Category: Success stories (page 1 of 12)

From Student to Subject Matter Expert: How Short Courses Transformed My Career

January 28, 2026 / / 0 Comments

Meet Harry Hughes, who discovered that learning doesn’t end when the course does – it’s just the beginning.

When Harry Hughes first enrolled in Introduction to Programming with Python at City St George’s, he was simply looking to expand his skillset. What he found was something far more valuable: a pathway to becoming the ‘go-to guy’ for data in his organisation, the confidence to finish his first book in French, and access to a community that’s helping him launch his own business.

Starting with the Essentials

‘I work with data and SQL frequently, but these courses allowed me to transition from a user to a creator,’ Harry explains. After completing both the Python and SQL courses, he quickly put his new skills into practice. ‘During the Python course, I learned how to build lines of code and extract data. I realised I could apply similar logic to Google Sheets, so I returned to work and built complex formulas that helped my entire department extract more value from our data…Processes that used to take my team hours now take minutes thanks to the automation skills I gained.’

But it wasn’t just about learning code – it was about learning how to think differently. ‘The courses didn’t just teach me code; they taught me how to solve problems faster,’ he says. Within months, he’d gone from data user to data creator, transforming his role within his company almost overnight.

A Personal Journey with French

While building his professional expertise, Harry was also pursuing a personal goal. His fiancée speaks French, and after dabbling with Duolingo, he was ready for something more structured. The French Upper Intermediate course proved perfect.

‘Even after the first term, my comprehension improved significantly. I found myself thinking in French, watching French Netflix, and I even finished my first book in the language.’ The course taught him not just vocabulary, but how language evolves: ‘We did exercises where we took root words and examined all their compound relatives. This helped me understand how words evolve, and I’ve continued practicing this on my own. It is so helpful to learn not just what to study, but how to teach yourself.’

Flexibility That Fits Real Life

What makes these courses work for Harry? Flexibility. ‘I travel a lot, and the virtual courses offer a great deal of flexibility. It isn’t a massive time commitment, just one evening a week, which fits easily into my work schedule. These courses mean I don’t have to choose between a career and personal development; the flexibility makes both possible.’

Beyond the Classroom

What Harry didn’t expect was everything else that came with being a short course student. Access to the library and career coaching. Start-up support through CityVentures.  UniDays’ benefits that opened doors to a special start-up incubator reserved for students.

‘I came for a single course, but I stayed for the community, the library, and the incredible start-up support. Since I live near the university, I use the library as a base for my start-up and attend various campus events. I didn’t realise that taking these courses would grant me access to such a huge community until recently, and I’m definitely making the most of it.’

Now, as he transitions from student to founder, Harry sees how City St Georges has invested in his success long after the final class ended. ‘What I value most is the holistic student experience. I initially signed up to learn a specific skill, but I ended up gaining a professional network. Between the career coaching and the library access, I feel like the university is truly invested in my success long after the final class ends. Transitioning from a student to a founder through CityVentures felt like a natural evolution. The university bridges the gap between learning a skill and actually building a business with it.’

What’s Next?

Harry isn’t finished with short courses yet! He’s already attended a Korean taster class (perfect for his neighbourhood’s large Korean community) and a session on Fact-Based Storytelling. taught by Guardian journalist and author Jem Bartholomew, that’s improved his LinkedIn writing.

His advice to others considering a short course? ‘I would definitely recommend any of these courses…they are so engaging, and I really looked forward to seeing the other students and my teacher each week.’

Ready to transform your career – or pursue a passion – one evening a week? Explore our short courses and discover what you might become.

Former Novel Studio Student Harriet Tyce Makes Traitors History

January 6, 2026 / / 0 Comments
Following the huge success of Celebrity Traitors, we were excited to see the latest series of The Traitors return to our screens this year. Imagine our delight when we realised one of our Novel Studio alumni was among the contestants!

Tangled Tales Bloom in City Writes Autumn Event 2025 

December 12, 2025 / / 0 Comments
By Rebekah Lattin-Rawstrone

‘Tis the season of sneezes and Christmas parties so, in response to the harried cheer, what everyone really needs is a night of wonderful storytelling. The City Writes Autumn 2025 event was just such a night. Battling against the forces of over-consumption were six wonderful competition winners and the brilliant debut author, Lauren du Plessis whose novel, Tender (Influx, Sept 2025) we had the joy of hearing two extracts from.

