Novel Writing Courses Novel Writing Courses Novel Writing Courses

Novel Writing Courses

Our novel writing courses are designed for writers who are serious about learning to write a novel, from initial idea to final draft.

Our novel writing courses: an overview

We offer a range of novel writing workshops, including our flagship Writing a Novel course. With flexible online and in-person options, get the most out of your writing time and get those words on the page.

Some of our novel writing courses are selective, meaning that you’ll need to apply.

You’ll benefit from the expertise of your tutor and the support of your classmates, as well as the unique industry insight of taking a course within one of the great independent publishing houses.

Who are these courses for?

Aspiring novelists

There's a long road between having a great idea for a novel and getting it onto the page. These courses will guide you through each step.

Stuck novelists

Writer's block is real – and losing your confidence is a major culprit. Brush up your skills, meet like-minded writers and find your stride again.

Writers ready for a change

Have experience writing short stories, poetry or screenplays but no idea where to start on a novel? Learn and hone the skills you'll need to move into long form prose.

Novel Writing Courses (8)

Fiction Development, Novel Writing

Writing a Novel (Evening)

A comprehensive six-month writing course for the serious writer, with access to some of the biggest names in publishing.

Level

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Advanced

What do these levels mean?

Location

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London

Length

i
6 month +

Tutors

Richard T. Kelly, Sarah May, Joanna Briscoe, Nikesh Shukla

By Application

Start Date

Wednesday 04 Oct 2023

Application Deadline

Sunday 17 Sep 2023

£4350
Apply

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Fiction Development, Novel Writing

Writing a Novel (Daytime)

A comprehensive six-month writing course for the serious writer, with access to some of the biggest names in publishing.

Level

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Advanced

What do these levels mean?

Location

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London

Length

i
6 month +

Tutors

Shelley Weiner, Sabrina Broadbent

By Application

Start Date

Thursday 05 Oct 2023

Application Deadline

Sunday 17 Sep 2023

£4350
Apply

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Image of a woman at large kitchen table, writing notes on a pad of paper with her laptop open in front of her.
Fiction Development, Novel Writing

Masterclass: Planning and Writing The Mirror

One of a series of ten intensive, impactful masterclasses from Faber Academy's Director of Fiction.

Level

i
Advanced

What do these levels mean?

Location

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Online

Length

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1-5 days

Tutors

Richard Skinner

Start Date

Monday 27 Mar 2023

1 more start date available

£75
Book Now

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Woman in yellow jumper writing with her laptop on her lap, late at night
Fiction Development, Novel Writing

Finish Your Draft

Develop the tools, techniques and motivation to complete your draft within nine months.

Level

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Advanced

What do these levels mean?

Location

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Online

Length

i
6 month +

Tutors

Natasha Bell

By Application

Start Date

Monday 27 Mar 2023

Application Deadline

Monday 13 Mar 2023

£1850
Fiction Development, Novel Writing

Getting Started: Beginners' Fiction

An introductory course for the writer who is ready to commit to beginning to write seriously. Start your story today!

Level

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Starting out

What do these levels mean?

Location

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London

Length

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12 weeks

Tutors

Mick Jackson

Start Date

Wednesday 29 Mar 2023

£995
Book Now

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Fiction Development, Novel Writing, Writing for Children

Writing for Children

Don't you just take out all the long words? No. It's harder than that, but this inspiring children's writing course will help.

Level

i
Improving

What do these levels mean?

Location

i
London

Length

i
12 weeks

Tutors

Anthony McGowan

Start Date

Thursday 30 Mar 2023

£995
Book Now

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Fiction Development, Novel Writing

Kickstart Your Novel

Take your writing to the next level, and develop both the technical skill and the narrative momentum to really get stuck into your novel.

Level

i
Improving

What do these levels mean?

Location

i
Online

Length

i
12 weeks

Tutors

Katherine Stansfield

Start Date

Monday 03 Apr 2023

£595
Book Now

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Fiction Development, Novel Writing

Getting Started: Beginners' Fiction (Newcastle)

A twelve-week creative writing course for beginners. Playful, serious and fun, it asks what writing is and why we do it.

Level

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Starting out

What do these levels mean?

Location

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Newcastle

Length

i
12 weeks

Tutors

Margaret Wilkinson

Start Date

Thursday 06 Apr 2023

£795
Book Now

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Notebook with pencil and cup on wooden table
Fiction Development, Novel Writing

Writing Fiction

This unique twelve-week course is about finding a way to write that is yours – whether you're starting out, starting again, or rethinking your approach to fiction writing.

