All your FAQ questions about CLC Kenya’s writing class for children answered!
Understanding CLC Kenya’s Writing Class for Children & Young Adults:
At CLC Kenya, we are passionate about enabling and empowering children and young adults towards writing their stories. Here’s a breakdown of how the class work:
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Course Structure & Curriculum
1. What is the structure of the writing class?
The course is self-paced, allowing writers to engage with content at their own speed. All the instructional videos are availed at the start, guiding students through the core aspects of Christian writing.
2. How does the course accommodate different learning styles or paces?
Since it is self-paced, writers can revisit lessons, pause when needed, and move forward only when they are confident—offering an inclusive approach for both fast and slow learners.
3. What is the difference between the Free Track and Mentorship Program option?
Free Track
- Students get free access to pre-recorded video lessons.
- The course is self-paced, meaning learners can go through the lessons on their own time.
- Ideal for children and teens who have financial hinderances, but are self-motivated or have active parental/guardian involvement.
- There is no direct supervision or personalised guidance from the facilitators.
- Parents are encouraged to support the learner by following the parent introductory unit, helping to create structure and accountability at home.
- Completely free of charge, making it accessible to many families regardless of budget.
Mentorship Program
- Learners are placed in a mentorship track, which includes monthly one-on-one or group sessions with an experienced writing mentor.
- Facilitators help guide each child based on their writing progress, strengths, and challenges.
- Unlike the free track, the mentorship program offers personalised feedback, editing suggestions, and encouragement tailored to the child’s writing submissions.
- Children in the mentorship program are guided above the actual writing, including author branding, exposure to publishing processes and communities.
- Regular check-ins keep learners accountable and consistent, reducing the chance of procrastination.
- The mentorship program involves a monthly fee to cover the costs of facilitator time, feedback, and writing support.
Summary Table
| Feature | Free Track | Mentorship Program |
|---|---|---|
| Access to Course Videos | ✅ | ✅ |
| Self-paced Learning | ✅ | ✅ |
| Personal Mentorship | ❌ | ✅ (3 sessions) |
| Feedback on Writing | ❌ | ✅ |
| Publishing Processes | ❌ | ✅ 10% Discount to Publish |
| Parental Involvement | Encouraged | Still helpful |
| Cost | Free | Kes 9,520 |
| Graduation | ❌ (Optional Kes 15,000) | ✅ Kes 6,000 (Certificate, Sash & Ceremony in Nairobi, Uganda & Virtual) |
If you’re unsure which one is right for your child, consider this:
Choose the Free Track if you’re financially constrained, are exploring your child’s interest or want to supplement their writing at home.
Choose the Mentorship Program if your child is ready to commit to becoming an author and you desire personalised coaching for higher success rates.
4. Who developed the curriculum for this course?
The curriculum is developed by Dr. Muthoni Omukhango, based on her 15 years of experience in the book industry in Africa and training adult Christian writers at CLC Kenya, now tailored to suit children and young adults.
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Enrollment & Payments
1. How can interested individuals enroll in the writing class?
Enrollment can be done through the CLC Kenya’s mabb.kenyaclc.org website. Click Free Track or Mentorship Program, complete the check out and the login details will be sent to your email.
For the mentorship Program, you and/or your child will receive further login credentials to join WhatsApp group for the personalised mentorship and accountability.
2. Is there a registration fee or ongoing cost for the course?
Details regarding fees are found on the enrollment page.
- Free Track option is absolutely free.
- Mentorship Program option is Kes 9,520 per child.
3. What's the cost of graduation?
- Free Track students are not eligible for graduation by default, as their manuscripts are not reviewed or approved by CLC Kenya.
- If a Free Track student wishes to graduate, a one-time fee of Kes 15,000 applies to cover manuscript review and graduation preparation.
- Mentorship Program students are prepared throughout the course for graduation and recognition. Graduation for them costs Kes 6,000, which covers:
- A Certificate of Completion
- A Graduation Sash
- Participation in the official ceremony.
4. What are the payment options for CLC Kenya’s Writing Class
We offer several convenient ways to make your payments for the Writing Class and Graduation:
1. M-PESA Wallet
- Buy Goods & Services – Till number will be provided upon registration.