Tackling winter blues, we began with some Californian sunshine as our first competition winner, Approach to Creative Writing and Crime and Thriller Writing alumnus, Jon Pierce read an extract from his novel, Guru Dave. Despite describing a very bloody murder, there was a huge amount of humour and we were left with the image of a naked woman in the corner of the crime scene, meditating with a shotgun across her lap.

Following Jon, Novel Studio (On Campus) student, Natasha Ali read from her short story, ‘Gene Drive’, taking us into the heart of a biology research lab. As her character hoovered up mosquitoes, preparing them for DNA sequencing, we began to wonder who she wanted to pulp and why.

Our Narrative Non-Fiction alumna, Lexie Harrison-Cripps was next, bringing a vital but confronting story to our attention. Lexie’s non-fiction piece, ‘Raped, Locked Up and Abandoned: Mexico’s Female Prisoners’ brought us the story of Vicki, unfairly imprisoned and in the first 13 years of a 27-year sentence. Her story is one of many and we very much hope that Lexie will find places to share these stories of injustice more broadly. This is a story that needs to be heard.

Amaya Jeyarajah Dent, another Novel Studio (Online) student, took us to Tokyo, Japan next with her story, ‘Yokohama Night Tail’. A tiny kitten found itself embroiled in a story examining the night life of love hotels and their laundry. Once again we were given an image that lingered.

Following Amaya was Novel Writing and Longer Works alumnus, Majed Akhter reading an extract from his novel, Departure and Departure. We were quickly absorbed by the life of Ravi, working the diary round in a communal living venture in America and receiving the first letter he’s received from his sister in over ten years. As with all our competition winners, you’ll have to hope they are signed up soon in order to find out what happens next.

Our minds struggling to leave Ravi with his wheelbarrow of milk, we came to our final competition winner of the evening, Short Story Writing alumna, Judith English. Judith read her short story ‘ The Flash of a Bird’ that took us down to the river and explored not only the possibility of watery transformation but also the unlikely friendship between two people divided by age but not spirit.

With such captivating stories burgeoning in our minds, we stepped into the thrilling world of Tender by Lauren du Plessis published in September of 2025. A literary botanical body horror, the curated life of archaeobotanist, Nell, soon begins to unravel as her emotions force her into contact with deeper parts of her nature that simply won’t be pruned back.

Lauren is a Writers’ Workshop alumna. As well as fondly remembering her classes, she treated us to two extracts from her novel and generously answered questions about her process, the themes of the novel, and her possible future projects. If you haven’t read Tender, don’t miss out, grab your copy here. You can also catch up on all of the readings and discussion by watching the video of the event available here.

Look out for next term’s City Writes that once again will be in person for the Spring. Thanks to everyone who made the City Writes Autumn Event so special.

Announcing City Writes Autumn Competition Winners

December 4, 2025 / / 0 Comments

By Rebekah Lattin-Rawstrone As the nights draw in, what could be better than an evening of stories? Come and join us for some brilliant tales at this term’s City Writes on Wednesday 10th December over Zoom at 7pm. Alongside debut novelist, Lauren Du Plessis, whose novel Tender (Influx Press, Sept 2025) excavates the past, present and magical in equal measure, we have this term’s writing competition winners. You can find out all about them below.

Majed Akhter is an educator and researcher based in London. He lived in Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and the United States before moving to London. In 2019 he was selected as a BBC New Generation Thinker. Majed is writing his first novel, titled Departure and Departure from which he will be reading an excerpt at City Writes. He is a Novel Writing and Longer Works alumni.

Natasha Ali is a speculative horror writer with a degree and master’s in human genetics. She aims to utilise her background to tell compelling stories centring bioethical issues. Her debut novel, Reasons I’m Not Human, will be published in 2027. She has previously been published in From The Lighthouse and F(r)iction. She is utilising the Novel Studio (On Campus) to work on her second novel, The Woman That Was Used Up, and is represented by Daisy Arendell at CAA. Natasha will be reading ‘Gene Drive’ at City Writes. Amaya

Jeyarajah Dent will be reading her story, ‘Yokohama Night Tail’. She is a Novel Studio (Online) student and a UK based writer of fiction. She has always written, for as long as she can remember. Amaya is both Sri Lankan & British and grew up in Tooting Bec, South London.  Riding the Tube is probably her biggest inspiration. The mix of people who call the city home—even for a moment—and the way they commune there is an atmosphere she borrows from for her writing. She has a degree in English Literature from the University of Manchester. She is also a Curator and Producer working broadly across all types of contemporary performance. She is writing her first novel.

