The structure and support you need to write the first draft of your novel – plus a whole lot of smart people to talk to
Benefit from the structure of regular workshops covering everything from the first conception of an idea through to getting words on a page, narrative structure and style and re-writing
Learn from our experienced Course Directors, as well as guest tutors including top authors from Faber and elsewhere, editors, agents and industry professionals – and, of course, the fourteen other dedicated writers in your class
One to ones – personalised attention to your project from your tutor
Get it done. This is a flexible alternative to a creative writing MA, designed for people who are prepared to engage fully in the hard work involved in writing a novel. You'll need to put in the writing hours outside of class – we recommend at least 5-7 of them – but you'll have a supportive tutor and your classmates to keep you motivated
Start your career. There is no better way to get going on the road to publication than to meet the people who make that happen every day. Hear talks from the likes of Faber CEO Stephen Page and Faber commissioning editors, then put your work in front of London's top literary agents once the course is over in the much-anticipated anthology
Get in touch, or see below to find out more.
'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.'
SJ Watson, author of Before I Go To Sleep
While we intend for this course to take place in our London offices as normal, we will be monitoring the situation with COVID-19 carefully. Should any local or national lockdown make it necessary to move a portion of your live classes online, we will do so using video-conferencing software and our bespoke virtual classroom, with a discount for the affected sessions applied. These are unusual times but your experience on the course – as part of an engaged, supportive group and with a tutor who has all the facilities necessary to deliver a comprehensive syllabus available to them – is paramount to us, whether your weekly meeting is taking place at Faber HQ or on Zoom. We've confident we have the skills and infrastructure in place to run this kind of hybrid course, should it be required. If you have any questions about this, click the 'Register interest' button above and send us a message.
Applying for Writing A Novel
Places on this course are limited and keenly contested, so you'll need to apply. Luckily, it's very easy.
Reading your application, tutors are looking to get a sense of you as a writer and as a member of the group. That's why there are two parts to your application: a prose sample and a cover letter. Your prose sample should be 1000 words (maximum), and should be representative of your voice: if you're planning on writing first-person comic sci-fi on the course, don't send your omnisciently narrated historical mystery! Your sample does not have to be a complete story, and it does not have to be from the novel you want to write on the course – just representative, so the tutors can get a good idea of what you'll be working on. The cover letter, well, we keep that quite vague – tell us what you want to get out of the course, what sort of writing experience you've had, why you've chosen us, why you've decided to do it now.
There's more information here.
Once you've got those documents ready, click 'Apply Now' below. You'll need to create an account, and then you'll be asked to upload your documents. You can edit and alter your application right up until the moment we pass them on to the tutors by logging into your account.
We aim to let applicants know whether they have a place on the course within ten working days of the application deadline. If you have a reason that you need to know sooner than this, get in touch and we can discuss expediting your application
For more information, message us or call 0207 927 3827.