Author and teacher Meagan J. Meehan will launch a class dedicated to children’s books in August of 2019
Meagan J. Meehan is a multi-published author and teacher who is presently pursuing a Ph.D. in Educational Psychology from University at Buffalo (SUNY). Meagan has also designed and taught a number of online fiction writing classes that end with every participant’s story being audio narrated and published as part of an anthology. The first of these anthologies, a book in the Horror genre, is scheduled to be released in 2020 with Stitched Smile Publications. Classes dedicated to Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Crime Drama are on the horizon for late 2019 and 2020.
Yet now Meagan J. Meehan is busily planning her next class which just so happens to be the debut of her children’s book writing course. Created in collaboration with eBook publishers Smart Kidz Club–with whom Meehan has published over three dozen books–the class will end with every participant seeing their picture book professionally illustrated, audio narrated, and placed on the Smart Kidz Club website and digital library.
Meehan, who works as a journalist as well as an author and art teacher, was inspired to start these “publication-promised” courses as a result of frustration with her own experiences in writing classes.
“I would enroll in creative writing classes and have a great time but then end up with a completed story and nothing to do with it,” Meagan J. Meehan explained in a recent interview. “I have made many publishing contacts over the years and I decided to collaborate with some publishers to create these ‘worthwhile writing’ classes where every student not only learns about the writing craft but leaves the class a published author.”
Meehan is careful not to work with self-publishers to ensure that anyone taking her classes can present their finished work to potential agents without fear.
“I know there’s a lot of controversy surrounding self-publishing,” Meehan explained. “Even though I don’t have an agent, I have been fortunate enough to always find small or mid-sized presses to produce my books so I have never had to self-publish anything. When I designed these courses, I decided to make that one of the perks, give everyone a chance to be published with a ‘traditional’ press that does not charge artists for their work. All they are paying for is the class.”
Of course, children’s books are a much more involved subject that most other genres given the emphasis on the artwork. The class tuition helps pay the artists who will bring every participant’s book to life.
“I know the course is expensive at $485,” Meehan explained. “But it’s eight weeks long and results in an illustrated and published end-result. It’s also fully online so everyone makes their own hours and, if you need more time to finish your project, I’ll work with students one-on-one even after the class ends. I also offer payment plans for as little as $10 a month. Everything just needs to be paid in full before the book actually goes live on the Smart Kidz Club website though.”
Meehan–who holds a B.A. in English Literature, a M.A. in Communication, and is enrolled in an Educational Psychology doctoral program–understands the merits of working online and is a proponent of this method of learning. She has also published novels, short stories, poems, and dozens of children’s books, which makes her very knowledgeable of the writing process.
“This is the first time we are running this class, but we really hope it will be successful,” Meehan stated. “If twelve or more people sign up for the class, there will be an additional feature of cash prizes and ribbons. Anyone who consents will automatically be entered into a contest. One “winner” will be selected and will be mailed an award and given a $100 cash prize. Second and third place winners will also receive a ribbon and $50 and $25 cash prizes, respectively.”
There is a limit of 35 people per class. If you are interested in signing up, please email Meagan at Meagan(at)Chillingtalesfordarknights(dot)com –an email which she uses for her well-known horror writing. She will be available to answer any questions anyone may have pertaining to the class.
To learn more, visit the official Smart Kidz Club website and Meagan’s official LinkedIn profile.
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