This April, it’s writing month at Guardian Masterclasses. We’re delighted that Lionel Shriver, Orange Prize-winning author of We Need to Talk about Kevin, has curated a four-week programme of writing courses, suitable for writers of all levels.
To get the most out of this series, and to save £47, book all four courses together and you’ll receive a complimentary one-to-one feedback session on your writing from Suzie Dooré, Lionel’s editor at The Borough Press, and leading literary agent Ed Wilson.
Spaces on the four-week programme are limited to 10 people so book now to avoid disappointment
Week 1: Creating characters for your novel: A writing class with Louisa Young
Book your place now | Book the four-course ticket offer
Lionel believes that vivid characters are an essential part of any good story - that’s why she invited Louisa Young, bestselling author of The Heroes’ Welcome, to deliver this class on creating characters for your novel or short stories
Week 2: Plotting for fiction and drama: A class with S.J. Parris and Sean McCann
Book your place now | Book the four-course ticket offer
Structuring your plot and learning how to fine-tune it for pace, clarity or suspense is crucial. Learn the tricks of the trade from bestselling author S.J. Parris and improvisation expert Sean McCann
Week 3: How to finish your novel or short story: A writer’s workshop with Laura Barnett
Book your place now | Book the four-course ticket offer
Regardless of the genre of the book you’re writing, finishing and editing your work is more difficult than you might think - but can make the difference between a good novel and a great novel. Lionel has selected Laura Barnett, bestselling author of The Versions of Us, to teach this essential skill
Week 4: How to get your novel published: A class with literary agent Ed Wilson and publisher Suzie Dooré
Book your place now | Book the four-course ticket offer
Once you’ve perfected character and plot and ended your novel with style, you need to embark on the often difficult journey of trying to get it published. Find out how to be in with the best possible chance with Lionel’s editor, Suzie Dooré, publishing director at The Borough Press, and leading literary agent Ed Wilson
Four-course ticket offer - including one-to-one feedback session
A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to receive personalised feedback on your writing from two publishing experts
Our exclusive four-course offer includes tickets for all four courses in this series, plus a complimentary feedback session with Suzie Dooré, publishing director at The Borough Press, and literary agent Ed Wilson. Spaces are limited to 10 people so book your place now to avoid disappointment.
Before the one-to-one feedback session, you’ll be invited to submit up to 2,000 words of your writing, for which you’ll receive in-person feedback during a 30-minute.
Your 2,000 words could be part of a chapter, a whole chapter, or a synopsis plus a writing sample. You’ll receive tailored advice on how to bring out the strengths in your writing, and give your manuscript the best possible chance of getting published.
The one-to-one feedback sessions will take place approximately two weeks after the class, on a Saturday or Sunday. Exact timings tbc - please check this page for updates.
Lionel Shriver will discuss her new novel, The Mandibles: A Family 2029-2047, with Stephanie Merritt at a Guardian Live event in London on Tuesday 10 May. Find out more and book your ticket here.
