A brilliant short story seems effortlessly written. What are the elements of a good short story and what types of short stories are out there? How do you start a short story, finish one, think about voice, character, setting, plot, imagery, symbols, and theme? Where do you get ideas and inspiration? Whether you’re already writing short stories, or are just getting started, this six-week course covers the craft elements you need to write short stories in any genre and style. We will write throughout the course and will also look at the crucial skills of editing, effective feedback, and how, where and when to submit.

Suitable for writers at any stage

I aim to inspire writers using examples of brilliant published writing and covering more advanced topics such as sentence-level style and innovative story structures. I will provide recommend reading for outside of the course.

The course will be taught in a nurturing environment, to instil confidence in participants and provide support and encouragement. Participants will do writing exercises throughout the course.

Participants will come away with knowledge of the tools and craft they need to write short stories, and the confidence to progress after the course has ended.

Giselle Leeb works part time at Five Leaves Bookshop. She has taught creative writing courses for Writing East Midlands and elsewhere. Her debut collection, Mammals, I Think We Are Called (Salt), was longlisted for the Edge Hill Short Story Prize 2023. Her short stories have been published in journals, magazines, and anthologies, including Best British Short Stories 2017 (Salt), Ambit, Mslexia, The Lonely Crowd, Litro, Black Static, and Lady Churchill’s Rosebud Wristlet. She has been placed and shortlisted in competitions including the Ambit, Bridport and Mslexia prizes, and won the Seventy2One Short Story Competition for climate fiction.

Refreshments provided. Maximum ten participants