Novel-Writing Intensive

Our Novel-Writing Intensive is back! This four-day course will take place in the Writers' Room in the Curtis Brown offices.

15 talented writers will join this course, with inspiring in-person classes from an experienced creative writing tutor. Teaching will run from Mon 30 March to Thursday 2 April.

This course is ideal for those looking for one-to-one time with our tutors, or if you're in need of a fresh burst of energy and writing community support. At the end of the week, you’ll also get the chance to practise pitching and put your questions to Curtis Brown agents. You may choose to bring along the novel you worked on during a previous CBC course – or you can elect to get intensive tutor feedback on a different novel-in-progress.

WHAT DOES THIS COURSE GIVE YOU?

• Live teaching sessions in London: Your tutor will lead teaching sessions on key novel-writing topics. These lessons will include writing exercises and interactive discussions.
• 1 workshop: You’ll be given the chance to workshop a 3,000-word extract from your novel-in-progress. You’ll get feedback from your tutor and fellow students.
• 1 tutorial: You'll get a 20-minute, one-to-one tutorial with your tutor based on your one-page synopsis. Use the tutorial to address your specific concerns about your writing and your plan for moving forward with your novel.
• Literary agent masterclass: On the final day the group will deliver their pitches to top literary agents, they will give verbal feedback. This will be followed by a Q&A with the agents, during which the students will have a chance to ask questions about writing, pitching and the submissions process.

COURSE FEES

The course fee of £600 (inclusive of VAT, please note that additional fees may apply if you’re based in a country with a higher VAT rate than the UK) per student is payable in full before the start of the course. Alumni of our selective Writing Your Novel course will get £30 off this course.

This fee includes refreshments and a catered sandwich and salad lunch every day. We will be able to cater to all dietary requirements we’re made aware of.

COURSE SCHEDULE

The Novel-Writing Intensive will be held in the Curtis Brown offices in London (Cunard House), with sessions taking place in the boardroom. The nearest tube station is Piccadilly Circus.

All teaching and workshop sessions will take place from 10.15 to 17.30 each day.

READY TO SIGN UP?

There are just 15 places available on this Novel-Writing Intensive.

We will be reading and responding to applicants throughout the application window. We, therefore, advise people who are keen to join this course to fill in our short form without delay.

PRE–COURSE WORK

Students offered places on the course will be asked to email us with the following before the course begins:

• A one-page synopsis, the first page of your novel and a 3,000-word extract from your novel-in-progress, with a note giving any necessary context (anything that's needed in addition to the synopsis to understand how the piece sits in relation to the novel, including a mention of how far through the story the extract appears).
• Your 3,000-word extract will be workshopped. Your tutorial with Lizzie will focus on your synopsis and is also a chance for you to discuss your concerns about the novel and your plans for moving forward.
• Schedules for tutorials/consultations will be sent out to all students ahead of the start of the course.
• The material from the other 14 students will be sent to you ahead of the course so that you can do your reading and write your feedback before you arrive. Please provide comments on the 3,000-word extracts (the synopses and first pages are provided to aid your understanding).
• Our boardroom will be open in the morning before class and in the late afternoon after class for students who need to catch up on reading and feedback-writing, or indeed for students who want to sit and write.