

Creative Writing Courses
Courses, coaching and community with our combined plans.
Courses
Reach the end of your first draft or finish a publishing-ready novel. Our courses offer various combinations of The Novelry’s three-step writing journey, and provide ultimate value.

The Novel Kickstarter
Are you writing fiction for the first time? Maybe you’re moving from writing short stories, screenplays or poetry to the longer form of the novel and would like some structure and support.
Whether you want to improve your storytelling skills or begin the journey towards becoming a published author, The Novel Kickstarter can take you all the way from coming up with an idea to a first draft.
The course will encourage you to explore and play, to create with confidence, and to challenge yourself as you develop your fiction writing skills to high standards.

The Novel Development
Have you started but got stuck with writing your novel? Maybe you’ve got a few thousand words in or reached the midpoint and stalled. Or, you have written a first draft, but you’re worried your storyline is letting you down.
Take a brave new approach to writing a new draft with expert advice from our team of publishing professionals and get your story signed off before you start writing this time.
If you are ready to radically overhaul your storytelling structure and begin again, writing to reach publishing standards, The Novel Development Course can take you all the way to the last draft.

The Finished Novel
The Finished Novel Course is our comprehensive 3-stage program towards a completed fiction novel. Plus, the course culminates in an in-depth report on your manuscript from our editorial team, all of whom have experience at Big Five publishing houses to help you enter the publishing process.
From the initial idea through to a finished draft, you will enjoy a structured pathway with self-paced online learning and dedicated personal coaching from our team of bestselling authors and experienced publishing editors.
The online alternative to a Creative Writing MFA or MA with the practical career outcome: a novel finished to publishing standard.



The Novel Kickstarter
Beginners warmly welcomed.
Find the Idea
You’ll learn how to create the space and time for your writing, and prepare your mindset for creative thinking.
You’ll discover the key features of a bestseller, where ideas (really) come from, and what makes a book a classic.
Lesson 1: Let’s begin
Discover the ingredients for a great story.
Lesson 2: Your space, your time, your mind
Organize your life to find the space and time you need to write and discover the fast track to creative thinking in fiction. You will have the subject of your story and a broad idea of the first half and second half by the end of the lesson.
Lesson 3: What makes a classic?
The biggest bestselling books of all time – the classics – have been cross-over books, appealing to readers of many different backgrounds and ages. We’ll look at the three elements you need for a classic story.
Lesson 4: Where do ideas come from?
The formula for a big idea and how to create high-concept fiction. Learn what single element of a plot drives a page-turning story.
Lesson 5: Creative thinking
Dig into the richest sources of inspiration for an author according to a global bestselling writer, and get started creating material.
Once Upon a Time
Move beyond the conventional three-act structure to discover the great story structure that lies beneath long-form storytelling, and discover how big stories come from very small seeds.
We’ll guide you to where to find the source for your story. Clue? It’s behind you!
Lesson 1: The great story structure
Discover the five-part structure behind the classics and use it as a tool to develop your plot.
Lesson 2: The small story
How the best-loved stories of childhood can shape and inspire the long-form novel, why you have everything you need inside of you and where to find it.
Lesson 3: Books based on myths and fairy tales
How these story-starters have been the kindling for so many famous books.
Lesson 4: A story as unique as you
Which parts of you and your life to bring to your story.
Lesson 5: A working model
See the great story structure at work in a famous short tale.
Lesson 6: The long shadow of the little story
Where your idea begins to gather flesh, and finding your theme as an author.
Lesson 7: Further reading
Inspiration from the latest bestsellers that follow the model.
Lesson 8: Making ideas happen
Taking your idea to the novel form with our ‘Once Upon a Time’ tool.
Lesson 9: Fairy tale ideas for very adult novels
A bestselling author explains how fairy tale archetypes help her create psychological thrillers.
The Process
You’ll find the hero, locate the narrative, and scope out the arc of the story. You’ll be looking for the hero’s problem, blind spot or flaw and we’ll be adding the antagonist for conflict.
You’ll discover how every part of who you are can serve your story. No wonder so many writers describe the course as deeply therapeutic.
Lesson 1: Why
Why we write. Using the flaws and failings of humankind, and your very own, to create memorable characters.
Lesson 2: Who
Stories start with who wants what. Someone special (fortunate or unfortunate) or a specialist (someone with unique talents, powers or expertise) wants something they should not have.
Lesson 3: What
When you know who or what’s truly important to your character, the next question for your story development is what should happen if they should lose it or them?
