Mark Connors - author and poet

Write That Novel – Novel Writing Course

This online Zoom course will focus on working towards a first draft of a novel. With a mix of exercises, tutorials and tutor/participant led feedback, this course is designed to help budding novelists begin and keep on keeping on with their ambitious writing projects. We'll look at how other novelists do it and how not to do it as we work towards completing our first drafts. There will be a private Facebook group where writers can share ideas with other participants between classes. This tried and tested course will give you a great chance of realising your novel writing dreams.

This is a 10-week course, costing £125 on Saturday mornings 10 am-12 pm or Mondays 2-4 pm. The course will be ongoing for those wishing to continue from the initial 10-week courses. On Mondays (7-9 pm) and Wednesdays (6.30-8.30 pm) I run ongoing 8-week courses for £100 per block. Sign up now! They fill up fast!

One of Mark's course participants was recently offered a two book deal with a major publisher with a substantial advance for a novel worked on in one of these groups. Others on the course have attracted interest from agents.

Mark Connors is an award winning writer from Leeds. His debut novel, Stickleback was published by Armley Press in 2016. Stickleback was long listed for The Guardian's Not the Booker Prize. His second novel, Tom Tit and the Maniacs was published by Armley Press in 2018. It was selected as one two of Culture Vulture's novels of the year, along with Reservoir 13 by Jon McGregor.

Mark's award winning short fiction has won him prizes and commendations at North London Literature Festival, Dartmoor Literature Festival and Otley Word Feast. Mark also won the prestigious open mic competition at Ilkley Literature Festival both in 2014 and 2015 for both his fiction and his poetry.

Mark is a writing workshop facilitator and bibliotherapist. He is also managing editor of the independent publishers, YAFFLE.

Testimonials:

"The attendees of Mark's courses find his sessions informative and inspiring. Mark really knows his stuff – he knows how to express the innermost thoughts and feelings of his characters in an authentic way and he is able to encourage his group participants to do the same, regardless of where they are on their writing journey. Mark is an intelligent, generous and encouraging tutor who is passionate about writing and the importance of being able to express oneself."
Dionne Hood (Development Officer – reading and stock, Bradford Libraries)

"Mark Connors is an inspirational and exceptional teacher of writing skills. He gives in-depth analysis and criticism in a very positive friendly way."
Phil Batman (this name is not made up!)

"Mark's novel course has given me the enthusiasm and motivation to keep going with my writing project. I come away from the session each week, itching to write. Mark is great at encouraging us, while at the same time pushing us to improve. I know we've all become better writers after taking his feedback on board and trying out new techniques. I'd definitely recommend the course to any budding novelists."
Vicky Day

"Mark is able to discern the crafted phrase from a writer's jumbled outpouring of thought. Extremely supportive and encouraging, Mark has a genuine enthusiasm and interest in the diverse approaches taken by his groups to storytelling."
Sarah McMahon