About Our Classes

Earlier this year, we launched a limited number of one-to-one online masterclasses covering a range of genres: Fiction, Nonfiction, and Scripts.

As many of our contributors and fans already know, we've offered a range of Feedback Options that take the approach of personalised mini-tutorials in dramatic structure, character development, and other elements of storytelling that writers often struggle with.

The goal of our masterclasses is to offer more intensive one-to-one mentoring and feedback, along with online chats with an instructor, for writers looking to take their skills to the next level.

(Soon, we’ll be launching a masterclass aimed at those who want to get into journal publishing, but more about that in a separate blog post - coming soon.)

For now, let’s dive into our current masterclasses: what we offer, why it’s different, and how it’s helped authors develop their work, establish themselves in the literary scene, get interest from literary agents, and more.

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We designed our classes with working writers in mind, with flexible options to fit around your schedule, and the choice to focus on areas you wish to develop.

Instead of a workshop, where you spend class time reading and giving feedback on other people’s work, you’ll work closely with an experienced instructor (who works in publishing) to delve deeply into the structural and storytelling elements of your own work.

This tailored approach gives you feedback not just on your writing skills, but also the behind-the-scenes considerations of agents, editors, and publishers. The goal is to help you develop, craft, and edit your work - as well as understand the 'next steps' to becoming a published (or more widely published) author.

Writers mentored by The Belfast Review have gone on to land places in postgraduate study, sign deals to publish their collections, get longlisted for novel competitions, attract the attention of literary agents, and more.

What other places offer:

There are any number of writing classes offering the standard ‘workshop style.’ Typically, you travel to a location, attend a set weekly schedule, and work alongside a small group of writers. There’s nothing wrong with this format! It’s a great way to add classroom-based discipline to your writing, kickstart creative juices with deadlines, and get exposure to other writing styles. Not to mention the networking advantages of getting to know fellows writers and instructors.

The drawbacks are: some writers shine in groups and some don’t. There can be a ‘clique’ factor among the students, or an instructor that insists everyone write ‘my way or the highway,’ and various other downsides, such as cost, travel, etc.

Workshops tend to suit those with shorter works, but often leave those working on novels or collections at a disadvantage. Due to the nature of workshops, there’s limited time for the instructor to focus in depth on any particular student’s work.

And, although many workshop instructors are published writers or Creative Writing graduates, they don't always have the perspective of an editor or publisher, who can help students navigate the writing world beyond the classroom.

What we offer:

Our 'mentoring style' online masterclass mimics the kind of professional one-on-one that you would have with a professional editor at a publishing house, developing your collection or novel.

Because we know one size doesn’t fit all, we designed it to be flexible – meaning the scheduling and choice of what to focus on is in your hands. You can choose to create new work each week, do an in depth revision of an existing work, or prepare a manuscript for publication – or a little of each.

The main goal of our masterclasses is to prepare you for the professional world of writing – with the skills, mindset, and confidence needed to continue to develop your own work, and to anticipate working with editors and publishers (hopefully someday soon).

For those who have never pursued postgraduate study, it’s an excellent preparation for master’s degree level study. And we’re happy to provide recommendations, if needed, should you go on to pursue that after completing a course with us.

What makes our courses different:

-FLEXIBLE. We design our courses with the working writer in mind, knowing not everyone has the time/money to travel to class each week, or has a 9-5 schedule with weekends off. You can skip weeks when you’re not available, take courses at a time convenient to both you and your instructor, and take up to 3 months to complete the entire 6 week course.

-PERSONALISED. Each week you receive in depth, professional editorial feedback on your work, focused on the areas you wish to develop. Plus there’s an online 30-minute chat with your instructor, so you can ask further questions and discuss in detail.

-CUSTOMISABLE. Focus on the style, type, and genre of work you’re interested in without having to fit in with the crowd. You can also choose to create new work each week, revise an existing work, or prepare a manuscript for publication – or a little of each.

-CONTINUED SUPPORT. If you want to take the class again, further develop your work or focus on something new, you’re welcome repeat the course. Each time you sign up, you and your instructor and determine what best suits your writing journey. We also provide recommendations for those wishing to pursue higher education or career opportunities after their course with us.

-KNOWLEDGEABLE INSTRUCTOR. Our Editor in Chief, Hanna Nielson, handles our masterclasses and has over ten years experience as a professional writer and editor, in both film and publishing. She has 15 years experience mentoring creatives with an engaging, personalised approach, and the goal of helping them develop lifelong skills. Learn more at her professional website here.

-AFFORDABLE. We know there’s a wide range of pricing when it comes to writing workshops, and we try to keep ours affordable while also reflecting the unique investment of having one-to-one mentoring from a skilled professional writer-editor. Concession prices are always available for low income, current students, recent graduates, and working class writers.

(Note: If you just want the feedback without the pressure of weekly goals, or need something more affordable, our Feedback Options provide something for everyone, regardless of the length of their manuscript.)

Further information:

Our classes are suited to iages 18+ who are ntermediate, emerging, or established writers – regardless of educational or cultural background. Classes are taught in English, and proficiency in written and spoken English is a must.

Places are limited, allocated on a ‘first come, first served’ basis.

Application is by querying with a Cover Letter, Statement of Writing Goals and/or Project Summary, and 10 pages from a recent sample of writing.

For more information, click here.

Get in touch with any questions at: thebelfastreview@gmail.com