Flash Fiction Writing Course
Structure – Tutor – Enrolement/Fees – Testimonials
Improve your flash fiction writing skill with a tailored online Flash Fiction Writing Course. A series of lively and stimulating lessons. All aspects of writing flash fiction will be explored, from sourcing material to shaping your work. The course offers both new and experienced writers an extensive range of creative ideas and activities. By the end of this course you will have completed a polished work of flash fiction that will be submitted for the Fish Flash Fiction Contest.
Course tutor Mary-Jane Holmes will be on hand to offer advice on mastering technique and developing personal style.
Don’t tell me the moon is shining; show me the glint of light on broken glass.
– Anton Chekhov
Structure: Flash Fiction Writing Course
This online course is broken down into 10 separate modules designed to develop a particular aspect of the flash fiction writing process. There is no set time limit for completing the assignments, however the course must be completed within 3 months (including the final work that will be eligible for the Fish Flash Fiction Contest).
When you have enrolled on the course, Mary-Jane will email you the introductory module.
Modules: Flash Fiction Writing Course
- Introduction to Flash Fiction. Structure and the Writing Process
- Focus on Setting
- Character
- Plot
- Word Choice
- Narrative Perspective
- Dialogue
- The Start and the Finish
- Four Categories of Flash Fiction
- Fish Flash Fiction Contest
Each module includes a series of assignments to complete. Once finished they can then be submitted by email to the tutor for private review. Your tutor will email you back (normally within 3 working days) with a detailed analysis of your work. This will include areas to focus on and additional exercises if needed before moving on to the next module. Within the time frame of the whole course you are encouraged to work at your own pace and if you have any queries, Mary-Jane is on hand to offer additional support and guidance.
Email for any additional information: info@fishpublishing.com
Course Tutor: Mary-Jane Holmes
Tutor: Mary Jane Holmes
A Forward Prize nominee and Hawthornden Fellow, Mary-Jane has won the Live Canon Poetry Pamphlet Prize 2020, Bath Novella-in-Flash Prize 2020, the Bridport Poetry prize, Martin Starkie, Dromineer, Reflex Fiction and Mslexia Flash prize as well as the Bedford Poetry competition. She has also been shortlisted for the Beverley International Prize for Literature and longlisted for the UK National Poetry Prize. Mary-Jane’s debut poetry collection Heliotrope with Matches and Magnifying Glass is published by Pindrop Press. Her pamphlet Dihedral is published by Live Canon Press and her award-winning novella Don’t Tell the Bees, is published by Ad Hoc Fiction. Her Lockdown poem ‘Letter from Baldersdale’ joins 20 other poems in the National Poetry Archive on their 20th anniversary.
Her work appears in a variety of publications including Magma, Modern Poetry in Translation, Mslexia, The Lonely Crowd, Prole The Journal of Compressed Creative Arts, Tishman Review, Barren, Spelk, Cabinet of Heed, Firewords, Flashback Fiction, Fictive Dream, and in anthologies including Best Small Fictions 2014/16/18/20 and Best Microfictions 2020.
She has an MA (Distinction) in Creative Writing from Kellogg College, Oxford and is currently studying for a PhD in poetry and translation at Newcastle University.
Interview with Mary Jane Holmes
Enrolment/Fees: Flash Fiction Writing Course
The Flash Fiction Writing Course costs £335, payable in advance to Fish Publishing through PayPal. To check how much that is in your currency – Currency Converter –
Use the ‘Pay Now’ button below to make the payment.
Payment secures your place on the course. Confirmation of payment from PayPal will be by email.
You will shortly receive an introductory email from your course tutor (normally within 3 working days).
We hope that you find the course useful, constructive and enjoyable.
Please fill out the Feedback form after the last module.
Enrolment Conditions
To enrole on the Flash Fiction Writing Course:
Testimonials:
Testimonials: Flash Fiction Writing Course – Testimonials: Course Tutor
Testimonials: Flash Fiction Writing Course
Mary-Jane’s feedback has been spot on for all of my work. She has an excellent way of getting to the crux of what might improve a piece, helping me to see how I might make the reader think a little more for themselves, through suggestions and hints. Excellent and constructive feedback throughout the course.
Lesley Holmes
I enjoyed the flash fiction writing course very much and it provided me with more than I expected. It was a tool to motivate me to write on a continuing and regular basis and it also introduced me to the pleasure and challenges of flash fiction work. I thoroughly enjoyed working with Mary-Jane. I would say there was the right level of straight forward critique balance with positive prompts and encouraging feedback.
