This course, Online Feedback: Children’s Books with Jemima Shafei-Ongu, takes place online.

In this online writing course, author Jemima Shafei-Ongu will provide feedback on your writing for children, enabling you to hone your skills over five months. Feedback will vary depending on each submission, but it may focus on areas such as storytelling, plot, structure, characterisation, theme, or voice.

How Does This Course Work?

Once a month, you’ll submit either a picture book text (up to 800 words) or an early reader/chapter book or middle grade text (up to 1500 words). Your tutor will provide tailored feedback, giving you time to incorporate her suggestions and advice into the next month’s submission. Each month, you can submit either new or revised writing.

You’ll also have the opportunity to read and critique the writing of other participants. This process of giving and receiving feedback from fellow writers is an ideal way to determine what works, what resonates, what falls flat – and how to improve.

This online program takes place on a website specifically designed for writers, making it simple and easy to share your writing, give and receive feedback, and interact with fellow writers.

If you’re ready to challenge yourself and develop your skills through constructive critique and independent work, this is the program for you.

Please note:

• This is a feedback-based program. While you are welcome to generate new material for submission during this time, no prompts or themes will be provided.
• By enrolling in this course, you are committing to giving and receiving feedback from peers and the tutor. Read this article here for more information.
• Regarding picture books: Industry standard word count is generally a maximum of 500 words. It’s rare that longer picture book text would be published, so shorter submissions are encouraged but you may submit up to 800 words if necessary. This online feedback program will help you learn how to write a more concise picture book text.

Important Dates

This five-month course opens on Monday 16 February 2026. Submissions of picture book text (up to 800 words) or early reader/chapter book or middle grade text (up to 1500 words) are due on the following dates, 10pm (Sydney times):

Monday 23 February 2026
Monday 23 March 2026
Monday 27 April 2026
Monday 25 May 2026
Monday 22 June 2026

After each submission date, you’ll have 10 days to complete peer feedback. At the end of each feedback period, you’ll receive your tutor feedback.

Participant Requirements

This course is for picture book and early reader/chapter book or middle grade writers. This course is not suitable for writers of young adult fiction. If you would like feedback on young adult fiction, check out our manuscript assessments. Picture book text and early reader text should be fictional.

Internet access and confidence using basic computer software are essential for this program.

Is this course right for you? Please read our FAQ> for important information before enrolling. 

If you have questions about this course, please contact us.

More from Writing NSW

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