The purpose of this course is to explore the largely overlooked genre of childhood writings, and to ask questions about the genesis of genius. Juvenilia, or writings by youthful authors (generally up to the age of 20), are fascinating both in themselves and for the promise of greater works to come. The course will examine not only the works of gifted children (like Jane Austen, Charlotte Brontë, and Lewis Carroll) who are famous for their childhood writings, but also the works of others (like Lord Byron, George Eliot, Rudyard Kipling, Katherine Mansfield, Philip Larkin and Margaret Atwood) who are known only for their adult works. The juvenilia of such authors will be looked at in terms of the individual psychologies of the children who wrote them, and the socio-cultural context in which they were written. There will also be the opportunity to edit a juvenile manuscript for publication, an exercise that will involve teamwork, an introduction to editing and professional skills.