Alumni Spring Intensive 2024

Following the popularity of our annual Alumni Summer School and Alumni Autumn Intensive, we're excited to launch our first-ever Alumni Spring Intensive! This four-day course will take place in the Writers' Room in the brand-new Curtis Brown offices; it is an exclusive course specifically for writers who have already taken one of our selective Writing Your Novel courses in London or online.

15 members of our alumni will join this course. Teaching will run from Monday 8 April to Thursday 11 April and will be led by one of our renowned author-tutors.

Just like our summer school, this course is ideal for those looking for more one-to-one time with our tutors, or in need of a fresh burst of energy and some additional support as they write. At the end of the week, you’ll also get the chance to practise pitching and put your questions to Curtis Brown agents. You may choose to bring along the novel you worked on during your course – or you can elect to get intensive tutor feedback on a different novel-in-progress.

WHAT DOES THIS COURSE GIVE YOU?

Live teaching sessions in London: Ali 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 Ali and your fellow students.
1 tutorial: You'll get a 20-minute, one-to-one tutorial with Ali 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 Curtis Brown agent Ciara Finan and Viola Hayden who 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 £570 (inc. VAT) per student is payable in full before the start of the 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.

LOCATION

The Alumni Autumn Intensive will be held in the Curtis Brown offices in London (Cunard House), with sessions taking place in the boardroom.

Nearest tube station Piccadilly Circus.

COURSE SCHEDULE

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

Mon 8 April
Teaching Day One
More
Tues 9 April
Teaching Day Two
More
Weds 10 April
Teaching Day Three
More
Thurs 11 April
Teaching Day Four
More

I felt like I did a three-month course in just four days... The energy in the room, sat side-by-side with people uber passionate about their story, their characters, the craft: that kind of face-to-face interaction is special..

Melissa Knight
Former Alumni Intensive course student

READY TO SIGN UP?

There are just 15 available places on the Spring Alumni Intensive. We’ll be offering places on a first-come, first-served basis, so please email students@curtisbrowncreative.co.uk without delay if you would like to take part. Please include a short paragraph about the novel you’d like to work on during the Spring Intensive.

PRE–COURSE WORK

Students offered places on the course will be asked to email us with the following, by Monday 25 March:

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 and your tutorial with Ali 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.

Practical courses to match your writing goal. Trusted by 15,000+ writers. See all courses

It was the smartest thing I could have done.

Bonnie Garmus, Global bestselling author of Lessons in Chemistry

Start Writing

Put your pen to paper

Develop Your Writing

Hone your craft

Edit & Pitch

Get ready to submit

Alumni Spring Intensive 2024

WHAT DOES THIS COURSE GIVE YOU?

COURSE FEES

LOCATION

COURSE SCHEDULE

Mon 8 April

Tues 9 April

Weds 10 April

Thurs 11 April

I felt like I did a three-month course in just four days... The energy in the room, sat side-by-side with people uber passionate about their story, their characters, the craft: that kind of face-to-face interaction is special..

READY TO SIGN UP?

PRE–COURSE WORK

WHAT DOES THIS COURSE GIVE YOU?

COURSE FEES

LOCATION

COURSE SCHEDULE

Mon 8 April

Tues 9 April

Weds 10 April

Thurs 11 April

I felt like I did a three-month course in just four days... The energy in the room, sat side-by-side with people uber passionate about their story, their characters, the craft: that kind of face-to-face interaction is special..

READY TO SIGN UP?

PRE–COURSE WORK