Writing and Publishing Your First Fiction Novel
A course by João Tordo, Author
Develop an original idea into a compelling manuscript that’s ready to share with publishers by exploring story structure, characters, perspective, and editing
“I always think of novel-writing as a tightrope. You are walking on the wire, not knowing whether you’ll get to the other side. It takes a tremendous amount of faith. But what an exciting adventure!”
João Tordo is an award-winning author who has published 18 books. His work ranges from literary fiction to thrillers and non-fiction, and he has won awards including the Fernando Namora Prize, and the GQ Prize.
In this online course, he presents his step-by-step guide to writing your novel and getting it published. Discover his process for turning an original idea into a captivating novel and learn to navigate the stormy but rewarding journey of becoming a published author. Find your literary voice and watch it grow and deepen with each page.
What will you learn in this online course?
15 lessons & 32 downloads
What's included in this course?
"Begin the course by getting to know author João Tordo. Discover how he turned his childhood love for books into a full-time career, along with the influences that inspire his work.
Dive into the fundamentals of storytelling. Then explore narrative arcs, the three-act structure, and plot points. João then talks through the components of a text, from narration to dialogue.
Learn how to start your story before moving on to characters and how they relate to the plot, voice, and scene of your novel. Next, explore the different narrative points of view, along with how to find your voice.
Hear João’s tips for writing compelling dialogue, and crafting a scene from start to finish. Then learn how to edit your own writing and prepare it in the form of a manuscript.
See how to develop professional relationships with editors. To wrap up the course, João shares his advice for finding a publisher and sharing your manuscript. "
- 98% positive reviews (40)
- 2,238 students
- 15 lessons (3h 34m)
- 32 additional resources (11 files)
- Online and at your own pace
- Available on the app
- Audio: English
- English · Spanish · Portuguese · German · French · Italian · Polish · Dutch · Turkish · Romanian · Indonesian
- Level: Beginner
- Unlimited access forever
What is this course's project?
Make a start on your first novel and develop a synopsis that you can use to approach editors and publishers.
Projects by course students
Who is this online course for?
A cualquier persona que desee escribir su propia novela y saber más sobre el proceso de publicación.
Requirements and materials
This course is for anyone who wants to write their own novel, and find out more about the publishing process.
Reviews
João Tordo
A course by João Tordo
João Tordo is an award-winning author based in Lisbon, Portugal. As a child, he was obsessed with books and knew from an early age he wanted to be a storyteller. He went on to study writing in New York and published his first book, The Book of Lightless Men in 2004.
He’s since published 18 books and won multiple awards including the José Saramago Literary Prize, the Fernando Namora Prize, and the GQ Prize. His books are published around the world in countries like France, Hungary, Spain, Brazi, and Mexico. He has also worked on shows for Netflix, including Until Life Do Us Part.
Content
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U1
Introduction
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About Me
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Influences
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U2
The Structure
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Stages of Storytelling
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The Narrative Arc 1
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The Narrative Arc 2
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Components of the Novel
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U3
Getting to the Page
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Origins of a Story 1
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Origins of a Story 2
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Building a Character
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Points of View
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U4
The Devil Is in the Detail
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Dialogue
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The Craft of a Scene
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Editing Your Writing
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U5
Preparing the Manuscript for an Editor
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Relationship with Editors
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Scouting the Market for a Publisher
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FP
Final project
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Writing and Publishing Your First Fiction Novel
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What to expect from a Domestika course
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Learn at your own pace
Enjoy learning from home without a set schedule and with an easy-to-follow method. You set your own pace.
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Learn from the best professionals
Learn valuable methods and techniques explained by top experts in the creative sector.
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Meet expert teachers
Each expert teaches what they do best, with clear guidelines, true passion, and professional insight in every lesson.
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Certificates
PlusIf you're a Plus member, get a custom certificate signed by your teacher for every course. Share it on your portfolio, social media, or wherever you like.
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Get front-row seats
Videos of the highest quality, so you don't miss a single detail. With unlimited access, you can watch them as many times as you need to perfect your technique.
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Share knowledge and ideas
Ask questions, request feedback, or offer solutions. Share your learning experience with other students in the community who are as passionate about creativity as you are.
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Connect with a global creative community
The community is home to millions of people from around the world who are curious and passionate about exploring and expressing their creativity.
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Watch professionally produced courses
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FAQs
Yes, this course is designed for intermediate writers who want to deepen their understanding of fiction writing, narrative structure, and character development.
The course covers narrative structure, character arcs, plot points, writing routines, overcoming writer's block, building empathy, dialogue, exposition, and techniques for revising and publishing fiction.
A basic understanding of creative writing and storytelling is recommended, as the course is aimed at writers with some prior experience.
You will learn to develop compelling characters, structure novels, master dialogue, refine your literary voice, apply narrative frameworks, and prepare your manuscript for publication.
The course provides practical strategies for managing creative anxiety, establishing effective writing routines, and maintaining consistent productivity.
Yes, you will learn techniques for creating authentic, flawed, and multi-dimensional characters, including character arcs, conflict, and moral ambiguity.
Yes, the course covers structuring both novels and short stories, using models like the three-act structure and Freytag’s Pyramid to organize plot and tension.
Ottimo corso ricco di suggerimenti e spunti interessanti per la creazione di un romanzo ben strutturato. Ho molto apprezzato le tecniche sull'origine di una storia e la spiegazione del "terzo elemento" nella costruzione di una scena. Insegnante stimolante e professionale.
Excelente el profesor y sus clases. Las actividades son interesantes y las propuestas de lectura tambén
Muy claro el docente en sus explicaciones; el curso es sumamente recomendable.
O professor é ótimo. Explica de modo objetivo e usando exemplos de fácil compreensão. Recomendo demais!
It's really thorough and very easy to understand. Truly helpful!