A One Year Journey in the Art of Fiction Writing
Take your story from first spark to polished manuscript – with the pitch and industry connections to match.
School is now OPEN!
It's a tough industry – and maybe you've been bruised before. Perhaps it would be easier to not write at all...
It sounds fabulous but...
I understand. To complete a novel, you have to be in it for the long haul and it's a massive commitment.
The complexity of your story sometimes feels overwhelming. You fear there are too many people doing this and how can your work stand out?
What if I told you...
'This year, you are a Writer.' Those words – spoken to me by Sir Malcolm Bradbury when I was a young, aspiring author – were incredibly powerful. And it's a promise I offer today to you too.
In the twelve months ahead, I invite you to take your writing seriously. When you commit to the page, to deepening your knowledge of craft, and to making connections with other writers and industry specialists – everything changes.
I'm here to support you, on each step of the journey...
Jacqui Lofthouse, Novelist and Founder of 'The Writing Coach'
“The coming year looks exactly like the future I could only dream of during those years as an unpublished writer. There are so many people who have helped me on this journey in many different ways, but Jacqui Lofthouse is at the head of my list.”
— Carolyn Kirby
Author of 'Ravenglass'
At SCHool for Fiction, completing and launching your novel becomes inevitable...
In our live classes, we study craft but also deepen our identity as a writer. As your story develops, you also become a writer who truly believes in their own work.
In my online course 'The Art of Fiction' each monthly module covers a different aspect of craft, from character to dialogue, to point of view and plot. By the end of the year, you'll have it nailed.
Each month, I invite a special guest from the industry who can answer your questions live. One of our first guests will be Louise Doughty, former Booker Prize Judge and bestselling author of 'Apple Tree Yard'.
Discover...
School
for Fiction
The School for Fiction is a creative home for writers who long to see their work in the world. In a single year, you’ll deepen your craft, complete your manuscript, and discover the publishing know-how and confidence to step forward as an author.
your Course structure
No. 01
The Art of Fiction:
Recorded modules in the art of fiction that you can revisit forever. These carefully curated lessons, are released monthly, so you deepen your craft step by step, from first draft to finished manuscript.
Think: character, dialogue, structure – all the good stuff – delivered in bite-sized lessons you can absorb with a cup of tea or coffee in hand (naturally)...
No. 02
The Studio
In our twice-monthly classes, we gather to deepen our knowledge of craft and develop the mindset that will keep you on track. Expect fresh insights, ah-ha moments, cameraderie and the pull of your writing desk...
No. 03
Your Inner Circle
Each month, one of your classes, which I facilitate, will be co-hosted by an industry special guest – available to answer your individual questions. One of our first guests is literary agent Salma Begum, of Greyhound Literary.
No. 04
Your Pitch and Synopsis
We know how vital it is to make industry connections, so we've arranged for a literary agent to give you personal, constructive written feedback on your pitch, synopsis and first five pages of your manuscript.
Feedback on 20,000 words of your work
Membership of the School now includes individual feedback on up to 20,000 words of your work from one of our expert team of editors at The Writing Coach.
Your chosen editor will read and annotate your fiction, write an literary consultancy report on the work, and speak with you one-to-one.
So you know exactly what your strengths are, and how to develop your work and get it market-ready...
New Bonus
Laura Wilkinson
Vanessa Neuling
Mark Leggatt
Here at The Writing Coach, we are invested in...
THE AUTHOR
you BECOME
Take your manuscript from “good” to unputdownable with our advanced craft techniques you’ll use for life.
You gain a confident authorial voice – and the clarity to know what makes your work stand out.
Master the art of storytelling, structure, and revision, so every page pulls the reader in...
Create a polished pitch package and strategy – ready for agents and publishers.
Step fully into your author identity with the mindset, skills, and community to sustain you long after the course ends.
COURSE
OUTLINE
NOVEMBER – JANUARY
We begin with 'The First Mystery', create a winning first chapter and believable characters...
AUGUST - OCTOBER
FEBRUARY - APRIL
Our momentum is at its peak, we consider climaxes and endings. We plan our book's path into the world...
Our voice and point of view are established, we understand dramatic scenes and our plot evolves.
MAY - JULY
We layer our novel, our language sharpens, our dialogue sings. Our confidence in the work deepens.
A year from now you'll have a manuscript to be proud of...
Let's begin!
MEET Your
WRITING COACH
Jacqui Lofthouse is Founder of The Writing Coach and Creator of School for Fiction. She is the author of four novels, including The Temple of Hymen – nominated by Penguin for the Booker Prize – and Bluethroat Morning (Bloomsbury). Her books have sold over 100,000 copies across the UK, the USA, and Europe.
