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Writing Stories For Children

The rewards for children's story writers go far beyond most people's expectations. The market for children's stories is enormous. There are story books, picture books, fiction, non-fiction, school text books, adult stories for English second language migrants etc. We train writers to supply this market. 

Once your book is published you earn royalties which keep producing income for 50 years.

Per capita, children's book sales are higher in New Zealand than in most other comparable countries. One New Zealand publisher (Sunshine Books) prints and sells over a million children's books per year. More than 15 million children's books are sold in Australasia each year. Worldwide, more than $2.5 billion worth of children's books are purchased annually, and more than 75% of publishers welcome children's material.

Do you begin to feel how big the children's book market is? Additionally, there are more magazines for children and teenagers now than ever before. All of the magazines rely heavily, and sometimes exclusively, on freelance children's writers. Your chances of getting that first, unforgettable cheque from a children's publisher are better than they are from any other kind of publisher. And the market is expanding!

Being an English language writer gives you a worldwide market. What is required of you? Children's writing is a craft and like any craft, it can be taught and learned. Having some natural writing talent is an advantage, not a requirement. Mark Twain said "Good writing is 10% inspiration and 90% perspiration." If you have a fair knowledge of English, (e.g. School Cert or many years of reading will be sufficient) the entry level qualifications are simple and straightforward: ambition, enthusiasm and the willingness to learn.

If you have these important ingredients, the Institute will provide you with the knowledge, skills and encouragement to ensure your success.

When people ask what you do, you'll answer "I'm an author. I write children's books." Further, you can work anywhere in the world, or from your own kitchen table. Your only tools are pen and paper, or typewriter or word processor.

The Course Prospectus gives you complete information on the Writing Stories For Children Course. The Enrolment Application form is contained within. Complete the form below and you will get an instant email with the course prospectus as an attachment. (Prospectus is in PDF format).