Southern Utah University

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Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Spring Semester 2026

Advanced Fiction Writing (Face-to-Face)

ENGL 4020-01

Course: ENGL 4020-01
Credits: 3
Term: Spring Semester 2026
Department: ENGL
CRN: 12172

Course Description

Catalog Description

An advanced course in long-form fiction projects. Students complete 50+ pages of either a novel or novella. (Most students choose novels.) Extensive close reading and analysis of touchstone works are required. May be repeated once for credit. Enrollment is limited to 15 students. 

Required Texts

Required Materials

How Fiction Works by James Woods 9780312428471 (you need this right away).

You'll also have to print 15+ copies of your workshop submissions to submit to the group in class.

One novel, chosen in consultation with me.

Learning Outcomes

LO 1 - Creative Thinking: Students will demonstrate creative thinking through the development of one long-form fiction writing project. I will be looking for a show of divergent and convergent thinking, originality, artful use of language, and risk-taking.

LO 2 - Project Management: Students will demonstrate the ability to plan and execute the start of a long-form fiction writing project with numerous intermediate steps and deliverables.

LO 3 - Revision: Students will demonstrate the ability to revise their language, syntax, and punctuation for correct common usage and expressive effect. 

LO 4 - Analysis: Students will "close read" then analyze works of fiction and articulate how the work's structures function and communicate meaning and emotion.

Course Requirements

Major Assignment Overview

The major assignments are summarized below, but you can find detailed information on each assignment by clicking Assignments over there in the left column. Minor assignments will arise as I respond to what I'm seeing day-to-day during the semester.
  • Aesthetic Introduction/Project Pitch (LOs 1 & 2) - An online discussion where you let us know who you are, what you like, then you pitch your novel project.
  • How Fiction Works Cards (LOs 1 & 2) - You'll record passages and questions about How Fiction Works on 3 x 5 notecards and turn them in ahead of the class discussion on that chapter.
  • Weekly Words (LO 2) - Each week you'll log 250 words a day or more (with two days off) to help you keep pace on your novel draft this semester.
  • Workshop Submissions (LO 3) - Twice during the semester, you'll submit copies of a whole chapter on paper for class-wide critique. This is just a motivational assignment. 
  • Workshop Letters & Reflections (LOs 2 & 4) - You will write one-page letters to each of the writers, give those letters to them in class, then compile each of your letters for each workshop and submit them as part of a package at the end of Workshop #1 and then again for Workshop #2. Twice during the semester, you'll reflect the workshop's advice to you and how you're planning to use it to revise. This will also be part of the packages turned in for each workshop.
  • Reverse Outline (LOs 3 & 4) - After you finish drafting your final round of weekly words, you will create an outline of what you've written so far, and then extend the outline all the way to the end.

Course Outline

Course Schedule Overview

This brief schedule of discussions and activities is broken down by week, and is subject to change. More information on this will be given in class. As I mentioned in the course overview above, the content in this class isn't predetermined except in a general way. Instead it will come in response to your individual projects, looking for patterns of need, then I'll gather the content from there. Assignment due dates are attached to the assignments, but you can see them in the course summary below.

  • Week One - Introductions | Definition of a Novel | What does a pitch require?
  • Week Two - Narrative in the Novel | HFW: 3–46 | What's the difference between a chapter and a short story? | How do you dramatize your ideas?
  • Week Three - Showing & Telling | Sensory detail | How Fiction Works (HFW): 47–94 | Your characters need voices and bodies and those bodies need to exist somewhere.
  • Week Four - Character | HFW: 95–137 | Character drives plot. The same events don't hit everyone the same. Dramatic moments are characters struggling, making choices, and being thwarted.
  • Week Five - Inner states & Complexity | HFW: 139–179 | How do you express inner states? How do you make a fictional character's mind and emotions come alive for readers?
  • Week Six- Language & Dialogue | HWF: 181–221 | Language is the tool of the writer. What are different registers? What is figurative language? How does language contribute to vibe, mood, tone, and the overall feel of your novel?
  • Week Seven - Workshop set up | How to critique? What do you want out of critique? How do the reflective assignments work? Bring in your drafts for distribution. | Truth, Convention, Realism | HFW: 223–248
  • Week Eight - Workshop #1 Begins | We'll do three chapters a day, six a week.
  • Week Nine - Workshop #1 Concludes | We'll do the last three, then process what we've learned.
  • Week Ten - SPRING BREAK
  • Week Eleven - Prep for Workshop #2 | Getting back up to speed | Fiction AMA
  • Week Twelve - Workshop #2 Begins | We'll do three chapters a day, six a week.
  • Week Thirteen - Workshop #2 Concludes | We'll do the last three, then process what we've learned.
  • Week Fourteen - Reverse outlining, and how to get from 50 pages to done.
  • Week Fifteen - The forbidden subject: publication.

