When submitting to agents, you may be asked for the first three chapters or 50 pages – but it's the opening 5-10 pages that will determine whether an agent reads on. The first few pages don’t need to explain everything but, with careful crafting, can quietly establish the structure, patterns and concerns of the whole novel.

This intensive and practical 3-hour masterclass is designed for writers who have completed a novel or are well into a draft. We will concentrate on the first 10 pages – while keeping them firmly in the context of your full manuscript – with time for exercises, discussion and supportive feedback.

This session will be particularly useful if:
• you feel your opening isn’t yet strong or clear enough.
• you haven't finished a draft but want to have a stronger opening to build on.
• you want to reshape or refine your draft, beginning with the first pages.
• you are preparing, or beginning to think about, submission.
• you have submitted your work but received no helpful feedback.

During the session we will:
• examine what those crucial early pages must establish.
• see how the DNA of your whole novel is contained in those pages.
• identify common structural and narrative problems with novel openings.
• work through guided exercises using your own draft.
• consider when and how an opening may need reframing.
• give supportive feedback on your work (if you are happy to read aloud).
• help you devise a clear revision plan or checklist to help you with the next stages.

Please bring the first 10–15 pages (or first chapter) of your novel, printed or on a laptop. It would be helpful to have the rest of your manuscript/draft accessible for reference.

The group is limited to 8–10 participants to allow depth of discussion and individual attention.

Reading from your work is encouraged - for constructive and supportive individual feedback - but entirely optional.

About the tutor:
The masterclass is led by Susanna Jones, award-winning author of The Earthquake Bird, When Nights Were Cold and other novels. She has many years’ experience teaching and mentoring novelists, from complete beginners to writers at MA and PhD level. For many years she was the main fiction tutor on the MA in Creative Writing at Royal Holloway, University of London. She runs Pebble Beach Writing in Brighton.

Date: Saturday April 18th 2026, 1.30pm-4.30pm
Location: Brighton Girls, Montpelier Road, BN1 3AT
Cost: Standard fee: £75 (early-bird fee: £65 until March 23rd)

Book your place here

Queries? Contact: contact@pebblebeachwriting.com