Writing fantasy stories

What is the course about?

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.

The Tutor
Jennifer Claessen is an author and theatre-maker. She was born in Reading so, of course, grew up a book worm. Her debut novel, The October Witches, was released by UCLan Publishing in the UK in 2022, Simon & Schuster US in 2023 and is the first book of the ‘A Month of Magic’ trilogy. The December Witches follows this winter. Amongst her current teaching, Jennifer leads artsdepot’s ‘Creative Circle’ for older adults, delivers 'Creative Writing Labs' at Ministry of Stories and is a freelance facilitator for First Story and Mayfair Library. Most recently, she has been awarded funding by Waltham Forest Council to establish 'Write for Joy', an inclusive literary festival celebrating reading and writing for pleasure.

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 characterization 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 course 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. Why not try 'Writing myths' or 'Developing your fairytale'? 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 Twitter.