It is too late to enrol in this course. Add your name to our waitlist to be contacted next time we run this course – join the waitlist here.

This one-week online course with award-winning author Roanna Gonsalves enables participants to enhance their understanding of the short story form and to refine their craft in order to create engaging and delightful short stories. Participants need to start the course with a draft of a short story (500 to 2000 words) for workshopping.

Is this course right for you? Read our FAQ >>

Each lesson within the course is designed to work on developing specific skills, including the shape of short stories and the use of language, leading participants through the process of refining an early draft of a short story. Be prepared to ‘kill your darlings’ and to do lots of writing.

This course involves submitting short writing exercises, and giving and receiving peer feedback, as well as receiving some tutor feedback.

If you’re new to short story writing or looking for a refresher on the foundational techniques, Getting Started with Short Stories is for you. You can complete this short on-demand writing course at any time, and learn the process for creating a first draft.

Expected Learning Outcomes

Participants will learn:

1. How to think about the shape of short stories
2. How to use fresh language and avoid clichés
3. How to refine an early draft of a short story

Participant Requirements

Participants must have a short story draft of 500 to 2000 words (or an excerpt of a longer story) to workshop during the course.

We’ve designed this online course to meet your learning needs. You can work through the lesson material, ask questions, and engage with fellow writers throughout the course. Internet access and confidence using basic computer software are essential for this program. Read our FAQ before enrolling.

Please expect to spend a minimum of six hours on the course, noting that the amount of time needed to read, respond to discussions, write, revise and critique will vary from person to person.

More from Writing NSW

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