In this beginner-friendly writing course taught by short story writer and novelist Bhavika Govil, you will learn to read, love and write short stories of your own. You will learn to identify the traits of a good story—what makes them addictive and unforgettable? You will learn practical tips on how to kickstart your imagination and spark ideas so you aren’t stuck with an intimidating blank page. And once there is an idea you wish to pursue, you will play with text and structure on how to start strong, where to end, and what to do with the middle.

Together, we will read and dissect stories by writers as varied and wonderful as Lydia Davis and George Saunders, Jhumpa Lahiri and Sandra Cisneros (and even a short story about Taylor Swift!), and learn how these writers bring us into their world and keep us there. The most central part of story is character, and we will discuss how to craft memorable characters that feel alive beyond the page. In the last session, you will surprise yourself by reading and writing stories that are experimental and push the boundaries of the short story form as you know it. This writing course combine discussion, craft, writing exercises and tips from Bhavika’s own writing experience in writing and publishing short stories.

Join the waitlist below.

About the facilitator:
Bhavika Govil is a writer from New Delhi. Her debut novel, Hot Water, was published by Fourth Estate, HarperCollins India, and was shortlisted for the Godrej Literature Live! First Book Award. It is forthcoming in the UK and being translated into French in 2026. Her short fiction has appeared in Granta, Wasafiri, Extra Teeth, A Case of Indian Marvels, and elsewhere. She has won the Bound Short Story Prize, been shortlisted for the Queen Mary Wasafiri New Writing Prize, and longlisted for the TFA Awards for Creative Writing. Bhavika holds a master’s degree in creative writing from the University of Edinburgh and teaches creative writing.
You can read her published stories ‘Folding Your Mother’ in Granta here, and ‘Eggs keep falling from the fourth floor’ in Wasafiri here. Buy a copy of Hot Water here.

Waitlist Form

The waitlist to the Short Story Starter Kit for 2026 batches is now open. Please fill in the form to join the waitlist, and write in if you have any questions.

When: Every Saturday for 4 weeks

Time: 11am-1.45pm OR 4pm-6.45pm India time

Where: Online on Zoom, open to participants internationally

Fee: INR 12,000 (or £120) for four comprehensive sessions

Seats are limited to 12 spots, and will be filled on a first come, first-served basis.

Lesson 1: Introduction to short stories and generating your own ideas

Lesson 2: Building a short story: Beginnings, endings and the darned middle

Lesson 3: Writing character and voice

Lesson 4: The Strange & the Wonderful: Writing experimental short stories

Note: It is a beginner-level course which is open to anyone who might like a refresher to the short story form.

What will you get?

Original writing tasks and dedicated time and space to write
An understanding of what a short story is and how to construct one
Carefully selected reading materials across styles, and a hotlist of recommended stories and essays
A glossary of craft terms compiled by Bhavika
Practical tips on how to generate ideas right off the bat and work past the blank page
And a wonderful community to stay in touch with after the course ends

'Watching Bhavika was like watching a magic trick being performed in front of our eyes. As an instructor, Bhavika is patient, kind, and generous.'

Prateek Nigam, Bengaluru
'I cannot be more grateful for these sessions with Bhavika. They have brought back to surface my almost-forgotten passion for writing. She was amazing through the sessions, giving us space to think and to experiment. I would attend the sessions all over again!'

Hita Hejmadi, Bengaluru
'The stimulating discussions and exercises have helped me overcome a particularly dry spell.'

Archana Pai Kulkarni
'I actually got to write, instead of procrastinating the act for fear of it not being perfect. It also gave me so many ideas to explore in the future!'

Aakansha Kar
As a nonfiction writer, I envy fiction writers for being able to create entire stories and plots out of their imagination. Bhavika’s workshop has definitely been the first step for me in understanding how I could start to create stories of my own. :)

Chandni Doulatramani

Waitlist Form

'Watching Bhavika was like watching a magic trick being performed in front of our eyes. As an instructor, Bhavika is patient, kind, and generous.'

'I cannot be more grateful for these sessions with Bhavika. They have brought back to surface my almost-forgotten passion for writing. She was amazing through the sessions, giving us space to think and to experiment. I would attend the sessions all over again!'

'The stimulating discussions and exercises have helped me overcome a particularly dry spell.'

'I actually got to write, instead of procrastinating the act for fear of it not being perfect. It also gave me so many ideas to explore in the future!'

As a nonfiction writer, I envy fiction writers for being able to create entire stories and plots out of their imagination. Bhavika’s workshop has definitely been the first step for me in understanding how I could start to create stories of my own. :)

Bhavika Govil