Level

i
Improving

What do these levels mean?

Location

i
London

Length

i
12 weeks

Tutors

Keith Ridgway

Start Date

Thursday 20 Apr 2023

£995
Book Now

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Details
Image of a woman at large kitchen table, writing notes on a pad of paper with her laptop open in front of her.
Fiction Development, Novel Writing

Masterclass: Setting

One of a series of ten intensive, impactful masterclasses from Faber Academy's Director of Fiction.

Level

i
Advanced

What do these levels mean?

Location

i
Online

Length

i
1-5 days

Tutors

Richard Skinner

Start Date

Monday 24 Apr 2023

£75
Book Now

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Novel Writing Tutors

Our tutors are all multi-published novelists and experienced teachers, hand-picked from Faber and beyond.

joanna-briscoe-tutor

Joanna Briscoe

Joanna Briscoe is the author of the novels Mothers and Other Lovers, which won the Betty Trask Award; Skin; Sleep With Me, which...

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Joanna Briscoe
lee-weatherly-tutor

Lee Weatherly

Lee Weatherly has written more than fifty books for children and young adults, including the bestselling Angel series, and is...

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Lee Weatherly
nikesh-shukla-tutor

Nikesh Shukla

Nikesh Shukla is an novelist and screenwriter. He is the author of Coconut Unlimited (shortlisted for the Costa First Novel...

More About This Tutor
Nikesh Shukla
richard-t-kelly-tutor

Richard T. Kelly

Richard T. Kelly is the author of the novels Crusaders (2008), The Possessions of Doctor Forrest (2011) and The Knives (2016)...

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Richard T. Kelly
sabrina-broadbent-tutor

Sabrina Broadbent

Sabrina Broadbent's debut novel, Descent, won the WH Smith Raw Talent award. Her other novels are A Boy’s Guide to Track and...

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Sabrina Broadbent
sarah-may-tutor

Sarah May

Sarah May is the highly acclaimed author of seven novels, including The Nudist Colony, (shortlisted for the Guardian First Book Award...

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Sarah May
shelley-weiner-tutor

Shelley Weiner

Shelley Weiner is an acclaimed novelist, short-story writer and journalist who has, over the years, established a reputation...

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Shelley Weiner
tutor-4-min

Tom Bromley

Tom Bromley is an author, editor and ghostwriter. He has written ten books under his own name, both fiction and non-fiction...

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Tom Bromley

It was hard work. But I not only completed my novel, I also learned how to navigate the choppy waters of the publishing world. I will be forever grateful for the experience.

S J Watson, author of Before I Go to Sleep

Novel Writing

I also learned how to navigate the choppy waters of the publishing world. I will be forever grateful for the experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many hours a day do I need to write a novel?

The short answer is: it varies. Finding regular time for writing is an important part of the discipline required to write a novel, but we all know that spare hours in the day can be hard to come by! You’ll find the time requirements for our courses on the individual course pages – many of our online novel writing courses are designed to be flexible enough to fit around your existing commitments.

Do you need a degree to write a novel?

No. While some writers choose to pursue a university qualification, there are many paths to becoming a published novelist. Some successful authors are entirely self-taught! Our Writing a Novel course is designed as a flexible, practical alternative to a Creative Writing MA. Or you might choose to support your writing practice with shorter courses and workshops. There are many options available and every writer is different – the single most important thing you can do is to keep writing.

Can’t find the right course?

Manuscript Assessment

Get comprehensive editorial feedback on your manuscript from our experienced readers – whether it’s still a work-in-progress or you’re preparing to submit to literary agents.

Find out more

Mentoring

We offer a range of mentoring options if you’d prefer to work one-on-one with an established writer to help you shape your project and realise your writing ambitions.

Find out more

Browse the Reading Room

From author interviews and writing tips to creative writing exercises and reading lists, we've got everything you need to get started – and to keep going.

Announcing Faber Academy Newcastle Read More
Announcing Faber Academy Newcastle
Writing Prickly Female Protagonists

Writing a Novel alumna Ania Bas on writing the main character of her debut novel, published earlier

Read More
My Road to Publication… And What I Learned Along the Way

The author of Honey and Me (published by Scholastic Press) on how her book came to be

Read More