online
online

Writing a Novel Online

w/ Vivian Pham and guests

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

Tuesday 23 July 2024 – Saturday 12 April 2025

 $5,900 / $5015 alumni


Using a proven combination of targeted writing exercises, group discussions and carefully selected examples, the focus of this course will be on your own work, with the aim of ending the course with a substantial body of new writing, heading towards a complete first 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, 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.

Presented by Australia’s leading independent publishing house, Writing a Novel: Online is a targeted program specifically designed to help you find the focus you need to stay the distance and finish your manuscript draft throughout the year. During this time, your Course Director will provide you with:

Regular online classes covering everything from the first conception of an idea through to getting words on a page, narrative structure and style.

• Dedicated guidance from your experienced Course Director, as well as industry guests.

Personalised individual consultation on your project from your Course Director.

Support to progress your novel through classroom learning and close reading exercises. Outside of your workshops, you will be encouraged to devote as much time as possible between classes to writing.

• The ability to connect with fellow committed novelists, building a close-knit community of trusted readers.

• The opportunity to establish valuable industry connections with key insiders from the Australian publishing. There is no better way to get on the road to publication than to meet the people who know how to make that happen.

In addition to dedicated coursework, students who complete Writing a Novel will be invited to submit to the digital exclusive version of the Faber Writing Anthology, a professionally edited and designed showcase of student work sent out to leading literary agents and publishers. During the course, you will meet with the editor who works on the anthology and have the chance to see an extract of your novel professionally edited.


Writers you'll be working with:

Vivian Pham

Vivian Pham is a Vietnamese novelist, essayist, and poet from southwestern Sydney. In high school she wrote a novel called The Coconut Children, which was published in March 2020 by Penguin Random House.  In 2021 she was named one of The Sydney Morning Herald Best Young Australian Novelists and she won the Matt Richell Award…

Course outline

The course consists of 22 online evening sessions (Tuesdays 6.30pm to 8.30pm) and 6 half-day sessions (Saturdays 1.00pm to 4.00pm). Times are either in AEST or AEDT depending on dates. Please convert the times if you live outside of this time zone. 

2024 dates

Session 1: Tuesday 23 July
Introduction

Session 2: Tuesday 30 July
Plot

Session 3:  Tuesday 6 August
Character

Session 4: Saturday 10 August
Workshopping

Session 5: Tuesday 13 August
Setting

Session 6: Tuesday 20 August
Plot

Session 7: Tuesday 27 August
Project Review

Session 8: Tuesday 3 September
Writing

Session 9: Saturday 7 September
Workshopping

Session 10: Tuesday 10 September
Character

Session 11: Tuesday 17 September
Plot

COURSE BREAK

Session 12: Tuesday 8 October
Point of View

Session 13: Saturday 12 October
Workshopping

Session 14: Tuesday 15 October
Guest actor

Session 15: Tuesday 22 October
Project review

COURSE BREAK   

2025 dates

Session 16: Tuesday 4 February
Project review

Session 17: Saturday 8 February
Workshopping

Session 18: Tuesday 11 February
Plot

Session 19: Tuesday 18 February
Setting

Session 20: Tuesday 25 February
Plot

Session 21: Tuesday 4 March
Research

Session 22: Tuesday 11 March
Editing your work: Guest editor

Session 23: Saturday 15 March
Workshopping

Session 24: Tuesday 18 March
Ending

Session 25: Tuesday 25 March
Synopses, blurbs, titles and pitches

Session 26: Tuesday 1 April
A&U editor guest appearance – anthology Q&A

Session 27: Tuesday 8 April
Literary agent guest

Session 28: Saturday 12 April
Final workshopping and celebration

How to Apply

In the first instance, we ask students to submit an application for a scholarship placement. To apply, you will need to submit:

  • An online application answering several questions asked by our Writing a Novel tutor
  • 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. Submit your application here.

What happens if I am accepted?

If you are accepted into Writing a Novel Online, 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 of $590 / $501.50 (alumni). The deposit will count as your first monthly instalment, with another 9 monthly payments to be made at the end of each month from August 2024 – April 2025. 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.