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Writing Bestselling Fiction

Ken Follett

Writing Bestselling Fiction

Have you always dreamed of seeing your novel on the shelves of your local bookshop? Of writing the next bestseller to top the charts? Learn how to approach your research, what goes into an outline, and how to navigate the world of publishing and finding an agent, with internationally acclaimed, best-selling author Ken Follett.

22 video lessons
Course notes
  • For aspiring novelists and authors

  • Self-paced with no deadlines

  • With practical, downloadable exercises

The course

Join Ken Follett as he unpacks 50 years of experience and teaches you everything he knows about writing bestsellers.

Follow his tried and tested process, from establishing what makes a good idea and how to develop it, to incorporating research into your outline, and pacing your story to make it a real page turner. Plus, hear from Dr Margarette Lincoln, author and historian, on the importance of fact checking, and novelist Alexandra Overy on how to navigate the modern world of publishing.

Whether you've got the beginnings of an idea or a fleshed out first draft, Ken's course will help you refine your work and get you on the right track to seeing your book in the shops!

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Your Maestro

Ken Follett is one of the world’s most respected and successful novelists. During his 50-year career, he has written 36 books with over 180 million copies sold worldwide. His work has been translated into 40 languages and is sold in 80 countries, earning him accolades from across the globe. As well as receiving a CBE in the 2018 Queen’s Birthday Honours for his services to literature, he has picked up an Edgar Best Novel Award in America, Italy’s Premio Bancarella literary prize, as well as awards in Spain, Bavaria, and Hungary to name but a few.

Lessons

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A collection of the BBC Maestri including Jancis Robinson, David Walliams

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Course Notes

Course notes

86 pages

As well as video lessons, you’ll also enjoy access to a downloadable PDF put together by Ken Follett, full of tips, techniques, and exercises to help you start writing your own novel.

Course Notes

Feeling inspired?

Learn how to introduce story turns at a pace that will keep your readers engaged, as well as how to avoid “the soggy middle”, and write an electrifying ending. 

22 video lessons, 6 hrs
Course notes
Writing Bestselling Fiction

Looking to inspire the aspiring novelist in your life? Help them put pen to paper and get writing.

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Common questions

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You can buy an annual subscription to get full access to all BBC Maestro courses, lessons and course notes for one year. You can enjoy over 100 hours of video lessons and your own pace and watch as many times as you like. You'll also have access to any new courses added throughout the year.

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