Worldbuilding
You’ll discover the deeper archetypal elements of page-turning stories.
You’ll browse a rich buffet of possibilities to feed your plot as you begin to compose and outline your novel. Writer’s block? A thing of the past with these ideas at your fingertips.
Lesson 1: Wonder
Our forgotten desires and the ingredients for creating wonderment in fiction.
Lesson 2: The numinous
How the main character’s yearning expands the world of a story.
Lesson 3: The feeling
Your hero in their leadership role and their ability to experience heightened states of emotion.
Lesson 4: The recipe with two ingredients
The double act for the creation of ‘delightful horror’ in fiction.
Lesson 5: Mysterium tremendum
Using techniques like foreboding to get ahead of the inciting incident to grow the size of the story.
Lesson 6: Fascinans
Why bestselling fiction requires more than an improvement of fortunes.
Lesson 7: The crucial transformation
Finding the genre of fiction you’re meant to write.
Lesson 8: A cozy start
Immersive storytelling skills for high-stakes stories.
Lesson 9: The Harry Potter spell
What made the all-time bestselling series a multi-million global phenomenon?
Lesson 10: The portal
Using a powerful device that takes us from the known world to the story world in all genres of fiction.
Lesson 11: The garden
How the setting of your story offers different possibilities for each individual character’s development.
Lesson 12: The homely guide
The qualities readers require from the character guiding them through the story.
Lesson 13: The surreal
Creating an original break-out fiction premise.
Lesson 14: The familiar
Using aspects of your life to begin world-building your story.
Lesson 15: The cast
Creating life-like originals as people, not characters in fiction.
Lesson 16: Temptation
The irresistible force that drives pain-free plotting.
Lesson 17: The battle
How conflict between two opposing forces is the grand design behind your theme.
Lesson 18: Deeper magic: time
Strategies for telling your story a different way, with additional pace.
Lesson 19: Deeper magic: space
Covering the narrative terrain at speed for reader engagement.
Lesson 20: Treasure
The secret quest of every work of fiction in which author, hero and reader share the spoils, and when and where to hide it in your story.
Heroes and Villains
Your reader craves character development and your hero’s moral growth.
It takes a villain to drive that change, and to bring the required conflict, creating the light and shade of drama. Deliver proper justice via your narrative arc for a deeply satisfying reader experience.
Lesson 1: The villain
Learn how the ‘charisma’ of the villain lends strong messaging to your story and how they deliver certain truths to the reader, albeit less palatable than those conveyed by the hero.
Lesson 2: The hero
The hero resists. Learn the six identifying signs of a hero and how to test and demonstrate their strengths.
Lesson 3: Decency
Understand how to use the justice system of storytelling to give your readers a highly satisfying story.
The Reader
For a bold story beautifully told, you need to engage your readers in your hero’s plight.
Learn how the best-loved authors befriend their readers, along with storytelling techniques to help you earn the reader’s trust. We’ll show you how to write with unaffected and appealing honesty.
Lesson 1: Hello you, it’s me
Bring to mind the reader you are writing for to help you find a natural voice with which to tell your story.
Lesson 2: Little god
Learn how to bring your reader into your world. The stakes must be as high as you can make them and apply to others, not just the story’s hero.
Lesson 3: The older reader
The older reader adds to the power of imagination another superpower – empathy. Learn to create empathy using the writer’s most important prose tool: observation.
The Author
Understand what moves a bestselling author to write their book and gain the confidence to bring your whole self to the page. Create major scenes that will resonate with readers long after they’re written.
Lesson 1: The authors as individuals
Walk in the footsteps of some literary giants. Understand that their works were not ‘given things’, born whole and glistening and intact. They were worked upon, often over years, and occasionally in collaboration.
Lesson 2: Mother god or his master’s voice?
Consider the ins and outs of the treatment, or how you’ll tell your story, by exploring the third-person versus the first-person.
Lesson 3: Idealism
Discover why Tolkien and Lewis became second homes for readers. Find your ideal, find your mythology, shape your theme!
Lesson 4: The impact of the classics
A look at the publishing sensations of the all-time classic bestselling books, and the rewards your writing can bring you sooner rather than later.
Lesson 5: My hero
Who was the greatest of them all? Find your author-hero as the lighthouse to guide your writing career.
Lesson 6: On the shoulders of giants
All writers borrow from each other. Have no shame. Find out who stole from whom and why.
Lesson 7: The source
Revealed! The secret source of most of the famous classic books of all time.
Lesson 8: The remnants
The mistakes to avoid in story planning when developing your idea to the novel form.