Judith English was born in Newbury. After a career as a musician and freelance singer she took a prose writing course at UEA and began a novel. In 2025 she took the Short Story Writing course at City St George’s. Her first novel Layers of Silk is currently out for submission. Her work has been published by CafeLit, and she was longlisted for the Henshaw Short Story Competition. When not writing, she enjoys kayaking and gardening. Judith will be reading her story, ‘The Flash of a Bird’.

Lexie Harrison-Cripps is a journalist based in Mexico City, focussing on social justice issues throughout the Americas and Europe.  Her multimedia work is published in outlets such as Al Jazeera,  The Guardian, The Nation and CBS.  She has collaborated with UN agencies, international non-profits and award-winning producers and directors, working in permissive and non-permissive environments. Lexie is a Narrative Non-Fiction alumna and will be reading her piece, ‘Raped, Locked Up and Abandoned: Mexico’s Female Prisoners’.

alumna and will be reading her piece, ‘Raped, Locked Up and Abandoned: Mexico’s Female Prisoners’.

Jon Pierce is an Introduction to Creative Writing and Crime and Thriller Alumna, and loved both. A Currency trader for decades, he now has the time and space to develop his writing and will read the prologue to a future novel Guru Dave; the inspiration for which came from a bizarre trip to California. North London born and bred he supports Arsenal, but has promised his wife to one day move out of the only postcode he has  lived in.

As you can tell, it’s a wonderful group of writers and alongside Lauren Du Plessis we will explore fantastical worlds both real and imagined. We’ll take in stories from Mexico, Japan, America and the UK. Come along to City Writes Autumn Event on Wednesday 10th December at 7pm on Zoom to be moved and inspired. Register here. We’ll look forward to seeing you there!

Spotlight on our 2025 Novel Studio Scholarship Winner!

November 20, 2025 / / 0 Comments

Scholarship winner Michelle Celestine

We’re thrilled to celebrate one of this year’s Captain Tasos Politis Scholarship recipients, Michelle Celestine. Michelle currently works as a Food and Textiles Technician at a UK secondary school and initially applied for the scholarship with very low expectations. ‘Not for a second did I think someone would believe in my writing,’ she says. ‘So, to have even made it to the interview stage was a massive boost to my confidence.’

But her talent spoke for itself, ultimately earning her the full scholarship.

The moment she received the news, Michelle recalls she accepted immediately — and then burst into tears. ‘I was so proud of making them proud I cannot tell you,’ she says of telling her children, who celebrated alongside her.

Her response captures something important about the creative journey: how transformative it can be when someone sees potential in your work. ‘Having someone believe in you can have such an enormous impact in how you view your future and the many possibilities that await you. I am so grateful to Emily and Rebekah who interviewed me, for deciding I was a good candidate to put forward for the scholarship; you both have no idea how much this means to me.’

Now, she’s already thinking about paying it forward. Once she’s financially stable, she plans to sponsor another writer on the Novel Studio course ‘as a way of passing on the gratitude.’

Generously funded by City St George’s Alumni Ambassador George Politis, and named after his father, the aim of the scholarship is to support a student of talent and potential who might not otherwise be able to accept an offer of a place on The Novel Studio. We are hugely grateful to George for his generosity and ongoing support for the course and the future literary landscape.

Applications for next year’s scholarship will open in February 2026. Find out more about eligibility and how to apply here.

Finding the Words: short course alumna and author, Warda Farah, on writing White System, Black Therapist

November 3, 2025 / / 0 Comments

 

Author Warda Farah

Short Course alumna Warda Farah is a Social Entrepreneur, Speech and Language Therapist, Writer and Lecturer. We were delighted when she took time out of her busy schedule to answer our questions about the path to publication of her groundbreaking  book, White System, Black Therapist.

EP: You took our Fact Based Storytelling course while working on White System, Black Therapist. How did thinking about storytelling techniques help you approach your book, and what did you discover about making complex ideas accessible?

