🗒️ CRAFT COMPELLING ESSAYS: Write Personal Narratives That Move Readers
A 4-Week Journey
Writing about your lived experiences can unlock your potential as a storyteller, open doors to new opportunities, and add deeper meaning to your life.Learn how to transform your personal stories into narratives that move readers and help you grow as a writer.In 4 weeks, you'll craft, revise, and prepare your first (or next) essay for publication — all in the company of creative friends.
November 6 - December 4, 2024
📘 Write Your First (or next) 10k: From Blank Page to 10,000 words
A 4-Week Journey
Is there a story brewing in your mind, but you're struggling to write your first or next 10,000 words?With November on the horizon, now is the perfect time to double down on your writing and channel your creative energy. Join our live Q&A with prolific author Anna Wilson, where we’ll explore how to overcome writer's block, stay focused, and write consistently—while still having fun.
November 11 - December 9, 2024
✏️ GET STARTED WITH SHORT STORIES: Learn the Art of Short-Form Fiction
A 4-Week Journey
Curious about writing short stories or fiction, but not sure where to start? Have an idea or character that you’d like to develop into a short tale?In 4 weeks you'll learn how to grow an idea into a compelling short story, write the first draft of a story, and get feedback from a professional editor.
Next Date: TBD
Also available as a self-paced online course.
💌 START YOUR SUBSTACK: Launch a Newsletter You're Proud Of
A 4-Week Journey
Dreaming of starting your newsletter?Over four weeks, we'll help you clarify your creative goals and vision for your newsletter, navigate Substack's digital publishing tools, write, edit, and publish your first post, and find your first subscribers.
Also available as a self-paced online course.
⚡️IDEA TO OUTLINE: Draft a First Outline of Your Brilliant Idea
A 4-Week Journey
Have an idea for a story that you can’t get out of your head?In 4 weeks, we’ll help you move from the spark of an idea to a holistic outline – so you can free yourself to do your best writing.
Next Date: TBD
Also available as a self-paced online course.
📝 QUERY WITH CONFIDENCE with live Literary Agent Feedback
A 3-Hour Masterclass
Dreaming of getting your book in front of literary agents, but not sure where to start?In 3 hours, you'll learn how to compose a query letter, create a crystal clear pitch that gets an agent’s attention, and get real-time feedback from a literary agent.
Next Date: TBD
Also available as a self-paced online course.
🦄 WRITE A CHILDREN'S PICTURE BOOK with Publisher Louise Grosart
A 3-Hour Masterclass
Learn what it takes to write picture books that children will love and publishers will want to buy.We'll demystify the world of picture books, give you an overview of the picture book market, and walk you through the key principles for writing a successful picture book. Includes live feedback on your picture book idea from Louise Grosart.
Next Date: TBD
Also available as a self-paced online course.
🌿 NATURE JOURNALING: Develop a Practice of Observation & Recording
A 4-Week Journey
Looking to deepen your connection with nature and infuse your work with fresh inspiration?In 4 weeks, you'll understand the foundational skills of nature journaling, cultivate a rich practice of observation and reflection, discover tools to establish an ongoing practice, and learn how to incorporate your observations into your writing.
Next Date: TBD
Also available as a self-paced online course.
A 4-Week Journey
Craft Compelling
Personal Essays
How to Write & Publish Narratives That Move Readers
November 6 - December 4 2024
What does it take to turn your personal experiences into powerful stories?Writing about your lived experiences can unlock your potential as a storyteller, open doors to new opportunities, and add deeper meaning to your life.In Craft Compelling Personal Essays, you’ll learn how to transform your personal stories into captivating essays that move readers and help you grow as a writer.In 4 weeks, you’ll write, edit, and prepare your first (or next) essay for publication—all in the company of creative friends.
In 4 Weeks, You Will:
Draft, edit, and submit or publish a personal essay
Understand the fundamentals of crafting personal narratives
Develop a bank of ideas for future essays
Draft new writing through exercises and prompts
Learn narrative techniques and structures
Refine your own work with editing techniques
Navigate the publication process and find your audience
Key Details:
Price: £297 (~$385 USD)
Live Sessions:*
Held across 4 Live Sessions:
Getting Started with Essays – Wed Nov 6
Exploring Structure & Form – Wed Nov 13
Revising Your Own Work – Wed Nov 20
Submitting & Publishing – Wed Nov 27
*Not mandatory to attend live. Sessions will be recorded and shared with all participants. You’ll also have opportunities to connect with your cohort online.
🗓️ What to Expect, Week by Week:
Each week includes a live seminar and clear assignment.
1️⃣ Week 1: Getting Started with Personal Essays
Wednesday November 6, 7:30-9:00pm GMT / 2:30-4:00pm ETThis week, we’ll cover the fundamentals of a compelling personal essay. We’ll also discuss idea generation, how to ask the right questions, and narrative techniques to turn to when working toward a first draft.
2️⃣ Week 2: Exploring Structure & Form
Wednesday November 13, 7:30-9:00pm GMT / 2:30-4:00pm ETThis week, we’ll explore the different shapes a personal essay can take, focusing on lyric, braided, flash, and hermit crab essays.
3️⃣ Week 3: Revising Your Own Work
Wednesday, November 20, 7:30-9pm GMT (2:30pm ET / 11:30am PT)In this session, we'll offer actionable tools and tips for revising your first draft into a polished essay. Learn what it takes to edit your own work with an emphasis on clarity and coherence.
4️⃣ Week 4: Submitting Your Work & Knowing When to Publish
Wednesday November 27, 7:30-9pm GMT (2:30pm ET / 11:30am PT)In this session, we’ll explore the ins and outs of submitting personal essays for publication, how to know when an essay is finished, and various avenues for sharing essays with an audience.
