Novels & Short Story Writing Courses Online & in London

Be inspired to write novels and short stories at the college where Andrea Levy, Malorie Blackman, Anna Burns, and other celebrated authors studied.

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.

Learn from published authors

Our tutors are published authors, practising writers and experts in their field. Learn about their recent accomplishments.

For the latest news, courses, events and competitions, stay in touch with the Department on Facebook and Twitter.

Courses available both in-person and online

We offer a range of long and short courses allowing you to choose between in-person and online learning.

Learn in the centre of London with our in-person courses. Our purpose-built facilities in Covent Garden mean we are ideally located and easy to get to. 

See our guide to online learning for more information about accessing our live online courses.

All our courses are live, interactive, and taught by expert tutors. No matter how you prefer to learn, we've got the class for you.

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  1. Craft focus: voice in fiction
    Weekend
    Course start date:  Sat 11 May 2024

    Location on this date:  Online

    Tutors:  Sophie McKenzie
    All fiction must speak to us as readers. It must communicate atmosphere and plot, character and layers of meaning with a unique 'voice'. In this one-day course learn what 'voice' really means in fiction and how to develop this complex identity for your story.



    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
    Rating:
    93% of 100
  2. Full fee £69.00 Senior fee £69.00 Concession £35.00
  3. Masters of style: reading and writing Virginia Woolf
    Weekend
    Course start date:  Sat 15 Jun 2024

    Location on this date:  Keeley Street

    Tutors:  Thomas McMullan, Patricia Sweeney
    Virginia Woolf was one of the twentieth century’s greatest writers. Her approaches to writing character interiority were at the forefront of modernist literary innovations. This day workshop explores the literary interpretations of several seminal texts and writing exercises that encourage you to experiment with Woolf’s stream-of-consciousness style.
    Full fee £59.00 Senior fee £59.00 Concession £30.00
  4. Queering characterisation: writing LGBTQIA+ characters
    Weekend
    Course start date:  Sat 22 Jun 2024

    Location on this date:  Online

    Tutors:  Charlotte Heather
    Join 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.



    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
  5. Writing flash fiction: getting started
    Weekend
    Course start date:  Sat 1 Feb 2025 (and 1 other date)

    Location on this date:  Online

    Tutors:  Maria Thomas
    Flash fiction is the art of telling small stories that make a big impact. Learn how to harness the power of economy in this practical short course. Suitable for those with some experience of creative writing.



    This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.
    Full fee £79.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £40.00
  6. Writing true crime
    Weekend
    Course start date:  Sat 5 Oct 2024

    Location on this date:  Keeley Street

    Learn how to research and write a compelling true crime novel or script.
    Full fee £79.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £40.00
  7. Craft focus: mastering descriptive language
    Weekend
    Course start date:  Sat 25 Jan 2025

    Location on this date:  Online

    Tutors:  Sophie McKenzie
    Descriptive language can provide texture and clarity to a story, promoting reader engagement and a sensory experience. In this short course, learn how to create vivid descriptions that will elevate your prose. This course will support writers of fiction and non-fiction.



    This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.
    Full fee £79.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £40.00
    Rating:
    89% of 100
  8. Writing autofiction
    Weekend
    Course start date:  Sat 15 Mar 2025

    Location on this date:  Online

    Tutors:  Natasha Bell
    Blurring lines between fact and fiction, blending the 'real' and 'imaginary', autofiction is a rich playground for writers. In this short advanced taster course, learn what 'autofiction' is, how it differs from other forms of life writing, and explore how to write it.



    This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.
    Full fee £79.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £40.00
  9. Craft focus: narrative time in fiction
    Weekend
    Course start date:  Sat 22 Mar 2025

    Location on this date:  Online

    Tutors:  Vicky Grut
    All fiction is bound by time: a story must begin and end. 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.



    This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.
    Full fee £79.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £40.00
    Rating:
    100% of 100
  10. Create your first short story collection
    Weekend
    Course start date:  Sat 1 Mar 2025

    Location on this date:  Keeley Street

    You've workshopped your fiction, and now you're ready to create your first short story collection. But where do you begin with that process? This day offers instruction and advice on putting together your first short story collection.
    Full fee £79.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £40.00
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