A graduate of the University of East Anglia’s MA in Creative Writing, where she studied under Sir Malcolm Bradbury and Rose Tremain, Jacqui has taught and mentored writers at every level – from emerging authors to international prize-winners and academics at the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge.
Jacqui is motivated to help other writers and creative artists bring their important stories into the world. She is married to the cartoonist and graphic facilitator David Lewis and they have two grown children. Jacqui is currently completing her first play 'One Kiss for Essex'.
BEHIND
the COURSE
With gentle encouragement and an art director's eye, I collaborate with my couples to create effortlessly editorial images full of pure love, stunning backdrops, and natural moments (with just enough guidance!).
ENNEAGRAM 8, CREATIVE TO MY CORE, ARTIST, ROMANTIC, JANE AUSTIN STAN
about
sophia
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed maximus lacus odio, at congue leo egestas eu. Fusce et urna ullamcorper, lacinia nulla a, consequat nunc. Sed vehicula ex vel nunc tincidunt.
as seen in
Harpers Bazaar / Vogue
Marie Claire / Weddings Magazine
Best value!
select the plan that works for you:
Payment Plan
Access to The Art of Fiction Course
Monthly Live Sessions and write-ins
with Jacqui
Monthly Classes with Industry Experts
Agent Feedback on your Pitch and our Editor's Feedback on up to 20,000 words of your work
One Payment
Access to The Art of Fiction Course
Monthly Live Sessions and write-ins
with Jacqui
Monthly Classes with Industry Experts
Agent Feedback on your Pitch and our Editor's Feedback on up to 20,000 words of your work
“Jacqui is the first person I show all my novels to and my most important critic."
As well as being a terrific novelist in her own right, she has an acute eye for what is not quite working in any piece of work and is exceptionally good at pointing it out in a way that is firm but constructive and helpful. I can recommend her highly to anyone who needs help.
— LOUISE DOUGHTY, BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF 'APPLE TREE YARD'
“Working with The Writing Coach has been everything I hoped for. ”
Jacqui connected me with Mark Leggatt, my main coach, editor, mentor and, now, friend. I’m incredibly thankful I found The Writing Coach, and continued to work with the team throughout my second book too.”
— THOMAS R WEAVER,
author of 'artificial Wisdom'
published by Penguin 2025
“I’d had a few rejections for a manuscript and Jacqui agreed to take a look...
Jacqui helped me to consider the reader more in my opening chapters and helped me to see how changing one small aspect could have a huge difference. Crucially, she also gave me confidence in my writing: that it wasn’t the quality of my work, but one or two little tweaks in the storyline that may have been standing in the way of my being accepted.
— GILLIAN HARVEY, AUTHOR OF 'EVERYTHING IS FINE'
Jacqui says:
“Behind all that we do is a desire to truly support writers – to enable them to create fulfilling, successful and sustainable writing lives.
Given the huge breadth of experience that our clients bring to the page, I have always said: ‘this work is bigger than me’.
Words and stories have the power to entertain, to educate, to enable change and to transform. In encouraging and supporting people to write, we are privileged to be at the heart of their creative and intellectual lives. We are grateful to play a role in enabling the stories of others to grow and to flourish in the world.”
you're in the right place.
Getting Published Day
When you book your place in School for Fiction as one of our Founder Members, you also gain a free ticket to our exclusive 'Developing your Novel or Memoir – LIVE' day on 9th May 2026, at the luxurious Asia House in London. Make real strides with your work-in-progress, network with your fellow writers, meet Jacqui and our special guests including literary agents.
Bonus to all Founder Members
by the end of this course, expect to...
Be a serious writer with a solid writing routine that enables you to complete projects — and be devoted to your work.
Have deep knowledge of the industry and have a standout pitch ready to share with your considered list of literary agents.
Be able to call yourself a writer and feel confident and proud to claim that title.
Have a clear plan in place for your author career and know how to prioritise the actions that will
fast track you.
Have a deep knowledge of writer's craft so you can confidently write books that sell.
Know how to market your book to readers both online and via press coverage.
School for Fiction is unique in its focus on the 'whole writer'...
Designed by the first traditionally published novelist to train as a life coach in the uk, our holistic approach means that you feel truly 'seen' on this journey
At The Writing Coach, we are known as the most nurturing organisation for writers. Jacqui gets to know the writers in our community individually, and organises regular meet-ups for our community, which you will be invited to.
