Writing Modern Fairy Tales
- Level(s) of Study: Short course
- Course Fee:
£460
- Start Date(s): 30 September 2025
- Duration: Tuesdays 6 - 8.30 pm, ten weeks
- Study Mode(s): Part-time
- Campus: City Campus
- Entry Requirements: More information
Introduction:
Course dates:
30 September - 2 December 2025, Tuesdays 6 - 8.30 pm
Discover the magic of writing your own modern fiction story and explore how to connect traditional fairy tale storylines with the contemporary world around you.
On this course you’ll develop your knowledge of the classic fairy-tale by examining the work of both traditional and modern writers of the fairy-tale.
Drawing from your findings, you’ll learn how to create new stories for your own fairy-tales, highlighting themes and issues in the contemporary world, with strong, endurable characters that can both entertain and inform.
This course is ideal for anyone interested in developing their creative writing; whether you’d like to write for children and young adults, or if you’d like to write a fairy-tale that can be understood at a much deeper, more subconscious level by an adult.
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You’ll be part of a creative writing community; one that promotes discussion, collaboration, and encourages experimentation and the constant swapping of ideas. -
Benefit from learning with an active, expert writer-tutor who has established links to the profession and significant experience working in a wide range of genres. -
Get published with our student anthology; every term we ask for submissions and print a short anthology of your original creative writing, which you can keep after the course. -
Study Creative Writing in a UNESCO City of Literature. Nottingham is a place of discovery, exchange, ideas and learning for everyone who loves words and stories. Our vision as a UNESCO City of Literature is for a city where everyone is reading and writing their way to a better life.
Here's what previous attendees have said:
'Tina is an excellent tutor, very encouraging and willing to help her students with their individual needs DL
'I wanted to do this course to further improve my writing skills, I've learnt how to write a modern fairy-tale and how to create a 3-dimensional character. The resources I received are very valuable and the tutor’s passion was very encouraging! WS
'I really enjoyed being able to discuss the elements of fairy tales and learning about the structure and process of writing them. It was great to hear other people’s feedback on my work and gain knowledge on things like publishing and other practical elements of writing.' BG
'Fairy tales fascinate me. I've been able to gain further knowledge on the origin and meaning of well-known fairy tales as well as how to analyse a fairy tale to find the hidden meaning. I most enjoyed hearing knowledge and experiences from the tutor and being able to share my work with the other students. I finally set aside time to write! KA
What you’ll study
Create your own tale and be the storyteller for an adventure, letting your imagination run wild.
On this course, you’ll deconstruct the makings of a traditional fairy-tale, including timeless plots of ‘good versus evil’, recurring social and political themes, and the common archetypal characters developed within them.
You’ll look at the concept of fairy-tale stories and imagery; from their older origins to the more modern depictions and styles, considering literary opportunities to connect your own writing with current social and political themes and current affairs.
Learning how fairy-tale characters and plots find their way into the modern writing world and how their long-lasting impact can inspire and benefit your writing, you’ll plan and structure your own fairy-tale.
Classroom discussions and critiques will be combined with a variety of practical homework exercises.
You’ll investigate the enchanting and surprisingly dark themes of several well-known fairy tales to inspire and inform your own creative writing, looking at writers such as Hans Christian Anderson, Brothers Grimm and Oscar Wilde.
You’ll also reflect on contemporary stories by writers including Neil Gaiman and Angela Carter, as well as questioning what can be considered a ‘true’ fairy-tale.
By the end of the course, you will leave with the beginnings of your own fairy-tale, and ideas for future work.
You’ll also have a network of fellow writers and potential collaborators with whom you can progress your work further.
- look at well-known fairy-tales and their characters
- reflect on how traditional tales are represented in both their original time and the present day
- consider struggles and conflict within fairy-tale relationships (looking at power, control, freedom, and their relevance to our current environment)
- look at symbolism in fairy tales and understand the tropes of the genre
- devise new approaches to writing, considering how to subvert from the traditional
- play with your own ideas and look for inspiration for your own story
- learn how to redraft and refine your work
- considering plot twists and the importance of moral lessons in modern fairy tales.
How you’re taught
You will receive guidance and feedback in a supportive seminar environment, engaging in classroom discussions, critiques, and practical writing exercises.
This course will be delivered in person on Nottingham Trent University city campus.
98% of previous course attendees were satisfied with the course, received the attention they needed and would consider doing another short course at NTU.
By the end of the course, you will have a variety of writing projects in development, and a network of fellow writers and potential collaborators with whom you can progress your work further.
Contact hours
You will receive 25 contact hours of quality tuition with an experienced tutor.
Careers and employability
The course is designed to prepare you to succeed in the creative writing industry; students who have taken this course have gone on to build a portfolio of published work through submitting to literary magazines or self-publishing, progressed onto degree courses and embarked on careers in writing, publishing and teaching.
This course is your toolkit to ensure that you are well-prepared to pursue a successful career in the competitive field of creative writing.
Certificate of attendance and digital badge
Upon successful completion of the course, you will receive a digital certificate of attendance and a digital badge powered by Accredible.
Your digital credential is more than just a certificate – it’s secure, verifiable, and protected against fraud through encryption and blockchain technology.
They also come with detailed metadata, including an overview of the skills you have achieved on the course, evidence of completion, and assessment criteria if appropriate.
Share your achievements seamlessly with friends, customers, and potential employers online, and proudly add your badge or certificate to social media platforms such as LinkedIn, so all the right people can see it.
Are you interested in progressing your writing?
Find out more about our undergraduate and postgraduate courses:
Campus and facilities
You will be studying creative writing in a UNESCO City of Literature, and be based in the School of Social Sciences on the City Campus.
You will find modern teaching spaces and quiet study environments to develop your ideas and writing.
You’ll have access to our library to use outside of your short course; whilst you can’t reserve or take away books, you are welcome to use them as a resource for research and referencing.
You’ll also be invited to join WRAP, our Writing, Reading and Pleasure programme of book groups, meet ups and talks from readers and authors.
You will receive an email one week before the course starts with joining instructions on where to go for the first day.
Entry requirements
Level: Beginner
Entry requirement: No experience is required.
You must be over the age of 18 to attend this course.
Fees and funding
The fee for this course is £460.
Payment is due at the time of booking - ask us if you'd prefer an invoice sent to your company.
Secure your place with a deposit - If you're booking more than two months before the course starts, we can accept a £200 deposit to secure your place, and the balance is due one month before the course starts.
Your course fees cover the cost of studies, including great benefits such as the use of our modern library and free use of the IT equipment and software on the campus during your course.
Materials List:
Please bring with you to the first day:
- a notepad and pen
- any ideas you have for your fairy-tale.
You can read the terms and conditions of booking here.
How to apply
You can book your place via the NTU online store:
30 September - 2 December 2025, Tuesdays 6 - 8.30 pm
Browse all our creative writing short courses.
Any questions?
Contact the short course team:
- Email: creativeshortcourses@ntu.ac.uk
- Telephone: +44 (0)115 848 2813