Got a great idea for a novel? Jump start your project in this supportive, intensive course that covers craft basics such as character and plot. For fiction writers with some experience, and for those comfortable working at a fast pace.
Learning modes and locations may be different depending on the course start date. Please check the location of your chosen course and read our guide to learning modes and locations to help you choose the right course for you.
Please note: We offer a wide variety of financial support to make courses affordable. Just visit our online Help Centre for more information on a range of topics including fees, online learning and FAQs.
This intensive course will cover the basic aspects of novel writing, and is ideal for students who have an idea for a novel or a novel in progress. The syllabus will cover a wide variety of techniques including character, point of view, dialogue, structure and style. There is also an element of workshop in this course.
What will we cover?
- Issues of craft and content, including character, point of view, structure and style - Examination of technical elements including dialogue, scene-building, and effective writing on a sentence-by-sentence level - Keeping readers' interest - Workshopping of students' work
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
- Respond to and assess pieces of writing with sensitivity - Apply your critical and editorial skills more effectively - Demonstrate familiarity with a wide range of techniques for effective prose writing - Complete at least one chapter of your novel.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This course is suitable for those with some experience of writing fiction who wish to learn more about the craft of novel writing and begin or continue with a long-form project of their own. You should be an enthusiastic reader of novels and comfortable working at a fast pace.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
You'll be taught through a systematic discussion of issues, problem-solving, writing exercises, and peer evaluation. You will be expected to develop your own writing outside of class and prepare work for submission to workshop. The tutor may set reading and writing assignments, designed to support your project, as homework.
All writing courses at City Lit will involve an element of workshop. This means that students will produce work which will be discussed in an open and constructive environment with the tutor and other students. The college operates a policy of constructive criticism, and all feedback on another student’s work by the tutor and other students should be delivered in that spirit.
For classes longer than one day regular reading and writing exercises will be set for completion at home to set deadlines.
City Lit Writing endeavours to create a safe and welcoming space for all and we strongly support the use of content notes in our classes. This means that learners are encouraged to make their tutor and classmates aware in advance if any writing they wish to share contains material that may be deemed sensitive. If you are unsure about what might constitute sensitive content, please ask your tutor for further clarification and read our expectations for participating in writing courses at City Lit.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
No additional costs. Please bring your ideas and some writing materials!
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
You can progress to Developing your novel, which will encourage you to share more of your work and explore craft concepts in greater depth.
Our Craft Focus series is also available to writers who wish to focus on an isolated element of fiction writing craft. We offer short intensive courses in developing character, plot, setting, point of view, and more. See our website or contact the department for advice on how you can develop a programme of fiction writing study.
All students are invited to join us at Late Lines, our regular performance night for City Lit writers. Students are also encouraged to submit their work to Between the Lines, our annual anthology of creative writing. For the latest news, courses and events, stay in touch with the Department on Facebook and Twitter.
