The Novel Kickstarter Course
Craft your idea, shape your story, and write a complete first draft
From an idea to a complete first draft
Find your big idea and learn the secrets of storytelling, then turn your idea into a fearless first draft.
The Novel Kickstarter Course gives you everything you need to start—and finish—a powerful first draft. With The Classic Storytelling Class, learn timeless story patterns, mythic structure, and the emotional architecture behind the world’s most enduring tales. Then, in The Ninety Day Novel Class, build daily writing habits and write a complete novel with expert craft lessons, structured milestones, and deep character work. With one-to-one coaching sessions from a bestselling author to co-pilot you through writing a stand-out story in your chosen genre of fiction or memoir. Plus live writing classes and a community alongside, with your peers sharing the journey, to cheer you on. From first spark to final chapter, this course blends inspiration with discipline. It’s a complete start-to-finish system designed to help you write boldly, brilliantly—and actually get the thing done. No fluff. Just story-first, writer-powered progress.
Reasons not to take the first steps on a big adventure
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.
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.
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.
The Novel Kickstarter Course
Find your story and write a complete first draft of your novel.
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.
Find the Idea
Once Upon a Time
The Process
World-building
Heroes and Villains
The Reader
The Author
Farewell
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 toward a satisfying ending.
The Inspiration and Preparation Phase
The Construction Phase
The Swim Phase
The Heat Phase
The Enlightenment Phase
The Home Phase
‘I simply have to love the idea. I’ll go through dozens of workable ideas until I find the one that lights my fire’
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Andrea Stewart
Sunday Times instant bestseller author and finalist for the British Fantasy Awards, praised by Sarah J. Maas
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Clare Mackintosh
No.1 global bestselling New York Times and Sunday Times award-winning crime author with more than 3 million copies sold
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Anissa Gray
New York Times acclaimed author of contemporary fiction novels, a Marie Claire Book Club Pick optioned by Sony Pictures, and a DuPont and Emmy award-winning journalist
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Evie Wyld
The multiple prestigious literary prize-winning author of the Miles Franklin Award, the Stella Prize for Fiction, the John Llewellyn Rhys Prize, and the Betty Trask Award.
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Heather Webb
USA Today bestselling author of historical fiction and Goldsboro RNA Award finalist, translated into 17 languages
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Libby Page
Sunday Times bestselling author of Up Lit and winner of the WHSmith Thumping Good Read Award
Tasha Suri
Award-winning author of multiple fantasy novels, including one of TIME magazine’s best fantasy novels of all time
Melanie Conklin
Award-winning children’s fiction author and winner of the International Literacy Association Teacher’s Choice Award
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L.R. Lam
Sunday Times and USA Today bestselling and award-winning author of fantasy and science fiction
Kate Riordan
Sunday Times bestselling author of contemporary thrillers published by Penguin, Apple Fiction Chart No.1. fiction bestseller, and Richard and Judy Book Club pick
Katie Khan
Acclaimed book-to-movie author of speculative fiction and finalist for the Romantic Novel Awards and Brave New Words Award
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Gina Sorell
New York Times Book Review Editor’s Choice and Read with Jenna acclaimed author of contemporary fiction
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Tara Conklin
New York Times instant bestseller author of multiple book-club pick novels translated into eight languages
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Colleen Oakley
USA Today bestselling author of six novels translated into 21 languages and Georgia Author of the Year
Amanda Reynolds
The No.1 bestselling author of suspense novels, including the TV-adapted major production for Sundance AMC, Close To Me
Emylia Hall
Top Ten bestselling author of cozy crime and women’s fiction with multiple book club picks
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Urban Waite
Esquire Best Book of the Year winner and multiple award-nominated author, highly praised by Stephen King
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Ella McLeod
Branford Boase-nominated and Guardian Best Books Pick author of YA novels and romantasy fiction
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Alice Kuipers
Carnegie Medal nominee and New York Times Book for Teens winning, bestselling author of YA, children’s fiction, and memoir, and winner of the Grand Prix de Viarmes
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Kate Dylan
Sunday Times bestselling author of fantasy and science fiction novels for both YA and adult
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David Solomons
Winner of the Waterstones Children’s Prize and British Book Industry Awards Children’s Book of the Year, author of acclaimed middle-grade children’s novels and a BAFTA and Branford Boase Award nominee
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Lesley Kara
Sunday Times Top Ten and Amazon No.1 internationally bestselling author of psychological thrillers, praised by Paula Hawkins
Kickstarting a writing career
‘The Novelry has given me the structure and guidance I needed to finally write a novel, and an understanding of the long road of novel-writing. Even more importantly, it’s provided an incredible community of writers and tutors who I feel constantly connected with, so the process isn’t so lonely. I love this community!’
The Novel Kickstarter Course
Progress at your own pace
Course and community access for an entire year.
Stay a little longer
Life. It happens to the best of us.
Money-back policy
Our Happy Writing guarantee.
Write with the best in the business
Award-winning authors. Publishing editors. Leading literary agents.
40+ workshops a month
In addition to your class.
Genre expertise
What’s your style?
Video masterclasses
From the likes of Kristin Hannah and Yann Martel.
A supportive writing community
Find your people.
More 5-star reviews
Than any other writing course. The Novelry is the world’s top-rated online writing school.
Flexible pricing
Pay up front or monthly.
Created by a Booker Prize-listed author
We don’t just talk the talk.
Better value than a university course
With a practical outcome.
Shall we begin?