*Not mandatory to attend live. Sessions will be recorded and shared with all participants. You’ll also have opportunities to connect with your cohort online.
Each Week Features:
🖥️ Live Seminar & Working Session to learn the fundamentals of what it takes to craft a compelling personal essay.🎯 Clear Assignments to walk you through writing, editing, and submitting personal essays, step-by-step.✅ Bonus Resources & Tools: Carefully curated reading lists, craft essays, prompts, and exercises.🙋 Q&As with Industry Experts: Meet lit magazine editors and learn exactly what they’re looking for.❤️ Cohort of Creatives to share progress, ask questions, and connect with encouraging writers.
Your Leader: Lindsey Trout Hughes
Lindsey Trout Hughes is a writer and editor of creative nonfiction. A former columnist at Catapult, her essays have appeared in The Rumpus, Bright Wall/Dark Room, The Audacity, and elsewhere. She is Head of Programming & Writer Experience at the London Writers’ Salon, Assistant Books Editor at Barrelhouse, and a founding editor of Writers’ Hour Magazine. She writes essays on wonder and the natural world at Fox in the Dark.
Testimonials
“Lindsey sees the potential in my essays when I’m struggling to define the central theme. She has spurred me on from disjointed to publication-worthy pieces. Her enthusiasm and nuanced ability to dig into what can be improved is invaluable. I was inspired, happy, and could express my ideas more effectively after working with Lindsey.”“Lindsey has been an invaluable influence on my writing. She is, on the one hand, a gifted encourager when I worry I will not find the words to express myself, urging me on and offering helpful prompts to jump-start the flow; and on the other hand, she is a gifted editor when I have found perhaps too many words to express myself, gently encouraging me to pare back, offering confidence that the power of my story comes through better without all the gilding. She is an asset at the beginning, middle, or home stretch of the process of writing an essay.”“Lindsey is an intuitive, passionate, and supportive instructor whose creativity and talent for helping others to shape a story is unparalleled. Not only has she helped me to restructure my writing in a new, compelling way, but she has also guided me deeper into my past to unearth (and share!) those vulnerable moments that help make my story more powerful and relatable.”
👍 Who is Craft Compelling Personal Essays For?
Anyone curious about personal essays or creative nonfiction
Writers who have started a newsletter or blog, but aren’t sure what to share with readers
Anyone wanting to bring depth, play, and exploration to their creative nonfiction
Anyone itching to delve into deeper questions about life through essay writing
❌ Who is this not for?
Anyone looking for quick hacks and tricks to grow a following
Those whose priority is to make money instantly from their essays
(We’ll touch on avenues for you to publish your work, but primarily, we want you to write essays that at personally meaningful and transformative for you as a writer.)
🗓️ Why Join 'Craft Compelling Personal Essays'?
Writing about your lived experiences can unlock your potential as a storyteller, open doors to new opportunities, and add deeper meaning to your life.Over 4 weeks, you’ll learn how to transform your personal stories into narratives that move readers and help you grow as a writer.
❓ FAQs
Is Craft Compelling Personal Essays delivered live?
Yes. Weekly seminars are delivered on Zoom, accompanied by actionable homework items. However, if you can’t attend live, we’ll record the sessions and share them with you.How much time will I need to complete Craft Compelling Personal Essays?
To make the most of this class, you'll need to spend 1-2 hours each week on course material, in addition to attending our live sessions or watching seminar replays.Will my essays be published?
While this course cannot guarantee publication, it will give you a thorough understanding of how to craft your personal narratives into the process of submitting completed work. Several of Lindsey’s one-on-one editorial clients have gone on to have their essays published in outlets like the New York Times, Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, the Boston Globe, Huffington Post, and in literary journals around the world.Will you run this again?
We're not sure, but we may run this again in early 2025.Will the live weekly Wednesday sessions be recorded?
Yes all, sessions will be recorded and published in our community portal.This is out of my price range. Do you have an alternatives?
We also offer this as a self-paced online course for a fraction of the price.We also offer a limited number of bursaries or scholarships - email us at hello@londonwriterssalon.com to find out more.Any other questions? Email us at hello@londonwriterssalon.com
Option 1:
Self-Paced Course
Move through the lessons at your own pace. Lifetime access to the content, plus any future modules.£79
LWS Silver & Gold Members get £30-off.
A 4-Week Journey
Start Your Substack: Launch a Newsletter You're Proud Of
Next Live Date: TBC
Dreaming of launching your newsletter this year?In Start Your Substack, we'll help you clarify your creative goals, navigate Substack's digital publishing tools, and get your newsletter off the ground – all alongside a friendly cohort of writers beginning (or recharging) their newsletter journey.In 4 weeks, you'll set up your newsletter, publish your first post, and find your first subscribers.
In 4 Weeks, You Will:
Clarify your creative vision for your Substack newsletter.
Learn your way around Substack’s platform.
Create a simple branding package for your newsletter.
Brainstorm content ideas for your publication.
Develop writing and publishing habits that work for you.
Write, edit, and publish your first post.
Find your first subscribers.
Key Details:
Price: £297 (~$350 USD)
Live Sessions:*
Held across 4 Live Sessions:
Week 1: Clarify Your Creative Vision
Week 2: Branding & Positioning
Week 3: Craft Your First Post
Week 4: Sustainability & Growth
*Not mandatory to attend live. Sessions will be recorded and shared with all participants. You’ll also have opportunities to connect with your cohort online.
🗓️ What to Expect, Week by Week:
Each week includes a live seminar and clear assignment.
1️⃣ Week 1: Clarify Your Creative Vision
Clarify your creative goals and purpose, find your niche, and identify your ideal reader. You’ll also identify "role models" for your publication, and brainstorm topics and subtopics for your newsletter.
