The Acquired Academy was extremely insightful. Learning about the publishing process from a publisher’s perspective is very helpful for a querying author trying to build a submission strategy and better understand what the industry is looking for. David is personable and presents the information with a genuine desire to help authors. The course also encouraged me to think beyond the local market and consider a book’s potential in international markets. The material was delivered in manageable, bite-sized lessons, followed by focused exercises. I’m very glad I enrolled in this course
The Acquired Academy
Unlock one-on-one time with publisher David Miles, access Pitch Day competitions, and level up your writing game with nearly 50 publisher-led instructional videos—all for just $199!
$199.00
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The full Academy includes:
- One-on-one consultation time with publisher David Miles to evaluate your work
- Exclusive access to our Pitch Day competitions, where Acquired graduates only are eligible to win Bushel & Peck publishing contracts
- Nearly 50 instructional videos packed with insider secrets to get you into the top 5% of manuscripts
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See what our alumni have to say!
Note: Includes reviews for our earlier Acquired program
Customer Reviews
Overall rating: 5.0 / 5 from 32 reviews.
I’m currently taking the Acquired Academy course and am learning so much valuable information about what publishers are really looking for when considering manuscripts. I look forward to learning more as I continue this course, and applying it to make my writing the best it can be. Thank you for this opportunity! 😊
Patricia B. 5/5 Verified
Absolutely invaluable experience! So much so, I have done it twice!!
Elizabeth G. 5/5 Verified
What a fantastic look at the inner workings of children's book publishing. The information was just priceless— I can't imagine NOT having this knowledge! Thanks for putting together such a helpful and well-organized workshop.
Eva S. 5/5 Verified
Loved it! So informative and practical. Excellent presentations and simply wonderful people.
Ann S. 5/5 Verified
This class was eye opening, fun, inspiring and educating -- well worth the expense! I really enjoyed it and there was so much takeaway with which to pave my path to success.
Lynne M. 5/5 Verified
Great experience
Mel R. 4/5 Verified
The Acquired! Workshop was a worthwhile intensive that included constructive feedback and excellent publisher insider information and advice. I highly recommend it!
Patricia K. 5/5 Verified
The ACQUIRED program was fabulous! David and Ryan are incredible at giving on the spot advice to authors seeking to improve their stories. As a team, David and Ryan provided excellent feedback and were authentic, transparent, passionate, and kind. I think every author in our group felt supported and enlivened to dive deeper into their pages with newfound excitement and focus. And to top it off–at least one person in every group gets a Bushel & Peck book deal!
Elizabeth B. 5/5 Verified
I learned so much from the instructors—it was both interesting and educational. I received 15 minutes of honest feedback on several stories, which I've taken to heart and been revising.
Leslie T. 5/5 Verified
This workshop was informative and illuminating! Definitely a fan of this method of learning.
Lynne M. 5/5 Verified
This class was one of the most helpful experiences in my 5+ year kidlit journey, showing me insights into publisher decisions, giving me immediate feedback about the marketability of my ideas, and encouraging me to work on the manuscripts with the most promise. I've already recommended Bushel & Peck's Acquired class to several of my writer friends.
Stephanie J. 5/5 Verified
Acquired, was an amazing experience! The humble and honest critique/assessment of my writing was incredibly valuable. Getting to view other people's critiques was very helpful as well! I would love to take more classes with this group!
Amy H. 5/5 Verified
This workshop was packed with information and insight! We were able to shift the lens and look at ideas and drafts through the eyes of the publisher and editor. Receiving real-time critiques and listening to the critiques of other writers’ works was of such great value. It was a marathon weekend, but well worth the investment.
Susan K. 5/5 Verified
Acquired! equipped me with some foundational industry knowledge that I had been missing, which helped me to think outside of the box and like a publisher. I came away believing I have infinite more stories to tell than I thought! —Melissa Collier Gepford, www.melissacolliergepford.com
Melissa C. 5/5 Verified
I signed up for this workshop thinking I’d like to write a book and could use some direction on how to do it. Wow! I learned so much about how to approach my writing from multiple angles to make it something kids would want to read, adults would want to purchase, and publishers would want to acquire. I had so many “Aha!” moments and left knowing I have what it takes to get published.
Zerah B. 5/5 Verified
This workshop is like a full-semester course on the children's publishing industry. I signed up because I would like to explore writing for children in my retirement, and I could not have asked for a more complete, intensive, and challenging way to begin that journey. David and Ryan love what they do, are extremely knowledgeable, and work well and sensitively with a wide range of professional and fledgling writers.
Roberta J. 5/5 Verified
I received my first book deal while attending ACQUIRED. This amazing workshop will give any writer a tremendous advantage in the world of publishing.
Ernest R. 5/5 Verified
The Acquired Workshop with Bushel and Peck was an amazing experience from start to finish. They offered one-on-one time with each author and gave invaluable advice. I have attended many conferences and workshops, but this one was by far the best. Watching Ryan and David working in sync while giving critiques to each person was a fantastic learning experience. I would highly recommend this workshop to anyone who's serious about writing for children. I will incorporate their knowledge, experience, and tips into my future endeavors.
