No items found.
The Finished Novel Dome

The Finished Novel Course

The writer-to-author career path

Clock icon
Time
1 year. 200+ lessons
Tag icon
Price
One-off
$
4250
Save $
178
Monthly
$
369
One-off
£
3499
Save £
89
Monthly
£
299
People icon
Suitable for
Everyone. Beginners welcome!
Book icon
Ideal for
Those wanting to write to get published

From first step to final destination

Suitable for writers at all stages of their journey, our comprehensive three-step program plus a full manuscript assessment. To help you develop the advanced skills you need to discover your voice and find your big idea, then write and edit a complete work of fiction to publishing standard.

Write to get published

The online alternative to a Creative Writing MFA with a practical career outcome: a finished novel!  

From blank page to book deal

Courses. Coaching. Community.

Grow your story idea into a full-length novel

Are you writing fiction for the first time? Perhaps you’re moving from writing short stories, screenplays or poetry to the longer form of the novel and would like  inspiration and support.

The Finished Novel Course is a carefully structured program to guide you through coming up with the story idea using the 'secret sauce' of the all-time bestselling classic novels, and on to writing your full-length work of fiction.

You don’t need to have all the answers—or come to think of it, any of them. Stories are about questions. One question after another.

We’ll have you asking the right questions, in the right order. And taking the right steps on your journey to becoming a writer.

Discover if your story has commercial value before you begin writing

Page turners don’t happen by accident. They’re created, carved and chiseled thanks to unique knowledge of the market and exclusive insight into commercial viability.

Our Story First Method ™ ensures the tale you want to tell is likely to excite publishers, agents and readers before you begin. Saving you a whole lot of time and trouble, and allowing you to hit the page writingwith confidence.

Our method is a smarter way of working, and stacks the odds of publishing success in your favor.

One-on-one coaching from bestselling authors

Their books have hit the New York Times and Sunday Times bestseller lists, been adapted for screen, and optioned for major motion pictures. Every one, a master in their genre. Each trained in our Positive Coaching Method ™. 

Plus, you’re not tied to just one author coach—you can switch and swap to receive the best expert advice as your story develops.

Imagine having a prize-winning, bestselling author on your team. What difference would that make to your writing?

Editors from the world’s major publishers

Including Walker Books, Titan, and the Big Five—PenguinRandom House, Hachette, HarperCollins, Simon & Schuster, and Macmillan.

Our editors work together to harness their expertise, and all have established relationships with literary agents.

We’re an editorial team with direct submission to literary agencies.

Fast-tracked submission to the top global literary agencies

You will receive a full manuscript assessment from our editorial team to prepare to enter the publishing process with literary agency representation.

This year alone, over 60% of our submissions were successful. And typically, we receive replies within days. Our literary agent friends trust and enjoy working with The Novelry because they’ve come to expect brilliant manuscripts from our writers.

We’re the writing school most recommended by leading literary agencies.
The world's best-loved writing school

More 5* reviews than any other writing course

Write for pleasure at The Novelry and you’ll be rewarded with far more than you ever imagined. But don’t just take our word for it…

‘Joining The Novelry was the best decision I made for myself and my writing career. For years I had thought about writing a novel, but I wasn’t really sure where to start. The Novelry is not just an amazing writing course; it is so much more. It is also a community of ambitious writers, authors, mentors, editors, and all-round lovely people who will be with you on your writing journey. The courses are designed in a way that will keep you motivated and excited to find your story. I joined before I even had a story idea, and since then, I have written a first draft, been through rounds of edits, and have a complete manuscript I am really proud of. Throughout their submission process, I had support and guidance from The Novelry team. I am so glad that I found my home here at The Novelry and that I am now represented by James Wills of Watson, Little. I cannot wait to continue to grow as a writer within The Novelry community.’

