Novels & Short Story Writing - Online Courses
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.
City Lit's writing students frequently go on to further study or publication. Read their success stories.
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Many of our courses are delivered online. For more information about our live online courses, please see our guide to online learning.
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Submitting your short stories to magazines
Course Date: Sat 6 Mar 2021
Location on this date: OnlineThis is a fast-track course to help you hone and prepare your short stories for submission to magazines and publishers.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee: £59.00Senior fee: £59.00Concession: £24.00 -
Write a short story in a weekend
Course Date: Sat 13 Mar 2021 (and 2 other dates)
Location on this date: OnlineTurn 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. Suitable for beginners who are comfortable learning at a fast pace. Please note: this course has a 2-hr break each session from 12:30-14:30.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee: £99.00Senior fee: £99.00Concession: £40.00 -
Writing historical fiction
Course Date: Sun 21 Mar 2021
Location on this date: OnlineIs there a historical event, or maybe even in a period in time that you think is rich in great stories? Ever wondered how writers like Hillary Mantel, Phillipa Gregory and C.J. Sansom do it? Dig into the past for inspiration on this course and learn how to create historical fiction that speaks vividly to its period and to a contemporary readership.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee: £129.00Senior fee: £129.00Concession: £52.00 -
Craft focus: narrative time in fiction
Course Date: Sun 28 Mar 2021
Location on this date: OnlineAll fiction is bound by time: a story must begin and it must end. What happens in between is up to the writer. In this practical short 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. Please note: this course will have a 2-hr break from 12:30-14:30.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee: £69.00Senior fee: £69.00Concession: £28.00 -
Writing horror: a beginners' guide
Course Date: Fri 9 Apr 2021
Location on this date: OnlineWhere does terror begin? This fun workshop explores the core elements of the horror genre so you can walk in the footsteps of writers like Bram Stoker, Shirley Jackson and Stephen King.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee: £69.00Senior fee: £69.00Concession: £28.00 -
Craft focus: writing a strong story opening
Course Date: Mon 12 Apr 2021 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: OnlineTo get your reader’s attention, a great opening is essential. But do you pique their interest with a quirky phrase? Explode your story into action? Or build slow-burning intrigue? Find the perfect start for your story with this fun, interactive course. Suitable for those interested in writing short fiction and novels.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee: £69.00Senior fee: £69.00Concession: £28.00 -
Writing fiction
Course Date: Mon 19 Apr 2021 (and 5 other dates)
Location on this date: OnlineLovers 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.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee: £199.00Senior fee: £199.00Concession: £80.00 -
Starting your novel
Course Date: Mon 19 Apr 2021 (and 2 other dates)
Location on this date: OnlineGot 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.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee: £209.00Senior fee: £209.00Concession: £84.00 -
Developing your novel
Course Date: Mon 19 Apr 2021 (and 4 other dates)
Location on this date: OnlineHave 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.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee: £199.00Senior fee: £199.00Concession: £80.00 -
Short story writing
Course Date: Tue 20 Apr 2021 (and 4 other dates)
Location on this date: OnlineA hands-on introduction to the art of writing short stories. You will receive technical advice, creative exercises to generate ideas, and feedback to develop your writing skills.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee: £209.00Senior fee: £209.00Concession: £84.00 -
Reading for writers: the short story (a fortnightly course)
Course Date: Tue 20 Apr 2021
Location on this date: OnlineThe best way to write good short stories is to read a lot of good ones first. Dive into the best of short fiction, explore point-of-view, character and pacing, and begin to apply the lessons learnt to your own writing in this fortnightly course.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee: £129.00Senior fee: £129.00Concession: £52.00 -
Advanced fiction writing workshop
Course Date: Tue 20 Apr 2021 (and 4 other dates)
Location on this date: OnlineFor experienced writers, this supportive but rigorous workshop offers the perfect opportunity to develop your novel or short story. Receive in-depth feedback and benefit from detailed group discussions on the art of fiction.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee: £219.00Senior fee: £219.00Concession: £88.00 -
Ending your novel
Course Date: Tue 20 Apr 2021
Location on this date: OnlineAre 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.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee: £209.00Senior fee: £209.00Concession: £84.00 -
Masterclass: fiction (a one-term intensive workshop)
Course Date: Tue 20 Apr 2021 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: OnlineThis intensive online 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 28th March 2021.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee: £339.00Senior fee: £339.00Concession: £339.00 -
Writing fantasy stories
Course Date: Wed 21 Apr 2021
Location on this date: OnlineIn the quest to write fantasy fiction, the pen is indeed mightier than the sword. Whether you've spent the last eight years binge-watching Game of Thrones or favoured the Earthsea trilogy over revision text books in your teenage years, this fun short course offers the perfect introduction for those with a passion for writing fantasy stories.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee: £209.00Senior fee: £209.00Concession: £84.00
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