Creative Writing Masterclass on Historical Fiction

Find out how to bring the past alive and make your historical novel compelling enough to hook an agent and win a publishing deal. We'll look at: Finding the idea: what are agents and editors looking for right now? Developing the story, and how to handle true events, Creating believable, relatable characters and avoiding the pitfalls that are unique to historical fiction. Building an immersive, convincing setting that makes your readers feel they're right there - but without slowing the story.

Frances Quinn is the Brighton-based author of four historical novels: The Smallest Man, That Bonesetter Woman, The Lost Passenger and The Scandalous Ladies Football Club (coming Summer 2026), set respectively against the background of the English Civil War, Georgian London, the Titanic and early 20th century New York, and the beginning of Women's football in Victorian London.

The session will be held at the Jubilee Library in Brighton and will run from10:15-16:15 with an hour for lunch. The venue is fully accessible, near the train station and bus routes and with plenty of options for lunch (including bringing your own). If you have any specific needs to enable you to access the workshop, please do Contact Cathy Hayward - [email protected]

The workshop is part of a series of one-day masterclasses held in the Easter and summer holidays. They are open to existing students on the Creative Writing Programme and other writers looking to improve specific areas of their writing craft.

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Host or Publisher The Creative Writing Programme