‘When he woke up, the dinosaur was still there.’ That’s a complete story. Google it! In this course we’ll look at some stories – or ‘stories’ – that don’t play by the rules of beginning, middle and end. Prose poems. Verbal games. Microfictions. Stories that are a single vast sentence, or that have no punctuation at all, stories that frame other stories or hop between genres and styles. So this is a course for those who’d like to try something avant-garde and challenging. We’ll roam across the globe. Possible authors include Samuel Beckett, Georges Perec, Raymond Queneau, Borges, Calvino, Clarice Lispector, Gabriel Garcia Márquez, Angela Carter, Clare-Louise Bennett. Whatever your taste, it should intrigue and occasionally infuriate you. A fizzy energy drink on your reading and writing journey.

The course will include two workshopping sessions where you’ll be given feedback from Malcolm Hebron and the rest of the attendees, and you will also give feedback on their short stories. Guidance and support will be given on how to do this.

You’ll be expected to do a lot of reading and writing in between sessions, and a full course outline and reading list will be sent once you’ve signed up. Places are limited to eight so everyone (and their stories) are given a lot of attention.

Free entry into the Raw Writing Short Story competition (worth £25) when you sign up for this course! The deadline for the Raw Writing Short Story competition is 17th June 2026, the word count is 2000 maximum, and the prize will be a mentoring package (six sessions) with a published writer, a place on a six-month Raw Writing course, and publication in the Raw Writing Anthology.

Session Dates

Tuesdays, 2pm – 3.30pm

• Tue 10 Mar
• Tue 17 Mar
• Tue 24 Mar
• Tue 14 Apr
• Tue 21 Apr
• Tue 28 Apr
• Tue 05 May
• Tue 12 May

About The Tutor

Malcolm Hebron has a doctorate in English Literature from Oxford and for many years taught at Winchester College. He has written academic books and articles and is the author of How to Read a Poem (Connell Guides).

Please email Carla at carla@rawwriting.co.uk if you have any questions before booking or call or message her on 07474 116771

www.rawwriting.co.uk

Venue: Meeting Room, Exeter Phoenix

*Subject to a £1.50 ticketing system charge. We don’t charge this to make a profit. Find out more >>