Farewell
Here’s where it all comes together. You’ll have all the ingredients to start writing a book, including a few surprises. Plus you will be invited to book in a session with one of our author writing-coaches to talk through your idea.
Lesson 1: The Five Fs at work
Structuring your ideas with the classic story structure.
Lesson 2: Ready for take-off!
Checking you have all the essentials for your story in your plan.
Lesson 3: Planning for success
Your story-building checklist assessment tool.
Lesson 4: Last words
Your course certificate.
Receive recognition of your achievement.
The Inspiration and Preparation Phase
Discover the big hack that will change your creative life. Learn the one characteristic great writers need, and the essential ingredient that makes a page turner. Boost your creativity, and receive guidance on creating the time and mental space to write around your day job.
Lesson 1: Welcome
Lesson 2: Read and be inspired
Lesson 3: Bedtime stories
Lesson 4: Habits
Lesson 5: The big hack
Lesson 6: Privacy
Lesson 7: Empathy
Lesson 8: Moods
Lesson 9: Bless you, writers
Lesson 10: What a story!
The Construction Phase
Take it steady with step-by-step guidance to prepare a one-page plan that packs a big plot. Say goodbye to writer’s block. A good story (almost) writes itself, so you and your writing coach will put an exciting storyline in place to get off to a cracking start.
Lessons 1–2: Welcome to your novel
Lesson 3: The hero book
Lesson 4: The golden hour
Lesson 5: Genre
Lesson 6: Setting
Lesson 7: The magic trick
Lesson 8: The main character
Lesson 9: The plot
Lesson 10: Story structure
Lesson 11: The hook
Lessons 12–16: Character development, the plan, let’s write (Writer coaching begins)
Lesson 17: Point of view
Lesson 18: Voice
Lesson 19: Chapter one
Lesson 20: Character mapping
Lesson 21: Relationships
Lesson 22: Emotional strategies
Lesson 23: The theme
Lessons 24–27: The names and the sacrifice
Lesson 28: The big picture
Lesson 29: Happy writing
Lesson 30: Taking stock
The Swim Phase
Find your ‘voice’ and discover what makes your writing special. Learn how to pace a story and the expert skills and insider techniques to quickly improve your writing style. Build your confidence as your word count passes the 10,000-word mark.
Lesson 1: In the swim
Lesson 2: Moral rage
Lesson 3: Compulsion
Lesson 4: Conflict
Lesson 5: From magic to mastery
Lesson 6: How to write a cult classic
Lesson 7: A real dream
Lesson 8: Assumed familiarity
Lesson 9: The romantic imagination
Lesson 10: The use of repetition
Lesson 11: Redemption
Lesson 12: Keep it simple
Lesson 13: Overwriting
Lesson 14: Becoming an author
Lesson 15: The midpoint
The Heat Phase
Here’s where you fall in love with your story. Banish bad habits and keep your eye on what the reader wants to stay on track with your plot. Discover some game-changing writing power tools, and raise the stakes in your story.
Lesson 1: Music
Lesson 2: From what if, to why?
Lesson 3: The B story
Lesson 4: The lie
Lesson 5: I’m a creep
Lesson 6: Suspense
Lesson 7: Crackling conversation
Lesson 8: Make it harder
Lesson 9: That’s peculiar!
Lesson 10: The leitmotif
Lesson 11: The absurd
Lesson 12: The full stop or period
Lesson 13: Backstory
Lesson 14: Transitions
Lesson 15: The prize
The Enlightenment Phase
Using the inside secrets of a Nobel Laureate, you’ll apply new master strokes to fulfil the promise of your story. Discover the deft and economical touches that give the reader those ‘a-ha’ moments, and see the proof on the page that you’re mastering the skills of the craft.
Lesson 1: Misery
Lesson 2: Difficult questions
Lesson 3: Self destruction
Lesson 4: The title
Lesson 5: The wound
Lesson 6: The bridge
Lesson 7: Back and forth process
Lesson 8: Present tension
Lesson 9: Poet and programmer
Lesson 10: The chaptered outline
Lesson 11: Let them live
Lesson 12: The point of tragedy
Lesson 13: What is good?
Lesson 14: The big question
Lesson 15: The story so far
The Home Phase
Combine the key elements of storytelling and see theme, character, dramatic irony, narrative arc, and sub-plots working in harmony for a satisfying ending. Get advice on taking this draft to publishing standards. And then celebrate! You’ll have a manuscript in your hands and a story readers will love.