Headshot of Talitha writing course reviews

Talitha McQueen

‘This time last year, just finishing a manuscript was a dream. Less than 12 months later, the possibility of my novel being published is real. I’ve learned how to bring my first drafts to life through developing characters and prose. I’ve been able to hear how other readers react to my writing which has helped me on later drafts. I’ve gained an understanding of what agents are looking for and how to approach them. There are so many resources and opportunities to learn from other writers, editors, and agents. I definitely recommend it if you want to write your novel.’

writing course review headshot catherine

Catherine West-McGrath

‘I feel empowered to move forward in a definite, sustainable way - both writing actual fiction, which is motivating to me, and improving the craft of writing, which is important because there’s a lot of MFA-type material contained in these courses. Seriously - this material is dense. If you work through it, you will absolutely be a better writer than you were when you started (that is, you will emerge as someone who produces higher-quality work, more consistently, with considerably less stress/heartburn than previously was your experience).’

writing course reviews hilary headshot

Hilary Bee

arrow left
arrow right

Fun. Flexible. Formidable

Progress at your own pace

Course and community access for an entire year.

Your progress, on your terms

This is a self-paced course; you drive the development of your story. The tempo of the march is yours to decide.

You can schedule your coaching and editorial sessions at your convenience and join the live classes and workshops in all time zones whenever suits you. Even better, you can watch any you missed later on our Catch Up TV.

We recommend setting aside an hour a day just for you and your writing, and you’ll soon come to love this special pocket of escapism.

We will move at your pace. Want to race through the program? You can. Want to take it slower? No worries! Our program will support you in your preferred learning style and fit into a busy lifestyle.

Stay a little longer

Life. It happens to the best of us.

A good story will wait

You have 365-days’ access to The Finished Novel Course. But don’t worry if you need to stop writing for a while.

You can easily extend your access beyond your year with a course extension plan and keep any unused coaching or services as long as you wish, or stay on as a member with access to the workshops and community for just $29.99 (£24.99) a month or $299 (£249) a year.

Money back policy

Our Happy Writing Guarantee.

We operate a people before profit policy

It’s how we maintain a happy and supportive community for all of our writers. So, we offer a 7-day money-back Happy Writing Guarantee for all our classes and courses, should you change your mind.

Write with the best in the business

Award-winning authors. Publishing editors. Leading literary agents.

Coaches not lecturers

Many online writing programs promote ‘featured’ videos of one or two big-name stars. And you sit, you watch, you learn. Passively.

Here at The Novelry, our online writing classes and courses come with a team of writer all-stars built right in. They’re part of the furniture around our happy writing home. You’ll run into them in the virtual halls of The Novelry, in your personal coaching sessions, and week in, week out at workshops or in your online community.

We’re talking stars whose books have hit the New York Times and Sunday Times bestseller lists, and have been adapted for screen and optioned for major motion pictures.

Writing stars who work with you, not lecture at you.

Learn more

40+ workshops a month

In addition to your class.

Write in good company

Guided, group-based workshops with fellow writers, bestselling authors and publishing professionals. Offered live online, but also recorded, so you can easily catch up if you miss one.

You’ll get advice and writing prompts, genre-specific challenges and exercises to help you develop your writing and deepen your craft. And of course, you’ll have a community of like-minded spirits, cheering you on as you reach each milestone on your journey.

Learn more

Genre expertise

What’s your style?

“Outstanding genre-specific workshops!”

—April Love-Fordham

You may be burning to write a thriller, yearning to capture a romance, or scoping out the near-future world of a science fiction story.

Maybe you’re yet to discover your type. Perhaps you’re between genres right now.

Any which way, this course will help you put your story on steroids. You can choose your author coach based on their expertise, and our genre-specific workshops are in a league of their own.

Video masterclasses

From the likes of Kristin Hannah and Yann Martel.

Catch-up TV for storytellers

(Binge-watch the series.)

Over 100 classes with famous bestselling writers, publishing experts and leading literary agents for you to explore in your own time.

Find out how your best-loved authors (really) write their books, from Tess Gerritsen, Paula Hawkins, Sophie Kinsella, and Val McDermid to Lucy Foley, Katherine Rundell, Samantha Shannon, Steven Erikson and (so) many more.

Learn more

A supportive writing community

Find your people.

Come for the course. Stay for the people.

We’re the largest online writing community exclusively for novelists and memoir writers. This group offers you a safe space to share the ins and outs and ups and downs of the creative life.

It’s ad-free and bound by the terms of confidentiality, allowing you to be yourself as a writer among industry professionals, trusted new friends, and like-minded people.

