Children's Literature: Writing for Children
Dare to imagine
The Master of Fine Arts degree program in Writing for Children dares you to begin your own story as a writer for young people. The study of transformative works — fantasy, verse, graphic novels, picturebooks, informational books, and realistic fiction — provides a rich context for your developing vision and voice.
Throughout the program, you’ll address structures of genre and consider potential audiences. Learn about market influences and the cultural work, obligations, and challenges of creative writing for young people. Small group critiques, mentorships with professionals, and a grounding in the children’s book publishing industry will fortify your developing career as a writer.
Small, writer-intensive classes (up to 12 students) complement core classes (up to 16 students). Study and learn with students in the adjacent fields of education, library services, publishing, book design, and others.
What distinguishes our program:
- One-to-one mentorships in which you’ll work with a publishing professional to develop two full manuscripts. Regular seminars provide insight into today’s practices and prepare you to launch your writing career.
- Outstanding faculty — including scholars, writers, and publishers — bring excellent teaching through relational pedagogy, and experiential knowledge of publishing
- Advising, support, and guidance from faculty based on your academic interests and career goals
- Speakers and programs, such as the Children’s Literature Summer Institute, to deepen your participation and widen our network
- Partners, such as The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, to expand your horizons
- A BookNook that makes available to students the 4,000 titles published every year
- An expansive welcoming network of alumnae/i in teaching, librarianship, varied publishing practices, doctoral studies, and internships
Why get an MFA in Writing for Children?
Our master’s degree program combines the academic study of literature with courses on writing and manuscript development. Learning about the history, culture, and society behind children's literature gives you important context. This knowledge helps you as you enter a lively and competitive publishing market.
In our program, you will:
- Gain a robust knowledge of historical and contemporary literature published for children and young adults.
- Curate a critical vocabulary and vital practices for understanding the diverse genres of literature for young readers.
- Develop a deep understanding of the craft as you write, revise, and polish your manuscripts.
- Put your scholarly and craft knowledge to practice as you engage in critiques of creative projects in development.
- Explore the Boston literary scene. You can join the Boston Book Festival, visit local bookstores, and attend many literary events.
- Access local internships in publishing houses, libraries, and literary organizations.
Our Faculty
Cathryn Mercier
Professor and Graduate Program Director of Children's Literature
Kelly Hager
Associate Provost, Curriculum, Assessment, and Accreditation
Amy Pattee
Professor
Lauren Rizzuto
Adjunct Faculty
Anita Silvey
Adjunct Faculty
Spotlight on Children's Literature: Writing for Children Students and Alums
The Story Listener
Breanna J. McDaniel ’14MA is the author of four acclaimed picturebooks and the recipient of the 2025 Ezra Jack Keats Writer Award. On July 26, McDaniel will present a presentation with author-illustrator Vashti Harrison at the Summer Children's Literature Institute at Simmons University.
Simmons Alum Mentors MFA Students in Children’s Publishing
Emily Feinberg ’11, who earned dual Master’s degrees in Children’s Literature and English Literature at Simmons, is now the Executive Editor at Roaring Brook Press, an imprint of Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group.
Children’s Lit Alum Finds Folkloric Inspiration for Spooky Debut Novel
In honor of the 50th anniversary of the Children’s Literature Program at Simmons, we caught up with Ally Russell ’15MFA about her role of Marketing Manager at independent publisher Nosy Crow, and the release of her debut novel.
Children’s Literature Alumna Named among Rising Star Women of Education
Janet Daniels ’10MFA, the Assistant Director of the Student Center at Harvard University’s Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, was recently recognized as one of the Rising Star Women of Education for 2024.
Ariel Vanece MA '22 Imbues Children's Literature with Intergenerational Friendships
Ariel Vanece, who completed the dual Children's Literature MA and Writing for Children MFA program in 2022, recently secured a two-book deal with Penguin / Rocky Pond Books. They spoke with us about what motivates them to write and how...
Autumn Allen '18MA-MFA on Inclusivity Children’s Literature
What led you to study children's literature at Simmons? When I started homeschooling my kids, I let them have free access to all books. When I followed the standard recommended reading lists, the books people called "classics" often had a...
Adjunct Elaine Dimopoulos ’08MFA on Writing, Environmentalism, and How to Get Involved
Adjunct Elaine Dimopoulos ’08MFA is the author of Material Girls (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2015). Her new novel, Turn the Tide (HarperCollins, 2022) is her middle grade debut, inspired by real life environmental activists.
Voices Heard, Stories Seen: Mackenzi Lee '14MFA on her #MeToo Essay and New Book
Mackenzi Lee ’14MFA may be most wellknown for her New York Times best-selling young adult series that follows the spirited Montague siblings, but her recently published essay tackles a more serious topic, the #MeToo movement.