Lesson 1: Welcome home
Lessons 2–3: Let’s build a house of magic
Lesson 4: The rooms
Lesson 5: Interior style
Lesson 6: Ornaments
Lesson 7: The attic
Lesson 8: Housekeeping
Lesson 9: And so to bed
Lesson 10: Home alone
Lesson 11: First aid kit
Lesson 12: Leaving home
Lesson 13: The second draft
Lesson 14: Success
Lesson 15: Congratulations!
Your course certificate
The Novel Development
For those with a story idea or a novel they are ready to reboot to get published.
The Inspiration and Preparation Phase
Discover the big hack that will change your creative life. Learn the one characteristic great writers need, and the essential ingredient that makes a page turner. Boost your creativity, and receive guidance on creating the time and mental space to write around your day job.
Lesson 1: Welcome
Lesson 2: Read and be inspired
Lesson 3: Bedtime stories
Lesson 4: Habits
Lesson 5: The big hack
Lesson 6: Privacy
Lesson 7: Empathy
Lesson 8: Moods
Lesson 9: Bless you, writers
Lesson 10: What a story!
The Construction Phase
Take it steady with step-by-step guidance to prepare a one-page plan that packs a big plot. Say goodbye to writer’s block. A good story (almost) writes itself, so you and your writing coach will put an exciting storyline in place to get off to a cracking start.
Lessons 1–2: Welcome to your novel
Lesson 3: The hero book
Lesson 4: The golden hour
Lesson 5: Genre
Lesson 6: Setting
Lesson 7: The magic trick
Lesson 8: The main character
Lesson 9: The plot
Lesson 10: Story structure
Lesson 11: The hook
Lessons 12–16: Character development, the plan, let’s write (Writer coaching begins)
Lesson 17: Point of view
Lesson 18: Voice
Lesson 19: Chapter one
Lesson 20: Character mapping
Lesson 21: Relationships
Lesson 22: Emotional strategies
Lesson 23: The theme
Lessons 24–27: The names and the sacrifice
Lesson 28: The big picture
Lesson 29: Happy writing
Lesson 30: Taking stock
The Swim Phase
Find your ‘voice’ and discover what makes your writing special. Learn how to pace a story and the expert skills and insider techniques to quickly improve your writing style. Build your confidence as your word count passes the 10,000-word mark.
Lesson 1: In the swim
Lesson 2: Moral rage
Lesson 3: Compulsion
Lesson 4: Conflict
Lesson 5: From magic to mastery
Lesson 6: How to write a cult classic
Lesson 7: A real dream
Lesson 8: Assumed familiarity
Lesson 9: The romantic imagination
Lesson 10: The use of repetition
Lesson 11: Redemption
Lesson 12: Keep it simple
Lesson 13: Overwriting
Lesson 14: Becoming an author
Lesson 15: The midpoint
The Heat Phase
Here’s where you fall in love with your story. Banish bad habits and keep your eye on what the reader wants to stay on track with your plot. Discover some game-changing writing power tools, and raise the stakes in your story.
Lesson 1: Music
Lesson 2: From what if, to why?
Lesson 3: The B story
Lesson 4: The lie
Lesson 5: I’m a creep
Lesson 6: Suspense
Lesson 7: Crackling conversation
Lesson 8: Make it harder
Lesson 9: That’s peculiar!
Lesson 10: The leitmotif
Lesson 11: The absurd
Lesson 12: The full stop or period
Lesson 13: Backstory
Lesson 14: Transitions
Lesson 15: The prize
The Enlightenment Phase
Using the inside secrets of a Nobel Laureate, you’ll apply new master strokes to fulfil the promise of your story. Discover the deft and economical touches that give the reader those ‘a-ha’ moments, and see the proof on the page that you’re mastering the skills of the craft.
Lesson 1: Misery
Lesson 2: Difficult questions
Lesson 3: Self destruction
Lesson 4: The title
Lesson 5: The wound
Lesson 6: The bridge
Lesson 7: Back and forth process
Lesson 8: Present tension
Lesson 9: Poet and programmer
Lesson 10: The chaptered outline
Lesson 11: Let them live
Lesson 12: The point of tragedy
Lesson 13: What is good?
Lesson 14: The big question
Lesson 15: The story so far
The Home Phase
Combine the key elements of storytelling and see theme, character, dramatic irony, narrative arc, and sub-plots working in harmony for a satisfying ending. Get advice on taking this draft to publishing standards. And then celebrate! You’ll have a manuscript in your hands and a story readers will love.