2️⃣ Week 2: Branding & PositioningYou'll create a simple branding package for your newsletter, including a name, logo, style that fits your personality and message. You'll also craft copy for your Landing and About pages, and get an overview of Substack's tools, formatting options, and how to incorporate multimedia.
3️⃣ Week 3: Craft & Publish Your First PostYou'll draft, edit, and publish your first post. You'll also create an idea bank for future posts, learn how to be your own editor, learn tips and tools for staying organized, and how to know when to share your work.
4️⃣ Week 4: Sustain & Grow Your NewsletterLearn how to build meaningful connections with readers and build an audience who'll love your work. We'll also cover Substack’s growth tools such as Notes, Chat, Discussion Threads & Recommendations.
*Not mandatory to attend live. Sessions will be recorded and shared with all participants. You’ll also have opportunities to connect with your cohort online.
Each Week Features:
🖥️ Live Seminar & Working Session to focus your efforts with thoughtful exercises aligned with your creative goals.🎯 Clear Assignments to walk you through launching your Substack, step-by-step.✅ Bonus Resources & Tools, carefully curated to help you on your Substack journey.❤️ Cohort of Creatives to share progress, encouragement, feedback and keep you accountable.
👍 Who is Start Your Substack for?
Writers thinking about starting a Substack newsletter, regardless of genre
Anyone wanting to establish a cadence for sharing writing or ideas
Writers who have existing newsletters but are looking to refine the creative goals and the purpose around their Substack publication
❌ Who is this not for?
Anyone looking for quick hacks and tricks to grow their Substack
Those whose priority is to make money instantly from their newsletter
(We’ll touch on money and growth, but primarily, we want you to show up for yourself and launch your newsletter in a way that feels sustaining and nourishing to you.)
Your Leaders
Lindsey Trout Hughes is a writer and editor. A former columnist for Catapult, her essays have also appeared in The Rumpus, Bright Wall/Dark Room, The Audacity, and elsewhere. She is Head of Programming at the London Writers’ Salon and Assistant Books Editor at Barrelhouse. Lindsey shares works of creative nonfiction on Substack at Fox in the Dark.
Matt Trinetti is the cofounder of London Writers’ Salon. In 2012, Matt started a blog and newsletter GiveLiveExplore to document his 7-month traveling sabbatical from IBM. Over several years, he grew a subscriber base from zero to several thousand, published Stephen Markley's Tales of Iceland to become a #1 Amazon category bestseller, and was invited to speak and facilitate at places like TEDx, Escape The City, Red Bull, Unilever, London Business School, General Assembly & Creative Mornings.
🗓️ Why Join 'Start Your Substack'?
Substack offers incredible free resources on how to launch your newsletter.But if you’d value learning the ropes alongside other writers and starting your newsletter thoughtfully with a built-in support network and early fanbase, we’d love for you to join us.Over 4 weeks, you'll launch a Substack you're proud of, hit publish on your very first post, and gain your first subscribers—all in the company of other writers.
❓ FAQs
Is Start Your Substack delivered live?
Yes. Weekly seminars are delivered on Zoom, accompanied by actionable homework items. However, if you can’t attend live, we’ll record the sessions and share them with you.How much time will I need to complete Start Your Substack?
We recommend spending 2-3 hours each week to get the most from this Journey, including attending our live sessions.Will this get me more subscribers or help me monetize my Substack?
While we will share techniques for reaching readers and utilizing Substack’s monetization features, this journey will not focus on gaining Subscribers or building a monetized Substack. This is about navigating Substack’s publishing tools and creating a newsletter you can be proud of that aligns with your creative vision.Will you run Start Your Substack again?
We're not sure, but we may run this again in early 2025.Will the live weekly Wednesday sessions be recorded?
Yes all, sessions will be recorded and published in our community portal.Can I start a newsletter on a different platform, aside from Substack?
We’ll focus primarily on the Substack platform for launching a newsletter, but you could use the principles in this Journey to launch a newsletter on any platform.This is out of my price range. Do you have an alternatives?
We also offer this as a self-paced online course for a fraction of the price.We also offer a limited number of bursaries or scholarships - email us at hello@londonwriterssalon.com to find out more.Any other questions? Email us at hello@londonwriterssalon.com
Option 1:
Self-Paced Course
Move through the lessons at your own pace. Lifetime access to the content, plus any future modules.£79
LWS Silver & Gold Members get £30-off.
Idea to Outline: Draft a First Outline of Your Brilliant Idea
Have an idea for a story that you can’t get out of your head?In 4 weeks, we’ll help you move from a vague idea toward feeling confident about the shape your story – so you can free yourself to do your best writing.
Sep 9 - Oct 7 2024 • £297
Discounts for LWS Silver Members & Gold Members.
Learn how to grow your story from the seed of an idea to the start of a magnificent book.
In 4 weeks, you'll explore your story’s potential and expand your vague story idea into a holistic outline.Get expert instruction and individualised feedback on your work to help you craft your best story.
In Just 4 Weeks, You Will:
✅ Understand and feel connected with your main characters.✅ Define your setting and world through writing prompts and exercises.✅ Learn how to plot out your story and give it a solid structure.✅ Understand how to establish a regular writing practice to complete your story.✅ Create a draft outline for your story and be clear on your next steps.
