Novel and Short Story Writing Courses for Beginners
Bring your stories to life with City Lit’s beginner-friendly novel and short story writing courses. Whether you’re starting your first novel or exploring short fiction, our expert tutors will help you develop the skills to craft engaging and memorable narratives.
Learn how to create compelling characters, build strong plots, and write with confidence. Through practical exercises and constructive feedback, you’ll explore essential storytelling techniques and gain the tools to bring your ideas from concept to the page.
Designed for beginners, these courses are perfect if you’re new to fiction writing or looking to refine your skills in a supportive and inspiring environment. Join a community of writers and take the first step towards completing your novel or short story collection.
Explore our beginner novel and short story writing courses and start telling the stories only you can write.
- Writing the city
Course start date: Sun 10 Aug 2025Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Thomas McMullanThrough a combination of close observation and texts both old and new, you'll explore the depiction of inner city life in fiction, and write your own fiction inspired by the urban landscape in this short course. - Write a short story in a week Course start date: Mon 8 Dec 2025
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Jonathan BarnesTurn your great idea into a short story on this fun practical course. Through a series of inspiring exercises, 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.Full fee £129.00 Senior fee £129.00 Concession £65.00 - Starting your novel: intensive Course start date: Mon 19 Jan 2026
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Sarah LeipcigerGot 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.Full fee £159.00 Senior fee £159.00 Concession £80.00 - Writing funny fiction Course start date: Thu 5 Feb 2026
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Rene PerezWhat does it really mean to write funny fiction and what are the techniques writers use? Learn how to harness the power of humour in your fiction in this fun, supportive workshop.Full fee £89.00 Senior fee £89.00 Concession £45.00 - Writing the body in fiction Course start date: Sat 14 Feb 2026
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Jennifer ClaessenExplore how to write bodies that bring your fiction to life in this short course suitable for those with some experience of creative writing. - Writing horror Course start date: Tue 17 Feb 2026
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Niki MackayWrite to unsettle, in this six-week trip through the techniques of horror fiction, learning from classic horror authors and contemporary masters of the genre.Full fee £159.00 Senior fee £159.00 Concession £80.00 - Autobiography into fiction Course start date: Thu 1 May 2025 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Nick BarlayThis course will help you develop techniques for transforming personal experience into fiction. You'll have the opportunity to improve your writing skills as well as your ability to give and use constructive criticism in a workshop environment.Full fee £139.00 Senior fee £139.00 Concession £70.00
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