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.
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Our tutors are published authors, practising writers and experts in their field. Learn about their recent accomplishments.
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- How to write a thriller
Course start date: Sat 28 Jun 2025Location 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. - Masters of style: reading and writing Virginia Woolf Course start date: Sat 28 Jun 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Thomas McMullan, Patricia SweeneyVirginia 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. - 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 - Writing flash fiction: getting started Course start date: Sun 3 Aug 2025 (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.Full fee £79.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £40.00 - How to write a short story Course start date: Mon 4 Aug 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
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. - Craft focus: scenes and setting in fiction Course start date: Sat 9 Aug 2025 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Thomas McMullanScenes in fiction are like those in film: we experience action as it unfolds. Action has to take place somewhere, which is why setting is also key. In this practical intensive course, you'll learn how to create scenes and establish setting that engages and convinces readers.Full fee £79.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £40.00 - Writing the city Course start date: Sun 10 Aug 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Thomas McMullanThrough 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. - Developing your novel Course start date: Mon 15 Sep 2025 (and 6 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Sarah LeipcigerHave 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 £259.00 Senior fee £259.00 Concession £130.00 - Advanced fiction writing workshop Course start date: Mon 15 Sep 2025 (and 9 other dates)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Claire CollisonFor 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.Full fee £259.00 Senior fee £259.00 Concession £130.00 - Writing fiction Course start date: Tue 16 Sep 2025 (and 8 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Develop 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.Full fee £259.00 Senior fee £259.00 Concession £130.00 - Advanced crime fiction workshopCourse start date: Tue 23 Sep 2025
Location on this date: Online
Hone your understanding of the crime genre and push your fiction in new directions, on this advanced course for crime writers. This course is for experienced writers who are developing ongoing projects.
Full fee £259.00 Senior fee £259.00 Concession £130.00 - Masterclass: fiction (a one-term intensive workshop) Course start date: Tue 23 Sep 2025 (and 2 other dates)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Jonathan BarnesThis intensive fiction workshop is open by selective application to a maximum of ten fiction writers working at the advanced and professional levels. You will receive rigorous constructive feedback on your novel or short story as you develop it with a view to publication, and participate in detailed tutor-led discussions on advanced elements of fictional craft.Full fee £399.00 Senior fee £399.00 Concession £399.00 - Short story writing Course start date: Wed 24 Sep 2025 (and 8 other dates)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Vicky GrutA hands-on introduction to the art of writing short stories. You will receive technical advice, creative exercises to generate ideas, and feedback to develop your writing skills.Full fee £259.00 Senior fee £259.00 Concession £130.00
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