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.
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- Craft focus: character in fiction
Course start date: Sat 10 May 2025 (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 £40.00 - Autobiography into fiction: getting started Course start date: Sat 31 May 2025 (and 4 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Nick BarlayLearn how to turn real-life experiences into gripping fiction in this fun short course for fiction writing beginners and experienced writers. Develop your writing skills and explore techniques for transforming personal stories into strong narratives.Full fee £79.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £40.00 - How to write a novel synopsis and query letter Course start date: Sat 14 Jun 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Rosie ChardThis one-day workshop teaches students how to write a query letter and synopsis of their completed manuscript, essential requirements of submitting to agents and publishers. - Queering characterisation: writing LGBTQIA+ characters Course start date: Sat 21 Jun 2025
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Char HeatherJoin this interactive one-day course which brings together essential elements of characterisation and its relation to plot through the lens of queer writing. You will delve into elements of craft in characterisation while referring back to examples and questions of LGBTQIA+ representation and histories in literature.Full fee £79.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £40.00 - How to spark your creative writingCourse start date: Sat 21 Jun 2025
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Sophie McKenzieDiscover the joy of creative writing! Leave stress and worry at the door and find new ways to express your creativity on this fun, dynamic and supportive short course. - How to write sex scenes in fiction Course start date: Sat 21 Jun 2025
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Liam KonemannLearn how to write compelling and convincing sex scenes in this short course suitable for those writing fiction.Full fee £79.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £40.00 - How to write a thriller Course start date: Sat 28 Jun 2025
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Sophie McKenzieLearn the art of writing a thriller novel, from concept and character to the twists and turns of story pacing. - Masters of style: reading and writing Virginia Woolf Course start date: Sat 28 Jun 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Thomas McMullan, Patricia SweeneyVirginia Woolf was one of the twentieth century’s greatest writers. Her approaches to writing character interiority were at the forefront of modernist literary innovations. This day workshop explores the literary interpretations of several seminal texts and writing exercises that encourage you to experiment with Woolf’s stream-of-consciousness style. - 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 - Craft focus: scenes and setting in fiction Course start date: Sat 9 Aug 2025 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Thomas McMullanScenes in fiction are like those in film: we experience action as it unfolds. Action has to take place somewhere, which is why setting is also key. In this practical intensive course, you'll learn how to create scenes and establish setting that engages and convinces readers.Full fee £79.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £40.00 - 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. - Create your first short story collection Course start date: Sat 28 Feb 2026
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Alice AshYou've workshopped your fiction, and now you're ready to create your first short story collection. But where do you begin with that process? This day offers instruction and advice on putting together your first short story collection.Full fee £79.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £40.00
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