Sarah Leipciger’s most recent novel, Moon Road, was published with Doubleday UK and Penguin Canada in 2024 and has been optioned for film. Her debut novel, The Mountain Can Wait, was published in 2015, and her second novel, Coming Up for Air, followed in 2020; it was longlisted for the Historical Writers Association Crown Award and has been adapted for stage with the Leipzig Opera House, to be premiered in spring 2026. She has had short stories shortlisted for the Bridport Prize, the Fish Prize and the Asham Award, and is a past winner of THIS Magazine’s Great Canadian Literary Hunt. She has also written non-fiction for The Guardian and The Toronto Star. Sarah has facilitated writing workshops across the country, including at literature festivals and men's prisons in London. She is an Associate Lecturer with the Creative Writing Department at Birbeck University, and Guest Tutor at Goldsmiths University.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
product
https://www.citylit.ac.uk/starting-your-novel-intensive1186378Starting your novel: intensivehttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/s/t/starting-your-novel-intensive-hw413-1024.jpg159159GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Writing/Novels and short stories/Novels and short stories/Courses/Writing/Courses/Writing/Novels and short stories228515881358113599122851358113599Got a great idea for a novel? Jump start your project in this supportive, intensive course that covers craft basics such as character and plot. For fiction writers with some experience, and for those comfortable working at a fast pace.131188163Starting your novel: intensive159159https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/s/t/starting-your-novel-intensive-hw413-1024_1.jpgInStockEveningMonOnlineAvailable courses5-10 weeksWeekday2026-01-12T00:00:00+00:00Beginners, Some experienceJan 2026WritingHW413159159Starting your novel: intensive15980159Sarah Leipcigerstarting-your-novel-intensive/hw413-2526Got a great idea for a novel? Jump start your project in this supportive, intensive course that covers craft basics such as character and plot. For fiction writers with some experience, and for those comfortable working at a fast pace.0000-Available|2026-01-12 00:00:00<p>This intensive course will cover the basic aspects of novel writing, and is ideal for students who have an idea for a novel or a novel in progress. The syllabus will cover a wide variety of techniques including character, point of view, dialogue, structure and style. There is also an element of workshop in this course.</p>Got a great idea for a novel? Jump start your project in this supportive, intensive course that covers craft basics such as character and plot. For fiction writers with some experience, and for those comfortable working at a fast pace.<p>- Issues of craft and content, including character, point of view, structure and style<br/>- Examination of technical elements including dialogue, scene-building, and effective writing on a sentence-by-sentence level<br/>- Keeping readers' interest<br/>- Workshopping of students' work</p>- Respond to and assess pieces of writing with sensitivity<br/>- Apply your critical and editorial skills more effectively<br/>- Demonstrate familiarity with a wide range of techniques for effective prose writing<br/>- Complete at least one chapter of your novel.<p>This course is suitable for those with some experience of writing fiction who wish to learn more about the craft of novel writing and begin or continue with a long-form project of their own. You should be an enthusiastic reader of novels and comfortable working at a fast pace.</p><p>You'll be taught through a systematic discussion of issues, problem-solving, writing exercises, and peer evaluation. You will be expected to develop your own writing outside of class and prepare work for submission to workshop. The tutor may set reading and writing assignments, designed to support your project, as homework.</p> <br />
<br />
All writing courses at City Lit will involve an element of workshop. This means that students will produce work which will be discussed in an open and constructive environment with the tutor and other students. The college operates a policy of constructive criticism, and all feedback on another student’s work by the tutor and other students should be delivered in that spirit. <br />
<br />
For classes longer than one day regular reading and writing exercises will be set for completion at home to set deadlines.<br />
<br />
City Lit Writing endeavours to create a safe and welcoming space for all and we strongly support the use of content notes in our classes. This means that learners are encouraged to make their tutor and classmates aware in advance if any writing they wish to share contains material that may be deemed sensitive. If you are unsure about what might constitute sensitive content, please ask your tutor for further clarification and read our <a href=" https://www.citylit.ac.uk/expectations-for-participating-in-writing-courses" target="_blank">expectations for participating in writing courses at City Lit</a>.No additional costs. Please bring your ideas and some writing materials!You can progress to Developing your novel, which will encourage you to share more of your work and explore craft concepts in greater depth.<br/><br/>Our Craft Focus series is also available to writers who wish to focus on an isolated element of fiction writing craft. We offer short intensive courses in developing character, plot, setting, point of view, and more. See our website or contact the department for advice on how you can develop a programme of fiction writing study.