Writing Award-Winning Short Stories with Ola Awonubi

Join Ola Awonubi, award-winning author and creative writing tutor, for a focused and practical session on crafting short fiction that resonates. Ola is the author of the recent Amazon bestsellers The Marriage Monitoring Aunties Association and A Nurse’s Tale (One More Chapter Books, HarperCollins.

She holds an MA in Creative Writing and Imaginative Practice from the University of East London. In 2008, her short story The Pink House won first prize in the National Words of Colour competition, followed by The Go-Slow Journey, which received first prize in the Wasafiri New Writing Prize in 2009.

Ola has spoken at a range of literary festivals, including the Hammersmith & Fulham Writers Festival, the Black British Book Festival (Manchester), and the London Festival of Writing (Jericho Writers). She also delivers regular creative writing workshops in libraries and community spaces.

This no-frills, content-rich workshop draws directly on Ola’s experience winning short story prizes and mentoring emerging writers. It offers clear guidance on how to strengthen your storytelling and write short fiction that leaves a lasting impression.

In this session, participants will explore:

· What judges and editors look for in award-winning short fiction

· Common pitfalls in short stories — and how to avoid them

· How to craft stories that resonate, surprise, and linger with the reader

Designed for aspiring and emerging writers, this session focuses on practical insight rather than theory. There will be advice based on the authors own writing journey plus examples from other writers.

Whether you are submitting to competitions, literary magazines, or simply want to improve your short fiction, this session will help you write with greater confidence and impact.