Building a Story World

LABRC Masterclass with Dr. Patricia Leavy:

“Building a Story World:
Using Imagination, Research, or Personal Experiences to Write Fiction”

When: Monday, May 26, 2025

9:00-13:00

Where: Oxford University

Fees: £150 (regular), 15% off for LABRC members

£125 (students—will need to register via institutional student email address)

Masterclass Description: Writing fiction is about building a story world—a self-contained universe in which readers can journey. Story worlds are the heart of fiction, and the reason fiction is so immersive for writers and readers alike.

Do you want to write compelling fiction? A novel? A short story? Have you thought about transforming your research or teaching experiences into a work of fiction? Do you want to transform your personal experience into a literary work? This course is for you and anyone else interested in creative writing, whether you’re experienced or a novice. All are welcome.

This course will follow a workshop format and will include a mix of lecture, guided writing time, and discussion. The course will include coverage of writing as inquiry and all the main elements of building a story world (characters and characterization, plots and storylines, narrative structure, and literary tools).

This course is literally for anyone interested in writing fiction, taught by someone who passionately loves writing. You may come with a project you’re working on or without a project.

Patricia Leavy, Ph.D., is a world-renowned researcher and bestselling author. She has published fifty books, earning commercial and critical success in both nonfiction and fiction, and her books have been translated into many languages. She has extensive experience publishing with academic and trade publishers, both large and indie, and has recently worked with a hybrid publisher. Her books have garnered more than 100 awards including USA Best Book Awards, Independent Press Awards, International Impact Book Awards, National Indie Excellence Awards, Firebird Book Awards, International Book Awards, New York City Big Book Awards, and American Fiction Awards. She has also received career awards from the New England Sociological Association, the American Creativity Association, the American Educational Research Association, the International Congress of Qualitative Inquiry, and the National Art Education Association. In addition to her experience as an author, Patricia has served as series creator and editor for 10 book series, partnering with 4 different publishers including Oxford University Press and Guilford Press. Through her fiction and nonfiction book series, she has vetted thousands of book proposals and helped hundreds of authors publish their work, including numerous bestselling and award-winning titles. A fierce author advocate, she successfully spearheaded game-changing negotiations with Brill, a global publishing house with a 300+ year history, securing better terms for all their authors. In 2022 an empowerment network gave her an award for “Leadership and Humanitarian Efforts in Literature and Publishing.” She has vast insider knowledge regarding publishing agreements and is eager to share her wisdom and answer your questions.