Warda Farah: Fact-Based Storytelling helped me really find my voice. Listening to others share their writing  stories about their work, families, and personal journeys showed me how powerful it is to write with a specific audience in mind. Before that, I was mostly writing for myself, thinking about what I’d like to read. But that made my writing too emotional and a bit ambiguous. Once I started thinking about who I was writing for, everything shifted. I began shaping my words to create images in the reader’s mind to make complex ideas feel vivid and real. Because my book deals with some really heavy and uncomfortable themes, I also wanted to keep it engaging  to weave in moments of lightness, humour, and warmth. The course helped me see that accessibility isn’t about simplifying ideas; it’s about connecting with people through story.

EP: You studied Speech and Language Therapy at City St George’s before returning years later to take our Fact Based Storytelling short course. What was it like coming back to City in a different capacity?

Warda: When I studiedSpeech and Language Therapy, everything was very structured and scientific. There wasn’t much room for creativity or individuality, and my natural writing and speaking style often felt out of place. I learned how to meet expectations, but not how to express myself. The Fact-Based Storytelling course changed that. It gave me space to experiment, to take risks, and to find my voice without apology. For the first time, my style  the rhythm, warmth, and emotion in my words  was recognised as something valuable. That shift helped me see how easily we label some ways of speaking as “wrong” or “unprofessional,” whether in education or therapy. It’s something I explore in White System, Black Therapist — how systems often judge language instead of listening to it. The course reminded me that an authentic voice isn’t something to edit out; it’s what connects us.

EP: You’ve described writing the book ‘in a very personal way’ to reach a wider audience interested in language, race, disability and systemic racism. What were the challenges of bridgingacademic rigour with personal narrative, and how did you find that balance?

Warda: Balancing academic rigour with personal storytelling was never just a writing challenge — it was political. White System, Black Therapist looks at the contradictions within a profession that’s often seen as caring and corrective, yet is deeply entangled with the legacies of eugenics, standardised testing, and the biopolitical control of bodies and voices. Speech and language therapy has a history of deciding which ways of speaking  and, by extension, which kinds of people are considered “normal.” That history is both racist and colonial, even when wrapped in the language of science and objectivity.

As a Black, female, neurodivergent therapist and writer, I’ve lived those contradictions. I’ve seen how people use the language of “evidence-based practice” to silence perspectives that challenge the norm. One of the most painful experiences during the writing process was having a Professor of Developmental Language & Communication Disorders in the field try to censor my work behind my back calling it “politically toxic” and “not evidence-based.” It showed me how power operates quietly in academia: not always through overt racism, but through the gatekeeping of what counts as valid knowledge. And how when we complain directly about what we have experienced, institutions where these individuals work will dismiss you and this emboldens those individuals to feel untouchable.

That’s why I chose to write in a hybrid style  blending academic analysis with personal narrative. Traditional academic writing can be restrictive; it often demands that you strip away emotion and story, the very things that make knowledge human. Writing this way allowed me to hold both truths at once: the intellectual and the embodied, the scientific and the lived.

EP: What was the journey from recognising the need for this conversation to actually sitting down and committing it to the page? Was there a specific moment when you knew this had to become a book?

Warda: Deciding what personal stories to include was definitely something my editor helped me navigate. I’m naturally quite open, but this book required care — not just for me, but for the people and families I’ve worked with. We had to think about what could make others identifiable and, just as importantly, make sure the personal moments didn’t overshadow the message. The book isn’t really about me; it’s about us. We’ve all been shaped by education systems, by moments of belonging and unbelonging. My role isn’t to be the heroine or the saviour, but a witness, someone reflecting on what she’s seen and learned along the way.

There were times I had to remind myself that the book isn’t a diary or a place to vent — it’s a story written for readers, not for my own therapy. The families and children whose experiences informed my work are sacred to me, so I was very intentional about how I shared those stories, always seeking consent and reflecting carefully on what felt ethical and respectful. In the end, the personal elements were never there for shock or sentiment — they were there to humanise the ideas, to remind readers that these systems don’t just exist in theory, they live through people.

EP: You’re challenging traditional approaches and systemic biases in your field. Did you face any resistance during the writing or publishing process, and how did you stay committed to your message?

Warda: Yes — and not just in the writing process. What I’ve learned is that a lot of people’s egos are deeply tied to their work. When you speak out about injustice, there’s always an unintended consequence for those who benefit from the system you’re challenging. That was fascinating, and at times painful, to navigate. I realised that for many academics and speech language therapists, the work isn’t always about the people they claim to serve it’s about them, their research, their reputation. When you question their framework, you’re not just critiquing their ideas; you’re unsettling their sense of self.

