For the love of love stories
Are you a lover of romance?
Find all things romance fiction from National Centre for Writing here — from reading lists to writing courses, free-to-access tips and tricks for crafting the perfect love story, plus words of wisdom from some of our favourite writers and industry experts.
National Centre for Writing has a passion for romantic fiction and we are always looking for ways to expand our offering to romance writers and readers alike. Here is your one-stop-shop for the genre of love.
‘It all stems from the one central premise that I can’t get enough of: Will they, or won’t they? Except that with almost all books that can be categorised as romance, the real question is: How will they?’
– Cressida McLaughlin, author of The Staycation and the Cornish Cream Tea series, on romance fiction.
What’s love got to do with it?
Hear from the experts, from published authors to industry professionals, on all things romance fiction.
Writing love stories: André Aciman on Room on the Sea
In this episode of The Writing Life podcast, bestselling author André Aciman discusses the intricacies of writing romance.
2 June 2025
From sweet to spicy: the popularity of romantic fiction
Rachel Hore provides an insightful overview of the wide-ranging scope of romantic fiction and introduces two engaging writing exercises to help you get started.
3 April 2025
Making room for queer writers of colour with Efe Imoyin-Omene
Hear from former Lit Insider Efe as we discuss representation in publishing, including making room for queer writers of colour.
26 June 2023
How to Write Romantic Fiction (12-week course)
Have a great love story in mind?
Learn how to write romantic fiction with our 12-week course! Over 12 weeks, we will guide you through the complexities of writing relationships, the thrill of passion, and the journey of self-discovery—all brought to life through richly drawn characters and compelling plots.
Tutor to be confirmed.
Starts Monday 21 September 2026.
Ten things to know before starting your romantic fiction project
Owen Nicholls (author of Love, Unscripted and Perfect Timing) shares his top ten tips for writers delving into the wonderful world romantic fiction.
31 July 2025
The rise of romantasy with Sangu Mandanna
In this episode of The Writing Life podcast, writer Sangu Mandanna dives into the world of romantasy — a genre that blends the best of romance and fantasy.
14 April 2025
Breaking into romance: essential advice for writers
In this exclusive interview, Blake Friedmann Literary Agency’s Vice Head of Books Juliet Pickering shares her advice for aspiring romance writers.
13 June 2024
Writing romantic comedies with PJ Ellis
In this episode of The Writing Life podcast, we’re joined by author PJ Ellis to discuss writing romantic comedies.
29 July 2024
Top ten romance reads for summer
Cressida McLaughlin shares a list of ten heart-bursting recommended romance reads which will keep you busy this summer!
24 July 2023
Writing a festive bestseller with Abiola Bello
In this episode of The Writing Life podcast, YA writer Abiola Bello shares her insights into how to write festive novels.
16 December 2024
Love in an old climate: Writing about older lovers
Maggie Gee, writer of The Red Children, tackles the issue of ageism in the media and publishing and discusses how to write about love and sex between older people.
What’s on — upcoming events, workshops & courses
Learn to write the perfect love story, hear from experts of the craft and find the fun in romantic fiction with our upcoming events and practical courses.
The Writing Life (June 2026)
Spark your creativity and build a creative routine with our 30-day writing challenge! The Writing Life includes 30 unique writing exercises.
Thursday 1 January
The Writing Life: Reflect (July 2026)
Get playful and explore writing in this new 30-day writing challenge, with fresh prompts and unique lessons.
Wednesday 8 July
Everything is Material: Writing from Lived Experience with Uju Asika
Draw from your lived experiences to craft rich and compelling stories from both the ordinary and extraordinary moments.
Saturday 1 August
The Writing Life (September 2026)
Spark your creativity and build a creative routine with our 30-day writing challenge! The Writing Life includes 30 unique writing exercises.
Tuesday 1 September
Mindful Goal Setting with Louise Tondeur
Join us for a gentle, grounding session to help you pause, set intentions and reconnect with your writing.
Saturday 12 September
Opening Chapters with Louise Tondeur
Learn how to create intriguing, ‘hookful’ opening chapters through crafting and redrafting and how to use pacing to draw your readers into your story.
Saturday 12 September
How to Write Romantic Fiction (12-week course)
Develop compelling love stories by exploring characterisation, relationships, and worldbuilding. Gain confidence and writing skills and receive personalised feedback to craft and refine your romantic fiction.
Monday 21 September
How to Write Fiction (12-week course)
Learn the essential tools to craft compelling fiction, featuring personalised one-to-one feedback, engaging lessons, and practical exercises to help you develop a consistent writing practice.
Monday 21 September
Develop Your Fiction (18-week course)
This fiction course deepens your writing skills, guiding you through more sophisticated techniques and diverse approaches to storytelling. You’ll experiment creatively, read widely, and emerge with a polished draft.
Monday 21 September
Master Your Prose Fiction with Ian Nettleton (10-week course)
Join Ian Nettleton for a practical, supportive course to help you refine your manuscript and prepare it for agents with confidence.
Monday 21 September
The Writing Life: Reflect (October 2026)
Get playful and explore writing in this new 30-day writing challenge, with fresh prompts and unique lessons.
Thursday 1 October
Writing From the Archives with Elizabeth Lewis Williams (six-week course)
Discover how to use archives to craft narratives in this six-week evening course led by writer Elizabeth Lewis Williams.
Tuesday 13 October
Preparing for Publication (eight-week course)
Take your manuscript from draft to submission with an eight‑week course that prepares you for publishing and the professional writing world.
Monday 12 October
