2026 is going to be the year of the debut novel here at Goldsboro Books, as we launch our brand-new Fresh Ink subscription service. But that’s not the only way we’re championing new writing, we’re also expanding the Goldsboro Writing Academy.
For the last two years, we’ve been running in-person writing classes from our Brighton store. These courses are created by inspiring writers and, combined with our deep industry connections, we bring in top-level publishing experts to teach. The entire programme is backed by the full weight of the DHH Literary Agency.
Together, we’ve built an incredible and affordable creative writing programme, and next year it’s going wider, with classes available both in-person and online.
Writers teaching on the courses include P. D. Viner, Elly Griffiths, Simon Toyne, Laura Wilkinson, Emma Jane Unsworth, Kate Harrison, Frances Quinn, Josie Lloyd, Mark Stay, and many others. Each course is also supported by leading agents from DHH and commissioning editors from the biggest traditional and digital publishing houses, giving you the chance to pitch your ideas directly to the real-world gatekeepers of the industry.
In the short time we’ve been running, we’ve already found agents for writers, had three projects taken to Cannes, and even seen one movie greenlit from our screenwriting course. We’re now looking ahead to the first publications from our graduates.
This is a course designed to give you the skills and confidence to not merely write a book, but to forge a writing career.
Here's everything you need to know about the course and how it works.
What are the courses you offer?
We have 3 signature courses that we think will appeal to any level of writer.
We have a 9-month course, Write Your Novel With Us, that is for any writer starting or part way into a novel. Our 4-month Finish Your Novel With Us, is for any writer who has completed a first draft and needs editing and refining skills. Lastly our 8-week intensive Submit Your Novel With Us is for writers who are ready to submit to agents and editors but need that final polish and tips on how to make their submission stand out.
After that we have a 4-month Crime Writing, and 4-month Screenwriting course.
How do I know which is the best for me?
We want you to find the best course for you, so we start with an on-line chat with our course director, and we talk about what we offer and what you need as a writer. All initial consultations are free.
Will I get to pitch my ideas to agents and editors?
Yes, on each one of our courses each writer will get to pitch to agents and editors and test their ideas on real-world gatekeepers. The Finish Your Novel With Us and Submit Your Novel With Us courses both include full submission to an agent at the DHH Literary Agency with a guaranteed read and sit-down for detailed feedback.
How much of this is theory?
This is not an MA course; there is no homework and no essay writing. You are here to work on your books. Everything is practical and comes from our writing practice. We share our thoughts on genre, the industry, writing hooks and grabbing the audience. We want to inspire you to write.
How do the Write Here, Write Now sessions work?
Every week we have 3 x three-hour sessions on-line that all students are invited to. We check-in, write and then set goals for next time. There are morning and evening sessions so hopefully you can make some time to write together every week.
What is expected of everyone in terms of feedback?
You are not required to give other students written feedback and can share your thoughts if you wish. We are together as a group supporting each other, but we need to work out what we need individually. Each writer’s journey is different, and we try and create the space to learn how YOU write.
What are the costs?
The website has all the costs for each course – and they all include the extra sessions of writing and interviews. We try and keep our courses affordable, there are early bird prices on all courses, and do offer a free space on each course to an under-represented writer. There are also some bursary reductions for the low waged.
What if I want to take the Write Your Novel With Us and then the Finish Your Novel With Us?
In many cases this might be an ideal way to work, though it all depends on how fast you work and how developed your ideas are when you start. There would ideally be a break between courses to develop the manuscript, and many would not need a second course. We would talk the idea through and find what works best for you. If any writer wants to do a second course with us, there is always a 25 per cent reduction in the second course fee.
How do we apply for courses?
On the website courses page, under each course, there is an apply button. There is no upfront charge, and initial consultations are all free.
Do you guarantee success?
No, this is still a competitive area, and not all books will be published traditionally. All we can say is that we can give you the skillset to understand how you write, and to pinpoint an audience and understand the market. We can also help you network and get confident in pitching your ideas, but there is no magic formula. We are a fairly new writing academy, but we have had some success already with writers finding agents, and screenwriters finding producers. Our plan is to help you write your novel and then forge a career.
What happens after the course finishes?
We have catch-up sessions for a few months after the courses end, and we share thoughts and news on-line. Each student gets a year of Write Here, Write Now sessions and continues to be invited to writer interview sessions. We want to keep in touch with everyone, to build a community. Writing can be lonely, and that isn’t always helpful. We want to write together.
For more information visit our website at
https://goldsborowritingacademy.co.uk/
Or email phil@goldsborowritingacademy.co.uk
