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 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.

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-friendly course. It is open to anyone above 17 years of age, even those who might like a refresher to the short story form.

About the facilitator:
Bhavika Govil’s debut novel, Hot Water, was published by Fourth Estate, HarperCollins India in 2025. It has won the Pontas & JJ Bola Emerging Writers Prize, been longlisted for the Ramnath Goenka Sahithya Samman for best debut and shortlisted for the Godrej Literature Live! First Book Award. It is forthcoming in the UK and the US 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, and been shortlisted for the Queen Mary Wasafiri New Writing Prize. 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.

Sign-Up Form

When: When: Four Saturdays - July 18, July 25, August 1, and August 8

Time: 11am-1.45pm

Where: Online on Zoom, open to participants internationally

When: Four Saturdays, July 18, July 25, August 1, and August 8

Fee: INR 12,000 (or £120)

UPI Payment ID: bhavikagovil@okhdfcbank OR scan the QR code below. Please fill in the form below after payment for confirmation or if you would like any other payment information

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

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 decode short stories 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 course is so well-planned, and Bhavika is a great teacher, perfect for beginners. Her approach is hands on, and she is patient and engaging.'

    Vizovono Elizabeth, Kohima, Nagaland

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

    Archana Pai Kulkarni, Pune

  • '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 been the first step for me in understanding how I could start to create stories of my own.

    Chandni Doulatramani

  • 'I had a fabulous time being part of the Short Story cohort and learnt a lot of useful tools, ideas and insights that will make me a better writer.'

    Aditya G, Mumbai