What’s more, our annual US and UK parties and networking events offer the perfect opportunity to mingle and celebrate your work. Cheers to that!

Learn more

Created by a Booker Prize-listed author

We don’t just talk the talk.

“Louise Dean is a significant voice in British fiction”

The Observer

When it comes to writing, and writing success, Founder and Course Director Louise Dean knows a thing or two about a thing or two.

Booker Prize-listed, winner of The Betty Trask Prize and the Le Prince Maurice Prize, finalist for the Costa Coffee 2020 Short Story Award, longlisted for the Dublin International Literary Award, and nominated for The Guardian First Book Prize (among others), Louise has earned plaudits from the Nobel Laureate for Literature, no less. Her books have been praised by the New York Times, The Guardian, The Observer and The Sunday Times.

Louise is hands on and full-hearted. She’ll regularly check in on your progress and is more than happy to share her (award-winning) wordsmithery secrets.

Meet Louise

More 5-star reviews

Than any other writing courses.

We’re the home of happy writing  

When choosing your writing course, always make sure to look for these things:

  • Independent rave reviews from real people giving their names.
  • Writing coaches who are award-winning and bestselling published authors.
  • One-on-one, personalized instruction focused on what you need.
  • A professional path to getting published with links to a range of literary agencies.
  • An inspiring writers’ group with a kind and encouraging ethos.

Reviews

Better value than a university course

With a practical career outcome.

At a fraction of the price

Storytelling success lies very at the very heart of becoming a published author, and we have engineered our program to give you a head start.

Our approach is both practical and a whole lot of fun. The Novelry has been described by members as ‘like Hogwarts for writers’.

You’ll enjoy a university-type experience in terms of making new student friends but you’ll be learning from brilliant working authors and editors, not academics.

When you join us you are taking a journey not just to get a bunch of letters after your name, but to hold a publishing-ready manuscript in your hands. In just a year or less. We move at your pace and our focus is on you.

We’re trusted by the world’s leading literary agents, and our graduates go on to secure major contracts from Big Five publishers in the USA, the UK and worldwide.

Learn more

Flexible pricing

Pay upfront or monthly.

Payment options

Feel free to select an installment payment option to spread the cost.

Save money with the single payment option for our combined courses. (When you combine classes with a course plan you save money on the cost of the individual classes.)

For the very best value, our most popular choice is The Finished Novel Course.

Timer icon

But I don’t have the time!

One hour per day. That’s all the commitment we ask of you. Just one hour a day to make your writing dreams a reality.

Book icon

But I don’t have a story!

Then you’re in the right place. Step one of the course—The Classic Storytelling Class—is designed precisely to kindle your ideas and ignite your voice.

Star icon

But I’m not sure I have any talent!

Not all writers suffer from imposter syndrome. Only the good ones. The art of storytelling can be learned. And our bestselling author coaches are the best in the business at teaching it.

Happy writing!

At the heart of The Novelry is a warm, welcoming writing community. We offer a collaborative environment, not a competitive one.

The Finished Novel

The writer-to-author career path

The Classic Storytelling Class

Come up with a fantastic idea for a page-turner. Plan a storyline that excites you and learn how to bring to life complex main characters. Outline and develop the world of your tale to capture the reader’s imagination page after page.

Lessons: 55 (1-hour each)
Module
1

Find the Idea

Get started with the idea for your story
5
lessons
Module
2

Once Upon a Time

Storytelling structure
9
lessons
Module
3

The Process

Starting to plan a story
3
lessons
Module
4

Worldbuilding

Creating the story world
20
lessons
Module
5

Heroes and Villains

The conflict that drives drama
3
lessons
Module
6

The Reader

A story readers will love
3
lessons
Module
7

The Author

Why and how we write
8
lessons
Module
8

Farewell

The working plan for your story
4
lessons

The Ninety Day Novel Class

Prepare and develop your initial idea, construct your novel from the ground up, develop a productive writing practice, power through the middle with bold plotting, and raise the stakes towards a satisfying ending.

