Now in its 15th year and running from March until December 2026, this course is ideal for anyone wishing to write a novel.

The course consists of 8 full day, in-person workshop over the year (usually on a Sunday), and held at the Scottish Storytelling Centre, Royal Mile, Edinburgh. These working days are guided by Janis, who brings a variety of prompts covering a variety of crafting elements, all designed to spark strong scenes.

In addition to these hands-on creative writing workshops the course has a zoom gathering, one evening per month, with a focus on sharing of work in progress and giving and receiving supportive reflection. Students on this course will also have a one hour one to one tutorial. Other events and gatherings may take place organically, such as writing buddy support and author related outings. The novel writing course also has an autumn long-weekend writing retreat (accommodation for this is not included in the course fees). The course ends with a writer’s showcase in early January, where novel writing students have the opportunity to read from their work in progress to interested members of the public. 

The course is open to all. You will be given the opportunity to deepen your fiction writing skills as we visit the arena of the craft; dialogue, plot, pace, time, setting, character development, suspense, conflict etc. With guidance scenes are written in class which can be applied to your work in progress. For those who wish to join this course, and who don’t yet have an idea for a novel, there is space for you too. Janis will meet people ahead of the course to support the writer in finding an idea for a novel. We will then develop this idea during the course.

Course dates 2026

Full day workshops (10am-5pm): Sat March 21st | Sun April 26th | Sun May 31st | Sun June 21st | Sun July 19th | Sun September 20th | Sun October 18th | Sun November 15th

Tuesday zoom evenings will take place on the first Tuesday of the month, from 7–9pm.

Fees for the 2026 novel writing course are £1400, with a little fluid leeway either side of this figure. In an effort to work with some level of fairness across the money board I am suggesting that those with low incomes pay £1250, those on a what might be considered average salary pay the set fee of £1400, and those able to afford more, pay £1550, in this way helping to support those on a lower income.

Low income - £1250 | Average income - £1400 | Higher income - £1550

PAYMENT AND BOOKING

Course fees can be paid via the button below, or you can pay via bank transfer. To reserve a place, and/or to communicate with Janis about this course please email Janis@janismackay.com