Unit 1

• An introduction to historical fiction
• The rules of historical fiction
• Historical research
• Structure: Creating a solid foundation
• The five key elements of plotting

Pre-course preparation:
Although not required reading, the tutor has suggested a reading list in preparation for Unit 1, as follows:

• The Three Musketeers - Alexandre Dumas
• Clytemnestra - Costanza Casati
• A Gentleman in Moscow - Amor Towles
• Birdsong - Sebastian Faulks
• Pachinko - Min Jin Lee
• Beloved - Toni Morrison
• Ivanhoe - Sir Walter Scott

Unit 2

• Creating memorable characters
• Understanding and experimenting with point of view
• Crafting effective dialogue
• Understanding the environment
• World-building

Pre-course preparation
Although not required reading, the tutor has suggested a reading list in preparation for Unit 2, as follows:

• Katherine - Anya Seton
• Cold Mountain - Charles Fraser
• I, Claudius - Robert Graves
• All the Light We Cannot See - Anthony Doerr
• The English Patient - Michael Ondatjee
• Homegoing - Yaa Gyasi
• The Name of the Rose - Umberto Eco

Unit 3

• Using suspense to create drama
• Pacing – keeping your reader engaged
• Scene structure
• Revising and refining – editing and rewriting

Pre-course preparation
Although not required reading, the tutor has suggested a reading list in preparation for Unit 3, as follows:

• The Scarlet Letter - Nathaniel Hawthorne
• The Blind Assassin - Margaret Atwood
• Perfume: The Story of a Murderer - Patrick Suskind
• Washington Black – Esi Edugyan
• Fingersmith - Sarah Waters
• The Pillars of the Earth - Ken Follett
• The Poisonwood Bible - Barbara Kingsolver
• The Mermaid and Mrs Hancock - Imogen Hermes Gowar

What students need to bring

Your usual writing equipment, notebook and pen, and laptop.

Arrival day
Residential students can arrive from 4pm, non-residential students to arrive by 7.15pm for registration. Students arriving earlier are welcome to purchase dinner in the College Dining Room from 6pm.
First Teaching session: 7.30pm - 9pm (attendance is essential)

Daily timetable
Course teaching: 9.15am - 5pm
Morning session: 9.15am - 12.45pm including coffee/tea break
Lunch break: 12.45pm - 2pm*
Afternoon session: 2pm - 5pm including coffee/tea break
Teaching finishes: 5pm

Departure day
Course teaching: 9.15am - 3pm
Teaching finishes: 3pm

Residential students will need to check out of rooms by 10am.
Please note, the tutor may make slight variations to the daily timetable as required. *Lunch can be purchased on campus, view options.

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