Novels and short stories

Novels & Short Story Writing Courses Online & in London

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.

For the latest news, courses, events and competitions, stay in touch with the Department on Facebook and Twitter.

Courses available both in-person and online

Join us in the heart of London for in-person classes. Our modern campus in Covent Garden is easy to reach and buzzing with creativity. With modern purpose-built facilities and state-of-the-art equipment, it’s the perfect space to support your learning journey. Explore our facilities >

Prefer learning online? Our live online courses bring expert teaching to you, wherever you are.

Whether you choose to study in-person or online, all our courses are live, interactive, and taught by expert tutors. Wherever and however you want to learn, we’re here for you.

Courses available both in-person and online

We offer a range of long and short courses allowing you to choose between in-person and online learning.

Learn in the centre of London with our in-person courses. Our purpose-built facilities in Covent Garden mean we are ideally located and easy to get to. 

See our guide to online learning for more information about accessing our live online courses.

All our courses are live, interactive, and taught by expert tutors. No matter how you prefer to learn, we've got the class for you.

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  1. Full fee £89.00 Senior fee £89.00 Concession £45.00
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  2. Write a short story in a weekend
    Weekend
    Course start date:  Sat 29 Mar 2025 (and 5 other dates)

    Location on this date:  Online

    Tutors:  Vicky Grut
    Turn your great idea into a short story on this fun practical course. You'll be introduced to some key fiction writing techniques and encouraged to draft a short story from beginning to end. Suitable for beginners who are comfortable learning at a fast pace. Includes a 1-hour break each day.



    This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.
    Full fee £119.00 Senior fee £119.00 Concession £60.00
    Rating:
    96% of 100
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  3. Writing fiction
    Course start date:  Mon 28 Apr 2025 (and 8 other dates)

    Location on this date:  Online

    Tutors:  Jennifer Claessen
    Develop 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.



    This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.
    Full fee £249.00 Senior fee £249.00 Concession £125.00
    Rating:
    87% of 100
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  4. Masterclass: fiction (a one-term intensive workshop)
    Course start date:  Mon 28 Apr 2025 (and 3 other dates)

    Location on this date:  Keeley Street

    Tutors:  Bob Schultz
    This 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 £399.00 Senior fee £399.00 Concession £399.00
    Rating:
    96% of 100
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  5. Developing your novel
    Course start date:  Mon 28 Apr 2025 (and 6 other dates)

    Location on this date:  Online

    Tutors:  KR Moorhead
    Have 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.



    This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.
    Full fee £249.00 Senior fee £249.00 Concession £125.00
    Rating:
    92% of 100
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  6. Starting your novel
    Course start date:  Mon 28 Apr 2025 (and 5 other dates)

    Location on this date:  Online

    Tutors:  Sophie McKenzie
    Got 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.



    This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.
    Full fee £239.00 Senior fee £239.00 Concession £120.00
    Rating:
    96% of 100
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  7. Full fee £249.00 Senior fee £249.00 Concession £125.00
    Rating:
    96% of 100
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  8. Full fee £249.00 Senior fee £249.00 Concession £125.00
    Rating:
    94% of 100
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  9. Full fee £249.00 Senior fee £249.00 Concession £125.00
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  10. Full fee £139.00 Senior fee £139.00 Concession £70.00
    Rating:
    88% of 100
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  11. Reading for writers: the short story (a fortnightly course)
    Course start date:  Thu 1 May 2025 (and 1 other date)

    Location on this date:  Online

    Tutors:  Thomas McMullan
    The 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.



    This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.
    Full fee £149.00 Senior fee £149.00 Concession £75.00
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  12. Full fee £79.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £40.00
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  13. Full fee £219.00 Senior fee £219.00 Concession £110.00
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  14. Craft focus: voice and dialogue in fiction
    Weekend
    Course start date:  Sun 18 May 2025 (and 1 other date)

    Location on this date:  Online

    Tutors:  Sophie McKenzie
    All fiction must speak to us as readers. It must communicate atmosphere and plot, character and layers of meaning with a unique 'voice'. Characters must also sound like themselves with dialogue that compels and convinces. Learn the fundamentals of voice and dialogue in this one-day course.



    This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.
    Full fee £79.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £40.00
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  15. Full fee £149.00 Senior fee £149.00 Concession £75.00
    Rating:
    88% of 100
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