✅ Get access to a bonus database of tools, resources, and links.✅ Receive expert and peer-to-peer feedback from tutors on your work. (Live Journey Only)✅ Have all of your burning questions answered in our community forum and live Q&As. (Live Journey Only)
Testimonials:
"I loved the course - I had become sloppy with my writing schedule and my writing, but the course has put me back on track. Thank you! I would love for the course to continue…" –Anette M
"I learned so much on specific topics like point of view, dialogue, and the "when" a story is told from. I studied literature intensely for seven years in college and grad school, but feel like I learned more about the actual mechanics of how to write a novel in these too-short four weeks! Thank you so much." –Rebecca C
Your Instructor:
Anna Wilson
Anna Wilson has published over 50 books for children, teens including picture books, short stories, poems, non-fiction and fiction series. Before being published, Anna was a picture book editor at Macmillan Children’s Books and HarperCollins.In 2016 she started her blog Good Grief about mid-life, loss and new beginnings. This eventually led to her memoir A Place for Everything. She is currently working on her novel. Anna is also an editor and lecturer, a tutor for the London Lit Lab and the Writer's Block in Cornwall and for the Arvon Foundation.
Who is this course for?
▸ Anyone with a vague idea for a fiction or memoir story.▸ Budding writers completely new to fiction and writing.▸ Experienced writers who want expert guidance to help you craft your next book.
Course Outline:
Week 1: Characters
🎥 1.1 Introduction To Character
🎥 1.2 Exercise: Character - Diving Deeper
🎥 1.3 Be Specific In Language & Imagery
🎥 1.4 Exercise: Character - Diving Even Deeper
🎥 1.5 John Yorke's 5 Act Structure
🎥 1.6 What is Point of View (POV)?
🎥 1.7 Understanding Dialogue
🎥 1.8 Exercise: Write a Scene Using Dialogue
🎯1.9 Week 1 Assignment - Draft Your CharactersWeek 2: Setting & World Building
🎥 2.1 Introduction To Setting & World Building
🎥 2.2 Writing Exercise A: Creating a Path
🎥 2.3 The Art of World Building
🎥 2.4. World Building In Pullman's Northern Lights
🎥 2.5 World Building In Mantel's 'Bring Out The Bodies'
🎥 2.6 Writing Exercise - Visualization & Writing With All The Senses
🎯 2.7. Week 2 Assignment - World Building for Your StoryWeek 3: An Introduction To Structure
🎥 3.1 Introduction
🎥 3.2 John Yorke's 10 Questions
🎥 3.3 Exercise A - 10 Story Questions
🎥 3.4 Why Do We Need Structure?
🎥 3.5: Exercise B: Your Key Scenes
🎥 3.6 A Reflection On The Exercise & Your Key Scenes
🎥 3.7 Pace
🎥 3.8 John York's 5 Act Structure - The Hobbit
🎥 3.9 Exercise C - Use Road-Map
🎥3.10 Pixar Structure
🎯 Week 3 Assignment - Write Your OutlineWeek 4: Common Questions & Next Steps
🎥 4.1 Recap + Inciting Incident
🎥 4.2 Q&A
🎥 4.3 Next Steps + Homework
🎯 Week 4 Assignment - Write Your Synopsis
Self-Paced Course
Move through the lessons at your own pace. Lifetime access to the content, plus any future modules.£79
LWS Silver & Gold Members get £30-off.
About: 4-Week Live Journey
Several times each year, we run a cohort-based, live 4-week 'Journey' to move through the material together.Includes the Idea To Outline course, plus: Community + Live Sessions + Editorial Feedback Opportunities
Each Week Includes:
🖥️ A Lesson: You'll learn a key part of the picture book writing and publishing process.✅ An Action: Each week, you'll share a deliverable with your fellow writers and editor, Lou Grosart.✍️ Weekly Live Working Session and Q&A: We’ll gather every week for silent working sprints, Q&A or critique sessions.
It is not mandatory to attend the live sessions. You will still participate and get feedback on your work.
🗓️ Weekly Live Sessions:
Includes 4 live sessions with Anna Wilson, on Mondays at 6.30pm BST / 1:30pm ET / 10.30am PT.We'll share a recording with anyone who is unable to attend.Week 1 - Exploring Characters + Q&AWeek 2 - Setting & World Building + Q&AWeek 3 - Structure + Q&AWeek 4 - Wrap Up + Q&A
FAQs: Live Journey
Who is Idea to Outline for?
This journey will be most useful to writers wanting to write any form of fiction, whether it’s long or short form or a children’s story.Is this Journey delivered live?Our workshops are pre-recorded; our Q&As are live. You'll also be submitting homework in real-time.How long will it take me to get through this Journey?You'll need to spend 2-3 hours each week to get the most from this course, including attending our live sessions.Can I get 1-on-1 feedback on my work?Included in the journey is one piece of feedback on a submission from either Anna or Abigail.Will this help me finally outline my story?This journey will give you the tools to help you explore the scope of your story and start to outline your fictional piece.Will the live weekly sessions be recorded?Yes all, sessions will be recorded.
Option 1:
Self-Paced Course
Move through the lessons at your own pace. Lifetime access to the content, plus any future modules.£79
Option 2:
Live 4-Week Journey w/ Feedback
4-Week Guided Journey with Live Sessions & Editorial Feedback.
Next Intake: September 2024£297
Limited to 25 Writers.
Secure your spot today.
A 4-Week Journey
Get Started With Short Stories: Learn the Art of Short-Form Fiction
October 7 - November 7, 2024
Discover the potential of your short stories.Short stories have been a popular home for some of the greatest writers in history, from Chekov to Hemingway, Angela Carter, Virginia Woolfe, Roald Dahl, Neil Gaiman and many others. They are, as Gaiman says ‘tiny windows into other world. . . journeys you can make to the far side of the universe and still be back in time for dinner.’In 4 weeks, we’ll help you excavate your ideas and finish the draft of a brilliant short story.
