Novel Writing and Longer Works

This Novel Writing and Longer Works short evening course focuses on the skills required to sustain a work of longer fiction.

Learn to write a book through exercises, lectures, selected reading and workshop discussion, you will develop an understanding of essential novel writing techniques:

• finding the centre (generating and developing ideas)
• openings
• description/evoking time and place
• character
• narrative development
• plotting
• narration
• voice

The second half of the course will include workshop/peer review of students' own writing.

This novel writing course is a great progression from our Approach to Creative Writing course for those wanting to find a book writing course.

Who is it for?

Led by an award-winning writer, the Novel Writing short course covers essential novel writing techniques and constructs, giving you the skills and confidence to work on your own novel. By the end of the Novel Writing course, you will feel confident enough to complete the first chapter of your novel, and have the momentum and motivation to continue with your writing.

Timetable

This Novel Writing and Longer Works short course takes place every Monday evening over ten weeks.

City St George’s Short Courses follow the academic year, delivering courses over three terms. These include:

• Autumn - October
• Spring - January
• Summer - April

Benefits

Learning from an award-winning writer, this 10 week novel writing course will enable you to identify and analyse your ideas for a novel, define the techniques involved in longer fiction and help you understand the construction of a sustained piece of fiction.

Publishing Successes Include

Pippa Dunn, The Sign of the Raven, DK flip, August 2026

Shabnam Grewal, The Killing of Uncle Raj, Fly On the Wall Press, September 2027

Tara O'Sullivan, The Quiet Ones, The Borough Press, Spring 2027

Chloe Ashby, Wet Paint and The Second Self, Orion

Simon Culleton, Shadows of Fathers, Stairwell Books

Imogen Dall, Burnout Survival Kit, Bloomsbury

Kate Jefford, winner of the 2020 V. S. Pritchett Short Story Prize

Over the course of 10 weekly evening classes on the Novel Writing and Longer Works short course you will learn:

• To make a solid start on that novel you’ve been thinking about, or to develop work you’ve started;
• To gain a greater understanding of the themes and techniques inherent in excellent fiction;
• To give and receive feedback on work in progress in a workshop setting;
• To assemble and make best use of the tools that are needed to complete a sustained piece of fiction.

The short course will also cover:

• Finding the centre (generating/developing ideas);
• Opening chapters;
• Characterisation;
• Narrative development;
• Plotting;
• Description/evoking time and place;
• Modes of narration;
• Voice;
• Writing a synopsis / planning document;
• Submitting an extract to a deadline;
• Reading as a writer;
• Self-editing; analysing your own and others’ work.

Informal assessment will take place through group discussion, class room activities, and questions and answers sessions as guided by your tutor.

A City St George’s, University of London certificate will be awarded to all students who attend and participate in 70% of the course.

Some writing experience and an idea for a novel or novella.

English requirements

Applicants must be fluent in written and spoken English.

• Mittelmark, H. and Newman, S, (2009) How Not To Write A Novel. London: Penguin
• The Writers' and Artists' Yearbook (annual). London: A & C Black, or
• Barry, T., ed. (annual) The Writers' Handbook. London: Macmillan
• Mullan J. (12 Oct 2006) How Novels Work. OUP Oxford