There were individuals who went as far as reporting me to my professional governing body questioning my fitness to practise  simply because I said that standardised testing has roots in eugenics and that we should think twice before using it. Imagine that. My partner often reminds me that there will always be haters, and there are  but they’re mostly noise. Still, when people try to threaten your livelihood, it stops being abstract and becomes deeply personal. That’s the part no one prepares you for. What kept me grounded was the message itself. The attempts to silence or censor me only confirmed that what I was saying mattered  and that it needed to be said even louder.

EP: Routledge is a prestigious academic publisher. Can you talk us through your path to publication? What advice would you give to aspiring authors hoping to publish with an academic press?

Warda: I never wrote because I wanted to publish, I wrote because it helped me make sense of my world, it allowed me think more clearly and I was on my own journey, this book came to be not because I had a desire to write it but because the message had to be shared.

The reason why there is a lot of interest in this book is because over the years I have shared so much of my own content freely on blogs etc, if you want people to be excited about your work, connect with them though your writing, build that relationship organically, take people on a journey. I do think if you don’t have samples of your writing I would just start writing the book and then think about contacting editors, make relationships with people.

EP: For our students working on their own non-fiction projects – whether memoir, professional writing, or advocacy work – what’s the one piece of advice you’d give about writing a book that challenges the status quo?

Warda: Remember you are not writing for you, you are writing for them and they matter so anytime it gets challenging remember the audience. Also writing the book is only the beginning. The real job of being a writer is about promoting the book, ensuring it gets in to hands of readers. Be brave!

 

Thank you so much, Warda! We wish you every success with this important book.

White System, Black Therapist will be published in March 2026 with Routledge. You can pre-order a copy here.

Our next Fact Based Storytelling course begins in January 2026. You can book a place here.

For all our writing short courses, visit our home page here.

Celebrating Writing Success Stories and New Opportunities

September 11, 2025 / / 0 Comments

Outstanding Alumni Achievements

Our writing course alumni continue to reach remarkable heights. Novel Studio alumna Janice Okoh has achieved huge success with her BBC3 Comedy Drama Just Act Normal, while Hannah Begbie’s third novel The Last Weekend was published by Harper Collins to great acclaim.

Novel Studio alumna Anna Mazzola has had an exceptional year, winning the CWA Gold Dagger for Best Crime Novel 2025 for The Book of Secrets, while her thriller Notes on a Drowning (published under pen name Anna Sharp) has been hailed as one of the ‘best thrillers of 2025’. Lara Haworth’s debut Monumenta has been shortlisted for the Society of Authors McKitterick award, following her 2024 Nero award shortlisting.

Crime Writing alumna Nussaibah Younis has had an astonishing year with her debut Fundamentally (Hachette), earning shortlistings for the Women’s Prize and Wilbur Smith Adventure Prize 2025, plus recognition as an Observer best debut and Times Critic’s Pick. The novel has also been optioned for TV by Boffola Pictures.

Nussaibah Younis

In non-fiction, Travel Writing alumna Yvette Cook has published in Adventure magazine, while Narrative Non-Fiction graduate Josie Le Blond has sold Templehof: The Untold Story of Hitler’s Airport to Bodleian Library Publishing.

Exciting Course Updates

We’re delighted to announce that Lara Haworth, author of Monumenta, will be teaching our Short Story writing course this autumn. Book here for her autumn course.

Our one-day offerings include the newly revamped Introduction to Copywriting with AI with Maggie Richards (bi-monthly), Memoir Workshop with Holly Rigby, and Writing for Social Impact with Ciaran Thapar.

Upcoming Opportunities

Free Online Open Evening – Thursday 18 September, 6pm
Join us for free tasters including copywriting and crime writing, plus a Q&A session. Book here. Attendees receive 10% off their next Creative Writing Short Course (book by midnight the following day).

The Book Edit Writers’ Prize opened for submissions on 1 September. This year’s judge is none other than City alumna and acclaimed author Janice Okoh. If you’re an unpublished novelist from an underrepresented background, submit your first 1,000 words and synopsis for free. Eight winners will read to a curated audience of literary agents and industry professionals. Full details here.

Scholarships Available: Both our Fact-Based Storytelling course (contact Jem Bartholomew) and Writing for Social Impact course (contact Ciaran Thapar) offer scholarships for young people (18-25) from underrepresented backgrounds.

Don’t miss the Creative Digest substack from our PG Creative Writing team for insights into research and teaching practice.