In 4 Weeks, You Will:
Gain a deeper awareness of techniques used by classic and contemporary short story writers
Develop a better understanding of what makes a timeless short story
Understand the potential for publication with magazines and publishers
Submit 1000 words of your brilliant short story for professional feedback
Key Details:
Price: £297 (~$350 USD)
Live Sessions:*
Held across 4 Mondays at 7pm BST (2pm ET / 11am PT)
Week 1: Oct 7 - Discover Your Character: Mon,
Week 2: Oct 14 - Explore Place & World:
Week 3: Oct 21 - Uncover Key Movements & Plot
Week 4: Oct 28th - Create a Powerful Ending
*Not mandatory to attend live. Sessions will be recorded and shared with all participants. You’ll also have opportunities to connect with your cohort online.
Testimonials:
The Short Story Course really helped crystallise the requirements of the genre for me. It made difficult concepts simple. I feel much better equipped to tackle short stories now. The community of writers was very supportive, encouraging ... and the specific advice on my story was spot on and invaluable.
- Vince R
I am someone who has never written fiction before because I was too intimidated by the process.... I now have the confidence to write!
- Jodi T
Brilliantly organised and excellent value for money. I would highly recommend it!
- Lucinda B
🗓️ What to Expect, Week by Week:
Each week includes a live seminar and clear assignment.
1️⃣ Week 1: Discover Your Character
Mon, October 7th, 7-8.30pm BST (2pm ET / 11am PT)This week, we’ll look at how character shapes a short story. We’ll discuss how you can understand your main character through their delusions, dilemmas, wants and needs.
2️⃣ Week 2: Explore Place & World
Mon, October 14th, 7-8.30pm BST (2pm ET / 11am PT)This week, we’ll explore the world your character inhabits. We’ll look at how your character’s perception of the world around them shapes their sense of place, and we will develop techniques to help you locate your characters in a vivid and compelling reality. We’ll then discuss a pre-selected short story to apply our knowledge.
3️⃣ Week 3: Uncover Key Movements & Plot
Mon, October 21st, 7-8.30pm BST (2pm ET / 11am PT)For a short story to have power, it must have movement. In this week’s session, we’ll look at how your new understanding of character and place can help you to plot the movement of energy in your story. We will ‘kick the chair out from underneath your character’ and force them to act in ways that will surprise you and your reader.
4️⃣ Week 4: Create a Powerful Ending
Mon, October 28th, 7-8.30pm BST (2pm ET / 11am PT)How do you know when your short story is finished? In a pre-recorded session, we’ll help you discover how to find the best ending to your story. This session will build on everything we’ve learned about character, place and movement, and will help you discover an ending that feels both surprising and inevitable.
*Not mandatory to attend live. Sessions will be recorded and shared with all participants. You’ll also have opportunities to connect with your cohort online.
Each Week Features:
🖥️ Live Seminar & Working Session to focus your efforts with thoughtful exercises aligned with your creative goals.🎯 Clear Assignments to walk you through how to craft and edit a short story you're proud of.✅ Bonus Resources & Tools, carefully curated to help you on your short story writing journey.❤️ Cohort of Creatives to share progress, encouragement, feedback and keep you accountable.
👍 Who is Start Your Short Stories for?
Anyone curious about writing fiction and/or short stories
Writers who have started writing short stories but want to deepen their craft
Anyone wanting to bring depth, play, and exploration to their fiction writing
Your Tutors
Niamh Mulvey is a writer from Kilkenny, Ireland. Her short fiction has been published in The Stinging Fly, Banshee and Southword and was shortlisted for the Seán O’Faoláin Prize for Short Fiction 2020. Her short story collection Hearts & Bones: Love Songs for Late Youth was published by Picador and received critical acclaim from readers and the press. The Amendments is her first novel. She was formerly a commissioning editor at Hachette Publishing in London.Praise For Niamh Mulvey’s skills as an editor:“My book would not have gotten its publishing deal without her support...She really understands both what makes a book work and what makes it sellable. At the same time her genuine love for stories and for writers shines through in everything she does.”
Abigail Mann is a comedy writer living in London and surviving on a diet of three-shot coffee, bourbons, and vegetarian sausage rolls. She was born and brought up in Norfolk, which she says is to blame for the sardonic humour that runs through her novels. Her novels include The Lonely Fajita, The Wedding Crasher and The Sister Surprise.
🗓️ Why Join 'Start Your Short Stories Course'?
Get Started With Short Stories is for anyone who wants to learn the art of writing incredible short-form fiction. If that's you, you'll love this live course.Over 4 weeks, you’ll learn writing techniques to craft unforgettable fiction, you shall understand how celebrated and emerging short story writers create magical short tales, and you will discover how to grow your ideas into impactful stories.
❓ FAQs
Is this class delivered live?
Yes. Weekly seminars are held on Zoom and accompanied by actionable homework items. But don't worry if you can’t attend live! We’ll record the sessions and share them with you. Catch up at your convenience.How much time do I need to dedicate weekly to this class?To make the most of this sprint, you'll need to spend 1-2 hours each week on course material, in addition to attending our live sessions or watching seminar replays.Will you run the class again?
Depending on demand, we may run this again later in 2025 .Will the live weekly sessions be recorded?
Yes. All sessions will be recorded, published in our community portal, and available for you to watch at your convenience.Will I get feedback on my work?
Yes, this class includes one-to-one professional editorial feedback on up to 1000 words. We also encourage you to give and receive peer-to-peer feedback.Will my work be published?
While this course cannot guarantee publication, it will give you a thorough understanding of how to write short stories and what it takes to complete a story and submit a single piece or a collection for publication in a magazine or a publishing house.This is out of my price range. Do you have an alternatives?
We also offer this as a self-paced online course for a fraction of the price.We also offer a limited number of bursaries or scholarships - email us at hello@londonwriterssalon.com to find out more.Any other questions? Email us at hello@londonwriterssalon.com
Testimonial for Niamh:
"My book would not have gotten its publishing deal without her support...She really understands both what makes a book work and what makes it sellable. At the same time her genuine love for stories and for writers shines through in everything she does."