Lesson 1: Welcome home
Lessons 2–3: Let’s build a house of magic
Lesson 4: The rooms
Lesson 5: Interior style
Lesson 6: Ornaments
Lesson 7: The attic
Lesson 8: Housekeeping
Lesson 9: And so to bed
Lesson 10: Home alone
Lesson 11: First aid kit
Lesson 12: Leaving home
Lesson 13: The second draft
Lesson 14: Success
Lesson 15: Congratulations!
Your course certificate
Turning Pro
Prepare for the publishing process by learning how to format your document the way a professional editor at a publishing company or a literary agent would wish to receive it.
Lesson 1: Welcome
Lesson 2: Becoming your reader
Lesson 3: Order! Order!
Lesson 4: The smart manuscript
Lesson 5: Setting up the folder
Lesson 6: Your check up
The Developmental Edit
You’ll develop your elevator pitch, story theme, structure, narrative arc, character development, midpoint, and more to work toward a chapter outline and a (pain-free) synopsis. Then it’s time for your first review session with a professional editor.
Lessons 1–2: The title and genre
Lessons 3–4: The hook or pitch
Lessons 5–6: The five-part restructure
Lesson 7: The big picture
Lessons 8–10: Approaches to plotting
Lessons 11–13: The synopsis workshop + chapter outline
Lessons 14–16: Casting characters
Lesson 17: Getting to grips with the material
Lesson 18: Meet the editorial team
Lesson 19: Red light — let’s check the plan (EDITOR SESSION)
Line Edit
You’ll interrogate your plot and characters, rework chapters, drill down into sentence structure and word choice, and eliminate grammatical, spelling and punctuation errors line-by-line. You’ll learn how to apply our unique technique for advanced prose skills: Lucid Compression®.
Next, it’s time for feedback on your writing from beta readers in our online community.
Lesson 1: Interrogation method
Lesson 2: The prologue
Lesson 3: The first chapter
Lesson 4: Cardinal sins
Lesson 5: The first sentence
Lesson 6: Voice and perspective
Lesson 7: Structuring a scene
Lesson 8: Suspense
Lesson 9: Dialogue
Lesson 10: Cure for over-writing
Lesson 11: Lucid Compression®
Lessons 12–16: Sentences, words and last checks
Lesson 17: Yellow light — get feedback on your work (READER SESSION)
The Submission Process
Your second session with a professional book editor will involve reviewing your pitch letter, synopsis and first three chapters, and making a plan to enter the publishing process with world-class literary agency representation.
Lesson 1: Pitch perfect
Lesson 2: The story
Lesson 3: The market
Lesson 4: Agents
Lesson 5: Publicity and promotion
Lesson 6: Career advice
Lesson 7: The final stages
Lesson 8: Are you really ready? (SUBMISSION SESSION)
Lesson 9: Not there yet?
Lesson 10: Ready? Let’s go!
The Finished Novel
For writers at all stages of their writing journeys, beginners welcome.
Find the Idea
You’ll learn how to create the space and time for your writing, and prepare your mindset for creative thinking.
You’ll discover the key features of a bestseller, where ideas (really) come from, and what makes a book a classic.
Lesson 1: Let’s begin
Discover the ingredients for a great story.
Lesson 2: Your space, your time, your mind
Organize your life to find the space and time you need to write and discover the fast track to creative thinking in fiction. You will have the subject of your story and a broad idea of the first half and second half by the end of the lesson.
Lesson 3: What makes a classic?
The biggest bestselling books of all time – the classics – have been cross-over books, appealing to readers of many different backgrounds and ages. We’ll look at the three elements you need for a classic story.
Lesson 4: Where do ideas come from?
The formula for a big idea and how to create high-concept fiction. Learn what single element of a plot drives a page-turning story.
Lesson 5: Creative thinking
Dig into the richest sources of inspiration for an author according to a global bestselling writer, and get started creating material.
Once Upon a Time
Move beyond the conventional three-act structure to discover the great story structure that lies beneath long-form storytelling, and discover how big stories come from very small seeds.
We’ll guide you to where to find the source for your story. Clue? It’s behind you!
Lesson 1: The great story structure
Discover the five-part structure behind the classics and use it as a tool to develop your plot.
Lesson 2: The small story
How the best-loved stories of childhood can shape and inspire the long-form novel, why you have everything you need inside of you and where to find it.
Lesson 3: Books based on myths and fairy tales
How these story-starters have been the kindling for so many famous books.
Lesson 4: A story as unique as you
Which parts of you and your life to bring to your story.
