Following his sold-out novel-writing workshop in May, author Ben Fergusson is back with a brand new class on writing immersive fiction. How do we create exciting plots? How do we write engaging characters? How do we conjure up evocative settings? Simply put, how do we immerse readers in our novels and make them turn the page? In this one-day workshop we are going to talk about the ingredients of great novels and apply them to our own ideas for books, first chapters and first drafts.
Past Weekend Courses
Kickstart Your Writing #1
On the weekend of November 23 & 24, Jane and Victoria will be hosting The Reader’s acclaimed two-day introductory workshop, covering the basics of fiction writing. Suitable for new writers or offering a shot in the arm for those who want to reinvigorate their writing practise, the course will cover establishing a writing routine, with exercises to kickstart the imagination, tuition on characterisation and dialogue
Creative Nonfiction: The Lyric Essay *COURSE FULL*
How do you take a bunch of facts and make them into a story that people can connect to? Is there a topic you really care about but don’t know quite how to talk about? Or do you have a personal story that you want to link to a wider world context? That good old … Read more
Fresh Eyes: self-editing with Saskia Vogel *COURSE FULL*
What makes good writing great? Editing – the willingness to revisit your work, view it afresh and make it better. This two-day self-editing workshop will help you gain new perspectives on your own writing – your style, language, voice, habits, and foibles – and to better connect you with your voice as a writer. … Read more
The New Sci-Fi: Speculative Fiction with Sophie Mackintosh *COURSE FULL*
Science fiction isn’t all explosions and spaceships, and even if you don’t write in the genre there are still exciting craft and imaginative lessons to be learned – especially in a changing world. Speculative fiction can act as a lens through which we see our own world differently, and can help spur on our imaginations. … Read more
Writing from Experience with Nikesh Shukla *COURSE FULL*
One of the hardest things about writing from experience – auto-fiction, memoir, the personal essay – is that it’s all too easy to get bogged down in the sequence of events and lose sight of the greater story. In this workshop, Nikesh Shukla – author, literary hero, and fellow of the Royal Society of Literature … Read more
Writing from Experience with Nikesh Shukla *ADDED SESSION*
Due to popular demand, we’ve scheduled this additional course! One of the hardest things about writing from experience – auto-fiction, memoir, the personal essay – is that it’s all too easy to get bogged down in the sequence of events and lose sight of the greater story. In this workshop, Nikesh Shukla – author, literary … Read more
Writing About Nature in a Changing World *COURSE FULL*
How do we write about the environment in a rapidly changing world? Drawing on nature writing, environmental journalism, fiction, and memoir, this course will generate the tools necessary for writing about place, setting, and nature in the context of shifting climates, borders, identities, and nations. Through a mixture of readings, discussion, a nature walk, and … Read more
Telling Tales: The Art of Creating Stories *COURSE FULL*
Stories can entrance, engage, even possess us. Every one of us has a story to tell; factual or fictional, cool documentary or heartfelt family journey, practical travelogue or sparkling flight of the imagination. But to become an accomplished storyteller one needs time, a conducive environment, and a sensitive guide to direct and refine individual talent. … Read more
Write Your Book: Planning, Starting and Sustaining Your First Manuscript *COURSE FULL*
This day-long seminar is aimed at anyone who is writing – or has ever thought about writing – a novel. What are the shortcuts, tips and tricks to get you started and keep you going? Whether you’re struggling to generate ideas, unsure of where to begin or confused about whether your expanding short story may … Read more
Contemporary Poetry with Rachael Allen – April 27th *COURSE FULL*
A fantastic opportunity for those who write and love poetry to work with Rachael Allen, author of Kingdomland (Faber, 2019) and poetry editor at GRANTA, this workshop is a must for all Berlin-based poets, both beginners and those with significant poetry writing experience. In class, we’ll be reading from the best of contemporary poetry, undertaking … Read more
How to Write a Graphic Novel – April 14th *COURSE FULL*
Graphic novels are increasingly popular and recognized throughout the literary world. However, it’s not as simple as writing a story and adding in illustrations afterwards; rather it is a constant synthesis of words and images. Behind each graphic novel lies a compelling text that must include indications for visual cues—much like a movie. As a … Read more