Build fantastical worlds, fill them with compelling characters and learn how to structure innovative plotlines in this perfect introduction for those with a passion for fantasy.
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 course coaches students on how to write fiction in the fantasy genre. Students will explore the tropes of the form and discuss approaches to world-building, characterisation, structure and language as appropriate to their story. Students will also be offered guidance on how to bend the traditional elements of the genre to create fresh, innovative stories that will engage the reader.
What will we cover?
- What are the key tropes of the fantasy genre? - How can these tropes be twisted in innovative ways? - Approaches to world-building in fantasy stories. - Approaches to characterisation in fantasy stories. - Approaches to structure and language in fantasy stories.
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
- Understand how to manipulate core tropes of the fantasy genre. - Develop a central character for your fantasy stories. - Experiment with world-building in your fantasy stories. - Experiment with approaches to structure and language in fantasy stories.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This course is best suited for students who have completed one of our Ways Into Creative Writing courses or have some introductory writing experience elsewhere.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
You will be a taught through a mix of individual, pair and group work, tutor instruction, in-class writing exercises and text analysis.
Homework may be set between sessions to help students develop their writing discipline.
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?
Please bring pen and paper.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
City Lit run a range of day workshops in the fantasy genre. Browse the writing section of our website for more information.
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 Bluesky.
Victoria M. Adams has worked at various times and in no particular order as an animator, teacher, copywriter and writing coach. At present, she shares her home with two humans and one feline, in the legendary kingdom of Watford, within the mystic circle of the M25. Her latest fantasy title, The House at the End of The Sea, will be available in June 2024 from Andersen Press.
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/writing-fantasy-stories174665Writing fantasy storieshttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/w/r/writing_fantasy_stories-square.jpg279279GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Weird and wonderful City Lit/Courses/vm/Writing Courses/Courses/vm/Writing Courses/Fiction Writing/Courses/Writing/Genre writing courses/Courses/Writing/Courses/vm/Halloween Courses/Courses/Online courses/Courses/Writing/Introductory and general creative writing courses/Introductory and general creative writing courses/Courses/Writing/Introductory and general creative writing courses2285174520182048135171358113482173115891359612285165320181358113596In the quest to write fantasy fiction, the pen is indeed mightier than the sword. Whether you've spent the last eight years binge-watching Game of Thrones or favoured the Earthsea trilogy over revision text books in your teenage years, this fun short course offers the perfect introduction for those with a passion for writing fantasy stories. <br />
<i>This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.</i> This course coaches students on how to write fiction in the fantasy genre. Students will explore the tropes of the form and discuss approaches to world-building, characterization, structure and language as appropriate to their story. Students will also be offered guidance on how to bend the traditional elements of the genre to create fresh, innovative stories that will engage the reader. <br />
<br />
This is a live online course. You will need:<br />
- Internet connection. The classes work best with Chrome.<br />
- A computer with microphone and camera is best (e.g. a PC/laptop/iMac/MacBook), or a tablet/iPad/smart phone/iPhone if you don't have a computer.<br />
- Earphones/headphones/speakers.<br />
We will contact you with joining instructions before your course starts.453035599Writing fantasy stories279279https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/w/r/writing_fantasy_stories-square_14.jpgInStockEveningWedOnlineAvailable courses11 weeks or longerWeekday2026-09-23T00:00:00+00:00Beginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allSep 2026WritingHW144279279Writing fantasy stories279181279Victoria M. Adamswriting-fantasy-stories/hw144-2627<p>Build fantastical worlds, fill them with compelling characters and learn how to structure innovative plotlines in this perfect introduction for those with a passion for fantasy.</p>0000-Available|2026-09-23 00:00:00This course coaches students on how to write fiction in the fantasy genre. Students will explore the tropes of the form and discuss approaches to world-building, characterisation, structure and language as appropriate to their story. Students will also be offered guidance on how to bend the traditional elements of the genre to create fresh, innovative stories that will engage the reader.<p>Build fantastical worlds, fill them with compelling characters and learn how to structure innovative plotlines in this perfect introduction for those with a passion for fantasy.</p>- What are the key tropes of the fantasy genre?<br>- How can these tropes be twisted in innovative ways?<br>- Approaches to world-building in fantasy stories.<br>- Approaches to characterisation in fantasy stories.<br>- Approaches to structure and language in fantasy stories.- Understand how to manipulate core tropes of the fantasy genre.<br>- Develop a central character for your fantasy stories.<br>- Experiment with world-building in your fantasy stories.<br>- Experiment with approaches to structure and language in fantasy stories.This course is best suited for students who have completed one of our Ways Into Creative Writing courses or have some introductory writing experience elsewhere.You will be a taught through a mix of individual, pair and group work, tutor instruction, in-class writing exercises and text analysis.<br><br>Homework may be set between sessions to help students develop their writing discipline.<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>.Please bring pen and paper.<p>City Lit run a range of day workshops in the fantasy genre. Browse the writing section of our website for more information.<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://bsky.app/profile/citylitwriting.bsky.social" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Bluesky</a>.