Lesson 5: A working model
See the great story structure at work in a famous short tale.
Lesson 6: The long shadow of the little story
Where your idea begins to gather flesh, and finding your theme as an author.
Lesson 7: Further reading
Inspiration from the latest bestsellers that follow the model.
Lesson 8: Making ideas happen
Taking your idea to the novel form with our ‘Once Upon a Time’ tool.
Lesson 9: Fairy tale ideas for very adult novels
A bestselling author explains how fairy tale archetypes help her create psychological thrillers.
The Process
You’ll find the hero, locate the narrative, and scope out the arc of the story. You’ll be looking for the hero’s problem, blind spot or flaw and we’ll be adding the antagonist for conflict.
You’ll discover how every part of who you are can serve your story. No wonder so many writers describe the course as deeply therapeutic.
Lesson 1: Why
Why we write. Using the flaws and failings of humankind, and your very own, to create memorable characters.
Lesson 2: Who
Stories start with who wants what. Someone special (fortunate or unfortunate) or a specialist (someone with unique talents, powers or expertise) wants something they should not have.
Lesson 3: What
When you know who or what’s truly important to your character, the next question for your story development is what should happen if they should lose it or them?
Worldbuilding
You’ll discover the deeper archetypal elements of page-turning stories.
You’ll browse a rich buffet of possibilities to feed your plot as you begin to compose and outline your novel. Writer’s block? A thing of the past with these ideas at your fingertips.
Lesson 1: Wonder
Our forgotten desires and the ingredients for creating wonderment in fiction.
Lesson 2: The numinous
How the main character’s yearning expands the world of a story.
Lesson 3: The feeling
Your hero in their leadership role and their ability to experience heightened states of emotion.
Lesson 4: The recipe with two ingredients
The double act for the creation of ‘delightful horror’ in fiction.
Lesson 5: Mysterium tremendum
Using techniques like foreboding to get ahead of the inciting incident to grow the size of the story.
Lesson 6: Fascinans
Why bestselling fiction requires more than an improvement of fortunes.
Lesson 7: The crucial transformation
Finding the genre of fiction you’re meant to write.
Lesson 8: A cozy start
Immersive storytelling skills for high-stakes stories.
Lesson 9: The Harry Potter spell
What made the all-time bestselling series a multi-million global phenomenon?
Lesson 10: The portal
Using a powerful device that takes us from the known world to the story world in all genres of fiction.
Lesson 11: The garden
How the setting of your story offers different possibilities for each individual character’s development.
Lesson 12: The homely guide
The qualities readers require from the character guiding them through the story.
Lesson 13: The surreal
Creating an original break-out fiction premise.
Lesson 14: The familiar
Using aspects of your life to begin world-building your story.
Lesson 15: The cast
Creating life-like originals as people, not characters in fiction.
Lesson 16: Temptation
The irresistible force that drives pain-free plotting.
Lesson 17: The battle
How conflict between two opposing forces is the grand design behind your theme.
Lesson 18: Deeper magic: time
Strategies for telling your story a different way, with additional pace.
Lesson 19: Deeper magic: space
Covering the narrative terrain at speed for reader engagement.
Lesson 20: Treasure
The secret quest of every work of fiction in which author, hero and reader share the spoils, and when and where to hide it in your story.
Heroes and Villains
Your reader craves character development and your hero’s moral growth.
It takes a villain to drive that change, and to bring the required conflict, creating the light and shade of drama. Deliver proper justice via your narrative arc for a deeply satisfying reader experience.
Lesson 1: The villain
Learn how the ‘charisma’ of the villain lends strong messaging to your story and how they deliver certain truths to the reader, albeit less palatable than those conveyed by the hero.
Lesson 2: The hero
The hero resists. Learn the six identifying signs of a hero and how to test and demonstrate their strengths.
Lesson 3: Decency
Understand how to use the justice system of storytelling to give your readers a highly satisfying story.
The Reader
For a bold story beautifully told, you need to engage your readers in your hero’s plight.
Learn how the best-loved authors befriend their readers, along with storytelling techniques to help you earn the reader’s trust. We’ll show you how to write with unaffected and appealing honesty.
Lesson 1: Hello you, it’s me
Bring to mind the reader you are writing for to help you find a natural voice with which to tell your story.
Lesson 2: Little god
Learn how to bring your reader into your world. The stakes must be as high as you can make them and apply to others, not just the story’s hero.
Lesson 3: The older reader
The older reader adds to the power of imagination another superpower – empathy. Learn to create empathy using the writer’s most important prose tool: observation.
