Course Description
We all have fond memories of the books we read as children and teens. They charmed and enchanted us, sometimes brought us to tears, sometimes made us howl with laughter, and nearly always taught us something about what it means to be human. From an adult perspective, the books of our youth might seem simple in terms of story, plot, and character, but writing for young readers Is not as easy as it might seem: stories must unfold in ways that engage the young imagination, and the language used must be age-appropriate and yet captivating.
Writing for Youth is designed for motivated writers interested in developing their own writing-for-youth projects within an instructive and mutually supportive environment. You'll begin by examining the techniques employed by successful writers, focussing on the two currently dominant markets for youth writing: the middle-grade novel, and the young adult novel. Subsequent classes will include discussions of craft based on exemplary works, targeted reading and writing exercises, and the exchange of thoughtful critique of each others' evolving work.
Whether you're a novice writer or an established author, you'll have opportunities both to produce new work and to improve existing drafts.
For the first class, please bring with you either a middle-grade novel or a young adult novel, and be prepared to discuss what you admire about the writing.
Prerequisites
Corequisites
Schedule
| This Course was not Offered During Winter 2025 Term |
| This Course was not Offered During Spring/Summer 2025 Term |
| The tentative timetable is not yet available for the Fall 2025 Term |
| The tentative timetable is not yet available for the Winter 2026 Term |
