John Yorke’s bestselling book on narrative Into The Woods is the story bible used by editors, agents and publishers to help their authors craft more successful stories.

Learn direct from John and find out how to get your story straight and make sure the structural bones of your novel are in the right place to hook a reader and keep them engaged.

Over six months, you’ll tap into the narrative blueprint underlying all successful stories and write or rework the write the first 8-10,000 words of your novel, assembling your plot brick by brick.

Find out how to stop your middle from sagging using five-act structure, how to set up a compelling protagonist from page one, and why character change should be at the heart of every scene you write.

Based on the story fundamentals outlined in John Yorke’s bestselling book Into The Woods, this course is taught in small groups by award-winning novelist Peter Benson, who has adapted three of his novels as screenplays for the BBC and been described as ‘one of the most distinctive voices in modern British fiction’ (Evening Standard).

There are live sessions with John and guest authors, including writers who have successfully adapted their work for TV and film.

Dates: 15 January - 8 July 2025
Location: Online
Cost: £1,950 (Two bursaries covering 50% of the fees are available for each cohort of the course to writers from underrepresented backgrounds.)

Further info and to book here