Welcome to the Muslim Storyteller's Crash Course in Children's Books

Welcome to the Crash Course in Children’s Books for Muslim Storytellers!

This community-focused program invites new Muslim voices into the children’s book industry through a multi-month, online course. The program covers all aspects of children’s book publishing, from genres and types of books to working with a publisher (and everything in between). Editor, educator, and author Autumn Allen will lead writers and illustrators through live and pre-recorded materials each week.

The goal of this program is to support Muslim writers and illustrators who are interested in learning more about the children’s book industry, and growing as storytellers for children and teens.

You will:

• Build community and networks among Muslim storytellers.
• Explore genres of books, types of publishers, and types of markets.
• Find out how to get started as a professional.
• Use writing exercises to move your ideas into stories.
• Understand submissions rules and practices.
• Discover the publishing process.
• Work 1:1 with a mentor from the Muslim community on your work-in-progress and to discuss your publishing related questions.

“I aim to show Muslim children that they are central by writing stories in which their cultures form the background and setting, without explanations that center the comfort of nonMuslim readers. My characters are based on children in our communities, and will be familiar to Muslim children reading them. The delight of knowing that a story was written for you is one that every child should experience.”  (Autumn Allen, lead faculty)

Tentative Agenda

• Approximately one week before our first session, you will receive a link to our virtual classroom where you can introduce yourself to fellow creatives and engage in Highlights Foundation related resources (including our Community Standards).
• Most sessions take place LIVE on Tuesdays at 7pm Eastern.

Session Outline

Week One

Tuesday, November 4 at 7pm – 8pm Eastern: Crash Course Overview and Introductions (Live) with Autumn Allen

• Welcome with introductions
• Overview of course syllabus, including how to access online materials and engage in the discussion board with fellow storytellers.
• Please note this week may run slightly longer with introductions of fellow storytellers.

In the virtual classroom:

• Introductions thread
• Q & A thread

Week Two

Tuesday, November 11 at 7pm – 8pm Eastern: Today’s Publishing Market (Live) with Autumn Allen

• Types of Publishers, Books, and More
• Q & A

In the virtual classroom:

• Muslim Book Lists (board books – young adult); please add to the lists!
• Resource List: Where to learn more about publishers and books
• Reading current books, and how to do it
• Building your industry knowledge

Week Three

Tuesday, November 18 at 7pm – 8pm Eastern: Discussion of Resources (Live) with Autumn Allen

• Discussion of resources so far, and what is covered during pre-recorded weeks
• Open Q & A

In the virtual classroom:

• Publishers and editors, and what they do
• Agents and what they do
• Submissions Process Overview

Week Four

Pre-recorded Content; No Live Session This Week

• Giving & Receiving Feedback with Diana Ma
• Revision Tip Sheet
• Critique Group Interest thread
• Q & A thread
• Goals Survey for mentor pairing

Week Five

Pre-recorded Content; No Live Session This Week

• Illustration process & exercise with Natasha Khan Kazi
• Writing process & exercise (character) with Aya Khalil
• Nonfiction with M.O. Yuksel
• Please complete Goals Survey for mentor pairing
• Q & A thread

Week Six

Tuesday, December 9 at 7pm – 8pm Eastern: Getting Started as a Professional (Live) with Loretta Chefchaouni

• Getting started as a Muslim storyteller for children and teens
• Finding community, caring for yourself as a creative, and dedicating time to your craft
• Query letters, pitch contests, and more!

In the virtual classroom:

• Query letter samples
• Pitch samples
• Q & A thread

Week Seven

Tuesday, December 16 at 7pm- 8pm Eastern: After Submissions (Live) with Autumn Allen

• Contracts, Working with your editor, Marketing, & Social Media
• Q & A

In the virtual classroom:

• Meet the Mentors video (please watch!)
• Self-publishing thread
• Q & A thread

Week Eight: Please Note Special Date

Monday, December 22 at 7pm – 8pm Eastern: Where Do We Go From Here? (Live) with Autumn Allen

• Questions you still have
• Details about mentor pairing (and how to submit to your mentor)
• Evaluating your goals and next steps of action

In the virtual classroom:

• Mentor Matches made
• Q & A thread

Commitment Required for the Best Experience

Once accepted, if your schedule does not allow you to attend live sessions, that’s OK!

You’ll have access to the recordings. They’re posted the day after the session, and they’ll be available through March 31, 2026.

Closed captions will be available on all live sessions, and recordings from live sessions.

The course also includes writing exercises, mentorship, community interaction, and goal setting.

To maximize your investment in the course, take advantage of these.