The Novel Kickstarter Course
- Membership (1 Year)
- The Classic Storytelling Class
- The Ninety Day Novel Class
- 6 Coaching Sessions
‘I’ve wanted to write a novel for decades, but the process seemed overwhelming. I had no idea where to begin or how to go about it, and there was always that voice in my head that told me that it was crazy to even try. This course has given me all of the tools that I need to move ahead with writing a novel and I’m feeling positive, creative, and motivated. I love the way that this course breaks down the key elements of a novel. As I worked my way through, things started to take shape. I found myself walking to work, pondering this piece or that piece, and suddenly an idea would hit that really seemed to fit. Even though I now wake up at 5:30 to write, I’m more energized throughout my day. I still have times of doubt, but I know that I can do this. The thing is that I’m moving FORWARD. On to The Ninety Day Novel!’
Laura Grove
‘I had lots of ideas but didn’t really know how to execute them. I looked at lots of courses at various universities, as well as shorter courses run by writers and publishing houses, but none seemed to offer what I was looking for. I wanted something shorter than an MA but longer than a few weeks or months so that I could really get stuck into it. It also needed to be value for money. Another thing I really wanted was coaching, because I’ve done coaching for other areas of my life and felt it to be really beneficial. The Novelry ticked all the boxes in my writing course wish list. I’ve discovered clear patterns in what I’ve always read and how it influences the themes I want to write about. I liked the setup of each lesson to guide you through the course, completing each section in bite-size chunks and building on the knowledge you gain along the way. I also liked Catch Up TV for watching interviews with novelists etc. From taking the course, I’ve gained focus (actually doing the work instead of just thinking about it), a much broader reading list of writers and novels to explore, and an immersive experience. I also love seeing that writers are real everyday people. I don’t know any other writers, so this was very helpful. This has been the most positive and enjoyable experience. It has really made me feel like getting a novel written, and even published, isn’t just a pipe dream—it could actually happen.’
Maria Bayliss
‘If, like me, you want to tell a story and you feel that story in your bones but haven’t the first clue where to start... Please do yourself a massive favor and get yourself over to The Novelry straight away. My biggest obstacle when deciding to join this course was, undoubtedly, myself. I am my own worst enemy most of the time and my lack of self-confidence holds me back from taking those big leaps in life. It was mind-boggling to me how much changes when you finally force yourself to move ideas from your mind to the page. I have taken from this course a sense of peace, pride, and above all, excitement. I do have a story in me worth telling, and I do have the support and the resources to see that story take shape and hopefully one day reach others. I am walking away with brand new ideas and inspirations that have taken my love of storytelling to a new level. I am walking away from this course with a pride and self-assurance that I never would have thought possible for myself.’
Jordan Otrembiak
‘The last few weeks have been transformative in a way that is hard to describe other than to call it a kind of “rebirth.” Dedicating my time and mental space to truly and wholeheartedly writing has been so fun and fulfilling. Why didn’t I have the courage to start earlier? The Classic Class was a brilliant way to start here at The Novelry because it helped me get into the habit of showing up for myself and get some writing done in the process. Immersing myself in the work of some of my favorite authors was a wonderful bonus. I really loved the 10 min and 20 min tasks. I always did both sets of tasks because they helped me confront many glaring gaps in my idea. The tools are also a lovely addition to my now overflowing toolkit, and it was so helpful to see how other authors are excelling at their craft. I’ve gained a lot of confidence in the process, and I’m using that momentum to take a leap. A leap into the future I want, where the books I write may one day provide a modicum of comfort and solace.’
Katerina Zafeiri
‘I have a first draft! I wasn’t sure I could make the jump from non-fiction to fiction. It feels like so much has changed in doing the course that I can barely remember the before. All of the lessons seemed to come at exactly the right time for me. When I needed support, I got it. The coaching sessions were the best. I am so glad that I chose The Novelry. The lessons are like spices for the experience—some new, some comforting, some exotic—that allowed me to really savor the experience of writing a first draft. Though I wrote alone, I was never lost or lonely.’
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Maggie Huffman
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.
Writing a novel is not so much about the writing, or at least not in the way you think. Nobody ever stayed glued to a book for the complexity of its vocabulary.
Writing is about storytelling, and readers and publishers alike want great stories. And here’s a secret—storytelling can be learned. Hey, guess what, you might just be very good at it. Why not find out?
Writing is not a God-given gift or innate talent. It’s not something you are born with, or can or can’t do. It’s something you learn, because you want to learn it.
Sure, you’re going to need to read some books. And here’s another secret. Writers learn from other writers. Just like with any craft or trade, they take apprenticeships or courses and work with published writers.
The story doesn’t happen to you, you happen to the story.
You don’t need to be wise and have all the answers. Stories are about questions. One question after another. What happens next? Why did she do that? What will he do to escape? How come there’s no door to the house? Will they work out that guy’s a villain?
We’ll get you asking the right questions, in the right order, to invite your reader into your wonderful world.
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.
‘The coaching sessions were the best’
‘I have a first draft! I wasn’t sure I could make the jump from non-fiction to fiction. It feels like so much has changed in doing the course that I can barely remember the before. All of the lessons seemed to come at exactly the right time for me. When I needed support, I got it. The coaching sessions were the best. I am so glad that I chose The Novelry. The lessons are like spices for the experience—some new, some comforting, some exotic —that allowed me to really savor the experience of writing a first draft. Though I wrote alone, I was never lost or lonely.’