Led by multi-award-winning author James Dawson, this course covers the skills required to write a novel that young adults will love. You’ll learn how to target different audiences and age groups, and receive advice on how to find an agent and get your work into print.
During the course, you’ll be invited to take part in a workshopping session, where you’ll receive constructive feedback on your own work. Altogether, it’s the ideal course for writers of any level who want to make their work attractive to both teen readers and publishers.
This course is for you if...
- You have an idea for a work of teen fiction and want to learn how to develop it into a novel
- You have some knowledge of existing teen and young adult titles, and want to learn how to write for a YA audience
- You’re currently working on a novel for teens or young adults, and want to learn how to get it ready to send to publishers
Course content
- An overview of the teen fiction market – including examples of popular works
- Guidelines for writing your novel
- How to keep your readers engaged and entertained
- Deciding what’s appropriate for different age groups
- Writing for different audiences
- Advice on how to improve your writing style
- Examining the market
- How to find an agent and get your book published
- Practical writing exercises and workshopping sessions, with opportunity for solution-based feedback
- Q&A and group discussion
Course preparation
- Attendees should bring along a writing sample or first chapter of a novel for young adults, which will be workshopped on the day
You may also be interested in…
- How to write for children
- Getting started on your children’s book with Laura Dockrill and Alex T. Smith
Tutor profile
James Dawson is the multi-award-winning author of dark teen thrillers Hollow Pike, Cruel Summer, Say Her Name and Under My Skin. In 2014, he was awarded the Queen of Teen award, which is dedicated to celebrating authors from the world of teen fiction. James’ first non-fiction book, Being A Boy, tackled puberty, sex and relationships in a frank and funny fashion. A follow up for young LGBT people, This Book Is Gay, followed in 2014. James’ work has been translated into many different languages worldwide, and last year he became a school role model for the charity Stonewall. Find him on Twitter here.
Details
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Returns policy
Tickets may be refunded if you contact us at least 14 days before the course start date. Please see our terms and conditions for more information on our refund policy.