What you need to know

When does the course run?

Monday 12 August – Friday 16 August 2024

How long is the course?

One week

What time will my classes be?

Monday-Friday, 09.00-17.00.

There'll be a daily lunch break, plus other breaks within the schedule.

In addition to the course's teaching hours, you'll be able to access our studios in the early evenings to continue working on your pieces at your own pace, if you wish.

Your classes will take place on AUB's campus where you’ll be taught in our state-of-the-art creative studios and digital suites, with access to AUB’s library and online resources.

Who's this course suitable for?

The minimum age for this course is 18.

We welcome writers of all ages and abilities; it's perfect for anyone who has a passion to learn and develop their skills.

Do I need qualifications for this course?

There are no formal academic entry requirements or qualifications needed to study this course.

This retreat is designed for writers of all levels, from beginners to experienced authors.

I'm not sure if this course is suitable for me, can I contact you?

If you're unsure if this course is suitable for you, get in touch with us and we'll advise you. Either email us at summercourses@aub.ac.uk or call us on +44 1202 363222.

You can choose to add our economically priced residential package to your course fee. Choose your package during the booking process.

Residential package includes

Full-board catering on-site at AUB (breakfast, lunch and dinner)
Accommodation in AUB Halls of Residence, situated on AUB's campus

Accommodation

En-suite private room in a cluster flat with shared kitchen and lounge
Rooms are furnished with single bed, wardrobe, drawers, desk and chair
All bed linen supplied
Halls of Residence Wi-Fi
24-hour on-site security staff and live-in AUB residential staff (help is available 24/7)

Take a look at AUB’s Halls of Residence, just click on the Campus Halls option.

See below the prices of our packages. Choose your package during the booking process.

Package	Price
Course fee only	£885
Course fee PLUS residential	£1,265

What's included in my course fee?

All resources and equipment

Additional costs

There are no additional costs for this course; all resources are provided as part of your course fee.

Enthusiasm and a desire to learn and progress amongst like-minded students
Any current work or ideas that you wish to develop

About this course

Get ready to unleash your creativity and take your fiction writing to new heights! This new, exciting, and highly practical course has been designed to allow you to delve into fiction writing, hone your writing skills, spark your imagination, and nurture your unique voice.

Join us for a transformative one-week intensive writer’s retreat, where you’ll immerse yourself in the world of words, ideas, and inspiration. Whether you're an aspiring novelist, or simply seeking to explore your creativity and develop your writing skills, this retreat is designed to help you tap into your full writing potential.

Our writer’s retreat offers the perfect environment for you to find your writing muse. Whether you dream of becoming a published author or want to explore the art of writing for personal enrichment, our one-week writer’s retreat will leave you inspired, motivated and equipped with the tools to make your writing dreams a reality.

You'll engage in daily writing workshops led by experienced authors and writing experts. These practical sessions will be an opportunity to explore various writing genres, styles and techniques.

Drawing inspiration from the workshops, guest speakers and even the local natural environment, the course will stimulate your creativity and expand your skillset as a writer. During the course you’ll receive personalised feedback and guidance to hone your writing and address your specific goals. You'll also connect with fellow writers and share your work in a supportive and collaborative environment.

This retreat offers you a chance to learn from established authors who'll share their experiences and insights into the writing industry. You'll also gain essential knowledge about the editing and publishing process to help you prepare your work for the world.

The overarching aim of the retreat is to provide you with the essential building blocks necessary to start your own story or novel.

Develop your work according to your goals for the week
Dedicated writing craft sessions in a range of topics
Character and characterisation skills
Dialogue – exploring what drives convincing dialogue
Plot – pace and forward movement, looking at the difference between plot and story
Genre – how genre and style may influence the way you write and how your story unfolds
Finding your voice as a writer
Methods of working and selling your work
Peer review and critique sessions
Guest lecturers from industry professionals providing specialist subject knowledge
Writing practice both in groups sessions and solo-writing time
Introduction to editing and publishing

All students with 100% course attendance will be issued with an official AUB Summer Course certificate of attendance. You'll receive this at the end of your course.

On your last day there'll be an exhibition of the work created on the course; celebrate your achievements and those of your fellow writers.

The Summer Courses team invite you to attend an optional farewell meal at a local restaurant. A perfect conclusion to your creative week where new friendships and skills shall be celebrated.

After this course you could:

Use your new skills to further your career or change direction
Continue to develop your skills at home as a hobby
Develop a robust portfolio of personal work to contribute to further study or employment

Further study opportunities

You may wish to consider the following further study options:

You can also continue to harness your creativity; explore our full range of evening and weekend courses courses to see where your creative journey will take you next, including further Creative Writing short courses.

Gain confidence in your own writing
Experiment and develop ideas discovering new approaches to writing
Develop the necessary fundamental knowledge to work on your own fiction writing
Develop your understanding of writing for different settings
Be encouraged to experiment and explore ideas
Learn a wide range of writing techniques
Understand publishing and literary agencies
Discover your writer’s voice
Use writing as a tool for self-expression, self-reflection, and personal growth.
Be able to edit your own work
Embrace your originality and innovation
Receive expert support and guidance from a practising industry professional, including feedback on your ideas and work
The opportunity to network and share ideas with other students from around the globe
Access AUB's industry-standard studio spaces, including the specialist equipment and materials relevant to your discipline
Leave with skills and foundations that you can use at home to continue creating beyond this course
Study alongside up to 16 like-minded students and have fun

You'll study at a leading specialist university – so we know what we're doing when it comes to providing unparalleled courses
Your tutor is an industry professional, so you'll learn from the best
We cater for all abilities and have no formal entry requirements for this course, so there's nothing holding you back
You'll learn in a safe and encouraging environment where there's no right or wrong way to be creative
Benefit from our incredible campus and its industry-standard studios, plus use state-of-the-art equipment and software to unleash your creativity