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.
- World-building for fantasy and speculative fiction writers
Course start date: Sat 2 Jul 2022 (and 2 other dates)Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Mary VictoriaLearn how to build worlds that lend your fantasy or speculative fiction credibility, richness and the kind of depth that leaves readers wanting more.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee £69.00 Senior fee £69.00 Concession £28.00 - Craft focus: how to edit your novelCourse start date: Sat 16 Jul 2022 (and 2 other dates)
Location on this date: Online (other locations are available)
Tutors: Sarah LeipcigerAs the saying goes: books aren't written - they're rewritten. Learn the different ways into the editing process and how to polish your novel in this short course for writers ready to find a readership.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee £99.00 Senior fee £99.00 Concession £40.00 - How to write a short storyCourse start date: Mon 18 Jul 2022 (and 3 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street (other locations are available)
Tutors: Vicky GrutThrough a series of inspiring and practical exercises, you'll be encouraged to tap into your imagination and draft a short story from beginning to end in this supportive short course.Full fee £129.00 Senior fee £129.00 Concession £52.00 - Craft focus: writing a strong story openingCourse start date: Mon 18 Jul 2022 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Sophie McKenzieTo 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 £69.00 Senior fee £69.00 Concession £28.00 - Craft focus: scenes in fictionCourse start date: Sat 23 Jul 2022 (and 2 other dates)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Rowan Hisayo BuchananLights, camera, action! Scenes in fiction are essentially no different to those in film. They both make us watch as action unfolds, as a story is moved closer to its conclusion. In this short course you'll learn about this essential unit of fiction craft and develop scenes that will grab readers' attention.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee £69.00 Senior fee £69.00 Concession £28.00 - Autobiography into fiction: a tasterCourse start date: Sat 23 Jul 2022 (and 5 other dates)
Location on this date: Online (other locations are available)
Tutors: Vicky GrutLearn how to turn real-life experiences into gripping fiction in this fun short 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. Please note: this course has 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 £69.00 Senior fee £69.00 Concession £28.00 - Writing flash fiction: a tasterCourse start date: Sun 31 Jul 2022 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Lucy PopescuA sideways glance: succinct, powerful. This short workshop on the essential components of flash fiction will teach you to tell a complete story in very few words. 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 £69.00 Senior fee £69.00 Concession £28.00 - How to spark your creative writingCourse start date: Fri 5 Aug 2022 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Sophie McKenzieDiscover the joy of creative writing! Leave stress and worry at the door and find new ways to express your creativity on this fun, dynamic and supportive short course. 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 £69.00 Senior fee £69.00 Concession £28.00 - Writing the cityCourse start date: Sun 7 Aug 2022 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Rowan Hisayo BuchananThrough a combination of close observation and texts both old and new, you'll explore the depiction of inner city life in fiction, and write your own fiction inspired by the urban landscape in this short course.Full fee £69.00 Senior fee £69.00 Concession £28.00 - Writing comedy for TV: a tasterCourse start date: Sat 13 Aug 2022
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Alan NixonDo you want to find out more about writing comedy? Explore some fundamental aspects of humorous scriptwriting for television, beginning with sketches, and looking at sitcoms from initial idea through to finished script.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee £69.00 Senior fee £69.00 Concession £28.00 - How to write a novelCourse start date: Mon 15 Aug 2022 (and 3 other dates)
Location on this date: Online
This course deals with all aspects of novel writing technique and prose style. Ideal for fiction writers about to begin a novel or those with a novel at early draft stage.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee £69.00 Senior fee £69.00 Concession £35.00 - Getting publishedCourse start date: Mon 15 Aug 2022
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Neil ArkseySo you've finished your novel. What's next? This short course provides guidance in submitting to agents and publishers, and helps you to tailor your work to maximise its potential in the marketplace.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee £99.00 Senior fee £99.00 Concession £40.00 - Masterclass: fiction (a year-long workshop)Course start date: Mon 19 Sep 2022 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Jonathan BarnesThis intensive three-term fiction workshop is open by selective application and interview to a maximum of ten fiction writers working at the advanced and professional levels. Please note: the deadline for applications is Sunday 14th August. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to interview via Zoom on Sunday 21st August.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee £879.00 Senior fee £879.00 Concession £879.00 - Advanced fiction writing workshopCourse start date: Mon 19 Sep 2022 (and 8 other dates)
Location on this date: Online (other locations are available)
For 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 £219.00 Senior fee £219.00 Concession £110.00 - Writing fictionCourse start date: Mon 19 Sep 2022 (and 12 other dates)
Location on this date: Online (other locations are available)
Tutors: Jonathan BarnesDevelop your 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 £209.00 Senior fee £209.00 Concession £105.00
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