Most of our students and graduates live in the United States and Canada, but they are also found in virtually every place in the world where English is read and spoken.  More than 11,000 of them have already been published in books, magazines and other periodicals, and on the web.  The testimonials that follow were provided by them, in their own words, voluntarily, and without remuneration.

“I took time off to give birth to my second child,” writes Lovella Daoust of Hawaii, who has been published by Keys for Kids and Pockets, “but I looked forward with eager anticipation to my next assignment. I have thoroughly enjoyed this course. Your professional input and personal involvement have made this experience especially rewarding. My instructor is not only a mentor; I also consider her a friend. I appreciate her honest feedback and insight. I’ve learned an incredible amount, not only about writing for children but also about marketing my work. Without you and this course, I am certain that I wouldn’t be able to say I’m a published writer! Thank you so very much.”

“I’ve learned an ocean’s worth of writing skills”

“My first published story was based on my Writing Aptitude Test essay,” reports Celia Taghdiri of California, “and my first article will appear in Skipping Stones magazine in January. I cannot say enough good things about my instructor. I’ve learned an ocean’s worth of writing skills.”

“You held up your part of the bargain.

Now I’m trying to uphold mine.”

“I couldn’t be more pleased,” writes Julie Warther of Ohio, after making two sales to Highlights for Children. “Both articles were written as course assignments. Signing up with the Institute was the best move I made! I felt like I had joined a gym complete with my own personal trainer. The Institute designed my exercise routine, allowed me to work at my own pace, and held me accountable with assignments and deadlines. It was just the sort of discipline and direction I needed to get started. You held up your part of the bargain. Now I’m trying to uphold mine!”

“. . . I was very skeptical”

“My Assignment #4 was published in the June 2006 issue of Positive Teens magazine,” reports Brenda Kozinski of Wisconsin. “I have to admit when I took the aptitude test I was very skeptical. When I received my first edited assignment, I was a little put off because my instructor didn’t fall in love with my writing. But after rereading the letter, I realized that she liked my story and was making suggestions to help me become a better writer. Working on my final assignment, I feel I’ve grown as a writer. I’ve submitted 5+ manuscripts during my coursework. I told my instructor that one of my goals is to get all of my assignments published. I feel very confident that I can achieve this goal. It took me a while to appreciate my instructor, but I know every story or article that I get published is because of her.”

“I am now receiving regular income from my writing”

“Thanks significantly to my instructor’s guidance and, most importantly, encouragement,” says newspaper writer David Kagan of Pennsylvania, “I am now receiving regular income from my writing for the first time in my life. I couldn’t be happier.”

“. . . good, honest feedback”

“My dream came true,” says Jennifer Maruno of Ontario, Canada, who made sales to Ladybug and Aquilla magazines. “But it wasn’t just me. It was all of you, too. My instructor gave me good, honest feedback. The Course Manual and the Reader’s Support Room kept me on track. Others walked me through a template and touched base with me every Monday morning. Thank you, everyone! It’s not just learning to write a story. It’s learning how to follow your passion and make your dreams come true. I couldn’t have done it alone.”

“My instructor’s critiques were meaningful

and her comments . . . inspiring”

            “I’d like to thank you for the well-designed and useful course material, and especially for the excellent instruction,” writes Marina Debattista of Washington, author of ten articles, six of which have appeared in Calliope magazine. “My instructor’s critiques were meaningful and her comments instructive and inspiring.”

“. . . hands-on personal care”

“This course was PHENOMENAL!” says Marco Conelli of New York, whose young adult mystery is soon to be released. “Any

question or concern I had was addressed with hands-on personal care. They put the training wheels on this writing vehicle and it’s going to hit the literary road at a high speed.”

“I have learned SO much!”

“After I received revisions from my instructor on Assignment 7,” writes Kathy Curry of Missouri, I made the corrections, sent it to five magazines, and The Majellan accepted it. I cannot believe how different my perception of writing for children was before starting this course. The information, support, encouragement, advice, and teaching value . . . I have learned SO much!”

“. . . my learning and growth . . . has come from you”

“I want you all to know that what I have learned from this course so far has been invaluable in my life,” writes Kira Callis, a high school student in California. “My love for writing and English has grown to new heights. Using what I am learning, I have been able to rise to the top of all my English classes and ace them with no problem. My teachers (even in subjects beyond English) exclaim about my writing and unique style. But my learning and growth has not come from their teaching; it has come from you. My friends also thank you, since I have become the chief editor of English essays and college entrance papers. I am able to share with

others the passion and excitement I feel about the things I have learned from you. I now understand your love for sharing your wisdom with

people like me through this course.”

“. . . all the necessary skills”

“Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all the guidance, encouragement, and help you gave me throughout the course,” says Linda Vilcone of Iowa. “Last night I received an email from My Friend advising me that ‘Aunt Lil’s Magic Muffins’ will be published in the November issue. None of this could have or would have happened if I hadn’t had such a great instructor. The Institute has provided me with all the necessary skills to be a published author of children’s literature.”

“ICL did not let me down”

“For a long time, I was interested in writing but had no idea of where to start,” says Naomi Wallace of Kansas. “Honestly, when I received the test and application for the course, it came with a pile of junk mail and I figured it was a scam of some type. I took the test anyway and when I got accepted I waited until the last minute to sign up because I wasn’t sure if this was the real deal or not. ICL did not let me down. My first article [in Cricket] is scheduled to be published in January and I now have the confidence to pursue a freelance writing career. I truly appreciate all that my instructor did for me. My writing wouldn’t be the same without her!”

“. . . expertise gained from your course”

“After completing Assignment #6,” writes Bonita Davis of Kentucky, “I revised and edited my manuscript employing expertise gained from your course. (I had submitted this story five times before enrolling in your course and received five rejections.) I submitted it to a new market [Kid Time magazine] and received an acceptance eight weeks later.”

Indispensable resources from ICL

“I’ve found the resources from ICL to be indispensable,” writes Tamara Belko of Ohio, who has been published by WeeOnes and Listen magazines. “My instructor has been extremely supportive and helpful. Before I began the course, I wasn’t sure I really had the ability to achieve my dream of becoming a children’s writer, but my instructor’s encouraging letters and critiques really boosted my confidence.”

“My instructor . . . got to know me
as a human being”

“If it hadn’t been for ICL,” says Cindy Thomas of Washington, author of The Secret of Oak Creek Canyon, “I might never have written my book. My instructor was instrumental in bringing my ideas to fruition. She prompted me at every turn to keep me focused and disciplined, and in addition to her skills as an instructor, she got to know me as a human being.”

“The skills I learned transcended my own expectations”

“Registering for the children’s writing course was one of the best steps I’ve ever taken,” says novelist Ana Hernandez of New York, author of Under a Mango Tree. The skills I learned transcended my own expectations. I would like to thank everyone at the Institute for their kind support and for helping me make my dreams come true.”