Novels & Short Story Writing Courses in London
Explore character, structure and plot development on the journey to producing quality fiction. All kinds of narrative fiction, long and short, are supported on our wide range of courses. Whether you want to get your great idea down on paper or are already writing and redrafting, we have a course that will suit your level. All our writing courses are taught by practicing writers.
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Writing funny fiction
Course Date: Thu 6 Feb 2020
Location on this date: International HouseHumour is an incredible vehicle for connection, promoting empathy and raising questions that may otherwise be hard to handle. Writers as diverse as Saki, PG Wodehouse, Shakespeare, and Lorrie Moore understand this. But what does it really mean to write funny fiction and what are the techniques writers use? Learn how to harness the power of humour in your fiction in this fun, supportive workshop.Full fee: £69.00Senior fee: £69.00Concession: £28.00 -
Craft focus: dialogue in fiction
Course Date: Sun 16 Feb 2020
Location on this date: KS - Keeley StreetShow rather than tell through quality dialogue. This one-day course will explore ways to develop that all-important ‘ear for dialogue’ through writing exercises and analysis of proven techniques.Full fee: £59.00Senior fee: £59.00Concession: £24.00 -
Craft of fiction reading & writing group: exploring 'Bird by Bird' by Anne Lamott
Course Date: Fri 21 Feb 2020
Location on this date: KS - Keeley StreetCraft texts are a wonderful resource for any budding fiction writer and it can help our understanding if we chat about them with others. In this short session we'll discuss popular craft text 'Bird by Bird' by Anne Lamott and complete a writing exercise based on a key concept from the book.Full fee: £19.00Senior fee: £19.00Concession: £19.00 -
Autobiography into fiction
Course Date: Sun 23 Feb 2020 (and 4 other dates)
Location on this date: KS - Keeley StreetLearn how to turn real-life experiences into gripping fiction in this fun course for fiction writing beginners and those interested in writing fiction from life. Develop your writing skills and explore techniques for transforming personal stories into written narratives, realistic or fantastical.Full fee: £59.00Senior fee: £59.00Concession: £24.00 -
Craft focus: voice in fiction
Course Date: Sun 23 Feb 2020 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: KS - Keeley StreetAll fiction must speak to us as readers. It must communicate atmosphere and plot, character and layers of meaning. Naturally, this means it must have a 'voice,' a complex mix of elements that, together, give the piece its unique identity. In this one-day course learn what 'voice' really means in fiction and how to develop a voice for your story that can capture the attention of readers.Full fee: £59.00Senior fee: £59.00Concession: £24.00 -
Short story writing (intensive)
Course Date: Wed 26 Feb 2020
Location on this date: International HouseA fast-paced introduction to the art of writing short stories. In this 6-week course you will receive technical advice, creative exercises to generate ideas, and feedback to develop your writing skills.Full fee: £129.00Senior fee: £129.00Concession: £52.00 -
Craft focus: point of view in fiction
Course Date: Sat 29 Feb 2020
Location on this date: KS - Keeley StreetWho speaks and who sees? Point of view is the answer to these essential questions in fiction. Learn the fundamentals of point of view in this one-day course designed to help you write stories with clear and compelling perspectives. Suitable for those with some experience of creative writing.Full fee: £59.00Senior fee: £59.00Concession: £24.00 -
Write a short story in a weekend
Course Date: Sat 14 Mar 2020 (and 2 other dates)
Location on this date: KS - Keeley StreetTurn your great idea into a short story on this fun practical course. Through a series of inspiring exercises, you'll be introduced to some key fiction writing techniques and encouraged to draft a short story from beginning to end in two days. Suitable for beginners who are comfortable learning at a fast pace.Full fee: £99.00Senior fee: £99.00Concession: £40.00 -
Masters of style: reading and writing Jean Rhys
Course Date: Sun 22 Mar 2020
Location on this date: KS - Keeley StreetJean Rhys was a master of precision and atmosphere. From writing about the immigrant experience through a distinctly female lens, to revising literary history with her incandescent prequel to Jane Eyre, Wide Sargasso Sea, Rhys was a writer who was willing to take risks with style to achieve her vivid portrayals. This day workshop explores the literary interpretations of two of her fictional works, and includes writing exercises that encourage you to experiment with her fluid style.Full fee: £59.00Senior fee: £59.00Concession: £24.00 -
Craft focus: narrative time in fiction
Course Date: Sun 29 Mar 2020
Location on this date: KS - Keeley StreetAll fiction is bound by time: a story must begin and it must end. What happens in between is up to the writer. In this one-day practical course learn how time functions in fiction and, through practical writing exercises, how you can manipulate it to great effect. Suitable for those with some creative writing experience.Full fee: £59.00Senior fee: £59.00Concession: £24.00 -
Writing fiction
Course Date: Mon 20 Apr 2020 (and 5 other dates)
Location on this date: KS - Keeley StreetLovers of fiction can develop their creative writing skills on this practical intermediate course. You'll explore the fundamentals of fiction writing craft such as character and structure, and unlock your imagination to produce compelling prose. Suitable for those with some creative writing experience.Full fee: £209.00Senior fee: £209.00Concession: £84.00 -
Developing your novel
Course Date: Mon 20 Apr 2020 (and 4 other dates)
Location on this date: KS - Keeley StreetHave you started work on your novel? This course is suitable for experienced creative writers who want to make progress with a novel draft. Learn more about the art of novel writing and move your project forward in a supportive workshop environment.Full fee: £209.00Senior fee: £209.00Concession: £84.00 -
Starting your novel
Course Date: Mon 20 Apr 2020 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: International HouseGot a great idea for a novel? Jump start your project in this supportive course that covers craft basics such as character and plot. Ideal for writers of fiction with some experience who have an idea for a novel.Full fee: £209.00Senior fee: £209.00Concession: £84.00 -
Masterclass: fiction (a one-term intensive workshop)
Course Date: Tue 21 Apr 2020 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: International HouseThis intensive fiction workshop is open by selective application to a maximum of ten fiction writers working at the advanced and professional levels. You will receive rigorous constructive feedback on your novel or short story as you develop it with a view to publication, and participate in detailed tutor-led discussions on advanced elements of fictional craft. Application deadline: Sunday 29th March 2020.Full fee: £339.00Senior fee: £339.00Concession: £339.00 -
Ending your novel
Course Date: Tue 21 Apr 2020
Location on this date: International HouseAre you wondering how to wrap up your novel? Maybe you're grappling with the best way to bring your book to a statisfying conclusion. This course is suitable for experienced creative writers who have completed or made significant progress with a novel draft. Learn more about the art of novel writing and conclude your project in a supportive workshop environment.Full fee: £209.00Senior fee: £209.00Concession: £84.00
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