What Awaits You

  • Confidential Professional Coaching (Not peer-assessed. Your idea stays private and is reviewed only by top professionals so you know your feedback is valid within the industry).

  • Two 1-on-1 private video coaching calls with your coach.

  • Live Webinar with Sally Anne Garland.

  • 16 pre-recorded video lessons, downloadable guides, and emailed expert feedback.

  • A structured 12-week plan to bring your story idea to life.

  • End the class with your manuscript and a digital or physical book dummy.

Get Started on Your Author/Illustrator Career!

Course Dates: Monday, September 15th to Friday, December 5th, 2025 - The price is $950, however those who apply early get a 20% discount - bringing the fee to $760 USD!

Apply Here

Meet Your Coaches!

We’ve teamed up with author-illustrator Sally Anne Garland and The Caroline Wakeman Literary Agency to offer author illustrators personalized, professional coaching, industry insights, and a clear creative path from concept to page-turner.

Liz Chadwick

Creative Children's Content Editor, CWLA

Liz has more than twelve years of publishing experience which began in Oxford at Oxford University Press and has since taken her to San Francisco, working as Senior Editor at No Starch Press, and back. She has honed her editorial skills over the years by working closely with authors to develop their ideas and drafts into successful books, including multiple international bestsellers. Liz has a degree in Creative Writing from UEA and likes thinking about the conceptual, bigger-picture aspects of story and character building, but also loves to get in deep with the words themselves.

Annabel Blackledge

Content Editor & Project Manager, CWLA

Annabel has more than 20 years experience as an editor, writer and project manager in the children’s publishing industry and beyond. Graduating from Exeter University with a degree in English with Medieval Studies, she began her editorial career at publishing packager Bookwork in Stroud. She has since worked both in-house and as a freelancer with many of the major publishers and on projects ranging from board books to board games, storybooks to study guides, and much more. She loves to work closely with authors, illustrators and designers to create books that are a pleasure to read – whatever the subject matter!

Sally Anne Garland

Published Author Illustrator, Represented by Advocate Art and CWLA

Sally Anne Garland loved drawing and stories from a very early age. After studying illustration at Edinburgh College Of Art she worked for many years as an in-house Designer/ Illustrator for a number of retail suppliers, before becoming a full-time freelance Children’s Illustrator with Advocate Art Ltd in 2010. Having successfully had her first author/illustrator picture books, Share and Don’t Speak With Your Mouth Full published with Little Tiger Press; she then went on to work closely with Caroline to have a further four Authored/Illustrated picture books published through Collaborate Agency. She now currently lives in Glasgow with her partner and son.

Commonly Asked Questions

  • How long do I have to complete the course?

    You have access from the start to end dates of the program. The Fall course is September 15th-December 5th, 2025.

  • What will I learn during this course?

    To understand what this course covers, you can refer to the syllabus above. If you have any specific questions, please reach out to Milly at [email protected]

  • Does this course come with any live teaching?

    Yes, you receive two video meetings with your coach, as well as emailed feedback at set points throughout the course, and a live webinar with a Q&A component.

  • How is the course delivered?

    This course is a mixture of video lessons, downloads, suggested reading, writing assignments, and video call meetings.

  • Are there assignments to complete?

    Yes, there will be assignments aimed to develop your story from concept to page turner.

  • Who will be my coach for the picture book class?

    You will be assigned to Sally, Liz, or Annabel on the first day of the class. We match you based on your application, to ensure you have the ideal coach for your goals. They are all experts who will help you take the next step in your creative career.

  • Are refunds available on the picture book class?

    No, we do not issue any refunds for the picture book class. Once you pay you are committed to the course you have been accepted into and we look forward to helping you bring your story ideas to life!

Get Expert Guidance on Writing Your Very Own Picture Book

Apply Today