Creative Writing - Short Stories Next Steps - Beeston Library - Adult Learning

Beeston Library, Beeston

Key details

Date -
Sessions Wednesdays: 1:30pm - 3:30pm
No. sessions 4
Venue Beeston Library, Beeston
For ages 19+
Group size 5 - 15
Cost FREE - £32

About this course

Have you tried writing short stories and want to take your fiction further? Do you want to refine your storytelling techniques, go deeper with character development, and learn how to shape stories for publication or competitions?

This course is designed for those with some creative writing experience who want to progress. You’ll explore techniques for strengthening your narrative voice, experimenting with structure, and writing with intention. There will be opportunities to workshop your writing, respond to feedback, and develop a more polished and professional final story.

Alongside building confidence in your writing, this course also supports key employability skills. You’ll be able to give and receive constructive feedback, improve your written communication, and enhance your attention to detail. Creative writing also builds resilience, problem-solving and self-expression—skills valued in a wide range of careers. Develop your short story writing skills in a supportive and creative environment. You will deepen your understanding of short story craft through guided exercises, prompts, peer feedback and tutor advice.

You’ll explore techniques such as narrative perspective, pacing, and theme, while working towards producing a compelling and submission-ready story or flash fiction. This course is ideal for learners aged 19+ who have completed a beginners' creative writing course or have some prior writing experience. Whether you’re looking to submit to journals, enter competitions or simply write for pleasure, this course will help sharpen your skills and build your confidence.

By the end of the course you will:

· Write one complete short story or flash fiction piece,, using a clear structure with developed characters, setting and theme.

· Apply at least three editing techniques (e.g. cutting wordiness, clarifying tone, correcting grammar) to improve your own writing by the final session.

· Use tutor and peer feedback to make two specific revisions to a draft story during the course.

· Identify and use at least two advanced storytelling techniques—such as narrative perspective, pacing, or symbolism—in your final piece.

· Format a short story for potential submission standard and identify at least one suitable competition, magazine or online platform for entry.

· Reflect in writing on three transferable skills you’ve developed (e.g. written communication, creative thinking, attention to detail) and explain how these could support employability or further study.

Booking your place and fee information

If you receive certain benefits you will be offered the course for free, however if you have a financial barrier which may prevent you from enrolling on the course, please visit our funding page for further information.

Residency in England

To book and enrol on one of our courses, you must be living in England permanently and live outside of the devolved areas listed below or live within the East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA) devolved area (Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire).

  • Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield 

  • Cambridgeshire and Peterborough

  • Greater London

  • Greater Manchester

  • Liverpool City Region

  • Newcastle Upon Tyne, North Tyneside and Northumberland

  • Tees Valley

  • West of England

  • West Midlands

  • West Yorkshire

Residency Eligibility – other criteria

If you are living in the UK on a visa we will require evidence of this in order to be funded for the course, you can upload this evidence when you apply for the course. (completion of a questionnaire will be required).

Some exceptions may apply for example

  • Your visa expiry date must be beyond the end of your course

  • Asylum seekers must have lived in the UK for 6 months or longer while their claim is being considered by the Home Office

  • You are receiving local authority support under section 23C or section 23CA of the Children Act 1989 or the Care Act 2014

Any learner who is not funded full cost fees would apply to these courses.

Any questions?

Check the FAQs page, or get in touch:

Book now on Learner Hub

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