What can be achieved, for example, in under 2,000 words that could never be achieved with a novel? Work towards the completion of your own short story through in-class writing exercises and guidance from the tutor.

You will learn:

• about the short fiction form: from folk tales and fables to contemporary fiction
• about the distinguishing features of the short fiction form, particularly when put up against the novel
• an analysis of some of the key elements that go towards making a great work of short fiction
• some practical tips towards starting and structuring your work
• an overview of short fiction publishing today.

About Wayne Macauley

Wayne Macauley is a Melbourne writer who has had numerous works of short fiction published in a variety of magazines and journals. He is a former winner of The Age Short Story Competition and has appeared in the 'Best Australian Stories' and 'New Australian Stories' anthologies. His short fiction collection, 'Other Stories', was published in 2010. He has also published five novels: 'Blueprints for a Barbed-Wire Canoe', 'Caravan Story', 'The Cook', 'Demons' and, most recently, 'Some Tests'.

Wayne shared his thoughts about short story writing with us in a Q&A. You can read it on this website.