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.
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 is a Canadian novelist living and teaching in the UK. She has published three novels, the most recent being Moon Road, which came out in 2024 in the UK and North America, and was flagged in the Sunday Times as: 'if Elizabeth Strout drove a pick-up truck'. Moon Road has been optioned for film. Her second novel, Coming Up for Air, longlisted for the Historical Writer’s Association prize, was made into an opera for the Leipzig Opera House’s 2026 season. Sarah's short fiction has been shortlisted for prestigious awards including the Bridport Prize and Fish Prize, and she has contributed creative non-fiction to national newspapers including The Guardian and the Toronto Star. She was a facilitator of creative writing workshops in London prisons for two decades, and has been working as a tutor at City Lit since 2019. She is Associate Lecturer with the MA in Creative Writing at both Birkbeck and Goldsmiths universities. Sarah is currently working on her fourth novel.
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-1200.jpg179179GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Writing/Novels and short stories/Novels and short stories/Courses/Writing/Courses/Writing/Novels and short stories/Courses/Online courses2285158813581135991731122851358113599Got 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.243035860Starting your novel: intensive179179https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/s/t/starting_your_novel_intensive-1200_1.jpgInStockEveningMonOnlineAvailable courses5-10 weeksWeekday2027-01-11T00:00:00+00:00Beginners, Some experienceJan 2027WritingHW413179179Starting your novel: intensive179116179Sarah Leipcigerstarting-your-novel-intensive/hw413-2627Got 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|2027-01-11 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 />
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" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">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" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">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" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Facebook</a> and <a href=" https://www.twitter.com/citylitwriting" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Twitter</a>.Novels and short storiesNovels and short storiesvirtual179179116HW413NONEMon11/01/27 - 08/02/2718:00 - 20:3018:0020:305 sessions (over 5 weeks)55-10 weeksWeekdayOnlineOnlineSarah LeipcigerBeginners, Some experienceAvailable courses2027-01-11T00:00:00+00:00EveningJan 2027Writing179179Starting your novel: intensivestarting-your-novel-intensive/hw413-2627Got 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|2027-01-11 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 />
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" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">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" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">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" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Facebook</a> and <a href=" https://www.twitter.com/citylitwriting" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">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