Lessons: 100 (1-hour each)
6 x author-coaching sessions
Module
1

The Inspiration and Preparation Phase

10
lessons
Module
2

The Construction Phase

30
lessons
Module
3

The Swim Phase

15
lessons
Module
4

The Heat Phase

15
lessons
Module
5

The Enlightenment Phase

15
lessons
Module
6

The Home Phase

15
lessons

The Big Edit Class

Revise and polish your manuscript to the highest publishing standards, with in-depth feedback from your professional book editor, and management of the literary submission process.

Lessons: 50 (1-hour each)
2 x professional editorial sessions
Module
1

Turning Pro

6
lessons
Module
2

The Developmental Edit

19
lessons
Module
3

Line Edit

17
lessons
Module
4

The Submission Process

10
lessons

The Ultimate Manuscript Assessment

Enhance your manuscript’s quality and marketability with marked-up revisions from bestselling publishing editors. And a clear plan for submission to literary agents.

Lessons: None – this is a dedicated service, rather than a class
1 x professional editor debrief session

Next Steps Toward Publishing

Meeting with the Editor

A Marked-Up Manuscript

Structural Development

The Pitch

“If there’s a book that you want to read, but it hasn’t been written yet, then you must write it”

- Toni Morrison

It’s story time

Where will yours take you?
Sign up for the course

The Finished Novel Course

The 3-step program + manuscript assessment
$
369
/ mo
$
4250
£
299
/ mo
£
3499
$
4250
Save $
178
OR
$
369
/mo
£
3499
Save £
89
OR
£
299
/mo
  • Welcome Call
  • Membership (1 Year)
  • The Classic Storytelling Class
  • The Ninety Day Novel Class
  • 6 Coaching Sessions
  • The Big Edit Class
  • 2 Editorial Sessions
  • The Ultimate Manuscript Assessment
  • Course Completion Certificate

“A word after a word after a word is power”

- Margaret Atwood

FAQs

If you’re bursting with questions we haven’t answered here, check out our full FAQS page or feel free to get in touch.

What’s the learning format?

Your year is structured in 3 stages to create, write and edit your book, allowing you the chance to work step-by-step through each phase and take any breaks you need between them. You will begin with The Classic to come up with the idea for your novel and plan your story, then you will write your first draft with The Ninety Day Novel. Finally, you will be guided to raise your book to publishing standards with The Big Edit, before you submit your work for The Ultimate Manuscript Assessment.

This is a self-paced program, with over 200 lessons served on our beautiful online platform by video and text. Enjoy the lessons on any internet-connected device. Watch the video, read the text and use the ‘speak aloud’ feature to listen. You’ll need 30 minutes for each lesson and probably some thinking time to capture your thoughts and ideas as you start writing. This might be a good opportunity to start setting aside an hour a day just for you and your writing, and you’ll come to love this special time.

We suggest you allow 1–2 months for The Classic, 3 months for The Ninety Day Novel, and the remainder of your year, 6 months or more, for The Big Edit. But as the course is self-paced, you can take each phase at your own pace, according to your lifestyle, holidays, vacations, and commitments.

You can book your coaching sessions at any time during your year on the course.

How does the coaching work?

Your coaching begins after the first week of the second phase of your program, The Ninety Day Novel, where you will write and refine your draft novel alongside a currently published bestselling author in your genre of fiction.

Before your first coaching session, we’ll guide you on how to create an outline for a commercially viable novel. You’ll be nudged in the course to use our interactive tool to submit that to us (on a regular basis as you develop your story). We’ll look at your planned storyline as a team, and if we think another writing coach would be best suited to your story, we’ll drop you a line, but you’ll be able to make the final decision (and can always swap coaches later if you wish).

Every writing coach reviews your storyline in advance of the session via the interactive tool we call ‘The Plan’.

Your first coaching session begins with your writing coach understanding your intentions and aspirations for your book and writing career. That’s your brief to us, and allows us to give you the dedicated and personal guidance and support you need to achieve your ambition.

The coaching sessions are 45 minutes online, and you’ll find that’s plenty of time to get help with story development and troubleshoot any problems to stay on track with your writing. All sessions are recorded for you to keep. You may schedule your coaching sessions whenever you wish during your year with us and will be able to browse our diaries to select a time that works for you, in your time zone. Some like to stay on track with a coaching session every two weeks of their writing period, for example, and others like to pace themselves with one a month or get more help up front or more guidance and advance later on. You can get the support you need when you need it.

