Novel-Writing Summer School

Select Date

Applications

Start Date

20th Jul 2026

End Date

23rd Jul 2026

Application Deadline

29th Jun 2026

Applicant Notification

3rd Jul 2026

Price on Acceptance

£600

Apply Now

Novel-Writing Summer School

Intensive

Length

4 days

Location

London

Writing Goal

Develop your writing

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Novel-Writing Summer School

Join us for four days of expert teaching in London. Work intensely on your novel with workshop and tutor feedback.

Tutor

Jake Arnott

Length

4 days

Location

London

Writing Goal

Develop your writing

Lively in-person teaching in the Curtis Brown offices.

Intensive

Our annual Summer School is back! This four-day course will take place in the Writers' Room in the Curtis Brown offices.

15 talented writers will join this course, taught by popular tutor and award-winning author Jake Arnott. Teaching will run from Monday 20 to Thursday 23 July.

This course is ideal for those looking for one-to-one time with our tutors, or if you're in need of a fresh burst of energy and writing community support. At the end of the week, you’ll also get the chance to practise pitching and put your questions to Curtis Brown agents.

This course welcomes writers working in any genre of adult fiction. It is not suitable for those working on children's fiction.

It was great to be immersed in a writing environment and Jake’s teaching sessions were lively and stimulating. An inspiring four days.

Kas Twose
Former Summer School Student

Tutor

Jake Arnott

Jake is the author of seven highly acclaimed novels. The Long Firm was the bestselling debut novel of 1999, and was followed by He Kills Coppers, Truecrime, Johnny Come Home, The Devil's Paintbrush, The House of Rumour and The Fatal Tree. In 2006, The Long Firm was made into a four-part, BAFTA-nominated series for BBC 2 starring Sir Derek Jacobi and Mark Strong. In 2008, He Kills Coppers was made into a three-part series for ITV1, starring Rafe Spall and Kelly Reilly. Jake has previously taught creative-writing courses for the Arvon Foundation.

WHAT DOES THIS COURSE GIVE YOU?

Live teaching sessions in London: Jake will lead teaching sessions on key novel-writing topics. These lessons will include writing exercises and interactive discussions.
1 workshop: You’ll be given the chance to workshop a 3,000-word extract from your novel-in-progress. You’ll get feedback from Jake and your fellow students.
1 tutorial: You'll get a 20-minute, one-to-one tutorial with Jake based on your one-page synopsis. Use the tutorial to address your specific concerns about your writing and your plan for moving forward with your novel.
Literary agent masterclass: On the final day the group will deliver their pitches to top literary agents, they will give verbal feedback. This will be followed by a Q&A with the agents, during which the students will have a chance to ask questions about writing, pitching and the submissions process.

COURSE FEES

The course fee of £600 (inclusive of VAT, please note that additional fees may apply if you’re based in a country with a higher VAT rate than the UK) per student is payable in full before the start of the course. Alumni of our selective Writing Your Novel course will get £30 off this course.

This fee includes refreshments and a catered sandwich and salad lunch every day. We will be able to cater to all dietary requirements we’re made aware of.

COURSE SCHEDULE

The Novel-Writing Summer School will be held in the Curtis Brown's central London offices, with sessions taking place in the boardroom. The nearest tube station is Piccadilly Circus.

All teaching and workshop sessions will take place from 10.15 to 17.30 each day.

Literary agent speakers

Get feedback on your verbal pitch from two top literary agents. TBA.

Mon 20 July
Teaching Day 1
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Tues 21 July
Teaching Day 2
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Weds 22 July
Teaching Day 3
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Thurs 23 July
Teaching Day 4
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READY TO SIGN UP?

There are just 15 places available on this Novel-Writing Summer School.

We will be reading and responding to applicants throughout the application window. We, therefore, advise people who are keen to join this course to fill in our short form without delay.

PRE–COURSE WORK

Students offered places on the course will be asked to email us with the following before the course begins:

A one-page synopsis, the first page of your novel and a 3,000-word extract from your novel-in-progress, with a note giving any necessary context (anything that's needed in addition to the synopsis to understand how the piece sits in relation to the novel, including a mention of how far through the story the extract appears).
Your 3,000-word extract will be workshopped. Your tutorial with Jake will focus on your synopsis and is also a chance for you to discuss your concerns about the novel and your plans for moving forward.
Schedules for tutorials/consultations will be sent out to all students ahead of the start of the course.
The material from the other 14 students will be sent to you ahead of the course so that you can do your reading and write your feedback before you arrive. Please provide comments on the 3,000-word extracts (the synopses and first pages are provided to aid your understanding).
Our boardroom will be open in the morning before class and in the late afternoon after class for students who need to catch up on reading and feedback-writing, or indeed for students who want to sit and write.

Select Date

Applications

Start Date

20th Jul 2026

End Date

23rd Jul 2026

Application Deadline

29th Jun 2026

Applicant Notification

3rd Jul 2026

Price on Acceptance

£600

Apply Now

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