That’s all for now. We look forward to seeing you at the Open Evening and to welcoming you to a City St Georges’ short writing course soon!

A Summer Evening of Storytelling Magic with The Novel Studio Showcase 2025

July 8, 2025 / / 0 Comments

By Rebekah Lattin-Rawstrone

The Novel Studio has been running, albeit with a different title, since 2012. That’s 13 years of nurturing novel writing talent and every year brings new writers with exciting new stories to tell. With a wealth of published alumni from Lara Haworth, Harriet Tyce, Deepa Anappara, Hannah Begbie and tutor Kiare Ladner as just a small sample of past students, this year’s cohort proved they were hot on those published heals with a night of readings that really took our breath away.

 

Before we began there were a few announcements. We were very sad to say that Sufiya McNulty was unwell and unable to read her extract at the Showcase, but her wonderful piece is available in the anthology. More on that below!

 

We also wanted to acknowledge the sponsor of the Novel Studio Scholarship, George Politis. Originally set up in 2019 and sponsored by Harriet Tyce, the new scholarship, known as the Captain Tasos Politis scholarship after George’s late father, provides a full year’s fees for a student from a low-income family. We were so pleased to have George in the audience supporting yet another cohort of new writers. Thank you, George!

After a few more thank yous to City George’s Short Courses team and the new director, Dr Holly Shiflett, the night opened with some very warm and wise words from alumna, Anna Mazzola.

 

Novel Studio Alumna Anna Mazzola

Anna joined us from the Connaught Hotel awaiting the awards ceremony of the CWA Dagger Awards. Her fifth novel, The Book of Secrets, was shortlisted for not just one, but two awards: the KAA Gold Dagger and the Historical Dagger. We are delighted to be able to congratulate her on winning the KAA Gold Dagger for the best crime novel of the year. She was only minutes away from discovering her win when she spoke of the importance of building a cohort of supportive writing buddies and making the most of every success for the long haul of writing that should always be about loving the process. Congratulations, Anna, we’re so delighted for you and excited that you were able to join us on the night!

 

Suitably buoyed by Anna’s words, the readings began with a heart-stopping extract from Rosalind Ginsberg. Her novel Things to do in Dalston When You’re Dead explores quite what happened to counsellor Melanie Little after she disappears on holiday. Rosalind’s extract examined quite why documentary-maker Anne was so keen to unravel the mystery of Melanie’s disappearance. What is there to do in Dalston when you’re dead?

 

Brought to life by Rosalind’s tale, we shook things up further as we entered a dance rehearsal. Top dance student Jordan Star was about to perform fouetté turns as punishment for her late arrival to the rehearsal, when she was joined by an even later student and the pressure began to mount further. Transported into the rush of movement and intense emotions of these young adult lives, Maddie Silvs read the extract from her novel, Stardust to great effect, leaving the audience as breathless as her characters.

 

Before we could get too comfortable back in reality, our next writer, Emma O’Driscoll, took us back through time to eighteenth century Wiltshire and a jolting carriage ride to the rotten borough of Hynedon. The extract from her novel, Trial by Fire, set a scene for momentous events to come, ending on an ominous note. ‘You mark my words’ her character exclaims, ‘one of these days there’s going to be a very serious accident.’

 

With our minds swirling in contemplation of what might happen next, we were forced to leave our curiosity on hold for Aoife Sadlier as she introduced us to her novel, Paloma and the Octopus. There we found Kaya desperately seeking connection with the magical Paloma, an alter-ego with a moustache and watermelon breasts who promises to come to Kaya’s aid in rediscovering her childhood toys and her sense of joy.

 

The image of a ripened peach sunset lingering, we stepped out of Kaya’s magical real world and headed for Mexico City and the antics of an Irish Writer, Seamus, in an extract from Daragh Thomas’s novel, Dogdealer. As Seamus desperately rushed through the city to catch his flight, we followed his turbulent mind and disrupted gut right out onto the ground with a puddle of vomit in which Seamus saw his artistry flourish. A character we’ve all grown to love to hate, Daragh’s compelling prose always induces rye smiles if not laughter.

 

Grins on our faces, we said goodbye to Seamus and his vomit-stained shoes for another reality entirely as Eva Nip read an extract from her novel, Insatiable. We stepped into a dream of Freya’s, an American university student learning about herself and her Chinese heritage through a connection with her dead grandmother, Popo. We listened in horror as Popo tried to hold on to objects breaking apart in her grasping fingers leaving trails of destruction that seemed to make their way out of the dream and into reality.

