Three years ago, at the age of 51, I graduated from the Open University, getting a First-Class Bachelor’s with Honours in Arts & Humanities (English Language & Creative Writing). It’s too late to get funding to study a Masters in Creative Writing this year, but it’s something I’m considering for 2026. So, I’ve decided to dust off twelve of my writing and literature studies books and go it alone (or with some of you) in the meantime.

If you would like to join me, leave a comment on this post and email me at carmillavoiez@gmail.com. I’ll set up a Discord group where we can discuss what we’re learning, ask questions, post writing for peer review, and keep each other excited about our studies. Together we can become stronger and more versatile writers.

There will be no genre elitism in the group. Fantasy and romance will stand shoulder-to-shoulder with literary fiction. The course is about having fun and rediscovering our passion for writing.

Personally, I’ll be concentrating on short stories, one novel, and playwriting, but there is no reason why you can’t swap out some of my texts for poetry studies instead. After all, it’s a DIY MFA.

Currently, I’m off work with a broken shoulder, and my only other commitment is to a ghostwriting client. If I take on a large editing project, the amount of time I can spend on the course might be reduced, but I am committed to this and will make it work.

While I study, I’ll post some of the exciting things I learn, at least one piece of writing each month and a review of each book on my blog and Substack. So, even if you don’t have time to do the course with me, you might pick up some valuable tips on the way.

Below is a list of the texts I plan to study over the next twelve months, including their blurbs and purchase links in case you want to pick up copies. I look forward to taking this journey with you.

Carmilla.

Syllabus:

August – Wordsmithery: the writer’s craft and practice edited by Jayne Steel

This stimulating workbook is aimed at committed writers and students of Creative Writing who want to engage with ideas about writing and develop their craft and practice…

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Wordsmithery-Practice-Dr-Jayne-Steel/dp/1403998280

September – The Craft of Fiction: How to become a Novelist by Jonathan Falla

A thorough introduction to the skills of writing novels and short stories. The emphasis is on strong narratives, each aspect contributing to the story, such that a delicate psychological tale can be as compelling as a mystery…

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Craft-Fiction-Novelist-Creative-Writing/dp/1842851047/

October – Writing Short Stories by Ailsa Cox

A published short-story writer guides the reader through the key aspects of the craft, provides a variety of case studies and examples of how others have approached the genre and sets a series of engaging exercises to help you hone your skills…

I’ll be working through my copy of the second edition. This link is for the third edition. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Writing-Short-Stories-Routledge-Writers/dp/1032582480/

November – The Crafty Art of Playmaking by Alan Ayckbourn

The book provides a complete primer for the tyro and a refresher for the more experienced.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Crafty-Art-Playmaking-Alan-Ayckbourn/dp/0571215106/

December – Plotting and Writing Suspense Fiction by Patricia Highsmith

Highsmith reveals her secrets for producing world-class crime and thrillers, from imaginative tips for generating ideas to useful ways of turning them into stunning stories.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Plotting-Writing-Suspense-Patricia-Highsmith/dp/0751565970/

January – The Cambridge Introduction to Narrative by H. Porter Abbott

Includes advanced undergraduate and graduate classes in such (sub)disciplines as literary theory, film theory… the reader is made aware of a real voice and of a fascination with the role of narrative across many areas of culture and beyond.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Cambridge-Introduction-Narrative-Introductions-Literature/dp/1108823351/

February – Story Structure Architect: a writer’s guide to building dramatic situations and compelling characters by Victoria Lynn Schmidt, Ph.D.

Build a timeless, original story using hundreds of classic story motifs…

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Story-Structure-Architect-Characters-Complications/dp/1582973253

March – The Emotional Craft of Fiction: how to write the story beneath the surface by Donald Maas

Veteran literary agent and expert fiction instructor Donald Maas shows you how to connect readers—viscerally and emotionally—to your characters and your story…

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Emotional-Craft-Fiction-Beneath-Surface/dp/1440348375/

April – Fantasy: the literature of subversion by Rosemary Jackson

Argues against vague interpretations of fantasy as mere escapism and seeks to define it as a distinct kind of narrative…

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Fantasy-New-Accents-Routledge-Firm/dp/0415291305/

May – Consider This by Chuck Palahniuk

Palahniuk shares stories and generous advice on what makes writing powerful and what makes for powerful writing…

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Consider-This-Moments-Everything-Different/dp/147215553X/

June – Rewriting: a creative approach to writing fiction by David Michael Kaplan

Through every stage of the writing process the author provides strategies and criteria to help pinpoint the problems in your work and fix them…

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Rewriting-Creative-Approach-Writing-Fiction/dp/0713648759/

July – Simple Forms by Andre Jolles

Legend, saga, myth, riddle, saying, case, memorabile, fairy tale, joke…

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Simple-Forms-Legend-Memorabile-Fairytale/dp/1784784923/

August 2026 – Graduation celebration.