Advanced Writing: Developing a Book-Length Project (Fiction and Creative Non-Fiction)
Course dates: Wednesday 07 October - Wednesday 25 November 2026
Class timetable: 8 sessions (View class timetable for Wednesday 07 October 2026 to Wednesday 25 November 2026)
Timetable data for Wednesday 07 October 2026 to Wednesday 25 November 2026
| Day of class | Date of class | Time | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wednesday | 07-Oct-2026 | 5:00pm - 8:00pm | Birkbeck Campus, Central London |
| Wednesday | 14-Oct-2026 | 5:00pm - 8:00pm | Birkbeck Campus, Central London |
| Wednesday | 21-Oct-2026 | 5:00pm - 8:00pm | Birkbeck Campus, Central London |
| Wednesday | 28-Oct-2026 | 6:00pm - 9:00pm | Birkbeck Campus, Central London |
| Wednesday | 04-Nov-2026 | 6:00pm - 9:00pm | Birkbeck Campus, Central London |
| Wednesday | 11-Nov-2026 | 6:00pm - 9:00pm | Birkbeck Campus, Central London |
| Wednesday | 18-Nov-2026 | 6:00pm - 9:00pm | Birkbeck Campus, Central London |
| Wednesday | 25-Nov-2026 | 6:00pm - 9:00pm | Birkbeck Campus, Central London |
Location: Birkbeck Campus, Central London
Fees: £500.00
RegisterCourse Overview
The Advanced Writing: Developing a Book-Length Project course will guide you through the skills of initiating, developing and sustaining long-form writing in fiction or creative non-fiction. Through weekly lectures, guided discussions and constructive feedback workshops you will closely examine form, voice, structure, audience and other key story elements, with a focus on how these work within a book-length project.
The course will enhance your understanding of how books evolve, including craft and industry-related topics such as:
- burning questions, opening 'hooks' and goal setting
- narrative voice: who is telling your story and why?
- story structure and shape
- writing at chapter level and writing scenes as miniature stories
- point of view, characterisation and dialogue
- practical strategies for drafting and redrafting.
The Advanced Writing: Developing a Book-Length Project course is an excellent fit for writers developing a long-form project and seeking an opportunity to focus on writing while joining a supportive intellectual community. Taking this course will allow you to further develop an existing manuscript or shape a coherent proposal from early material.
The course aims to meet you at the stage you are at in your journey, to help you make meaningful progress on your project and gain greater clarity about its direction, form and next stages. You will also explore possible next steps, by understanding how books and stories end, what it means to finish a long-form project, and publication tips. The collaborative aspect of sharing stories amongst like-minded peers enables you to make meaningful connections and gain valuable insights for your writing.
As a learner on this course, you will study alongside fellow professionals wishing to enhance their knowledge in the subject area, giving you the opportunity to make connections with like-minded colleagues and network.
This course is non-credit bearing, so carries no credit points.
Fees
Students are charged a tuition fee for each short course on registering. Please view details for this course, including dates, location and fees at the top of this page. Short course fees may be subject to annual inflationary increases. For more information, please see our Fees Policy.
Discount information
We offer a 20% discount to Birkbeck students, alumni and staff. If you are eligible to claim this discount, please contact the Innovation Support Unit so that we can process your booking.
Entry Requirements
Most of our short courses have no formal entry requirements and are open to all students.
This short course has no prerequisites.
As part of the registration process, you may be required to submit a copy of a suitable form of ID.
International students who wish to come to the UK to study a short course can apply for a Visitor visa. Please note that it is not possible to obtain a Student visa to study a short course.
How to Register
You can book directly onto the short courses you would like to take, using the Register button above which will direct you to the relevant booking page. Courses are filled on a first-come, first-served basis - so apply early if you're interested.