Short Story Success
- Level(s) of Study: Short course
- Course Fee:
£180 (Summer Term 2025), £240 (Summer School 2025) or £185
- Start Date(s): 3 June 2025, 17 July 2025, 29 November 2025, 21 March 2026, 13 June 2026
- Duration: Tuesdays, 6 pm to 8.30 pm, four weeks or Thursday and Friday 10 am - 4 pm, two days
- Study Mode(s): Part-time
- Campus: City Campus
- Entry Requirements: More information
Introduction:
Course dates:
3 - 24 June 2025, Tuesdays, 6 pm to 8.30 pm
17 - 18 July 2025, Thursday and Friday 10 am - 4 pm
29 November - 6 December 2025, Saturdays 10 am - 4 pm
21 - 28 March 2026, Saturdays 10 am - 4 pm
13 - 20 June 2026, Saturdays 10 am - 4 pm
Do you have an idea for a short story but don’t know how to begin?
Or maybe you’ve an idea for a novel but writing a shorter version will help you get started?
On this course you’ll be guided through the process of writing your first piece, and introduced to ways in which writers get their work seen in this competitive arena.
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You’ll be part of a creative writing community; one that promotes discussion, collaboration, and encourages experimentation and the constant swapping of ideas. -
Benefit from learning with an active, expert writer-tutor who has established links to the profession and significant experience working in a wide range of genres. -
Get published with our student anthology; every term we ask for submissions and print a short anthology of your original creative writing, which you can keep after the course. -
Study Creative Writing in a UNESCO City of Literature. Nottingham is a place of discovery, exchange, ideas and learning for everyone who loves words and stories. Our vision as a UNESCO City of Literature is for a city where everyone is reading and writing their way to a better life.
Here's what our previous attendees said:
'I enjoyed the variety of prompts. I feel like I wrote things I never would have expected. It was jam-packed - my brain feels a bit fried in a good way!'
'Highly recommended. A great start to creative writing and to meeting new people'
'A great introduction course and a very passionate tutor.'
'A very enjoyable course which has inspired me to write more.'
'Excellent. Thanks so much!'
'This course was fantastic, I would have loved for the course to have been longer!' PH
'A brilliant course, I would highly recommend.' HR
'I really valued the chance to explore my writing abilities with a range of different themes as well as technique tips and links to more info.'
'I enjoyed the written exercises and the chance to share our stuff with the group.'
'I liked the structure of being given prompts to write to and then sharing our work, and exploring the different aspects of short stories like flash fiction and leaving things out.'
What you’ll study
The course will suit both the beginner and those with more experience who are interested in honing an idea or who are seeking fresh inspiration.
On this course you will:
- undertake practical writing exercises
- consider essential aspects, including character, setting, imagery and structure
- gain inspiration and advice about how to take your short stories from initial ideas to polished pieces, ready for release
- look into the practicalities of matching and submitting your short stories to competitions and journals.
What will I gain?
By the end of the course you’ll have the knowledge, practical skills and confidence to write your own short story as well as ideas about how and where to get them published.
Here’s a breakdown of what you’ll study during the course:
- Unlocking Creativity Through Freewriting
- Sensory Exploration for Vivid Details
- Crafting Memorable Characters
- Mastering Flash Fiction and Story Submission
You'll begin by diving into the creative process with freewriting exercises designed to unleash your imagination.
You will be guided through techniques to tap into your natural creativity and explore how spontaneous writing can lead to new story ideas.
You will focus on how to engage your senses to create vivid, specific details in your writing.
You'll learn how everyday objects and settings can serve as powerful sources of inspiration, transforming the mundane into the extraordinary, and practice crafting richly textured environments that captivate readers.
You’ll explore the heart of any great story: its characters.
Learn how to create memorable, multidimensional characters that resonate with readers.
You will be guided through techniques to develop character backstories, motivations, and emotions.
Dive into the art of flash fiction, where brevity meets storytelling brilliance.
Through focused exercises, you’ll practice honing your prose and cutting unnecessary details.
Finally, you’ll learn the essentials of submitting your work, including how to polish your story for publication and navigate the submission process with confidence.
