brisbane
brisbane

Writing a Novel

w/ Emily O'Grady

For emerging novelists ready to dive in and make the commitment to complete a full manuscript, this rigorous 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 (AEST), 17 February – 15 September 2026

Avid Reader – Brisbane

Avid Reader
193 Boundary St
West End QLD 4101

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Books@Stones

360 Logan Rd

Stones Corner, Brisbane

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$6,800 or $680 per month

$5,780 or $578 per month (alumni)

See below for early bird discount and save $500.


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…

Course outline

This course consists of twenty-two 2 hour Tuesday evening classes held at Avid Reader Bookshop, six full-day Saturday sessions held at Books@Stones and two additional evening sessions dedicated to the Faber Writing Anthology. 

Session 1: Tuesday 17 February
Introduction

Session 2: Tuesday 24 February
Fundamentals of fiction: showing and telling

Session 3: Saturday 28 February
Beginnings

Session 4: Tuesday 3 March
Sentences

Session 5: Tuesday 10 March
Tense

Session 6: Tuesday 17 March
Guest Speaker

Session 7: Saturday 21 March
Voice

Session 8: Tuesday 24 March
Point of View

Session 9: Tuesday 31 March
Guest Speaker

EASTER BREAK

Session 10: Tuesday 28 April
Dialogue

Session 11: Tuesday 5 May
Subtext

Session 12: Saturday 9 May
Character

Session 13: Tuesday 12 May
Guest Speaker

Session 14: Tuesday 19 May
Place and setting

Session 15: Tuesday 26 May
Research, Authenticity, and Ethics

COURSE BREAK

Session 16: Tuesday 14 July
Minor characters

Session 17: Tuesday 21 July
Rhythm and pace

Session 18: Tuesday 28 July
Object and detail

Session 19: Saturday 1 August
Plot and Structure

Session 20: Tuesday 4 August
Handling Time: Backstory, Flashbacks, and Time Shifts

Session 21: Tuesday 11 August
Themes and symbolism

Session 22: Tuesday 18 August
Genre

Session 23: Saturday 22 August
Editing and Revision

Session 24: Tuesday 25 August
Synopsis and pitch

Session 25: Tuesday 1 September
Publisher

Session 26: Saturday 5 September
Acting coach and pitch/synopsis workshop

Session 27: Tuesday 8 September
Agent

Session 28: Tuesday 15 September
Wrap up and celebratory drinks.

Faber Writing Anthology sessions:

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

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 (Brisbane) you will first have to apply via a Wufoo form here.

Scholarship applications have now closed, but we are still accepting applications for paid places. As part of this application, you will need to include a 1000 word writing sample from your novel-in-progress.

Please note that $6300 is the special early bird price. $6800 is the full price. The alumni discount code applies to both prices.

Important Dates:

Scholarship Deadline: 26 October, 2025, 11:59pm

First round offers made by 4 December, 2025.

Scholarship Announced: 4 December, in our newsletter.

Earlybird Discount Expires: 11 December, 2025

We will continue to accept applications for paid places after this date, until the course is full.