- M-PESA Global or SendWave – Perfect for those outside Kenya who wish to pay via mobile money.
2. Visa / Debit / Credit Card
- Make secure payments online using any Visa-enabled card through our payment gateway.
3. Direct Bank Deposit
- You may transfer payment directly to the CLC Kenya bank account.
Account details will be shared upon request.
4. PayPal
- International participants can use PayPal for smooth and secure transactions.
⚠️ Please Note:
Payment gateway charges may apply depending on the method chosen. Kindly ensure to factor this in when making your payment.
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Writing & Publishing Timelines
1. How long does the process take from idea to bookshelf?
The timeline varies depending on whether the writer is enrolled in the Mentorship Program or taking the Free Track.
Mentorship Program Timeline
Total Duration: 14 Weeks
- 10 Weeks of Writing Instruction & Mentorship
- 4 Weeks of Graduation Preparation
Program Cost: Kes 9,520 (excluding graduation and publishing)
Writers work with accountability, feedback, and delivery timelines set by CLC Kenya, ensuring steady progress toward publishing readiness and higher chances of manuscript completion.
Free Track Timeline
Duration: Flexible
- Learners move at their own pace without deadlines or feedback from CLC Kenya.
- While this option offers flexibility, it may take significantly longer to complete due to the absence of structured accountability.
- Program Cost: Kes 0.00
2. When does graduation happen?
- Graduation Period: Annually, between October–November
- Graduation Fee: Kes 6,000 (Mentorship Program)
- Free Track writers may attend graduation upon manuscript review and payment of Kes 15,000.
3. How long does publishing take after writing is complete?
Estimated Duration: Approximately 9 months
Estimated Cost: Kes 65,000
Please note: This is a general estimate. The final publishing cost depends on:
- Length of the manuscript
- Type and number of illustrations
- Formatting, cover design, and editing needs
For an accurate quote, kindly request a formal publishing invoice from CLC Kenya.
4. What happens after publishing?
Printing, Marketing & Distribution is a lifetime engagement. CLC Kenya walks with the author long after the book is launched—helping with:
- Book printing and reprinting
- Marketing guidance and events
- Distribution through bookshops, online platforms, and author networks
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Support System & Interaction
1. Is there a support system or community for writers during the course?
✅ Yes — for Mentorship Program participants.
Writers enrolled in the Mentorship Program benefit from:
Weekly virtual support, such as personalised check-ins and accountability structures.
Monthly one-hour personalised coaching and feedback sessions (either one-on-one or in a group setting).
❌ Note: The Free Track does not include mentorship, coaching, or community support.
2. Can participants receive feedback on their writing?
✅ Yes — for those in the Mentorship Program. Writers receive monthly personalised feedback from their mentor during the one-hour coaching sessions. This helps identify strengths, improve weak areas, and guide progress toward publishing.
❌ Free Track participants do not receive feedback, as manuscripts are not reviewed by CLC Kenya under this option.
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Publishing Opportunities
1. Will children have a chance to publish their writing?
Yes – for both options, with different processes.
Mentorship Program Writers:
Writers who complete the Mentorship Program are supported to transition into the publishing phase.
- Their manuscripts are already guided and reviewed throughout the course.
- They receive a 10% discount on the final publishing invoice with CLC Kenya.
Free Track Writers:
Writers on the Free Track can submit their manuscript at publishing@cblafrica.com for consideration by CLC Kenya at a review fee of Kes 5,000.
- If the manuscript meets publishing standards, the student may proceed to publishing.
- Note: The 10% publishing discount does not apply to Free Track submissions.
2. Are published works made available publicly?
Yes – for both options.
Once the manuscript is published, the book is made available to readers across Africa and globally, as distribution opportunities arise.
Additionally, through the African Christian Authors Book Award (ACABA) platform https://africanauthors.net/
- All authors are offered post-publishing training, empowerment, and community support.
- They gain access to author events, marketing workshops, and mentorship opportunities to grow their influence and impact.
⚠️ Important Note:
The active involvement of the young author is essential throughout the process.
As we say at CLC Kenya, “Readers buy the author before they buy the book.” Cultivating an engaging and authentic author presence is part of the publishing journey.
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