During the writing of a first draft, our focus is on your storyline, and we work with you to creatively develop and expand the story together, reviewing development in every session and answering your questions for your story.

You can, additionally, book Paid Feedback Sessions which include a report and a live debrief. We suggest you leave getting feedback on your work until later in your program, after the first draft.

Unlike other writing courses, we advise you don’t share or ‘workshop’ the novel at this stage where your confidence and the story are still vulnerable. Some courses have first-time writers on first drafts advising others in their position, and we think this is a bad idea and at best a waste of your very precious time.

At The Novelry, we’ll keep you and your story safe within a one-on-one relationship of trust and care with wise guidance from a published author who cares about your success and will believe in you and your story.

How do I choose my writing coach?

You can browse our writing coaches and find the author you would most like to work with, then book your coaching session from your Library.

You may wish to book with an author experienced in the genre you are writing.

Another great way to consider who you want to write with is to take a peek inside the first pages of their published books on Amazon and see whose writing style appeals to you most strongly.

The wonderful thing about The Novelry is that you can work with the writing coach of your choice but also book sessions with any other writing coach whenever you wish. So if things change for your story, say you swap genre, or need more help on specialist technical matters from another coach, we’ve got you covered.

Can I extend the course for longer than the year?

Yes! This is a flexible writing course you can take at your own pace around your other commitments. The time it takes to complete a novel depends on the time you can set aside, but with an hour a day we know it’s possible to comfortably finish your novel in a year.

If you need more time, you can extend your course and roll over everything including any unused coaching, editorial, manuscript sessions.

The cost of another full year is $599 (USD)or £499 (GBP) or you can pay monthly (cancel anytime) at $55 or £45 a month.

Alternatively, you can remain as a member only for just $29.99 or £24.99 a month.

Can I get feedback on my writing?

The Ultimate Manuscript Assessment will give you the ultimate feedback on your novel! Plus, you will get feedback on the first three chapters in The Big Edit, and feedback from the community too.

You can also purchase Paid Feedback Sessions for $425 or £350 for a 5000-word section of your manuscript.

The feedback sessions offer a detailed report and a live editorial debrief recorded for you to keep.

We don’t believe in feedback or workshopping a first draft. It can kill it.

But we do believe in giving feedback on second draft and beyond where you’re working with us towards publishing standards. Once you know what you’re keeping, it’s time to finesse and only then. So you’d work with publishing editors formerly of the Big Five publishing houses at that stage. We follow a carefully managed process based on our combined industry experience of how great novels get made.

We will take great care of your and your novel, with every step at just the right time for your development.

How do I choose my editor?

You will work with publishing editors from the major Big 5 publishers like Penguin Random House, Hachette, HarperCollins, Simon & Schuster and Macmillan who will guide you in the third phase of your program how to raise your work to publishing standard for submission to literary agents and onward to publishing. You may work with the editor of your choice.

See our team of experienced professional publishing editors here. These senior editors are known and trusted by literary agents.

We’ll be able to advise you if you can’t find an obvious fit by reading the profiles of our editorial team. Our Editorial Director reviews all bookings and we will be sure to suggest the very best editor for your storyline and genre.

Do you offer a money-back guarantee?

Yes, we are all for Happy Writing. You can review our terms and conditions here. If for any reason at all the course is not for you, you can get a full no-questions-asked refund within the first 7 days after purchase. Just email us and let us know.

English as a second language? Hearing or vision difficulties?

Our courses are suitable for people with visual or auditory impairment, dyslexia and for those with English as a second language. We offer an app which translates the course into 99 languages and a speak-aloud option too.

Book deals and a TV series

‘These creative writing courses have changed my writing life. Within a short time of starting the lessons, I had my idea sorted and ninety days later I had my first draft. After taking the editing course and taking advantage of all the wonderful author chats and workshops offered by The Novelry, I secured a two-book deal, and it has been optioned for development into a six-part TV series.’

Tracey Emerson
quotemark icon