This novel writing course, Year of the Novel with Ashley Kalagian Blunt, will be held at Writing NSW in Sydney.

Have a completed draft of a novel and wondering what comes next? Year of the Novel: Phase 3 is designed for writers who are ready to move into the editing and revision stage of their manuscript.

While Year of the Novel runs across three phases, this final phase can also be taken as a stand-alone course. Over eight weeks, you’ll learn how to assess your draft, identify what’s working (and what isn’t), and develop practical strategies for revision. Through lessons, discussions and peer feedback, you’ll strengthen your manuscript and gain the tools to approach editing with confidence.

This course is intended for writers who already have a substantial draft or completed manuscript. Participants should have progressed beyond the planning and early drafting stages and be ready to undertake significant revision work on an existing novel project.

Interested in starting at the beginning rather than joining in Phase 3? Join the waitlist for the full Year of the Novel program here.

Please note: Spaces in this course are limited. We recommend enrolling ASAP to secure your place.

In this third phase we’ll work on turning your very good novel into a brilliant one. We’ll cut the fat, plump up the too-lean bits, polish the language and ensure you have the knowledge and skills necessary to launch your novel into the world.

Throughout, Ashley will use examples from both contemporary fiction and students’ works-in-progress to explore the topics covered, and guest speakers will share their insights to further expand your understanding of how published writers do what they do.

Phase Three: Nip, tuck, primp and preen

This is where we take a long hard look at your very good novel and figure out how to make it brilliant. We’ll cut the fat, plump up the too-lean bits, polish the language and do whatever else is necessary to ensure your novel is ready to face the world.

1. Revision and editing basics
   Learning to read like an editor, and the difference between structural, line and copy-editing.

2. What’s missing?
   Every novel-in-progress has weak points and this week we’re going to confront yours head on. We’ll review common problems and explore strategies to fix them.

3. What needs to go?
   You’ve done a lot of work since you first began this writing journey. Now it’s time to go back and pull down the stuff you no longer need. We’ll pull out the scissors and ruthlessly cut out all those no-longer necessary explanations, descriptions and conversations.

4. Beginnings
   It may seem a bit late to be talking about beginnings, but it’s often only once you’re close to the end that you can see where you should have begun! This week is all about making sure your novel starts where and how it needs to (now that you know where it’s going).

5. Endings
   Endings are tough, but we’re going to be tough right back at them! We’ll talk finales, climaxes, cliffhangers, epilogues, and the difference between an open or ambiguous ending and no ending at all.

6. Word by word
   This week we go micro, considering the rhythm and flow of sentences and hunting down filter words, cliches and clumsy constructions.

7. Over to you
   This week’s content will be determined by the needs and concerns of the students, and will include one-on-one time with the tutor for each writer.

8. Where do we go from here?
   Freelance editors, manuscript assessment, agents, publishers, competitions and more.

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

This course is best suited to writers who have already completed a substantial draft of a novel and are ready to begin the editing process. If you’re still developing an idea or writing your first draft, we recommend joining the full Year of the Novel program from Phase 1. Join the waitlist for the 2027 full Year of the Novel program here.

You can contact us with any questions before enrolling.

Participant Requirements

• You should come to the first class with a completed or substantially completed novel manuscript that you are ready to revise. This course focuses on editing and redrafting rather than generating new work, so participants will get the most from the course if they have already done significant work on their novel.
• Pen and paper or preferred device for writing. Ensure your device is charged.
• Please read Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman prior to the course start; it may help you to have your own copy to refer to.

This course is designed for writers of fiction. If you have a narrative non-fiction manuscript and are interested in enrolling in this course, please contact us to discuss.

Please note: The in-person and online streams of Year of the Novel are completely separate, so please choose carefully at enrolment. We’re unable to offer transfers between the streams once your place is confirmed.

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