Novels & Short Story Writing Courses
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.
Learn from published authors
Our tutors are published authors, practising writers and experts in their field. Learn about their recent accomplishments.
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- Writing flash fiction: getting started
Course start date: Sun 26 Jul 2026 (and 1 other date)Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Lucy PopescuA sideways glance: succinct, powerful. This short workshop, on the essential components of flash fiction and micro fiction, will teach you to tell a complete story in very few words.
Full fee £79.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £40.00 - Writing the city Course start date: Sat 1 Aug 2026
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Thomas McMullanThrough a combination of close observation and texts both old and new, in this short course you will explore the depiction of inner-city life in fiction, and write your own fiction inspired by the urban landscape.
Full fee £79.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £40.00 - How to write a novel Course start date: Mon 3 Aug 2026 (and 4 other dates)
Location on this date: Online
This 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 - Developing your novel Course start date: Mon 14 Sep 2026 (and 8 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 £279.00 Senior fee £279.00 Concession £181.00 - Starting your novel Course start date: Mon 14 Sep 2026 (and 5 other dates)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Laura BaggaleyGot a great idea for a novel? Jump start your project in this supportive course that covers craft basics such as character and plot. Ideal for writers of fiction with some experience who have an idea for a novel.Full fee £269.00 Senior fee £269.00 Concession £175.00 - How to write crime and thriller fiction Course start date: Tue 15 Sep 2026 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Learn how to master pace and tension in this course on writing crime and thriller fiction, from detective-led noir to espionage action.
Full fee £179.00 Senior fee £179.00 Concession £116.00 - Writing fiction Course start date: Tue 15 Sep 2026 (and 8 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Bob SchultzDevelop 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 £279.00 Senior fee £279.00 Concession £181.00 - Advanced fiction writing workshop Course start date: Mon 21 Sep 2026 (and 9 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
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 £279.00 Senior fee £279.00 Concession £181.00 - Advanced crime fiction workshop Course start date: Tue 22 Sep 2026
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Anna RichardsHone 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 £279.00 Senior fee £279.00 Concession £181.00 - Masterclass: fiction (a one-term intensive workshop) Course start date: Tue 22 Sep 2026 (and 2 other dates)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Ayanna Lloyd BanwoThis 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 £429.00 Senior fee £429.00 Concession £429.00 - Short story writing Course start date: Wed 23 Sep 2026 (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 £279.00 Senior fee £279.00 Concession £181.00 - How to write a murder mysteryCourse start date: Thu 24 Sep 2026 (and 2 other dates)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Sophie McKenzieWant to write a murder mystery that will knock readers dead? On this course you'll learn how to plot a murder most horrid and develop your writing to create maximum suspense.Full fee £179.00 Senior fee £179.00 Concession £116.00 - Reading for writers: the short story (a fortnightly course) Course start date: Sun 27 Sep 2026 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Lucy PopescuThe best way to write good short stories is to read a lot of good ones first. Dive into the best of short fiction, explore point-of-view, character and pacing, and begin to apply the lessons learnt to your own writing in this fortnightly course.Full fee £179.00 Senior fee £179.00 Concession £116.00 - Masterclass: fiction (a year-long workshop) Course start date: Wed 30 Sep 2026
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Toby LloydThis intensive three-term fiction workshop is open by selective application and interview to a maximum of ten fiction writers working at the advanced and professional levels.
Full fee £999.00 Senior fee £999.00 Concession £999.00 - Craft focus: character in fiction Course start date: Sat 3 Oct 2026 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Tasha KavanaghIn fiction, character and plot are inseparable elements of craft. Without characters there can be no action or plot. In this short course you will learn how to create characters that can drive a narrative forward and deepen its themes.Full fee £79.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £51.00
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