Writing for Kids and YA with Will Kostakis

Learn how to write fiction that appeals to kids and young adults, and how to survive the industry (pitching, rejection, release, promotion).

Get prepared for the reality of building a sustainable career in writing for Kids and Young Adults. This half-day workshop mixes practical writing exercises with honest reflections about the ups and downs of becoming a career writer of Children’s Fiction.

Learning outcomes

In this workshop, you will learn to:

• Generate ideas

• Bring moments to life on the page

• Pitch your work to agents/publishers

• Sell your work to audiences

• Build your author brand

Format

This is an in-person workshop with a focus on craft; it will be held at State Library of Queensland. This workshop is suitable for Children's & YA writers of all levels and writing backgrounds.

About Will

Will Kostakis is one of Australia’s most renowned authors for kids and young adults. First published at nineteen, he is best known for writing whip-smart comedies that break (then mend) hearts.

We Could Be Something is his latest novel. It’s a moving family epic that won the 2024 Prime Minister’s Literary Award for Young Adult Literature, and was shortlisted for the Victorian and New South Wales Premier’s Literary Awards and the Queensland Literary Award.

For more information about Queensland Writers Centre’s Program of Events and answers to FAQs, please visit: www.queenslandwriters.org.au/program-info