Faber Academy > Courses > Brisbane > Writing a Novel
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Writing a Novel

w/ Emily O'Grady + Kristina Olsson

For emerging novelists ready to dive in and make the commitment to complete a full manuscript, this rigorous Masters-equivalent course will guide you through the process of executing your novel, developing essential skills in writing and composition, as well as establishing a dedicated writing practice.

Tuesdays 6pm – 8pm, 18 February – 23 September 2025

Avid Reader – Brisbane

Avid Reader
193 Boundary St
West End QLD 4101

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$6,800/ $5,780 alumni


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Presented by Australia’s leading independent publishing house Allen & Unwin, in partnership with the prestigious UK Publishers Faber & Faber, Writing a Novel is a highly practical, craft-focused program designed to help you find the focus you need to stay the distance and finish your manuscript draft.

In the first stage of this course, you will be given a proven combination of targeted writing exercises, in-class writing workshops, group discussions and carefully selected examples. The focus of this course will be on your own work, with the aim of finishing with a substantial body of new writing, heading towards a publication-ready draft of your novel.

In the second half of the program, you will continue to develop the craft and technical skills required to turn a rough draft into a work of art. Using exercises focused on your own work, and feedback from peers and tutors, you’ll finish the course with a deep understanding of the novelist’s craft and how it applies to your own novel. These are lessons you can carry with you throughout your writing life.

During this course, you will be provided with:

  • Feedback on 8,000-10,000 words of your work-in-progress, delivered through a mixture of whole-class workshops, and a personalised individual one-on-one consultation with your course director.
  • Regular classes covering everything from research and narrative structure to style and tone.
  • The ability to connect with fellow committed novelists, building a close-knit community of trusted readers.
  • The chance to establish valuable industry connections with key insiders from the Australian publishing industry. There is no better way to get on the road to publication than to meet the people who know how to make that happen.
  • A complimentary copy of a recent A & U publication.

In addition to dedicated course work, students who are submission-ready upon the completion of Writing a Novel will have the opportunity submit to the Faber Writing Anthology, a showcase of student work sent to leading literary agents and publishers in both Australia and the United Kingdom, and launched at a bespoke industry party.

Writers you'll be working with:

Emily O’Grady

Emily O’Grady is a writer from Brisbane. Her debut novel, The Yellow House won the 2018 Australian/Vogel’s Literary Award and was shortlisted for the 2019 Ned Kelly Award for Best First Fiction. Her work has been published in Meanjin, Kill Your Darlings, The Big Issue fiction edition, and New Australian Fiction 2021. She holds a PhD in Creative Writing from Queensland University of Technology, where…

Kristina Olsson

Kristina Olsson is an award-winning writer of fiction, non-fiction and journalism. Her 2013 memoir, Boy, Lost, garnered multiple national awards. Her most recent  novel, Shell, is set in Sydney against the backdrop of the building of Sydney Opera House and Australia’s entry into the Vietnam War. It launched the legendary Scribner Australia literary imprint and was shortlisted…

Course outline

This course consists of twenty-two 2 hour evening classes, six full-day sessions and two additional evening sessions dedicated to the Faber Writing Anthology. 

Tuesday 18 February
Introductions

Session 2: Tuesday 25 February
Types of prose, showing and telling

Session 3: Saturday 1 March
Sentences and tense

Session 4: Tuesday 4 March
Characters major and minor

Session 5: Tuesday 11 March
Point of View

Session 6: Tuesday 18 March
Guest Speaker

Session 7: Saturday 22 March
Exercises and thoughts on structure

Session 8: Tuesday 25 March
Dialogue

Session 9: Tuesday 1 April
Voice

Session 10: Tuesday 8 April
Rhythm and pace

EASTER BREAK

Session 11: Tuesday 29 April
Guest speaker and more on character

Session 12: Saturday 3 May
Narrative drive

Session 13: Tuesday 6 May
Guest Speaker

Session 14: Tuesday 13 May
Place and setting

Session 15: Tuesday 20 May
The creative mind

COURSE BREAK

Session 16: Tuesday 22 July
Outlining

Session 17: Tuesday 29 July
Object and detail: Language, description, metaphor. How to use ornament, from the pared back to the baroque.

Session 18: Tuesday 5 August
Plot and structure: What happens next? How to build a compelling narrative.

Session 19: Saturday 9 August
Genre and anti-genre: What is ‘genre’? And which one are you working in? The good, the bad and the ugly of different literary forms.

Session 20: Tuesday 12 August
Beginnings: Your first pages are an invitation that can’t be ignored

Session 21: Tuesday 19 August
Themes and symbolism: The thing you’ve come to say, and how to say it.

Session 22: Tuesday 26 August
Research and believability: How to incorporate research into authentic narrative.

Session 23: Saturday 30 August
Re-drafting bootcamp: Writing, writing, writing. And feedback.

Session 24: Tuesday 2 September
Synopsis and pitch

Session 25: Tuesday 9 September
Publisher

Session 26: Saturday 13 September
Acting coach

Session 27: Tuesday 16 September
Agent

Session 28: Tuesday 23 September
Wrap up and celebratory drinks.

Faber Writing Anthology sessions:

  •         Session 29: Meet the Anthology Editor
  •         Session 30: Meet the Faber UK Team

All evening sessions will take place on Tuesdays, 6.00 – 8.00pm. Full-day sessions will take place on Saturdays from 10.00am –4.00pm and are fully catered. All classes take place at Avid Reader bookstore. Anthology sessions take place on Zoom.

The exact course content could be adjusted according to the experience and concerns of the group and availability of guest writers. The detail of the course is at the discretion of the Course Director and Faber Writing Academy at Allen & Unwin.

Praise for this course

‘This course gave me back my passion for writing and through it I have a full first draft of a manuscript I just couldn’t get started on by myself. I’ve been writing fiction for years and have done just about every course under the sun but I learned so much about writing and about myself through Faber. I will forever be grateful for the connections I’ve made through the course this year’

‘I found Emily’s insight most helpful.’

‘It’s a great way to show your work when you have no idea if it’s even worth reading, Kris has created a wonderfully supportive and caring environment that helps those with L plates gain some confidence.’

 

How to Apply

To apply for Writing A Novel, we ask that students submit:

  • An online application answering several questions asked by our Writing a Novel tutors
  • An attachment with a sample of up to 1,000 words of prose

The selective process ensures that all applicants are applying for the course best suited to their needs and allows the tutor to determine your readiness for the course. 

What happens if I am accepted?

If you are accepted into Writing a Novel, you will be sent an email inviting you to take your place in the course from the Faber Writing Academy at Allen & Unwin team. In order to secure your spot, you will be asked to pay a deposit. The deposit will count as your first monthly instalment. Students may choose to pay the full course fee or settle the remainder at any point.

Please contact us if you wish to discuss further payment plan options via email faberwritingacademy@allenandunwin.com or phone (02) 8425 0171.