Finding the pressure points that make short fiction work
Led by Rijula Das
Author, 'A Death in Shonagachhi' (Published internationally as 'Small Deaths').
Recipient of Tata Literature Live! First Book Award,
Longlisted for several prestigious awards, including the JCB Prize for Literature.
PhD in Creative Writing (Fiction) Nanyang Technological University, Singapore.
The short story is a form that has no room to waste. Since it is far shorter than a novel or a novella, each sentence has to work harder to create the moment when the protagonist’s wants collide with what stands in their way. This workshop is focused on the collision of desires and faultlines as the crux of a good story. Every narrative begins with someone who wants something badly enough to make a poor decision, and an obstacle that will eventually crack open a fissure that was there all along.
Over eight sessions, we will take apart stories that have stayed with us…
The short story is a form that has no room to waste. Since it is far shorter than a novel or a novella, each sentence has to work harder to create the moment when the protagonist’s wants collide with what stands in their way. This workshop is focused on the collision of desires and faultlines as the crux of a good story. Every narrative begins with someone who wants something badly enough to make a poor decision, and an obstacle that will eventually crack open a fissure that was there all along.
Over eight sessions, we will take apart stories that have stayed with us and figure out how they do what they do, and what we can learn from them for our own craft of writing.
Who is the workshop for?
Writers of all levels are welcome, whether you're sitting with a loose idea you've never had the nerve to start, or a draft you've been meaning to return to with sharper eyes. If you have something you want to write, or something you've written and haven't been able to see clearly, this room is for you.
What to expect from the workshop?
Bring an idea, or something you’ve already written and would like to revisit. You will either develop your idea into a rough draft of a short story or revise your existing one.
The assigned readings will provide us with a lens to approach craft elements. The nature of this lab invites frank and authentic conversations, a critical and philosophical engagement with both assigned reading and with one’s own work. You will be gently encouraged to share your thoughts and come up with your own takeaways on craft elements.
You will receive structured and constructive feedback from the group on the work you submit. It is not mandatory to submit work for feedback but it is highly encouraged.
What shall you leave with?
1. A piece of writing: If you are planning to write or develop a short story during these 8 weeks, you will have a substantially revised draft or a real foundation for something longer.
2. A method you can use: You will have a working sense of how to move through idea → character → conflict → scene → structure → draft → feedback → revision.
3. A better understanding/clearer sense of yourself as a writer: You shall know where your instincts are strong, where they tend to slacken, what kind of stories you are drawn to telling, what is the feedback you are looking for, and how to develop your own voice.
Starts on October 24, 2026
Sessions: Saturdays, 3.00 PM IST
Duration: Eight Weeks (Online)
Cohort: Limited to 18 participants
What happens in a session?
Each session works in two parts. We start with that week’s reading to tackle a specific aspect of creative writing. In the second half, the cohort gives structured, generous feedback on each other’s work-in-progress that has been shared in advance. Several sessions include dedicated writing time through free writing and journaling.
Session length: 8 sessions. 2 hrs 15 mins each, with a 15 minute break
Session goals: : Each week participants are expected to gain a clearer understanding of that week’s craft element, through a discussion of the assigned reading and by critically analysing the participant’s workshop piece and apply that to their own writing.
We start by establishing a structure and philosophy for the workshop. All of us bring a story that has stayed with us, one that has made us angry or cry or simply made home in us. We hope to begin understanding ourselves as writers by exploring why the story was memorable.
Readings:
Seminar Fee I ₹ 8200(Until October 10, 2026)
Seminar Fee II ₹ 9600(Until October 17, 2026)
Standard Fee ₹ 11200(Enrolment closes October 22, 2026)
Two months of live lectures and dialogic discussion | Small cohort of 18 (Approx) participants | Curated reading material | The Final Symposium | Alumni Network Membership | Certificate of Completion*
Standard Fee ₹ 13500(Enrolment closes October 22, 2026)
Everything in the Seminar Track | Two 1-on-1 individual mentorship sessions with the faculty | Personalised reading recommendations.
We offer a limited number of bursaries for those who cannot afford the course fee but are keenly interested in joining us. If you would like to apply for a bursary, please write to us at contact@liberalartscentre.org with the following: (a) a brief personal statement (300-500 words) on why you want to do this course and what draws you to the subject (b) a short note on your financial circumstances and why the fee is a barrier for you at this time.
You are welcome to also share (c) a piece of writing or work you are proud of - an essay, an article, a blog post, anything at all - so we can get a sense of who you are. We review bursary applications on a rolling basis and will get back to you as soon as we can.