Online Novel and Short Story Writing Courses
Start crafting your stories from home with City Lit’s online novel and short story writing courses. Whether you’re working on your first piece of fiction or refining a manuscript-in-progress, our expert tutors will help you shape your ideas into compelling narratives.
Explore the essential elements of fiction — from character and dialogue to structure, voice and setting — through practical exercises, live discussions and personalised feedback. You’ll be encouraged to experiment, develop your writing style, and build confidence in a supportive online environment.
Our courses are suitable for writers at all stages, whether you're just starting out or looking to take your work further. With flexible online learning, you can develop your storytelling skills at your own pace — and from wherever you are.
Explore our online novel and short story writing courses today and bring your fiction to life.
- Writing flash fiction: getting started
Course start date: Sun 3 Aug 2025 (and 1 other date)Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Lucy PopescuA sideways glance: succinct, powerful. This short workshop on the essential components of flash fiction will teach you to tell a complete story in very few words.Full fee £79.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £40.00 - Developing your novel Course start date: Mon 28 Apr 2025 (and 6 other dates)
Location on this date: Online
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 £249.00 Senior fee £249.00 Concession £125.00 - Advanced fiction writing workshop Course start date: Thu 1 May 2025 (and 9 other dates)
Location on this date: Online
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 £249.00 Senior fee £249.00 Concession £125.00 - Writing fiction Course start date: Mon 28 Apr 2025 (and 8 other dates)
Location on this date: Online
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.Full fee £249.00 Senior fee £249.00 Concession £125.00 - Advanced crime fiction workshopCourse start date: Tue 23 Sep 2025
Location on this date: Online
Hone 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 £259.00 Senior fee £259.00 Concession £130.00 - Masterclass: fiction (a one-term intensive workshop) Course start date: Tue 23 Sep 2025 (and 2 other dates)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Jonathan BarnesThis 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 - Short story writing Course start date: Tue 29 Apr 2025 (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 £249.00 Senior fee £249.00 Concession £125.00 - 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: Annabel BanksThe 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 £149.00 Senior fee £149.00 Concession £75.00 - 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 - Craft focus: introduction to novel plotting Course start date: Sun 18 Jan 2026
Location on this date: Online
Explore different approaches to novel plotting and learn how to plot your own novel successfully in this short course suitable for those who have begun writing a novel. - 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 - Craft focus: mastering descriptive language Course start date: Sat 24 Jan 2026
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Sophie McKenzieDescriptive language can provide texture and clarity to a story, promoting reader engagement and a sensory experience. In this short course, learn how to create vivid descriptions that will elevate your prose. This course will support writers of fiction and non-fiction.Full fee £79.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £40.00 - 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
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