</p>Introductory and general creative writing coursesIntroductory and general creative writing coursesvirtual3058201Writing fantasy stories279279https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/w/r/writing_fantasy_stories-square_15.jpgInStockEveningWedOnlineAvailable courses11 weeks or longerWeekday2027-04-21T00:00:00+00:00Beginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allApr 2027WritingHW285279279Writing fantasy stories279181279Victoria M. Adamswriting-fantasy-stories/hw285-2627Build fantastical worlds, fill them with compelling characters and learn how to structure innovative plotlines in this perfect introduction for those with a passion for fantasy.0000-Available|2027-04-21 00:00:00<p>This course coaches students on how to write fiction in the fantasy genre. Students will explore the tropes of the form and discuss approaches to world-building, characterisation, structure and language as appropriate to their story. Students will also be offered guidance on how to bend the traditional elements of the genre to create fresh, innovative stories that will engage the reader.</p>Build fantastical worlds, fill them with compelling characters and learn how to structure innovative plotlines in this perfect introduction for those with a passion for fantasy.- What are the key tropes of the fantasy genre?<br>- How can these tropes be twisted in innovative ways?<br>- Approaches to world-building in fantasy stories.<br>- Approaches to characterization in fantasy stories.<br>- Approaches to structure and language in fantasy stories.- Understand how to manipulate core tropes of the fantasy genre.<br>- Develop a central character for your fantasy stories.<br>- Experiment with world-building in your fantasy stories.<br>- Experiment with approaches to structure and language in fantasy stories.This course is best suited for students who have completed one of our Ways Into Creative Writing course or have some introductory writing experience elsewhere.<p>You will be a taught through a mix of individual, pair and group work, tutor instruction, in-class writing exercises and text analysis.<br><br>Homework may be set between sessions to help students develop their writing discipline.<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.</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>.Please bring pen and paper.<p>City Lit run a range of day workshops in the fantasy genre. Why not try 'Writing myths' or 'Developing your fairytale'? Browse the writing section of our website for more information.<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://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:dye37oggc5mert2x3gjjkdtq" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Bluesky</a>.</p>Novels and short storiesNovels and short storiesvirtual279279181HW144,HW285NONEWed23/09/26 - 02/12/2619:00 - 21:0019:0021:0011 sessions (over 11 weeks)1111 weeks or longerWeekdayOnlineOnlineVictoria M. AdamsBeginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allAvailable courses2026-09-23T00:00:00+00:00,2027-04-21T00:00:00+00:00EveningSep 2026,Apr 2027Writing279279Writing fantasy storieswriting-fantasy-stories/hw144-2627,writing-fantasy-stories/hw285-2627<p>Build fantastical worlds, fill them with compelling characters and learn how to structure innovative plotlines in this perfect introduction for those with a passion for fantasy.</p>,Build fantastical worlds, fill them with compelling characters and learn how to structure innovative plotlines in this perfect introduction for those with a passion for fantasy.0000-Available|2026-09-23 00:00:00This course coaches students on how to write fiction in the fantasy genre. Students will explore the tropes of the form and discuss approaches to world-building, characterisation, structure and language as appropriate to their story. Students will also be offered guidance on how to bend the traditional elements of the genre to create fresh, innovative stories that will engage the reader.,<p>This course coaches students on how to write fiction in the fantasy genre. Students will explore the tropes of the form and discuss approaches to world-building, characterisation, structure and language as appropriate to their story. Students will also be offered guidance on how to bend the traditional elements of the genre to create fresh, innovative stories that will engage the reader.</p><p>Build fantastical worlds, fill them with compelling characters and learn how to structure innovative plotlines in this perfect introduction for those with a passion for fantasy.</p>,Build fantastical worlds, fill them with compelling characters and learn how to structure innovative plotlines in this perfect introduction for those with a passion for fantasy.- What are the key tropes of the fantasy genre?<br>- How can these tropes be twisted in innovative ways?<br>- Approaches to world-building in fantasy stories.<br>- Approaches to characterisation in fantasy stories.<br>- Approaches to structure and language in fantasy stories.,- What are the key tropes of the fantasy genre?<br>- How can these tropes be twisted in innovative ways?<br>- Approaches to world-building in fantasy stories.<br>- Approaches to characterization in fantasy stories.<br>- Approaches to structure and language in fantasy stories.- Understand how to manipulate core tropes of the fantasy genre.<br>- Develop a central character for your fantasy stories.<br>- Experiment with world-building in your fantasy stories.<br>- Experiment with approaches to structure and language in fantasy stories.This course is best suited for students who have completed one of our Ways Into Creative Writing courses or have some introductory writing experience elsewhere.,This course is best suited for students who have completed one of our Ways Into Creative Writing course or have some introductory writing experience elsewhere.You will be a taught through a mix of individual, pair and group work, tutor instruction, in-class writing exercises and text analysis.<br><br>Homework may be set between sessions to help students develop their writing discipline.<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>.,<p>You will be a taught through a mix of individual, pair and group work, tutor instruction, in-class writing exercises and text analysis.<br><br>Homework may be set between sessions to help students develop their writing discipline.<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.</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>.Please bring pen and paper.<p>City Lit run a range of day workshops in the fantasy genre. Browse the writing section of our website for more information.<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://bsky.app/profile/citylitwriting.bsky.social" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Bluesky</a>.</p>,<p>City Lit run a range of day workshops in the fantasy genre. Why not try 'Writing myths' or 'Developing your fairytale'? Browse the writing section of our website for more information.<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://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:dye37oggc5mert2x3gjjkdtq" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Bluesky</a>.</p>Introductory and general creative writing courses,Novels and short storiesIntroductory and general creative writing courses,Novels and short storiesconfigurable
158913596Introductory and general creative writing courseshttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/writing/introductory-and-general-creative-writing-courses/introductory-and-general-creative-writing-courses-old1/2/285/13581/13596/1589/Courses/Writing/Introductory and general creative writing courses/Introductory and general creative writing courses
