The Writers' HQ Write A Short Story Festival
Write. Create. Celebrate. Your next great story starts here!
March 2025
Workshops, write-alongs and the best community - join the fun!
Join Sarah, Team WHQ and a specially curated gang of super awesome, award-winning short story writers for a month of short story workshops, masterclasses and write-a-longs designed to get you writing or to elevate your craft from good to great.
Throughout March, the Writers’ HQ Write A Short Story Festival will give you the opportunity to explore everything you need to know about the short form, from starting, middling and ending. We’ll go deep into the craft of short story writing and finish the month by finding out how to submit your work to lit mags and publishers.
You can start at the beginning and write a story alongside other festival writers, or you can drop in and out depending on where you are with your writing.
Plus, through regular write-a-longs we’ll help you stay on track and build a writing practice that fits into your life and goals.
Also! The best writing community this side of the internet. Aww yeah! It’s gonna be a-m-a-z-i-n-g.
This year's festival line up: writers, mentors & more
Begin at the Beginning with Sarah Lewis
During the Write A Short Story Festival 2025, we're challenging you to write a brand new piece of fiction. So let's begin...
The Write A Short Story Festival Write-Along 1
Kick off the Write A Short Story Festival with a gorgeous hour of communal writing.
The Art of the Short Story with Leone Ross
We talk a lot about the craft of writing but what is the art of the short story?
The Write A Short Story Festival Write-Along 2
Come write with us at the Write A Short Story Festival Write Along
Write A Short Story Support Group
A mid-month Write a Short Story Festival check-in support group type of affair where you can bring your progress and your problems and we’ll have a good ol’ chinwag.
The Write A Short Story Festival Write-Along 3
Come write with us at the Write A Short Story Festival Write Along
Writing Dialogue with Gwen E. Kirby
Exploring dialogue - how to make it fit the story, advance the plot and reveal character, and when to keep our character’s mouths shut!
The Write A Short Story Festival Write-Along 4
Come write with us at the Write A Short Story Festival Write Along
Reading as a Writer with Alison Woodhouse
What happens to our writing when we slow down our reading and think critically about the stories in front of us?
Curating A Short Story Collection with Kathy Hoyle
All the tools you need to curate your own short story collection – from concept to completion.
Plus! Also! Too! As well!
These awesome bonus things...
When you get on board for the Write A Short Story Festival, you will also have access to:
Every event from last year's festival!
Including
- The Telescopic Lens: A big-picture to small-detail approach for editing your stories with Matt Kendric
- The Craft of Short Story Writing with Kathy Hoyle
- Dust off Your Drafts with Anika Carpenter
- Nail Your End: Finishing the Short Story with Emily Devane
Writing Short Fiction
Our mammoth short fiction course!
Full of practical techniques for developing your writing skills and producing stellar short stories
Three Other Awesome Short Story Courses
- Create A Short Story Collection
Learn how to turn your short stories into a collection! - Short Fiction Mini Masterclass
A quick intro to big little stories
- The Writers' HQ Guide to Flash Fiction
Conjure teeny flashy stories out of thin air
The Amazing Writers' HQ Community
Writing is a team sport and there’s no better place to find your writing team than Writers’ HQ. Many of our students have gone on to form close friendships and trusted critiquing partnerships. Introverted? Don’t worry! We’re all awkward writer-types here
“WHQ is sweary, witty, and incredibly good for your writing. I learned more in their six-week Writing Short Fiction course than I did in literally years of in-person courses with an instructor near me. Inspiration, pep, knowledge, swears, support, encouragement, hilarious gifs – WHQ is the best!”
– Mary T
You ready? Let’s gooooooo!
The Write A Short Story Festival 2025 is available exclusively for Writers’ HQ Gold Star Members. Click the buttons and secure your spot.
Monthly Gold Star WHQer
The full WHQ shebang for superstar writers
£20/month
- Full access to The Write A Short Story Festival 2025
- Workshops and write-alongs with brilliant authors and facilitators
- 4 x in-depth specialist short story development courses
- All our other creative writing courses
Plus members also get:
- Monthly specialised writing masterclasses
- Masterclass video library
- Full access to all other WHQ writing festivals
- Cancel any time
Annual Gold Star WHQer
One off payment. Save money. Eat more avocado toast
£190
- Everything in the monthly membership
- Save £50 a year
- Access to every WHQ festival and event year round
- No recurring fees