Courses
These courses have been chosen because they include elements that are particularly useful for published authors, both traditionally published and those looking to independently publish their books. Any others you think should be included? Contact us.
Hawkwood
From Manuscript to Submission
Move your novel closer to publication on this four-day residential course at Hawkwood. Learn from bestselling author Ally Wilkes, editor Cat Camacho and guest speaker Emilia Hart, New York Times bestselling author of Weyward and The Sirens. Through workshops, one-to-one tutorials and publishing insight, you'll strengthen your manuscript while enjoying uninterrupted writing time in Hawkwood's beautiful Cotswold setting.
Course: Writing, Editing and Publishing your Novel
17–20 September 2026
Hawkwood: Writing, Editing and Publishing your Novel
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Move your novel closer to publication on this four-day residential course at Hawkwood. Learn from bestselling author Ally Wilkes, editor Cat Camacho and guest speaker Emilia Hart, New York Times bestselling author of Weyward and The Sirens.
From £374
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From Manuscript to Submission
Course: Writing, Editing and Publishing your Novel
17–20 September 2026
Whether you're halfway through a manuscript or approaching the final stages of your first draft, knowing how to shape your novel into something ready for readers can be the greatest challenge of all.
This four-day residential course in the Cotswolds, spanning Thursday to Sunday, is designed to help writers move confidently from manuscript to submission. Combining practical workshops, constructive feedback and expert industry insight, you'll develop the editorial skills needed to strengthen your work while gaining a clearer understanding of today's publishing landscape.
Tutors Ally Wilkes, bestselling author of All the White Spaces and Where the Dead Wait, and editor Cat Camacho bring together decades of experience in both writing and publishing. Together, they'll guide you through the process of revising your novel with fresh eyes, helping you identify what your story needs to become the strongest version of itself.
The course also includes an exclusive guest session with Emilia Hart, New York Times bestselling author of Weyward and The Sirens, who will share her journey to international success and offer invaluable insights into the craft and business of writing fiction.
Throughout the weekend you'll explore the structural, stylistic and emotional elements that make fiction compelling. Sessions cover editing techniques, pacing, character development, narrative voice and plot refinement. You'll also examine the realities of today's publishing industry, from submitting to agents and publishers to understanding alternative publishing routes.
Alongside practical teaching, you'll have the opportunity to workshop extracts from your own novel in a supportive, encouraging environment, and benefit from tailored one-to-one tutorials. Learning from fellow writers, sharing experiences and receiving detailed feedback are central to the course, helping you return home with renewed confidence and a clear plan for your next steps.
Set within 42 acres of gardens, woodland and orchards in the Cotswolds – in the landscape that inspired Laurie Lee – Hawkwood's country house provides a peaceful residential setting where writers can focus on their craft while enjoying comfortable accommodation and delicious home-cooked meals. Between sessions, you can continue working on your manuscript in the gardens, woodlands or quiet corners of the house, while conversations over shared meals often prove just as inspiring as the formal workshops.
Whether your ambition is to kickstart the novel you've always wanted to write, develop an existing manuscript, or bring your project to submission-ready quality, this course will equip you with the tools, knowledge and momentum to move your writing forward.
Bursaries: If you're aged 18–26, two 50% residential bursaries are available for this course.