Ready to get started with writing your novel?
Deciding to write a novel is an exciting journey — but it can also feel overwhelming. This eight-week online course will equip you with the essential tools and techniques to craft, structure, and refine your first novel.
Through a blend of expert guidance and practical exercises, you’ll explore the core elements of storytelling—developing compelling characters, experimenting with plot devices, building immersive settings, and keeping readers hooked from page one.
Designed for writers ready to bring their novel to life, this course provides structured support and hands-on feedback. Your tutor, Okechukwu Nzelu, will personally review up to 3,500 words of your writing, culminating in a one-on-one tutorial to discuss your work and map out your next steps.
Turn your novel idea into reality — book today!
Start date
Monday 22 March 2027
Location
Online
Length
Eight weeks (please see course schedule below)
Price
£300*
*Payment plans available. Drop us a line at academy@nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk to find out more.
Course format
This course is delivered weekly (see course programme below). The majority of the content is presented in text form via Teachable, allowing you to progress through the material chapter by chapter at your own pace. You will submit two assignments directly to your tutor for personalised feedback and guidance, due at the end of week three and week six.
The course also includes up to two live Zoom sessions: a welcome session in the first module, followed by a one-to-one tutorial with your tutor later in the course.
Click to find out more about the course structure and the equipment you may need.
Course programme
Please note, the module order and/or content of the course may be subject to change.
Week one – Character
In the first week of the course, you will attend a live, online introductory session (via Zoom). You will meet your course mates and your tutor will give an overview of the course structure and materials, before moving on to a discussion on how to tackle writer’s block. On the course website, you’ll begin to work through exercises to get to know your characters.
Week two – Plot and character
We enter the world of plotting and the ways in which the opening pages of your book are essential for establishing the plot of the narrative. We will look at the ways character and plot intertwine, and you’ll be encouraged to apply this to your novel. You’ll also be working on polishing up a 500-word excerpt to send to your tutor for feedback.
Week three – Voice and perspective
Now we’re starting to get a handle on what the story is, let’s work on who (or what) will tell your story, and how. In this module, we’ll work through exercises and prompts focused on voice and perspective.
Week four – Setting
Regardless of whether your novel is set ‘here and now’ in the real world, deep in the past or far in the future, or on a different planet or world entirely, this week will get you thinking about the ways you can make sure your reader knows exactly the story is set. You will also begin working on your final assignment, a 3000-word extract from your novel.
Week five – Structure
Will you write your novel in fragments? Short chapters? Will you start in the beginning, middle or the end? By this point in the course, you should have a rough idea of the story you want to tell, and now it is time to think about how to arrange and present that in the best way.
Week six – Editing
As you prepare your final assignment for submission, let’s go over some things to look out for as part of the self-editing process. This week, we will start to edit our final assignment ready for submission.
Week seven – Feedback
Your tutor will spend the next week reading and returning your 3,000-word excerpt with feedback.
Week eight – Tutorial
In the final week of the course, you will have a one-to-one tutorial with your tutoto discuss your writing and next steps.
Live sessions
There will be two live sessions for this course, which will take place over Zoom.
Timings for these courses will be confirmed shortly.
Hear from former students
Meet the tutor
Your tutor will review up to 3,500 words of your assigned writing, as well as providing guidance and support. You will also have a one-to-one tutorial with Okechukwu towards the end of the course to discuss your potential next steps.
Okechukwu Nzelu
Dr Okechukwu Nzelu is a Manchester-based writer. In 2015 he was the recipient of a Northern Writers’ Award from New Writing North. His debut novel, The Private Joys of Nnenna Maloney (Dialogue Books, 2019), won a Betty Trask Award; it was also shortlisted for the Desmond Elliott Prize and the Polari First Book Prize, and longlisted for the Portico Prize. In 2021, it was selected for the Kingston University Big Read. His second novel, Here Again Now (Dialogue Books, 2022) was shortlisted for the Royal Society of Literature Encore Award, the Polari Prize, the Jhalak Prize and the Diverse Book Awards. He has made several appearances on national radio, and is a regular contributor to Kinfolk magazine. He is a non-executive director of ALCS and CLA, and Lecturer in Creative Writing at Lancaster University. Image © Alex Douglas
Hear from Okechukwu as he discusses developing compelling characters in fiction, listen now →
Want to spread the cost? Pay by instalments with Klarna
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Make your writing journey more manageable with Klarna, available on our online tutored courses, workshops, evening courses and events. Choose to split the cost of your booking into three or four instalments, or spread payments over 30 days with Klarna’s flexible payment options. For more instructions, use the button below.
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Got a question?
If you still have questions, get in touch with the NCW Academy team by email academy@nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk or phone (+44) 01603 877177 between our working hours of 9am – 5pm BST, Monday to Friday. We’re here to help!