Option 1:
Self-Paced Course
Move through the lessons at your own pace. Lifetime access to the content, plus any future modules.£79
LWS Silver & Gold Members get £30-off.
Write A Children's Picture Book
Learn how to write picture books that children will love and publishers will want to buy.Designed & Led by Penguin Random House Publisher Lou Grosart.
Self-Paced • £79
Live Sessions w/ Feedback • £297
Discounts for LWS Silver Members & Gold Members.
What does it take to turn a fun idea into a masterful and delightful picture book?
Writing for children isn't easy, but it is something that you can learn and master with the right tools and guidance.In 4 weeks, you'll get the perfect combination of support and instruction to kickstart your writing career as a picture book writer.Get the expert instruction and feedback you need to craft your best picture book.
In Just 4 Weeks, You Will:
1. Understand the picture book market. You'll walk away with a good working knowledge of the picture book market and understand the steps that go into creating UK's bestselling picture books.2. Know the process that goes behind the creation of a picture book.3. Understand the 5 Key Principles of writing a compelling picture book.
4. Have the know-how to create your own picture book outline and draft.5. Receive expert feedback twice from Picture Book Publisher Louise Grosart on your work. (Live Sprint Only)6. Have all of your burning questions answered in our online community forum or in our live Q&As. (Live Sprint Only)
Your Instructor:
Louise Grosart:
Louise Grosart has over a decade of experience publishing picture books and working with licensed books for brands like Dreamworks, BBC, Hasbro and Dr Seuss.She is currently a Publisher at Penguin Random House where she works on household names such as Peppa Pig and Hey Duggee. She was previously the editor for million-copy selling The Dinosaur that Pooped Christmas (by Tom Fletcher, Dougie Poynter and Garry Parsons), Sarah and Duck, and has worked on hundreds of brands and stand-alone picture books for Penguin Random House and Egmont Publishing.As part of her job, she works closely with writers, illustrators and designers and understands what agents and editors are looking for, and has created a 5-step process for mastering picture books.
Who is this course for?
▸ Experienced writers who want to turn their hand to picture books.▸ Picture book writers who want feedback on an current project.▸ Budding writers completely new to picture books and writing!
Course Outline:
Pre-Course Introduction - Welcome!
🎯 ACTION: Check in with Yourself
🎥 Welcome! How This Masterclass Works
🎥 Introducing Your Editor, Louise Grosart
🎯 ACTION: Check in with yourself & set your intention for the courseWeek 1: Introduction to Picture Books
1.1 🎥 What is a Picture Book?
1.2 🎥 The Picture Book Marketplace
1.3 🎥 How are Picture Books Made?
1.4 🎥 What Makes A Good Picture Book?
1.5 🎥 What To Avoid With Your Picture Book
1.6 🎥 Five Key Principles of a Great Picture Book
1.7 🎥 An Overview of The Classic Picture Book StructureWeek 2: Outline Your Picture Book
2.1 🎥 Create A Picture Book Outline Alongside Lou
2.2 🎥 Introduction & Prelims
2.3 🎥 Character & Setting
2.3A🎧 Brainstorm Your Character & Settings With Lou
2.4 🎥 Problems & Resolutions
2.4A🎧 Brainstorm Your Problems & Resolutions With Lou
2.5. 🎥 Giving Up & Turning Point
2.5A 🎧 Brainstorm Your 'Giving up' & 'Turning' Points With Lou
2.6 🎥 The Conclusion
2.6A🎧 Brainstorm Your Conclusion With LouWeek 3: Write Your First Draft
3.1 🎧 Writing Your First Draft
🎯 ACTION: Write Your First DraftWeek 4: Editing Your First Draft
4.1 🎧 Lou’s Tips on EditingWrap-Up: Bonus
🎥 How To Submit to Agents & Publishers (including Query Letter Template)
🎥 Q&A w/ Picture Book Agent
🎥 Interview w/ Penguin Random House Publisher Louise Grosart
Testimonials
"I got so much out of this course! It was clear, straightforward and covered the main elements of picture books. I've finally figured out my story. Thank you"–Barbara Kimmel"This has been so wonderful. Thanks for all of this insight and teaching!"
–Molly O"Chuffed that I’ve managed to write a story and grateful that I know a lot more than a month ago!"–Simone T
"Thank you so much! You’ve sparked something really inspiring for me and where I can channel my writing."
–Kara L"Beautifully organised from top to bottom... succinct and useful. I also enjoyed her kind and helpful advice, it is not everyone who can effectively teach something they know at this depth. Kudos!"
–Bonnie Macbird
"This has been been amazing...Really happy with the newly edited story"
–Diana B"A great opportunity to find out what publishers are looking for and to get one to one feedback from a talented editor. I highly recommend it to anyone interested in writing picture books."
–Debbie R"Wonderful course, very helpful and much appreciated" –Barb N
Option 1:
Self-Paced Course
Move through the lessons at your own pace. Lifetime access to the content, plus any future modules.£79
LWS Silver & Gold Members get £30-off.
About: 4-Week Live Sprint
Several times each year, we run a cohort-based, live 4-week 'Sprint' to move through the material together.Includes the Picture Book course, plus:Community + Live Sessions + Editorial Feedback Opportunities
Each Week Includes:
🖥️ A Lesson: You'll learn a key part of the picture book writing and publishing process.✅ An Action: Each week, you'll share a deliverable with your fellow writers and editor, Lou Grosart.✍️ Weekly Live Working Session and Q&A: We’ll gather every week for silent working sprints, Q&A or critique sessions.
