Who is the Writing Romance Novels course suitable for?

This course is suitable for anyone writing within the romance genre and its many subgenres. You do not need a completed manuscript to enrol, but you do need an idea for your novel to get started. If you are writing a romance novel that you’d like expert help with or you have queried a romance novel and struggled to grab an agent’s attention, this course is for you!

If you’d like a more intensive course that guides you through the core novel writing skills, take a look at our Ultimate Novel Writing Programme. Alternatively, if you’d like help with forming your query package and the traditional publishing process, Path to Publication might be better suited.

Which genres are suitable for this course?

All Romance genres are suitable for this course. If you’re unsure whether your novel idea is the right fit, you can get in touch with the courses team at courses@jerichowriters.com. They’ll be happy to help!

Are there live calls included in the course?

There will be a live call each week with Rowan Coleman (the tutor) and other course students. All calls will be held in the evening (GMT) on Zoom, and will be recorded.

Will I be able to complete this course around personal commitments?

The course is 100% online, and we estimate you’ll need to commit 3-4 hours of your time each week. We encourage you to commit as fully as you can throughout the 6 weeks to get the most out of the course.

Is this course suitable for writers based outside of the UK?

Absolutely! We welcome writers from across the world. Please keep in mind that the live elements of the course will be held in the evening GMT/BST. However, all live calls will be recorded and can be watched back the following day on the learning platform.

Is the course learning platform easy to navigate?

We use an easy-to-navigate online teaching platform, which is incredibly user-friendly so you’ll have no difficulty understanding what to do. You’ll also have access to the teaching and platform forum indefinitely, so your course friendships will long outlast the duration of the course. Of course, if you do need help at any stage, the Courses team will be on hand.

Do you have any bursaries available for this course?

While we don’t have a full bursary available for this course, we want to help great writers get published, and if your personal circumstances make it difficult for you to fund the full price of this course, please get in touch. We can’t make any promises, but we’ll always do what we can.

What happens if I pay for the course and change my mind?

If you wish to be refunded for the course, you are entitled to a refund up to 14 days before the course starts, but note that an administration fee will be charged. After this, no refund will be possible. To avoid loss, we strongly advise customers to ensure they are able to take the course on the dates advertised, and that they are comfortable undertaking this online. Please refer to our Terms and Conditions for more details.

What support will be available to me?

You’ll get regular support from your tutor and course mates, who will offer constructive feedback on your work every week. You’ll be able to ask questions during the live weekly seminars and can reach out to the Jericho Writers team at any time if you need anything else. We’re always happy to help!  

What feedback can I expect to receive during the course?

Weekly feedback on your course assignments will be shared in an online forum, where your tutor and peers will contribute their thoughts. To help ensure everyone can learn from discussion from one another’s work, comments will be visible to all students currently studying on the course. At the end of the course, you’ll also get a one-to-one session with Rowan or a literary agent – whichever you’d prefer. You’ll also get personalised feedback from Rowan on the first 5000 words of your romance manuscript, which you’ll be able to use to refine your writing further.  

What will I get from the course?

After completing the course, you’ll have:

• A strong grasp of the romance genre, including its core expectations, popular tropes, sub-genres, and how to blend romance with other genres while still satisfying readers.
• A market-ready story premise, with the ability to articulate a compelling elevator pitch and understand how premise, stakes, and structure support publishing success.
• Solid plotting and structural skills, that enable you to design engaging story arcs, escalate tension, and deliver emotionally satisfying twists and endings.
• The ability to write strong openings and immersive settings that hook readers and reinforce character development.
• Tools for creating believable, emotionally engaging characters, including crafting chemistry, avoiding clichés, and building authentic romantic tension.
• Confidence in writing dialogue and emotional beats, including conflict, intimacy, and sex scenes that feel natural, purposeful, and character-driven.
• An understanding of pacing and payoff, ensuring character arcs and romantic arcs resolve in a way that feels earned and memorable.
• One-to-one feedback from an industry expert – either Rowan or a literary agent.
• Personalised feedback on first 5000 words of your manuscript.

What if I’m not confident in my writing yet?

Don’t worry – most authors, even those who’ve been published, question their own abilities. To join this course and make the most of it, all you need is a book idea and the desire to learn. The step-by-step structure of the course, plus the supportive feedback you receive along the way, will help to build your confidence as you write. 

Is it really worth it?

Any creative writing course is an investment in your future career as an author. It’s about building skills that you’ll hopefully use for years to come. If you’re committed to getting your romance out there, either through self- or traditional publishing, this genre-specific course will help you develop the confidence and skills to craft a truly compelling story that you’ll be proud to share with readers and industry professionals.