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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Craft focus: character in fiction
Course Date: Sat 26 Oct 2019 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: KS - Keeley StreetIn fiction, character and plot are inseparable elements of craft. Without characters in stories there can be no action, and without characters acting there can be no plot. In this course you'll learn how to create characters that can drive a narrative forward and deepen its themes.Full fee: £59.00Senior fee: £59.00Concession: £24.00 -
Craft focus: setting in fiction
Course Date: Sun 3 Nov 2019
Location on this date: KS - Keeley StreetSetting is one of the integral elements of fiction craft. It is essential for building a world that a reader can escape into and for providing context that supports character and plot. In this practical one-day intensive course, you'll learn how to create settings that matter in your stories.Full fee: £59.00Senior fee: £59.00Concession: £24.00 -
Reading & writing group: exploring 'On Writing' by Stephen King
Course Date: Fri 8 Nov 2019
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 'On Writing' by Stephen King and complete a writing exercise based on a key concept from the book.Full fee: £19.00Senior fee: £19.00Concession: £19.00 -
Writing romance
Course Date: Sat 16 Nov 2019 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: KS - Keeley StreetIt is a truth universally acknowledged that a writer in possession of a single pen can compose an unforgettable romance novel. This weekend course will chaperone students through the plotting of modern romance stories.Full fee: £99.00Senior fee: £99.00Concession: £40.00 -
Writing forum 2019: Rising voices – diversity on the page
Course Date: Sat 30 Nov 2019
Location on this date: KS - Keeley StreetIt's an exciting time to be a reader and writer as so many more voices and stories are finding their way to the page. Join the Writing department this November for a special one-off forum where we will explore and celebrate diversity in contemporary writing. Keynote speaker: Kit de Waal.Full fee: £25.00Senior fee: £25.00Concession: £25.00 -
Craft focus: scenes in fiction
Course Date: Sun 1 Dec 2019
Location on this date: KS - Keeley StreetLights, 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 one-day course you'll learn about this essential unit of fiction craft and develop scenes that will grab readers' attention.Full fee: £59.00Senior fee: £59.00Concession: £24.00 -
Craft focus: voice in fiction
Course Date: Sat 7 Dec 2019 (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 -
Autobiography into fiction
Course Date: Sat 7 Dec 2019 (and 6 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 -
Write a short story in a weekend
Course Date: Sat 7 Dec 2019 (and 4 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 -
Writing fiction
Course Date: Mon 13 Jan 2020 (and 8 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 13 Jan 2020 (and 5 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 -
How to get published
Course Date: Mon 13 Jan 2020
Location on this date: International HouseSo 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.Full fee: £129.00Senior fee: £129.00Concession: £52.00 -
Novella writing
Course Date: Tue 14 Jan 2020
Location on this date: International HouseA short novel or a long short story? In this fortnightly course we'll define the novella form for ourselves through analysis of set texts, guided exercises, and workshop. We'll also commit to producing a complete first draft of novella length by the end of the session. Ideal for experienced fiction writers.Full fee: £209.00Senior fee: £209.00Concession: £84.00 -
Ending your novel
Course Date: Tue 14 Jan 2020 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: KS - Keeley StreetAre 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 -
Reading for writers: the short story (a fortnightly course)
Course Date: Tue 14 Jan 2020 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: International HouseThe 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.Full fee: £129.00Senior fee: £129.00Concession: £52.00
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