Creative Writing: Short Stories and First Chapters (evening) - adult education class

Course overview

Everyone has a story to tell, whether a work wholly of the imagination or something developed from the experience of life.

On this course we will take you on a journey to find or further develop ways to express your ideas in writing, either in the form of a short story or a passage from a longer piece of work.

Our creative writing course seeks to educate the imagination and equip you with the technical and practical know-how to fulfil your writing aims.

Teaching on this interactive, discussion-centred course is delivered in a friendly and guided environment offering the necessary positive and constructive criticism appropriate to the emerging work of each member of the group. The sessions will be further supported by short extracts from great works of fiction and books on the craft, drawn from a diverse community of writers.

The sessions are designed to support emerging writers, offering a supportive space for experimentation and exploration in creative writing.

This is an adult education course open to everyone. No previous experience is necessary.

Reading material or special equipment needed (if any)

There is no required reading material, but recommended texts include:

• The Writers' & Artists' Yearbook (London: Bloomsbury, 2023, 2024, 2025)

• Ailsa Cox, Writing Short Stories (London: Routledge, 2016)

• John Mullan, How Novels Work (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2008)

• Anne Lamott, Bird by Bird (London: Doubleday, 1994)

Term dates

•  Spring Term: Wednesdays 14 January until 25 March 2026 (no class on 18 February)

Any questions?

If you have any questions about the content of this course please contact the Programme Manager, Dr Michael Paraskos at m.paraskos@imperial.ac.uk 

For general programme and enrolment questions please contact the Imperial after:hours Administrator, Christian Jacobi at c.jacobi@imperial.ac.uk

Class recordings

These classes are not recorded.

Imperial certificates

There are no examinations or assessments for this course. However, attendance can lead to the award of an Imperial attendance certificate (T&Cs apply).