Middle Grade/Young Adult Books
GUIDE TO FICTION COURSES
Fiction Pathways
Foundation
If you’re not sure what kind of fiction to write...
If you know what kind of fiction to write...
Fiction Writing I
Zoetrope Fiction Writing I
Science Fiction & Fantasy Writing I
Mystery Writing I
Romance Writing I
Children’s Book Writing I
Or...
If you want a rather short course...
Fiction Writing Intensive
Children’s Book Writing Intensive
Middle Grade/Young Adult Intensive
Humor Writing Intensive
Comics & Graphic Novels
Next Steps
After completing a Level I ten-week course...
Short Fiction II
Zoetrope Short Fiction II
Novel II First Draft Part 1
Novel II Critique
Science Fiction & Fantasy Writing II
Mystery Writing II
Romance Writing II
Children’s Book Writing II
After completing Novel First Draft II Part 1...
After completing Short Fiction II...
Also Helpful
These essential courses are great for writers of any level.
Character
Dialogue
Plot 1: Mechanics
Plot 2: Machinations
Reading Fiction
In(verse): Poetic Techniques for Non-Poets
The Writer’s Mind
The Editor’s Eye
Grammar 1: The Basics
Grammar 2: Expertise and Finesse
Social Media
For Teens
Middle Grade/Young Adult Books is an Intensive, meaning it happens in a short time span (1 day in NYC, or 2 days on Zoom). The course includes a mixture of lectures and exercises. It’s open to writers of any level. Farther down, you can view a syllabus for this course.
As children grow and widen their experiences, they crave stories that challenge and excite them, meeting them where they are. The best middle grade and young adult novels tackle complex topics and truly inhabit the interior life of young people. These books can be life-changing for their readers.
Middle grade novels are for ages 8 to 12, encompassing such stories as Madeleine L’Engle’s A Wrinkle in Time and Kate DiCamillo’s Because of Winn-Dixie. Young adult novels are for ages 12 and up (into adulthood), encompassing such stories as John Green’s The Fault in Our Stars and Tomi Adeyemi’s Children of Blood and Bone.
Here you’ll explore fiction craft though the lens of MG and YA fiction and gain an understanding of what sets apart these unique segments of the book world.
It’s a very informative class and really helps you get to know your characters.
Nina Mata
author/illustrator
Upcoming Classes
Check back soon. You'll likely see options when we finish our next schedule.
Syllabus
This course gives an overview of the basics of writing middle grade and YA novels. Course components:
Brief lectures
Writing exercises
Topics:
The Lowdown on Middle Grade and YA Novels
Character
Plot
Point of View
Voice
Theme
Note: Content may vary among individual classes.
