Since listing writing courses, workshops, books you've read on writing, etc. is definitely mentioned in the ICL courses as a no-no -- the vast majority of ICL students would never mention it (since I'm hoping most read the manual and follow its suggestions.) So, those who do proclaim ICL student status in a query must have missed that that part of the manual (not a good sign right from the get-go.) Yet, even in this group, Coyote found a really good submission. So amongst the least attentive of the ICL students, Coyote found a really good submission -- that's pretty impressive.
I do know a number of writers who are extensively published in magazines or have books by the publishers we all recognize and are ICL graduates. Some mention it on their websites. So obviously they feel they got something from the course or they wouldn't tell people about it. It was from an author with many books to her credit that I first found out ICL wasn't some kind of scam (since I found their marketing a bit icky -- okay, really icky.) That's why I answered a call from them and ended up writing a course for them.
I have heard graduates liken what they get from each lesson to being comparable to what they have gotten when they've attended writing conferences and paid for a professional critique. You get about that much information per lesson. SO, imagine someone attending 8 to 10 conferences and getting critiques. Will that turn them into Linda Sue Park? No. Will they learn something valuable they can use to become better writers? Yes. Will everyone see the same degree of improvement? No. Are both paths pretty expensive -- yup.
Personally, as I mentioned earlier -- I can't afford to attend 8 to 10 writing conferences and pay for critiques. (Actually, I can't afford to attend any -- I only go if they pay me.) I can't afford to take expensive writing courses (though I have taken a few on someone else's dime to evaluate them). I can't afford to pay for critique services (though I have sent materials to some of them -- again on someone else's dime -- to evaluate them). I chose to go the old-fashioned way. I wrote and wrote and wrote. And revised revised revised revised. And I still do. I study the market. Utilize my critique group. Learn from my rejections. I happen to have a degree in Journalism from a prestigious college -- that did jack for preparing me to write for children (beyond teaching me to fact check.)
Not every writer benefits from the same things. Some folks love conferences and critiques and go to more than one a year. Some folks love taking classes. Some folks find value in paid critiques. And some hit the grindstone and learn that way. I know what works for me but I don't know what works for everyone and I would never suppose to slam a door in front of someone or devalue the hard work they put into working THEIR journey. Which is exactly what a "ICL graduates all suck except for those who probably didn't need the course" post does. There is always someone who can devalue whatever path you are taking and that's pathetic. I've heard college grads tell those without college that they can give it up -- you can't get published that way. I've heard those who love conferences sneer at those who prefer books. In a field where there is so much unavoidable frustration built in -- it's sad that we have to build ourselves up by devaluing others.
I do know I've had students through ICL who were not benefiting from distance learning. In those situations, I contact the school so the person doesn't end up paying for something that isn't helping. Some people really need one-on-one, face-to-face input. Those folks might do better with conferences and critiques -- or with writing groups -- or with in-class instruction -- or by getting a less taxing hobby. Writing is hard work and it isn't for everyone.
ICL does NOT promise to make people into successful writers. All the school promises is to help the student get one submittable manuscript if the student stays in the course to the end -- that doesn't mean submittable to Boy's Life, American Girl, or HarperCollins (though it might). It might mean submittable to The Friend, Story Station, or Bread for God's Children (and instructors are supposed to be very honest about that.) Of course, if I were to send a Bread story to Dutton, the editor is going to send it right back to me. And if I'm stubborn, I'll then send it to FS&G and then Barefoot, until I finally believe my instructor and go ahead and send it to Bread.
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