<br/><br/>All students are invited to join us at <a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/latelines">Late Lines</a>, our regular performance night for City Lit writers. Students are also encouraged to submit their work to <a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/betweenthelines">Between the Lines</a>, our annual anthology of creative writing. For the latest news, courses and events, stay in touch with the Department on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/citylitcreativewriting">Facebook</a> and <a href="https://www.twitter.com/citylitwriting">Twitter</a>.Novels and short storiesNovels and short storiesvirtual15915980HW413NONEMon12/01/26 - 09/02/2618:00 - 20:3018:0020:305 sessions (over 5 weeks)55-10 weeksEveningWeekdayOnlineOnlineSarah LeipcigerBeginners, Some experienceAvailable courses2026-01-12T00:00:00+00:00Jan 2026Writing159159Starting your novel: intensivestarting-your-novel-intensive/hw413-2526Got a great idea for a novel? Jump start your project in this supportive, intensive course that covers craft basics such as character and plot. For fiction writers with some experience, and for those comfortable working at a fast pace.0000-Available|2026-01-12 00:00:00<p>This intensive course will cover the basic aspects of novel writing, and is ideal for students who have an idea for a novel or a novel in progress. The syllabus will cover a wide variety of techniques including character, point of view, dialogue, structure and style. There is also an element of workshop in this course.</p>Got a great idea for a novel? Jump start your project in this supportive, intensive course that covers craft basics such as character and plot. For fiction writers with some experience, and for those comfortable working at a fast pace.<p>- Issues of craft and content, including character, point of view, structure and style<br/>- Examination of technical elements including dialogue, scene-building, and effective writing on a sentence-by-sentence level<br/>- Keeping readers' interest<br/>- Workshopping of students' work</p>- Respond to and assess pieces of writing with sensitivity<br/>- Apply your critical and editorial skills more effectively<br/>- Demonstrate familiarity with a wide range of techniques for effective prose writing<br/>- Complete at least one chapter of your novel.<p>This course is suitable for those with some experience of writing fiction who wish to learn more about the craft of novel writing and begin or continue with a long-form project of their own. You should be an enthusiastic reader of novels and comfortable working at a fast pace.</p><p>You'll be taught through a systematic discussion of issues, problem-solving, writing exercises, and peer evaluation. You will be expected to develop your own writing outside of class and prepare work for submission to workshop. The tutor may set reading and writing assignments, designed to support your project, as homework.</p> <br />
<br />
All writing courses at City Lit will involve an element of workshop. This means that students will produce work which will be discussed in an open and constructive environment with the tutor and other students. The college operates a policy of constructive criticism, and all feedback on another student’s work by the tutor and other students should be delivered in that spirit. <br />
<br />
For classes longer than one day regular reading and writing exercises will be set for completion at home to set deadlines.<br />
<br />
City Lit Writing endeavours to create a safe and welcoming space for all and we strongly support the use of content notes in our classes. This means that learners are encouraged to make their tutor and classmates aware in advance if any writing they wish to share contains material that may be deemed sensitive. If you are unsure about what might constitute sensitive content, please ask your tutor for further clarification and read our <a href=" https://www.citylit.ac.uk/expectations-for-participating-in-writing-courses" target="_blank">expectations for participating in writing courses at City Lit</a>.No additional costs. Please bring your ideas and some writing materials!You can progress to Developing your novel, which will encourage you to share more of your work and explore craft concepts in greater depth.<br/><br/>Our Craft Focus series is also available to writers who wish to focus on an isolated element of fiction writing craft. We offer short intensive courses in developing character, plot, setting, point of view, and more. See our website or contact the department for advice on how you can develop a programme of fiction writing study.<br/><br/>All students are invited to join us at <a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/latelines">Late Lines</a>, our regular performance night for City Lit writers. Students are also encouraged to submit their work to <a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/betweenthelines">Between the Lines</a>, our annual anthology of creative writing. For the latest news, courses and events, stay in touch with the Department on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/citylitcreativewriting">Facebook</a> and <a href="https://www.twitter.com/citylitwriting">Twitter</a>.Novels and short storiesNovels and short storiesconfigurable
158813599Novels and short storieshttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/writing/novels-and-short-stories/novels-and-short-stories-11/2/285/13581/13599/1588/Courses/Writing/Novels and short stories/Novels and short stories
