This course will be an excellent introduction to the short story, how to decode the best ones and begin to write your own. Short stories are a great way into creative writing; they demand discipline, water-tight prose and originality. They are exciting to write, are intensely character-driven and offer the reader tantalising miniature worlds. They are also great practice for longer form narratives; many well-known writers cut their first literary teeth on short stories.

The course is designed for all levels, from complete beginners to more practised writers who are keen to try out the challenges of the short form. It will appeal to students who have a passion for fiction (not necessarily short stories) and a desire to try out different approaches to writing from flash fiction up to 1000 words) to longer stories up to 5,000 words and beyond.

The course will run every Saturday from 10am - 3pm with one hour's break for lunch.