Short Story Writing Course

Our publisher, Brad Harris, explores how to research, write, and publish a fiction short story in an 8-week online creative writing course. The writing course covers why and how to write a short story, and aims to help you produce a publishable short story by graduation, as well as understand how it might lead into the progression of writing a novel. You can download the course description here. 

Modules in the How to Write a Short Story course:

Week 1: The History of the Short Story

In this section, we recommend reading by Roald Dahl, CS Lewis, and Hemingway on the process of writing and what being a writer means. We also go through a reading by William Boyd on the history of the short story, to understand the purpose of this literary form.

Week 2: Character Arc Development

In this section, we recommend reading by Maurice Sendak, and cover the definition of a character arc. We then move into a detailed look of the character's journey, particularly in a short story, and set about creating two character sketches.

Week 3: Story Arc Development

In this section, we recommend reading by B. D. Harris, and cover the definition of a story arc. We then move into a detailed look of the general structure of a plot and story arc, particularly in a short story, and set about developing up your own story arc.

Week 4-5: Flash Fiction Assignment

In this section, we spend time understanding the differences between flash fiction and short stories. You then are tasked with writing a flash fiction assignment, based on your character sketches and story arc.

Week 6-8: Short Story Assignment

In this section, we get to the real meat of the course and either turn your flash fiction assignment into a fully fledged short story, or we guide you in developing an original short story. We then review your short story in detail and investigate various editing techniques while using your short story as material. We aim to end with a final draft of your short story, ready for publication.