We believe that the reason you can feel confident as a writer is because you are entirely unique as an individual. We focus on working with you to develop your original voice and your particular story.
With us, you gain clarity on all you have to offer the world as a writer, and you will feel deeply supported on your fiction-writing journey.
Jacqui at our 'Getting Published Day' in London by her husband: David Lewis Cartoons
The Elements of School for Fiction
Your Studio Class, a live class with Jacqui, on the first Monday of the month. This is where we dive deeper into our monthly focus and there are opportunities for on-the-spot coaching.
Our Inner Circle, a live monthly session with our Industry Specialist of the month. These will be on Monday or Wednesday evenings. Jacqui facilitates these classes and you have plenty of opportunity to ask questions of our industry guests.
Access to our Write-ins - come along to be accountable and gain focused time to write with us.
Membership of our Literary Salon - Our Online Forum for our members, where you can share your progress, ideas and insights after class.
Feedback on your pitch, synopsis and first five pages. When you are close to being ready to submit, you'll get written feedback on your pitch from a literary agent, to ensure you're right on track.
Access to our twice-yearly live meet-ups in London.
School for Fiction is your springboard for success as a writer
Here you will strengthen your craft, finish your manuscript, and connect with the industry.
Bring your commitment, your courage, and your hours at the page. We’ll give you the map, the tools, and the support.
The book you’re dreaming of is inside you. We would love to see you hold it in your hands...
If you want this to be the year that you truly commit to...
✓ Finishing the novel you've always wanted to write...
✓ Creating a sustainable writing practice
✓ Gaining a deep confidence in yourself as a writer
✓ Finding a nurturing community of writers who will support you through the ups and downs of the writing life
✓ Developing a solid knowledge of the art of writing fiction and implementing it
✓ Gaining industry connections and marketing know-how that you can rely on for the rest of your writing life
Sketch above of Jacqui Lofthouse, together with the late Sir Malcolm Bradbury and the author Louise Doughty at Dartington Literary Festival, 1995.
ONLY YOU CAN WRITE THIS BOOK...
it's time to focus on your novel
We offer the skills, the insight, the knowledge and the connections. In our community, people make writing friends for life. Our students write books they are proud of and go on to publish. And importantly, your membership of School for Fiction continues beyond your first year. Once you're in, you're in...
Best value!
select the plan that works for you:
Payment Plan
Access to The Art of Fiction Course
Monthly Live Sessions and write-ins
with Jacqui
Monthly Classes with Industry Experts
Agent Feedback on your Pitch and our Editor's Feedback on up to 20,000 words of your work
One Payment
Access to The Art of Fiction Course
Monthly Live Sessions and write-ins
with Jacqui
Monthly Classes with Industry Experts
Agent Feedback on your Pitch and our Editor's Feedback on up to 20,000 words of your work
FAQ
(Frequently Asked Q's)
When do LIVE classes take place?
Each month you have a core recorded Module with additional resources. Our Live Classes take place on the first Monday of every month at 8pm UK time, with an additional class at 2pm UK time on Thursday, the same week. Our Inner Circle Industry Experts will join us on Monday or Wednesday evenings at 7 or 8pm UK time. Each of these experts are scheduled 2-3 months in advance.
are the live sessions recorded?
Yes, absolutely. The recordings of live classes will be uploaded to your members' area within 48 hours of each class, usually sooner.
does my membership last beyond my first year?
Yes, as a Founder member of School for Fiction, you become are a permanent member for as long as the school exists. You will always have the live resources and can attend classes in future years at no additional cost.
I HAVE ANOTHER QUESTION – HOW DO I CONTACT YOU?
WHAT IS YOUR CANCELLATION POLICY
Simply drop Jacqueline Smith, our Client Services Manager at line here. Or you can use the Contact Page of The Writing Coach website.
DO YOU HAVE AN AFFILIATE PROGRAMME?
Yes, we have an affiliate programme which is open to our current members and clients only. However, if you join School for Fiction, you can begin to earn back a portion of your fee by joining the scheme. Email us for more information.
Joining School for Fiction is a commitment to your writing life. Please consider carefully all aspects of the course and whether it suits you, prior to purchasing, as we have a no refund policy. Do ask any questions you need to by emailing us before signing up. However, you do have permanent membership, so if you need to pause your classes, you can hop back in any time you are ready to.
100,000
NUMBER OF my novels sold...
02
Number of Times I Cried happy tears About That
30
NUMBER OF YEARS I'VE been teaching creative writing
06
Number of NOVELS I'VE WRITTEN
