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, make the most 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 (200)

AZ_FaberAcademy_151123_143_Featured
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

i
Advanced

What do these levels mean?

Location

i
London

Length

i
6 month +

Tutors

Richard T. Kelly, Sarah May, Joanna Briscoe, Alice McIlroy, Diana Evans, Chris Power

By Application

Start Date

Wednesday 24 Sep 2025

Application Deadline

Sunday 07 Sep 2025

£4350
Apply

Places available

Details
AZ_FaberAcademy_151123_146_Featured
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

i
Advanced

What do these levels mean?

Location

i
London

Length

i
6 month +

Tutors

Shelley Weiner, Sabrina Broadbent, Nikesh Shukla, Sarah Harman, Sophie Mackintosh

By Application

Start Date

Thursday 25 Sep 2025

Application Deadline

Sunday 07 Sep 2025

£4350
Apply

Places available

Details
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

Wednesday 17 Jan 2024

£1095
Book Now

Sold Out

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

Writing Fiction

Whether you're just starting out or trying to revitalise your writing process, find your feet in fiction with this intensive twelve-week course – and learn to write in a way that belongs entirely to you.

Level

i
Improving

What do these levels mean?

Location

i
Online

Length

i
12 weeks

Tutors

Keith Ridgway

Start Date

Tuesday 18 Jan 2022

£795
Book Now

Sold Out

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

Writing Fiction

There is no excerpt because this is a protected post.

Level

i
Improving

What do these levels mean?

Location

i
London

Length

i
12 weeks

Tutors

Keith Ridgway

Start Date

Thursday 19 Jan 2023

£995
Book Now

Sold Out

Details
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

Sold Out

Details
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 21 Apr 2022

£995
Book Now

Sold Out

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

Writing Fiction

Whether you're just starting out or trying to revitalise your writing process, find your feet in fiction with this intensive twelve-week course – and learn to write in a way that belongs entirely to you.

Level

i
Improving

What do these levels mean?

Location

i
London

Length

i
12 weeks

Tutors

Keith Ridgway

Start Date

Thursday 23 Sep 2021

£995
Book Now

Sold Out

Details
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

Tuesday 03 Oct 2023

£995
Book Now

Sold Out

Details
Fiction Development, Novel Writing

Writing Fiction

You’ve been writing for a while, and have work in progress: now is the time to commit to the next stage, with fresh inspiration from an exciting new course.

Level

i
Improving

What do these levels mean?

Location

i
London

Length

i
12 weeks

Tutors

Sue Gee

Start Date

Wednesday 10 Jan 2024

£1095
Book Now

Last few places available

Details

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
Photo of Richard T Kelly, tutor on Faber Academy's Writing a Novel course

Richard T. Kelly

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

More About This Tutor
Richard T. Kelly
Sabrina Broadbent – cropped greyscale

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...

More About This Tutor
Sarah May
Image of Shelley Weiner, Faber Academy tutor

Shelley Weiner

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

More About This Tutor
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...

More About This Tutor
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.