Fantasy, Science Fiction & Horror Writing

Enter a new realm as a fantasy novelist.

Ever thought your bizarro-world fantasies might translate well into written fiction?

Our Introduction to Fantasy, Science Fiction & Horror Writing course gives aspiring writers the essentials and the encouragement to examine their own dream worlds and turn their ideas into prose.

The course also introduces writers to ways of making extra money from associated activities like workshops and author visits to schools or bookshops.

On completion of your course:

You will be awarded an Introduction to Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Writing Cengage Certificate.

* Terms and conditions apply
Course Number 94320B
Course Type Correspondence
Course Duration Max 18 months
Study Hours Approx 110 hrs
Qualification Cengage Certificate

Assessment & Assignment details:

  • 5 Learning Periods
  • 8 written assessments

Computer requirements

Access to a computer is not mandatory for the completion of this course but would be highly beneficial.

Entry requirements
Cengage Certificate, Statements of Attainment, Certificate I & Certificate II courses

No entry requirements apply to these courses.

English Language Requirements:

If English is your second language and you did not complete the last two years of secondary education in English you are required to provide evidence of English language competence before enrolling. Examples of appropriate evidence are:

Evidence

Example

IELTS

Overall score of 5.5

TOEFL

530 (paper), 197 (computer) or 71 Internet.

Evidence of employment in an English speaking country.

12 month period of employment: Letters of Appointment, Letters of Reference, Testimonials, Performance Appraisals etc

Not sure if you meet the entry requirements?
Please call 1300 853 033

Subjects You’ll Cover

Introduction to Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Writing

  • Becoming a Writer
  • Knowing your Genre
  • The Short Story
  • The novel

The Arithmetic of Publishing

  • The Publisher
  • The Editor
  • Short Story Markets
  • Literary Agents
  • Writers Groups

Ideas are only Half the Fun — Finding the Right Idea

  • Testing Ideas
  • Good Story Elements
  • Inside the Story
  • The Plot — Don’t Lose It.

Tropes & Themes

  • Good Versus Evil
  • The Quest Story
  • Hero Story
  • Everything Old is New Again
  • Looking at Sub–Genres

The Skills of Writing

  • Sentence, Theme, Premise
  • Tools that Work
  • Show Don’t Tell
  • Dialogue

Exposition

  • Scene Setting
  • Simple Character Scene
  • Scene plus 2 characters

Form Versus Structure

  • Short Stories & Flash Fiction
  • The Novella
  • The Synopsis
  • Atmosphere
  • Building a Fantasy World
  • The Importance of a timeline

Understanding the Business from the Publishing Side

  • The Big Press
  • The Small Press
  • Self Publishing
  • Printing Methods

* Fortnightly payment plans also available –     call our Sales team on 1300 853 033 .

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