Online Novel and Short Story Writing Courses
Start crafting your stories from home with City Lit’s online novel and short story writing courses. Whether you’re working on your first piece of fiction or refining a manuscript-in-progress, our expert tutors will help you shape your ideas into compelling narratives.
Explore the essential elements of fiction — from character and dialogue to structure, voice and setting — through practical exercises, live discussions and personalised feedback. You’ll be encouraged to experiment, develop your writing style, and build confidence in a supportive online environment.
Our courses are suitable for writers at all stages, whether you're just starting out or looking to take your work further. With flexible online learning, you can develop your storytelling skills at your own pace — and from wherever you are.
Explore our online novel and short story writing courses today and bring your fiction to life.
- Starting your novelCourse start date: Mon 28 Apr 2025 (and 5 other dates)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Paula LichtarowiczGot 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 £239.00 Senior fee £239.00 Concession £120.00 - Craft focus: voice and dialogue in fiction
Course start date: Sun 18 May 2025 (and 1 other date)Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Sophie McKenzieAll fiction must speak to us as readers. It must communicate atmosphere and plot, character and layers of meaning with a unique 'voice'. Characters must also sound like themselves with dialogue that compels and convinces. Learn the fundamentals of voice and dialogue in this one-day course.Full fee £79.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £40.00 - Getting away with murder: how to write crime fiction Course start date: Tue 20 May 2025 (and 2 other dates)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Sophie McKenzieWant to write a murder mystery that will knock readers dead? On this course you'll learn how to plot a murder most horrid and develop your writing to create maximum suspense.Full fee £149.00 Senior fee £149.00 Concession £75.00 - Write a short story in a weekend Course start date: Sat 28 Jun 2025 (and 4 other dates)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Vicky GrutTurn your great idea into a short story on this fun practical course. 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.Full fee £119.00 Senior fee £119.00 Concession £60.00 - Autobiography into fiction: getting started Course start date: Sat 26 Jul 2025 (and 4 other dates)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Nick BarlayLearn how to turn real-life experiences into gripping fiction in this fun short course for fiction writing beginners and experienced writers. Develop your writing skills and explore techniques for transforming personal stories into strong narratives.Full fee £79.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £40.00 - Writing romance Course start date: Thu 12 Jun 2025 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Aliya Ali-AfzalIt is a truth universally acknowledged that a writer in possession of a single pen can compose an unforgettable romance novel. This six-week course will guide students through the plotting of modern romance stories.Full fee £149.00 Senior fee £149.00 Concession £75.00 - Writing science fiction Course start date: Tue 17 Jun 2025 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: KR MoorheadLearn how to build futuristic worlds and set them to explore thought-provoking concepts in this course on writing science fiction.Full fee £149.00 Senior fee £149.00 Concession £75.00 - Short story writing: intensive Course start date: Thu 19 Jun 2025 (and 2 other dates)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: KR MoorheadA 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 £149.00 Senior fee £149.00 Concession £75.00 - Queering characterisation: writing LGBTQIA+ characters Course start date: Sat 21 Jun 2025
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Char HeatherJoin this interactive one-day course which brings together essential elements of characterisation and its relation to plot through the lens of queer writing. You will delve into elements of craft in characterisation while referring back to examples and questions of LGBTQIA+ representation and histories in literature.Full fee £79.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £40.00 - How to spark your creative writing Course start date: Sat 21 Jun 2025
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. - How to write sex scenes in fiction Course start date: Sat 21 Jun 2025
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Liam KonemannLearn how to write compelling and convincing sex scenes in this short course suitable for those writing fiction.Full fee £79.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £40.00 - How to write a thriller Course start date: Sat 28 Jun 2025
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Sophie McKenzieLearn the art of writing a thriller novel, from concept and character to the twists and turns of story pacing. - World-building for fantasy and speculative fiction writers Course start date: Sat 12 Jul 2025 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: KR MoorheadLearn how to build worlds that lend your fantasy or speculative fiction credibility, richness and the kind of depth that leaves readers wanting more.Full fee £79.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £40.00 - How to get published Course start date: Mon 21 Jul 2025 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Neil ArkseySo you've finished your manuscript. What's next? This short course provides guidance in submitting novels and non-fiction books to agents and publishers, and helps you to tailor your work to maximise its potential in the marketplace.Full fee £109.00 Senior fee £109.00 Concession £55.00 - How to write a novel Course start date: Mon 28 Jul 2025 (and 2 other dates)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Thomas McMullanThis 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.Full fee £89.00 Senior fee £89.00 Concession £45.00
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