How you’re taught
You will receive guidance and feedback in a supportive seminar environment, engaging in classroom discussions, critiques, and practical writing exercises.
This course will be delivered in person on Nottingham Trent University city campus.
98% of previous course attendees were satisfied with the course, received the attention they needed and would consider doing another short course at NTU.
Further information
By the end of the course, you will have a variety of writing projects in development, and a network of fellow writers and potential collaborators with whom you can progress your work further.
Contact hours
You will receive 10 contact hours of quality tuition with an experienced tutor.
Careers and employability
The course is designed to prepare you to succeed in the creative writing industry; students who have taken this course have gone on to build a portfolio of published work through submitting to literary magazines or self-publishing, progressed onto degree courses and embarked on careers in writing, publishing and teaching.
This course is your toolkit to ensure that you are well-prepared to pursue a successful career in the competitive field of creative writing.
Certificate of attendance and digital badge
Upon successful completion of the course, you will receive a digital certificate of attendance and a digital badge powered by Accredible.
Your digital credential is more than just a certificate – it’s secure, verifiable, and protected against fraud through encryption and blockchain technology.
They also come with detailed metadata, including an overview of the skills you have achieved on the course, evidence of completion, and assessment criteria if appropriate.
Share your achievements seamlessly with friends, customers, and potential employers online, and proudly add your badge or certificate to social media platforms such as LinkedIn, so all the right people can see it.
Are you interested in progressing your writing?
Find out more about our undergraduate and postgraduate courses:
Campus and facilities
You will be studying creative writing in a UNESCO City of Literature, and be based in the School of Social Sciences on the City Campus.
You will find modern teaching spaces and quiet study environments to develop your ideas and writing.
You’ll have access to our library to use outside of your short course; whilst you can’t reserve or take away books, you are welcome to use them as a resource for research and referencing.
You’ll also be invited to join WRAP, our Writing, Reading and Pleasure programme of book groups, meet ups and talks from readers and authors.
You will receive an email one week before the course starts with joining instructions on where to go for the first day.
Entry requirements
Level: Beginner
Entry requirement: No experience is required
You must be over the age of 18 to attend this course.
Fees and funding
The fee for this course is £180 (Summer Term 2025), £240 (Summer School 2025) or £185.
Payment is due at the time of booking - ask us if you'd prefer an invoice sent to your company.
Your course fees cover the cost of studies, including great benefits such as the use of our modern library and free use of the IT equipment and software on the campus during your course.
Please bring with you to the first session:
- Your preferred materials for writing (pen & notebook/ paper, or laptop)
- any notes, ideas or examples of previous writing.
If you want to do any pre-course reading, you can look at:
- Short Circuit: A Guide to the Art of the Short Story, edited by Vanessa Gebbie (Salt, 2013)
- Writing Down the Bones by Natalie Goldberg (Shambhala Publications Inc, 1986)
- Making Shapely Fiction by Jerome Stern (W. W. Norton & Company, 2001)
- On Writing by Stephen King (Hodder Paperbacks, 2012)
Please note: the books on this list include some of the titles that the tutor will be recommending during the course, which attendees might find helpful as they continue writing. They aren’t required/ necessary reading before the sessions begin.
You can read the terms and conditions of booking here.
Need accommodation for a week long summer course?
Accommodation can be booked separately to the course; the rooms are only a few minutes’ walk from our studios and classrooms, and cost £259 per week.
These are single rooms with a private bathroom in shared apartments in Nottingham Trent University’s city campus accommodation, which is ideal if you're looking to be based in Nottingham's lively city centre and want an economical place to stay.
Find out more and book your accommodation here.
How to apply
You can book your place via the NTU online store:
3 - 24 June 2025, Tuesdays, 6 pm to 8.30 pm
17 - 18 July 2025, Thursday and Friday 10 am - 4 pm
29 November - 6 December 2025, Saturdays 10 am - 4 pm
21 - 28 March 2026, Saturdays 10 am - 4 pm
13 - 20 June 2026, Saturdays 10 am - 4 pm
Browse all our creative writing short courses.
Any questions?
Contact the short course team:
Email: creativeshortcourses@ntu.ac.uk
Tel: +44 (0)115 848 2813