It is not mandatory to attend the live sessions. You will still participate and get feedback on your work.
🗓️ Weekly Live Sessions:
We'll hold 4 live sessions over 4 weeks:Week 1 - Working Session + Q&AWeek 2 - Working Session + Q&AWeek 3 - Critique SessionWeek 4 - Critique Session
FAQs: Live Sprint
Is this course delivered live?The material is pre-recorded and designed to be taken at a weekly pace alongside your fellow students. There will also be weekly live Q&A and working sessions with Louise to help you work through the material and complete your homework. You'll also have the opportunity to get live feedback on your work from Louise.
How long will it take me to get through this course?You'll need to spend 2-3 hours each week to get the most from this course.
Will I get 1-on-1 feedback on my work?Yes you'll be invited to upload your work for critique from Louise. If you want more time with the editor, you can also book private coaching session with Louise.
Will this get me a book deal?The picture book market is extremely competitive, this course should help you understand what publishers, agents and readers are looking for and help you create a compelling picture book. Several of our students have gone on to get book deals.
Option 1:
Self-Paced Course
Move through the lessons at your own pace. Lifetime access to the content, plus any future modules.£79
Option 2:
Live Sprint w/ Feedback
4-Week Guided Sprint with Live Sessions & Editorial Feedback.Next Intake: Autumn 2024£297
Limited to 25 Writers.
Secure your spot today.
Query with Confidence & Find an Agent
Perfect Your Query Letter & Land an Agent That's Right For You.
Live Sprint w/ Feedback • £297
Next live date TBA
Self-Paced • £79
Discounts for LWS Silver Members & Gold Members.
Querying literary agents can be stressful. But it doesn't have to be.
We’ve made it our goal to demystify the publishing landscape, simplify the process of writing an excellent query letter, and share what it takes to land a literary agent that's right for you.In 4 weeks, you'll learn how to get your work in front of agents—and get them excited about your stories.For FICTION or MEMOIR authors only.
In Just 4 Weeks, You Will:
1. Understand how to navigate the querying process and the publishing landscape.2. Craft an outstanding query letter to get agents interested in your story.3. Have a strategy for learning exactly which agents are a great fit for you and your book.4. Build a system for managing your querying process and workflow with organization and ease.
5. Learn how to navigate the highs and lows of the querying journey.6. Receive direct feedback from two literary agents on your query letter. (Live Sprint Only)7. Do it all alongside a community of fellow writers also querying. (Live Sprint Only)8. Have all of your burning questions answered in our online community forum or live weekly Q&As. (Live Sprint Only)
Testimonials
"I signed with Zeitgeist Literary Agency this week. It's an exciting step in the right direction. And I'm in talks with a publisher... I loved the Query course and it definitely gave me more clarity and confidence in my search. Good luck to all the writers out there." –Dean
"This course has been so helpful, inspiring and supportive. I would recommend it to anyone delving into the querying process. Writing can be a lonely journey at the best of times and querying can be brutal if you let it, but this course has changed that for me." –Becky K
Who is this course for?
▸ Memoir or Fiction writers with a completed manuscript who are looking for representation.▸ Writers in the midst of querying agents but not getting much traction.▸ Writers near the end of completing a draft of your book and considering publication.
Your Instructors
Parul Bavishi has been an editor for over a decade. In addition to running LWS, she helps thriller, YA and non-fiction writers level up their craft and get published. She has worked as an editor and literary scout at Random House, Quercus & Eccles Fisher and the Story Grid. She has been a consultant for StoryMix Studio. She has run the Query With Confidence Course for 3 years at LWS.Lindsey Trout Hughes is a writer and editor. Her essays have appeared in Bright Wall/Dark Room, The Rumpus, Catapult, and elsewhere. Her essay, Ghost Town Honeymoon, was chosen by Roxane Gay for the Emerging Writers Series in The Audacity. A teacher of creative nonfiction, she is an Assistant Books Editor at Barrelhouse.
Agents For Feb 2024 Live Sprint
Charlotte Colwill began her career as a bookseller and book buyer before making the switch to agenting. She has worked at Tibor Jones for Wilbur Smith's agent and worked editorially on his co-written recent works. She has also worked at Jo Unwin Literary Agency, with Rachel Mann's roster of clients which includes Eliza Clark, Caleb Femi and Jack Meggitt-Phillips. And since 2018, she has run her own literary agency Colwill & Peddle, representing a wide range of fiction, children's and non-fiction writers. She is very editorially-minded as an agent and loves to work closely with authors to craft their writing into brilliant, commercially viable books.View the latest book deals the agency is making on Twitter @colwillpeddle.Megan Staunton (Bergstrom Studios) specialises in commercial, self-help and literary non-fiction across the genres of memoir, mindfulness, interior design and midwifery. She has worked at Penguin Random House and Gleam Titles where she worked with authors such as Influencer of the Year Grace Victory, Paula Sutton of Hill House Vintage and the award-winning midwife, Marley Hall.Recent deals include books by Lottie Bowser (Little A), Emma Armstrong (DK Living UK), Rosie Steer (Bloomsbury) and Annie Rideout (Radar/ Hachette).
