Beyond the First Draft: Shaping Stronger Fiction

This course is designed for writers with some experience, looking to elevate their work beyond the first draft. This course is open to all types and lengths of fiction, offering creative writing sessions, group discussions, and valuable feedback.

You'll delve into narrative structure, build dramatic tension, and refine character motivation. Dedicated sessions provide guidance on manuscript revision and offer practical tips for approaching agents and publishers. Join us in a supportive environment to sharpen your focus, polish your prose, and take significant steps towards completing your novel.

Any essential or recommended reading will be shared by the course teacher once the course is confirmed to run. You will require access to a device with an internet connection.

If you have fully engaged with all the learning activities and have attended regularly, by the end of the course, you should be able to:

• Revise and develop your initial drafts;
• Critically analyse the structure of a novel in the genre you wish to write in;
• Prepare a manuscript for publication;
• Draft a query letter and synopsis for a literary agent. 

Some previous writing experience is required, for example, three draft short stories, a novel or novella (about 10,000 to 15,000 words in total).

We welcome all and are committed to fostering a positive culture and sense of community among learners and staff. We expect learners to treat others with dignity and respect. Learners must be aged 16+.

If you have a disability, learning difficulty, health condition, or personal circumstances which may affect your learning, please let us know so that we can make appropriate adjustments in accordance with the Equality Act 2010.

Wherever possible, we mainstream adjustments in line with the University’s accessible and inclusive learning policy.

Learners will have limited access to the University’s student support services who will signpost appropriate local sources of support. 

This course is suitable for those with no prior experience of university study.

Some previous writing experience is required, for example, three draft short stories, a novel or novella (about 10,000 to 15,000 words in total).

You will need to have reading, listening and communication skills, including the ability to understand detailed ideas and information presented verbally and in writing. You must be comfortable learning in English if it is not your first language. You will need basic digital skills, such as using a computer and navigating a website, to access the learning materials.

Please note that the course booking deadline is 8 days before the course start date.