The Author
Understand what moves a bestselling author to write their book and gain the confidence to bring your whole self to the page. Create major scenes that will resonate with readers long after they’re written.
Lesson 1: The authors as individuals
Walk in the footsteps of some literary giants. Understand that their works were not ‘given things’, born whole and glistening and intact. They were worked upon, often over years, and occasionally in collaboration.
Lesson 2: Mother god or his master’s voice?
Consider the ins and outs of the treatment, or how you’ll tell your story, by exploring the third-person versus the first-person.
Lesson 3: Idealism
Discover why Tolkien and Lewis became second homes for readers. Find your ideal, find your mythology, shape your theme!
Lesson 4: The impact of the classics
A look at the publishing sensations of the all-time classic bestselling books, and the rewards your writing can bring you sooner rather than later.
Lesson 5: My hero
Who was the greatest of them all? Find your author-hero as the lighthouse to guide your writing career.
Lesson 6: On the shoulders of giants
All writers borrow from each other. Have no shame. Find out who stole from whom and why.
Lesson 7: The source
Revealed! The secret source of most of the famous classic books of all time.
Lesson 8: The remnants
The mistakes to avoid in story planning when developing your idea to the novel form.
Farewell
Here’s where it all comes together. You’ll have all the ingredients to start writing a book, including a few surprises. Plus you will be invited to book in a session with one of our author writing-coaches to talk through your idea.
Lesson 1: The Five Fs at work
Structuring your ideas with the classic story structure.
Lesson 2: Ready for take-off!
Checking you have all the essentials for your story in your plan.
Lesson 3: Planning for success
Your story-building checklist assessment tool.
Lesson 4: Last words
Your course certificate.
Receive recognition of your achievement.
The Inspiration and Preparation Phase
Discover the big hack that will change your creative life. Learn the one characteristic great writers need, and the essential ingredient that makes a page turner. Boost your creativity, and receive guidance on creating the time and mental space to write around your day job.
Lesson 1: Welcome
Lesson 2: Read and be inspired
Lesson 3: Bedtime stories
Lesson 4: Habits
Lesson 5: The big hack
Lesson 6: Privacy
Lesson 7: Empathy
Lesson 8: Moods
Lesson 9: Bless you, writers
Lesson 10: What a story!
The Construction Phase
Take it steady with step-by-step guidance to prepare a one-page plan that packs a big plot. Say goodbye to writer’s block. A good story (almost) writes itself, so you and your writing coach will put an exciting storyline in place to get off to a cracking start.
Lessons 1–2: Welcome to your novel
Lesson 3: The hero book
Lesson 4: The golden hour
Lesson 5: Genre
Lesson 6: Setting
Lesson 7: The magic trick
Lesson 8: The main character
Lesson 9: The plot
Lesson 10: Story structure
Lesson 11: The hook
Lessons 12–16: Character development, the plan, let’s write (Writer coaching begins)
Lesson 17: Point of view
Lesson 18: Voice
Lesson 19: Chapter one
Lesson 20: Character mapping
Lesson 21: Relationships
Lesson 22: Emotional strategies
Lesson 23: The theme
Lessons 24–27: The names and the sacrifice
Lesson 28: The big picture
Lesson 29: Happy writing
Lesson 30: Taking stock
The Swim Phase
Find your ‘voice’ and discover what makes your writing special. Learn how to pace a story and the expert skills and insider techniques to quickly improve your writing style. Build your confidence as your word count passes the 10,000-word mark.
Lesson 1: In the swim
Lesson 2: Moral rage
Lesson 3: Compulsion
Lesson 4: Conflict
Lesson 5: From magic to mastery
Lesson 6: How to write a cult classic
Lesson 7: A real dream
Lesson 8: Assumed familiarity
Lesson 9: The romantic imagination
Lesson 10: The use of repetition
Lesson 11: Redemption
Lesson 12: Keep it simple
Lesson 13: Overwriting
Lesson 14: Becoming an author
Lesson 15: The midpoint
The Heat Phase
Here’s where you fall in love with your story. Banish bad habits and keep your eye on what the reader wants to stay on track with your plot. Discover some game-changing writing power tools, and raise the stakes in your story.
Lesson 1: Music
Lesson 2: From what if, to why?
Lesson 3: The B story
Lesson 4: The lie
Lesson 5: I’m a creep
Lesson 6: Suspense
Lesson 7: Crackling conversation
Lesson 8: Make it harder
Lesson 9: That’s peculiar!