Testimonials
"[This] was the first time I had discussed the book in front of others and I hadn’t realised how nervous I was. It was an exceptional opportunity you created... I have no connection to the literary, editing, publishing world and some times feel like I am struggling in the dark and this course has been invaluable." –Lucy
"I signed with an agent last week using a query similar to the one I drafted during your live session. Thanks for the opportunity!" –Bryan C
Query With Confidence Course Outline:
Pre-Course Introduction
🎥 Welcome! How This Course Works
✍🏼 Introduce Yourself & Set IntentionsWeek 1 - Introduction to Querying & The Publishing Landscape
🎥 Querying & The Publishing Landscape
🎯ACTION: Find Comparisons For Your Book
🎯 ACTION: Get Your Comps Query Ready
📃 Live Q&A + Workshop Session (Wed, Feb 7)Week 2 - Drafting & Refining Your Query Letter
🎥 Craft Your Query Letter
🎯 ACTION: Revise & Refine Your Query Letter
📃 Live Q&A + Workshop Session (Wed, Feb 14)Week 3 - How to Query
🎥 Organise Your Query System
🎯 ACTION: Organize and Strategize
🎯 ACTION: Upload Your Query Letter for Instructor Feedback
📃 Live Agent Feedback Session (Wed, Feb 21)
Week 4: Sustaining the Journey
Add lesson🎥 Week 4: Sustaining the Journey
🎯 ACTION: Revise Your Query Letter
📃 Live Agent Feedback Session (Wed, Feb 28Week 5: Post Course Wrap Up
🎯 Dealing with Agent Feedback + Next StepsBonus Resources:
🎥 How to Write A Synopsis with Abigail Mann
📃 Synopsis Examples
🎥 Q&A w/ Rachel - My Query Journey
🎥 Q&A w/ Abigail - My Query Journey
🎥 Interview w/ Literary Agent Madeline Milburn
🎥 Interview with Literary Agent Ed Wilson
Option 1:
Self-Paced Course
Move through the lessons at your own pace. Lifetime access to the content, plus any future modules.£79
LWS Silver Members get £30-off.
About: 4-Week Live Sprint
Several times each year, we run a cohort-based, live 4-week 'Sprint' to move through the material together.Includes Query With Confidence course, plus:Community + Live Sessions + Agent FeedbackNext Live Sprint Kicks Off: Autumn, 2024
Each Week Includes:
🖥️ A Lesson: You'll learn a key part of the querying process.🎯 A Clear Action: Bitesize actions to help you write your query letter and submit to a literary agent.✍️ Weekly Live Sessions: Each week we'll host a live working session, Q&A and/or agent critique.We'll be with you every step of the way as you build your query letter and seek agent representation.
It is not mandatory to attend the live sessions. You will still participate and get feedback on your work.
🗓️ Weekly Live Sessions:
We'll hold 4 live sessions over 4 weeks.These take place at 7.30pm GMT/ 2.30pm ET/ 11.30am PT.Week 1: Working Session + Q&AWeek 2: Working Session + Q&AWeek 3: Live Feedback From Agent #1Week 4: Live Feedback From Agent #2
FAQs: Live Sprint
Who is this course for?
This course will be most useful to writers seeking representation for completed, full-length works of fiction and memoir.Is this course delivered live?
Weekly seminars are pre-recorded and accompanied by actionable homework items. We’ll also meet live weekly for a Q&A and to work through where you might be feeling stuck.How long will it take me to get through this course?
You'll need to spend 2-3 hours each week to get the most from this course, including attending our live sessions.Can I get 1-on-1 feedback on my work?
Included in the course are two live sessions with agents who will provide feedback on query letters submitted in advance.Will this get me a literary agent?
The traditional publishing landscape is competitive, so we cannot guarantee you'll land an agent. But you will get direct feedback from two agents, and this course will help you understand what agents are looking for when seeking clients to represent. You will more confident in your next steps and understand what it takes to land a literary agent.Will you run the Sprint again?
Depending on demand, we may run this again. However it will likely be at a higher price.Will the live weekly sessions be recorded?
We will not record any of the live working sessions, but if any new material is introduced or live feedback is covered, we will record those. If you can't attend a live Agent, you will receive recorded feedback offline.
Option 1:
Self-Paced Course
Move through the lessons at your own pace. Lifetime access to the content, plus any future modules.£79
Option 2:
Live Sprint w/ Feedback
4-Week Guided Sprint with Live Sessions & Agent Feedback.
Next Intake: Autumn 2024£297
*
Get In Touch.
Have a question? Comment? Idea?Get in touch.
Option 1:
Self-Paced Course
Move through the lessons at your own pace.Lifetime access to the content, plus any new modules added.£79
Option 2:
Live Sprint w/ Feedback
A 4-Week Guided Sprint w/ Live Working Sessions & Feedback on your Picture Book.Community + Live Sessions + Individual Editorial Feedback£297Next Intake: Autumn 2024
Write A Children's Picture Book:
A 4-Week Sprint
Learn how to write picture books that children will love, and publishers will want to buy.A four-week Sprint led by Penguin Editorial Director Lou Grosart.Limited to 20 writers.
Sep 10 - Oct 1, 2023 • £297
Discounts for LWS Silver Members & Gold Members.
In Just 4 Weeks, You Will:
1. Understand the picture book market. You'll walk away with a good working knowledge of the picture book market and understand the steps that go into creating UK's bestselling picture books.2. Know the process that goes behind the creation of a picture book.3. Understand the 5 Key Principles of writing a compelling picture book.
4. Have the know-how to create your own picture book outline and draft.5. Receive expert feedback from Louise on your work6. Have all of your burning questions answered in our online community forum or in our live Q&As
Each Week Includes:
🖥️ Recorded weekly lessons🙇 Live weekly 60-minute working sessions and Q&A’s🎯 Step-by-step assignments and clear actions🧰 A comprehensive querying strategy📝 2 x Live Agent Feedback Sessions📩 Downloadable Bonus Resources❤️ Private community for sharing progress, encouragement, and feedback
Query With Confidence
In 4 weeks, you'll learn how to write a compelling pitch for your book and land a literary agent that's right for you.Learn what it takes to your work in front of agents—and get them excited about your writing.For fiction and memoir writers.
Self-Paced: £79
Sprint: Guided w/ Agent Feedback: (Autumn 2024) £297