Andrea Wicks
It helped me focus on my writing much more than before, the combo of being able to take my time, still someone waiting for my stories made WRITING a much more “real” thing. My writing has improved greatly, I can see that myself when rereading some of my stuff.
I´m much more aware of making choices rather than just scribbling along, which has made me feel I have a pretty great toolbox now. And it was great fun too! Great variety in exercises, additional stuff to do, and constructive, hands-on advice! One of my stories written on the course made it into the Fish Anthology 2011, which I´m still trying to fathom, but have no doubt is a direct result of the flash fiction writing course – and its teacher. The teacher – Mary-Jane Holmes had a feel for what I wanted to say, where I wanted to go with my stories, and guided me with clarity, professionalism and human warmth. She has made me much more aware of making choices rather than just scribbling along, which has made me feel I have a pretty great toolbox now. And she made it great fun too!
Jette-Julie Rosendal
I found the flash fiction writing course to be hugely beneficial, challenging and also a lot of fun. For me, it was also a great driver to actually write “stuff” day in-day out for an extended period.
Mary-Jane was very encouraging right from the start and she always found something positive to say about each assignment. Her criticism/analysis was always very clear and accurate (when I read it, I could immediately see the pertinence of it). At one point, I described her criticism of an assignment as “gently incisive” and I think that could be use to sum up just about all her interaction.
Kieron Lyons
Mary-Jane is an excellent teacher – prompt, direct, precise, encouraging and clear. This is my first experience of tuition in writing. It’s been enjoyable and stimulating in equal measure.
Nancy Fermanagh
Thank you for a high quality course with prompt, valid feedback from an engaging writing professional.
Fiona Sussman
My good news is that the story Hummingbird, written as part of the Compression Module, has been shortlisted for NZs National Flash Fiction Day competition :)) pretty thrilling….thank you so much for everything with this story….and ALL the stories that have emerged during the past couple months.
Leanne Radojkovich
I enjoyed this course so much and I’m now in possession of a body of my own work complete with superb feedback on all aspects. If I hadn’t taken the course I probably wouldn’t have written much at all over this period. So… thanks!
Lucho Payne
Mary-Jane is wonderful tutor and I am enjoying my Fish online course immensely. Many thanks,
Esme Hillis
I thoroughly enjoyed working with Mary-Jane. I would say there was the right level of straight forward critique balance with positive prompts and encouraging feedback.
Andrea Wicks
The teacher – Mary-Jane Holmes had a feel for what I wanted to say, where I wanted to go with my stories, and guided me with clarity, professionalism and human warmth. She has made me much more aware of making choices rather than just scribbling along, which has made me feel I have a pretty great toolbox now. And she made it great fun too!
Jette-Julie Rosendal
Mary-Jane was very encouraging right from the start and she always found something positive to say about each assignment. Her criticism/analysis was always very clear and accurate (when I read it, I could immediately see the pertinence of it). At one point, I described her criticism of an assignment as “gently incisive” and I think that could be use to sum up just about all her interaction.
Kieron Lyons
Mary-Jane is an excellent teacher – prompt, direct, precise, encouraging and clear.
Nancy Fermanagh
Mary-Jane’s feedback has been spot on for all of my work. She has an excellent way of getting to the crux of what might improve a piece, helping me to see how I might make the reader think a little more for themselves, through suggestions and hints. Excellent and constructive feedback throughout the course.
Lesley Holmes
I thoroughly enjoyed working with Mary-Jane. I would say there was the right level of straight forward critique balance with positive prompts and encouraging feedback.
Andrea Wicks
Thank you for a high quality course with prompt, valid feedback from an engaging writing professional.
Fiona Sussman
Mary Jane’s astute commentaries, her helpful suggestions, her clear understanding of the technicalities of language and its use were placed in informal emails, which were friendly and supportive throughout.
Avril Leigh
Once the Flash Fiction Writing Course has commenced, there are no transfers or refunds in the event you are unable to continue. In exceptional circumstances, a time extension may be granted if the student is unable to complete the course in the allotted time limit. You understand the course materials are copyright and agree never to sell, rent or otherwise distribute your course materials in any way. Enrolment on the Flash Fiction Writing Course is taken as acceptance of conditions.
