brisbane
brisbane

Writing a Novel Stage 2

w/ Kristina Olsson + guests, including leading industry agents/publishers

Write your novel, and write it well…

comprehensive three month course builds on the work started in Writing a Novel: Stage 1 and is suitable for writers who have completed that course, or who have a substantially completed rough or first draft of a novel-in-progress. This course will develop 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 novelists’ craft and how it applies to your own novel.

6 July – 14 September 2021 (3 months)

Avid Reader – Brisbane

Avid Reader
193 Boundary St
West End QLD 4101

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$3,250 / $2,760 alumni


This is a past course.

• Benefit from the structure of regular classes covering everything from playing with genre, the power of what is unspoken and using scenes and narrative summary to maintain momentum.

• Learn from our experienced Course Director, as well as guest tutors including top authors, and agents/publishers.

• Receive personalised, one-to-one attention on your project from your tutor.

• Get it done. When undertaken with Writing a Novel: Stage 1, this is a flexible alternative to a creative writing MA, designed for people who might be considering a career and who are prepared to engage fully in the hard work involved. Apart from the workshops, you will be devoting as much time as possible between classes to writing.

• Receive invaluable feedback by having the chance to present your work to your class of other committed novelists.

• Start your career with unrivalled access to those who know. There is no better way to get on the road to publication than to meet the people who know how to make that happen. Hear talks from people in the industry, then read to a room of agents at course completion.

Please note that students completing Writing a Novel Stage 1 will have first preference for places in Writing a Novel Stage 2. Places for new students can only be offered if an existing student chooses to discontinue. We will advise new applicants of the availability of places as soon as possible.

 

Graduates who complete Writing a Novel Stage 2 will have the opportunity to be published in the annual Faber Writing Anthology.

The Faber Writing Anthology is distributed to publishers and literary agents across Australia and the United Kingdom.


Writers you'll be working with:

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

The course consists of:

11 x evening sessions (Tuesdays 6.00pm-8.00pm) + 3 x full-day sessions (Saturdays 10am-4pm)

The content listed below is comprehensive but is still a guide only. 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.

Session 1: Tuesday 6 July
Course outline and introduction

Session 2: Tuesday 13 July
Object and detail

Session 3: Saturday 17 July
Plot and structure

Session 4: Tuesday 20 July
Beginnings

Session 5: Tuesday 27 July
Genre and anti-genre

Session 6: Tuesday 3 August
Themes and symbolism

Session 7: Sunday 8 August (Please note date change)
Redrafting boot camp

Session 8: Tuesday 10 August
Research and believability

Session 9: Tuesday 17 August
Synopsis

Session 10: Tuesday 24 August
Pitches

Session 11: Saturday 28 August
Acting coach and A&U editor

Session 12: Tuesday 31 August
Guest speaker: Publisher

Session 13: Tuesday 7 September
Guest speaker: Agent

Session 14:Tuesday 14 September
Where to from here? Planning and enabling

N.B. In November, students will have an option to take part in the launch of the Faber Writing Academy Anthology 2021 which includes a reading to industry guests.

Praise for this course

‘If anyone can whisper a great book out of a messy first draft or a hesitant author it is Kristina Olsson. 100% recommend her to any one starting out in this industry.’ Krissy Kneen, author and Avid Reader staff member.

‘I have written more in the weeks I have been doing this course than I have in years. The first draft of my novel is starting to take shape, and the feedback I have gained from Kristina, and the other writers has been insightful and very encouraging. ‘ Leeann Nolan (2021)

‘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.’ Amanda Lay (2021)

‘The opportunity to workshop our material is definitely one of the best aspects of the course. Kris always gives very considered and constructive feedback, which I really appreciate. As a group we have formed a positive and collegiate dynamic, and I believe we all benefit from giving and receiving respectful and well thought out feedback.’ Jeanne Taylor (2021)

‘Kristina is an excellent teacher – knowledgeable, authoritative, interesting and unfailingly constructive in her criticism during the workshop sessions.’ John Richards (2021)

How to Apply

This is a past course.