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.
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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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- Craft focus: voice in fiction
Course start date: Sat 21 May 2022Location 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. Naturally, this means it must have a 'voice,' a complex mix of elements that, together, give the piece its unique identity. In this short course learn what 'voice' really means in fiction and how to develop a voice for your story that can capture the attention of readers.
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: novel plotting workshop (advanced)Course start date: Sun 5 Jun 2022
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Jonathan BarnesIf you have made a start on your novel, but need help getting it into shape, this course provides a flexible template that will help you to overcome the obstacles ahead.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee £199.00 Senior fee £199.00 Concession £80.00 - Writing romanceCourse start date: Thu 9 Jun 2022
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Rebecca FerrierIt 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.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee £129.00 Senior fee £129.00 Concession £52.00 - Autobiography into fiction: a tasterCourse start date: Sat 11 Jun 2022 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Online
Learn 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.
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 experimental fiction: a tasterCourse start date: Sat 25 Jun 2022
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Thomas McMullanWriting fiction is always an experiment in how to connect to your reader, but some stories push the boundaries of form to the extreme. In this advanced course you'll test the limits of your imagination to craft fiction that breaks all the rules with purpose.
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 - Write a short story in a weekendCourse start date: Sat 25 Jun 2022
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Maria ThomasTurn 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. Please note - this course includes a 2-hour break from 12:30-14:30 each day.
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 - World-building for fantasy and speculative fiction writersCourse start date: Sat 2 Jul 2022
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
Location on this date: Online
As 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 - Getting publishedCourse start date: Mon 18 Jul 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 - How to write a short storyCourse start date: Mon 15 Aug 2022 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Online (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 four days.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee £129.00 Senior fee £129.00 Concession £52.00 - Craft focus: writing a strong story openingCourse start date: Mon 18 Jul 2022
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
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 - How to write a novelCourse start date: Mon 25 Jul 2022
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.
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
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
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
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