Lesson 10: The leitmotif
Lesson 11: The absurd
Lesson 12: The full stop or period
Lesson 13: Backstory
Lesson 14: Transitions
Lesson 15: The prize
The Enlightenment Phase
Using the inside secrets of a Nobel Laureate, you’ll apply new master strokes to fulfil the promise of your story. Discover the deft and economical touches that give the reader those ‘a-ha’ moments, and see the proof on the page that you’re mastering the skills of the craft.
Lesson 1: Misery
Lesson 2: Difficult questions
Lesson 3: Self destruction
Lesson 4: The title
Lesson 5: The wound
Lesson 6: The bridge
Lesson 7: Back and forth process
Lesson 8: Present tension
Lesson 9: Poet and programmer
Lesson 10: The chaptered outline
Lesson 11: Let them live
Lesson 12: The point of tragedy
Lesson 13: What is good?
Lesson 14: The big question
Lesson 15: The story so far
The Home Phase
Combine the key elements of storytelling and see theme, character, dramatic irony, narrative arc, and sub-plots working in harmony for a satisfying ending. Get advice on taking this draft to publishing standards. And then celebrate! You’ll have a manuscript in your hands and a story readers will love.
Lesson 1: Welcome home
Lessons 2–3: Let’s build a house of magic
Lesson 4: The rooms
Lesson 5: Interior style
Lesson 6: Ornaments
Lesson 7: The attic
Lesson 8: Housekeeping
Lesson 9: And so to bed
Lesson 10: Home alone
Lesson 11: First aid kit
Lesson 12: Leaving home
Lesson 13: The second draft
Lesson 14: Success
Lesson 15: Congratulations!
Your course certificate
Turning Pro
Prepare for the publishing process by learning how to format your document the way a professional editor at a publishing company or a literary agent would wish to receive it.
Lesson 1: Welcome
Lesson 2: Becoming your reader
Lesson 3: Order! Order!
Lesson 4: The smart manuscript
Lesson 5: Setting up the folder
Lesson 6: Your check up
The Developmental Edit
You’ll develop your elevator pitch, story theme, structure, narrative arc, character development, midpoint, and more to work toward a chapter outline and a (pain-free) synopsis. Then it’s time for your first review session with a professional editor.
Lessons 1–2: The title and genre
Lessons 3–4: The hook or pitch
Lessons 5–6: The five-part restructure
Lesson 7: The big picture
Lessons 8–10: Approaches to plotting
Lessons 11–13: The synopsis workshop + chapter outline
Lessons 14–16: Casting characters
Lesson 17: Getting to grips with the material
Lesson 18: Meet the editorial team
Lesson 19: Red light — let’s check the plan (EDITOR SESSION)
Line Edit
You’ll interrogate your plot and characters, rework chapters, drill down into sentence structure and word choice, and eliminate grammatical, spelling and punctuation errors line-by-line. You’ll learn how to apply our unique technique for advanced prose skills: Lucid Compression®.
Next, it’s time for feedback on your writing from beta readers in our online community.
Lesson 1: Interrogation method
Lesson 2: The prologue
Lesson 3: The first chapter
Lesson 4: Cardinal sins
Lesson 5: The first sentence
Lesson 6: Voice and perspective
Lesson 7: Structuring a scene
Lesson 8: Suspense
Lesson 9: Dialogue
Lesson 10: Cure for over-writing
Lesson 11: Lucid Compression®
Lessons 12–16: Sentences, words and last checks
Lesson 17: Yellow light — get feedback on your work (READER SESSION)
The Submission Process
Your second session with a professional book editor will involve reviewing your pitch letter, synopsis and first three chapters, and making a plan to enter the publishing process with world-class literary agency representation.
Lesson 1: Pitch perfect
Lesson 2: The story
Lesson 3: The market
Lesson 4: Agents
Lesson 5: Publicity and promotion
Lesson 6: Career advice
Lesson 7: The final stages
Lesson 8: Are you really ready? (SUBMISSION SESSION)
Lesson 9: Not there yet?
Lesson 10: Ready? Let’s go!
The courses
The Novel Kickstarter Course
- Membership (1 Year)
- The Classic Storytelling Class
- The Ninety Day Novel Class
- 6 Coaching Sessions
- A Year’s Access + Extension Plans
The Novel Development Course
- Membership (1 Year)
- The Ninety Day Novel Class
- 6 Coaching Sessions
- The Big Edit Class
- 2 Editorial Sessions
- A Year’s Access + Extension Plans
The Finished Novel Course
- 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
- A Year’s Access + Extension Plans