 

With Popo’s cries ringing in our ears, we fled from America to the Democractic Republic of Congo. Merveille Ondekane read an extract from her novel, Little People, taking us into the oppressive sick room of Thérèse’s mother, whose cursed foot was not only causing her pain but souring her attitude to her daughter. Announcing that she planned to sell her house and move away to live with her sister, long-suffering Thérèse was clearly at the start of a day of uncomfortable revelations.

 

What will happen to Thérèse? We’ll have to read the novel to find out and there was no time for further speculation as we took fresh steps into the future and the speculative world of Rebecca Miles, who read from her YA novel, Elderado. A hard-hitting and nail-biting account of a lottery followed. We were terrified to learn that Kore had won a place at the eco-sanctuary, Elderado. But some technology had forced her hand to sign into the ceremony and Kore didn’t know what to expect as a cry rang out and interrupted the crowd’s celebrations and her own uncertainty.

 

Left speculating what might be next for Kore, we found ourselves at the final reading of the evening. Once again we travelled back in time and across continents to find ourselves revisiting the founding of America with Connor Maxwell as he read from his novel, Between the Lines. Inspired by true events, the novel explores the American Revolution from through the eyes of enslaved Apollo. We witnessed Apollo leading a hunt under the threatening eyes of his master, Custis Braxton and the extract and the readings ending with the threat of a whipping.

 

It was a dramatic way to end a night of riveting readings from a group of seriously talented writers. You can watch the readings for yourself here and read the extracts in the 2025 Novel Studio Anthology We couldn’t be prouder of these brilliant new writers starting their journeys into a publishing world that would be seriously remiss in not snapping them up. Congratulations Novel Studio Cohort of 2025, we can’t wait to find out what happens next and wish you the best of luck with your writing!

 

 

City Writes 2025 Summer Event 9th July: Competition Winners Announced!

June 30, 2025 / / 0 Comments

By Rebekah Lattin-Rawstrone

 

This term’s competition to be part of the City Writes Summer Event on the 9th July over Zoom, has been fierce. We were sent a wonderful hoard of stories and the lucky winners joining alumna and debut author, Fiona Keating, are: Dominique Gracia, Clare O’Connor, Aditi Parekh, Safiyah Sobrany, Lois Thomas and Dilys Wyndham Thomas. For further details on these wonderful writers, see below, and register here to hear them read on the 9th July. It’s going to be a real showcase of the creative writing coming from City St George’s short courses. Prepare for an event filled with the mysterious, the uncanny, the eerie whisper of trauma rising unbidden, the longing for communion and the joy of travel. Don’t miss out on these budding talents! Register for your place now.

 

Dominique Gracia for her story ‘Jack’s Gal’. Dominique is a Crime and Thriller Writing alumna. Dominique Gracia researches Victorian literature and culture and writes short and flash fiction. She is fascinated by things that come up again and again, and run below the surface, from Greek mythology to cultural tropes that just won’t die, and the emotions that carry them along. Her first book-length collection of short stories—The Meinir Davies Casebook—follows Welsh female detective Meinir Davies across fin-de-siècle London, accompanied by Sherlock Holmes, Dorcas Dene, et al.

 

Clare O’Connor for an extract from her novel, Nonsuch Island. Clare is another Crime and Thriller Writing alumna. Clare O’Connor was born and brought up on the tiny island of Bermuda. Her debut mystery novel, Nonsuch Island, draws on her experience covering crime and politics as a newspaper reporter in her home country. With an MSc from Columbia University’s School of Journalism, she’s spent her career in magazine journalism, online media, and editorial strategy. She lives between Brighton and Oxford with her wife and stepchildren.

 

Aditi Parekh, a Writers’ Workshop alumna, for an extract from a longer short story ‘Happy Endings’. Aditi Parekh is writer based in Nijmegen, The Netherlands. In the past she worked as an actuary in the insurance industry for several years before quitting to explore other pursuits. She is currently writing short stories and working on her first novel.

Lois Thomas for her non-fiction piece, ‘A Warm Welcome’. Lois is a Narrative Non-Fiction student.