Karen J. 5/5 Verified
This exceptional workshop provided concrete, valuable information on how to craft stories for children and about the nature of children's publishing as a business. Critical thinking about how to place your stories in today's market is invaluable. Real-time feedback from David and Ryan about my story ideas and those of my follow writers was the highlight of the workshop for me. Participants had the opportunity to develop their most promising ideas and get immediate feedback the next day. I will definitely sign up for another Bushel & Peck workshop...I highly recommend this opportunity for writers serious about publishing stories for children!
Jeanne P. 5/5 Verified
Acquired! was a wonderful experience. All of the information shared about the publishing world was very helpful to me. Step by step, we learned about new ways to think about our manuscripts and take them to the next level. We were given advice by editors and critiqued by peers all at once. This combination was so unique and meaningful! I highly recommend this conference to anyone who is interested in embracing the process of writing an important story, to becoming a traditionally published author! —Jessie Campagna, author and illustrator of 'Marker and Lid', Markerandlid.com
Jessie C. 5/5 Verified
David and Ryan poured their hearts into this workshop and shared with us honest and fresh information about what it takes to be published. They pushed us to think about what we have to offer as writers and to understand how we can get our work on the published page. Truly the most innovative approach to a writing workshop I have experienced. —Monta Monaco Hernon
Monta M. 5/5 Verified
"The workshop delivered so much more than was advertised and taught me some valuable lessons on the craft of writing. It also gave me a better understanding of the business of publishing. David and Ryan are talented and intelligent but it is their kindness and incredible generosity that make them exceptional. It's clear that they are not doing this to make a buck but truly want to help writers write books that will get published. Highly recommend! —Sarah Badat-Richardson (www.sarahbadatrichardson.com)
Sarah B. 5/5 Verified
Acquired! offered more than I expected. When spending on writing development events, I assess the value of the content itself and the potential to help me grow and have opportunities for submission. In this program I felt each of those areas equaled or bettered the benefits of some weekend conferences that cost as much or more. David, Ryan, and Harold are very informative and personable with much to offer writers at any stage. —Sandy Brehl (sandybrehlbooks.com)
Sandy B. 5/5 Verified
Acquired! was such a fantastic experience. David and Ryan were so welcoming and knowledgeable. They immediately took a list of nearly two dozen manuscript ideas and helped me decide where to focus my energy, then offered meaningful feedback on book structure and voice. It was also so helpful to get to peek behind the curtain at the market factors that influence publishers' decisions. I would sign up again in a heartbeat! -- Jennifer N.
Jennifer N. 5/5 Verified
I am so appreciative for the feedback and industry insights I gained from Acquired! This workshop is unique in its focus on giving authors a behind-the-curtain look at the considerations and priorities of the decision-makers. This workshop is unparalleled in personalized feedback, idea generation, and industry insider info.
2025 A. 5/5 Verified
I've attended many conferences and workshops. This one was by far the best and most informative for me. If you have the opportunity to attend one of Bushel and Peck workshops, I strongly recommend you do.
2025 A. 5/5 Verified
Bushel & Peck Book's Acquired Workshop gave me an inside pass to the world of children's book publishing and helped me to think like an editor and a publisher. Ryan G. Van Cleave's Secrets to Winning Writing made me realize I've only scratched the creative surface with my manuscripts in progress, but now I have more tools to improve them and hopefully get published. —Holly Jurbergs
Holly J. 5/5 Verified
Of the many writing workshops, courses, and webinars I've participated in, ACQUIRED stands out as unique. The two perspectives from editor and publisher as the critiqued hundreds of ideas and provided specific feedback to dozens manuscripts was invalualbe. One could say - enlightening and delightful. —Pat Austin (patriciaaustinwrites.com)
Pat A. 5/5 Verified
The Acquired conference was SUCH a positive experience! The small number of attendees made the process feel so personal, and the sense of community built in just a few days was incredible. The range of experiences brought by the various participants and speakers made the brainstorming really fun, as well, as each person had slightly different specialties/expertise. David and Ryan clearly care about what they are doing, about mentoring and preparing aspiring writers, about crafting creative and fascinating literature for even the youngest of readers (or read to). I would highly recommend both the conference and any titles published by Bushel & Peck.
Abi 5/5 Verified
David Miles, Ryan Van Cleave, and Harold Underdown are amazing presenters and professionals who not only love the work they do, but are generous and patient with fellow writers and artists, especially newcomers to creative pursuits and the industry! I highly recommend any of their workshops!!
Melanie 5/5 Verified
I've attended many wonderful workshops, conferences, and retreats in the nearly twenty years since my first children's manuscript was acquired, but none quite like this one! I had multiple lightning-strike moments and feel like I am now much better equipped to choose which of my ideas to focus on—instead of wasting so much precious writing time on projects that are less likely to be acquired. If your budget for professional development is limited (as mine is), invest your money in this galvanizing experience. Talk about high value for the money. Thank you, David and Ryan! —Irene Latham irenelatham.com
Irene L. 5/5 Verified
The Acquired Academy
$199.00
