof five students led by one of our instructors for an additional price.
How much value is inside the Makers Membership?
The Makers Membership is the library of classes that teach you the creative process to create award-winning children’s books. You’ll also get access to live workshops, critique groups and access to agents and editors inside Makers Pro.
- 25 Signature Courses ($299 retail price/course)
- 42 Mini-Classes ($99 retail price/course)
- Live Workshops, Ask-Me-Anything Sessions, and Agent Series Events
- Pitch Party & Manuscript Showcase
- Peer Critique Group Placement
Value: $7,475
Value: $4,158
Value: $2,080
Value: $300
Value: Priceless!
TOTAL VALUE: $14,013
How much value is inside the Makers Membership?
The Makers Membership is the library of classes that teach you the creative process to create award-winning children’s books. You’ll also get access to live workshops, critique groups and access to agents and editors inside Makers Pro.
- 25 Signature Courses ($299 retail price/course)
- Value: $7,475
- 42 Mini-Classes ($99 retail price/course)
- Value: $4,158
- Live Workshops, Ask-Me-Anything Sessions, and Agent Series Events
- Value: $2,080
- Pitch Party & Manuscript Showcase
- Value: $300
- Peer Critique Group Placement
- Value: PRICELESS
TOTAL VALUE: $14,013
“I would not be a published author without Storyteller Academy. I like to say that before SA, I didn’t know how much I didn’t know. Arree’s Making Picture Books class set me on the path that has led to my book launch in just a few weeks!”
– Todd Sturgell, author/illustrator of Except Antartica
“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
Start your journey today.
Start your journey today.
Creator's Live
- Or join at $69/month (regularly $75/month)
- Unlimited Access to all three semesters of 12-week course replays and workshop recordings in 2025
- Participate in Over 78 New Live Classes Throughout the Year
- Receive Personalized Feedback from Published Professionals in Live Workshops
- New in 2025: Join Critique Groups, Art Clubs, and Book Clubs to Connect with Fellow Creators
- Full Access to Storyteller Academy's Entire Curriculum—Over 40 Courses and Mini-Classes
- FREE One-on-One Critique for Annual membership
Creator's On Demand
- Or join at $35/month
- Access to Over 78 New Class Replays throughout the year
- New in 2025: Join Critique Groups, Art Clubs, and Book Clubs to Connect with Fellow Creators
- Full Access to Storyteller Academy's Entire Curriculum—Over 40 Courses and Mini-Classes
Creator's Live
- Or join at $69/month (regularly $75)
- Unlimited Access to all three semesters of 12-week course replays and workshop recordings in 2025
- Participate in Over 78 New Live Classes Throughout the Year
- Receive Personalized Feedback from Published Professionals in Live Workshops
- New in 2025: Join Critique Groups, Art Clubs, and Book Clubs to Connect with Fellow Creators
- Full Access to Storyteller Academy's Entire Curriculum—Over 40 Courses and Mini-Classes
- FREE One-on-One Critique for Annual membership
Creator's On Demand
- Or join at $35/month
- Access Over 78 New Class Replays throughout the year
- New in 2025: Join Critique Groups, Art Clubs, and Book Clubs to Connect with Fellow Creators
- Full Access to Storyteller Academy's Entire Curriculum—Over 40 Courses and Mini-Classes
Makers Self-Study Membership
$300
annual
- Or join at $15 your first month and $30 for succeeding months
- On-demand access to 21 courses on writing, illustrating, and publishing children’s books
- On-demand access to 42 craft-based mini-classes
- Time-saving checklists and worksheets to guide you through the creative process
- Knowledgable, supportive creative community
ANNUAL membership bonus: Get a FREE written critique and get 2 months free
Makers Pro Membership
$850
annual
- Or join at $85/monthly
- Everything in Self-Study
- Over 140 instructor-led workshops
- Feedback on stories, illustrations, and submissions
- Free placement in a peer critique group
- 3 Above-the-slush submission opportunities
- How to Pitch training and Pitch Party
- Annual Story Showcase with over 20 agents and editors
ANNUAL membership bonus: Get a FREE One-on-One critique and get 2 months free
What's Possible?
– Bonnie Kelso, author/illustrator of Nudi Gill: Poison Powerhouse of the Sea
– Laurie Elmquist, author of City Baby
Did you know?
(14.5% write more than 20!)
Frequently Asked Questions
Creators memberships give you everything you need to learn how to write, illustrate, and publish your children's book.
As a Creator's Live member, you can attend live classes, submit work for personalized feedback, and fully participate in the live workshops. You also have access to our entire library of courses.
As a Creator's On-Demand member, you have access to the same courses, content, and resources, but they are all self-study. You don't have access to live sessions or feedback submissions. It's ideal if you prefer self-paced learning.
Yes, we're planning morning, evening, and weekend sessions to accommodate everyone's schedules. The focus will be on creating art and stories.
We don't lie to you. Writing children's books is not easy. It takes time and creativity 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 Creator's 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.
Occasionally we may offer individual courses, but the membership provides the best value. We'll email when short classes are available for individual purchase. If you later join as an annual member, we may apply the class cost to your membership fee.
Our signature courses dive deep into the craft of writing and illustrating. Each course contains 6 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 a few hours long, depending on the topic, mini-classes are pre-recorded and available on demand.
Creator's LIVE members can submit their work to instructors for review during live workshops, but there is no guarantee that your work will be chosen. At moderator-led workshops you will have guaranteed feedback from a group of fellow students.
If you would like more support, you can purchase more direct feedback through a mentored critique group or one-on-one coaching.
Creator's On-Demand 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 Creator's Live.
Live workshops are held weekly for select signature courses and mini-classes. In a live workshop, students are invited to receive real-time feedback and Q&A time with the instructors. Feedback is not guaranteed. Live workshops and workshop replays are only available for Creator's LIVE members.
You get access to 10 Foundational courses and 15 Advanced courses (for Creator's Live) or 11 Advanced courses (Creator's on Demand). You also get 42 craft-based mini-classes.
Check out our library of courses and mini-classes here.
Signature Courses:
Build a Lead Magnet (Creator's Live exclusive)
Build and Test FB Ads (Creator's Live exclusive)
Character Design
Crafting Picture Book Stories
Drawing 1: Drawing with Mental Models
Drawing 2: Drawing in 3-D
Find and Build Your Audience (Creator's Live exclusive)
Graphic Novels
Hire a VA and Build a Team (Creator's Live exclusive)
Illustration 1
Illustration 2
Illustrating with Collage
Illustration Workshop Series (Creator's Live exclusive)
Making Picture Book Dummies
Picture Book Masters
Picture Book Production Design
Picture Book Wordsmith
Picture Book Revision Workshop Series (Creator's Live exclusive)
Plotting Your MG Novel
Rhyming Picture Books
Self-Publishing Children’s Books
Submission Ready
Submission Workshop Series (Creator's Live exclusive)
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
All of Storyteller Academy’s courses can be accessed ONLINE. We recommend that you have a personal computer or tablet for an optimal experience.
You can send our support team an email at support@storytelleracademy.com.
You have 30 days to receive a full refund, no questions asked.
Definitely! Our full curriculum of courses taught by award-winning authors and illustrators is designed to help you learn to write and illustrate children's books, whatever your publishing goals. The most important thing is to engage your creativity and just do it. We’re here to help you do exactly that.
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