 

Lois Thomas grew up in Hampshire and has spent time in her mother’s home country of Japan.  After studying History at university, Lois worked in politics before training as a Clinical Psychologist, for which her doctoral project explored the therapeutic benefits of writing.  She has worked in NHS mental health services in London for over 15 years, specialising in therapy with adolescents and young adults.

 

Safiyah Sobrany, an Approach to Creative Writing student, for her piece, ‘When The Smoke Smells Like Marigolds’. Safiyah is an anthropology postgraduate and Religious Studies teacher with a gothic sensibility and a sense of cultural weight drawn to djinns, restless ancestors including the peculiar dinner parties they throw when no one is watching! Her work lifts the colonial dust that’s long settled on the gothic, reclaiming forgotten South Asian folklore and ancestral voices. She explores how histories shape identity in ways that are uncanny and deeply human.

Dilys Wyndham Thomas for her story ‘Bellybutton Baby’. Dilys is a Writers’ Workshop alumna. Dilys Wyndham Thomas lives in the Netherlands. Her poems and short stories appear in journals and anthologies, including Ink Sweat & Tears, New Flash Fiction Review, The Passionfruit Review, and Shooter. Rust & Moth nominated her for a 2026 Pushcart Prize. Dilys also runs workshops for Strange Birds Writing Collective and was an assistant poetry editor for Passengers Journal. She is working on her first novel. Find her online at dilyswt.com.

 

Following these fantastic writers will be Writers’ Workshop alumna, Fiona Keating whose mesmeric debut, Smoke and Silk is a historical thriller taking you into Victorian London’s Chinese community with opium smuggling, murder and romance.

 

City Writes Summer 2025 is going to be sizzling. Register here to join us on the 9th July at 7pm over Zoom. See you there.

 

Final Call: One Week Left to Apply for The Novel Studio

May 22, 2025 / / 0 Comments

Time is running out for one of the most established and successful novel development programmes in the UK. Applications for The Novel Studio close in just one week, and if you’ve been considering taking your fiction to the next level, this is your moment.

Why The Novel Studio?

For over twenty years, The Novel Studio at City St Georges, University of London has been quietly building an impressive track record in writer development. This isn’t about churning out cookie-cutter novels – it’s about nurturing individual voices and helping writers create work that genuinely connects with readers.

Our alumni have secured major publishing deals, been shortlisted for prestigious awards, and built sustainable writing careers. More importantly, they’ve done so across every genre – from literary fiction to crime, science fiction to historical novels.

A Programme Built for Results

What sets The Novel Studio apart is its comprehensive approach to novel development. Over 30 intensive weeks, you’ll move through three carefully structured terms:

Foundations focus on the crucial early work – research, plotting, and concept development. Without this groundwork, some novels can flounder. On the Novel Studio you’ll receive structured guidance to ensure your novel has solid bones from the start.

Craft Development is where the real magic happens. Through workshop sessions and detailed feedback, you’ll master the essential elements that to develop your novel – character, voice, dialogue, pacing, and narrative drive.

Industry Focus prepares you for the realities of publishing. You’ll meet agents, authors, and editors, understand the current market, and most crucially, prepare your work for professional submission.

Industry Access

Every successful application to the Novel Studio is automatically considered for our agent competition, with the top three manuscripts reviewed by Lucy Luck, top literary agent at C&W Agency.

But it doesn’t stop there. Your work will be professionally edited and included in an anthology that’s sent to every UK-based literary agent.

The programme culminates in an industry showcase where you’ll present your work directly to agents.

Flexibility Without Compromise

Understanding that writers come from all walks of life, The Novel Studio now offers both London-based and online experiences. The London studio provides face-to-face workshops and direct networking in the heart of the literary world. The online option delivers the same intensive programme with full access to the virtual writing community.

Crucially, both options maintain the same rigorous standards, same tutors and same feedback structure.

Supporting Diverse Voices

The Captain Tasos Politis Scholarship proides full funding for a talented writer from a low-income household. It’s a recognition that great stories can come from anywhere, and financial barriers shouldn’t prevent exceptional voices from being heard.

Last Chance

Applications close in one week. If you’re serious about your novel, if you want professional development within a supportive community, if you’re looking for genuine connections to the publishing world – this is your opportunity.

The Novel Studio doesn’t just teach craft; it opens doors.

To apply, email shortcourses@citystgeorges.ac.uk

Your novel – and your writing career – deserve this level of professional support and industry access.

Ready to join the ranks of published Novel Studio alumni? The clock is ticking. Full course details here.

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