In the Summer batch of 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 you will learn to write 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.

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

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

About the facilitator:
Bhavika Govil is an award-winning writer whose debut novel, Hot Water was published with HarperCollins India in 2025. A portion of the manuscript won the Pontas & JJ Bola Emerging Writers Prize and the DHA New Writers’ Open Week. Bhavika’s short stories have won the Bound Short Story Prize, been shortlisted for the Queen Mary Wasafiri New Writing Prize, longlisted for the TFA Awards for Creative Writing, and mentioned as a notable contender for the Bristol Short Story Prize. She has a Master’s in creative writing from the University of Edinburgh. When she isn’t writing, she teaches creative writing workshops online and in person.

You can read her published stories ‘Eggs keep falling from the fourth floor’ here and ‘Curdled’ here. You can buy a copy of Hot Water here.

Sign-up Form

When: On Saturdays, June 28, July 5, 19, and 26. No class on July 12.

Time: 4pm to 6.30pm India time (10.30am to 1pm GMT)

Where: Online on Zoom

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

UPI Payment ID: bhavikagovil@okhdfcbank OR Scan the QR code below. Please fill in the form below after payment for confirmation or if you require any other payment info

International payments: Please fill in the ‘Payment Information’ section below for details

Seats are limited to 12 spots and usually fill fast. They are on a first come, first-served basis.

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'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

Sign-up 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