Instructor's policies on late assignments and/or makeup work

Late Work: I will accept late work. The late penalty is 4% taken off the final grade for each day work is late. I grade all work that comes in past the deadline with the rubric only, without detailed feedback.
Make-Up Work: Make-up work is allowed only with an approved university. See above.

Attendance Policy

Attendance: I expect you to attend class. It's an important part of practicing for professional life. Each time you miss a class without first notifying me by email, you will lose 4% of your final grade. If you notify me before the class you're missing, it is possible to negotiate an excused absence, which will have no impact on your grade. I will offer no more than three excused absences for the semester.

This attendance policy will not apply to students with accommodations through the Disability Resources Center (DRC), who follow correct procedures as outlined in their accommodations. Official university absences, as defined by SUU policy 6.30, are also not part of this policy.

Responsibility for Missed Classes: If you miss any class, excused or not, it is your responsibility to reach out and connect with a classmate to get notes and other information that will allow you to class prepared.

Course Fees

$12.00 Course Fee.

ADA Statement

Students with medical, psychological, learning, or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations, or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Disability Resource Center, located in Room 206F of the Sharwan Smith Center or by phone at (435) 865-8042. The Disability Resource Center determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of services.

If your instructor requires attendance, you may need to seek an ADA accommodation to request an exception to this attendance policy. Please contact the Disability Resource Center to determine what, if any, ADA accommodations are reasonable and appropriate.

Academic Credit

According to the federal definition of a Carnegie credit hour: A credit hour of work is the equivalent of approximately 60 minutes of class time or independent study work. A minimum of 45 hours of work by each student is required for each unit of credit. Credit is earned only when course requirements are met. One (1) credit hour is equivalent to 15 contact hours of lecture, discussion, testing, evaluation, or seminar, as well as 30 hours of student homework. An equivalent amount of work is expected for laboratory work, internships, practica, studio, and other academic work leading to the awarding of credit hours. Credit granted for individual courses, labs, or studio classes ranges from 0.5 to 15 credit hours per semester.

Academic Freedom

SUU is operated for the common good of the greater community it serves. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. Academic Freedom is the right of faculty to study, discuss, investigate, teach, and publish. Academic Freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to both teaching and research.

Academic Freedom in the realm of teaching is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the faculty member and of you, the student, with respect to the free pursuit of learning and discovery. Faculty members possess the right to full freedom in the classroom in discussing their subjects. They may present any controversial material relevant to their courses and their intended learning outcomes, but they shall take care not to introduce into their teaching controversial materials which have no relation to the subject being taught or the intended learning outcomes for the course.

As such, students enrolled in any course at SUU may encounter topics, perspectives, and ideas that are unfamiliar or controversial, with the educational intent of providing a meaningful learning environment that fosters your growth and development. These parameters related to Academic Freedom are included in SUU Policy 6.6.

Academic Misconduct

Scholastic honesty is expected of all students. Dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent (see SUU Policy 6.33). You are expected to have read and understood the current SUU student conduct code (SUU Policy 11.2) regarding student responsibilities and rights, the intellectual property policy (SUU Policy 5.52), information about procedures, and what constitutes acceptable behavior.

Please Note: The use of websites or services that sell essays is a violation of these policies; likewise, the use of websites or services that provide answers to assignments, quizzes, or tests is also a violation of these policies. Regarding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), you should check with your individual course instructor.

Emergency Management Statement

In case of an emergency, the University's Emergency Notification System (ENS) will be activated. Students are encouraged to maintain updated contact information using the link on the homepage of the mySUU portal. In addition, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Emergency Response Protocols posted in each classroom. Detailed information about the University's emergency management plan can be found at https://www.suu.edu/emergency.

HEOA Compliance Statement

For a full set of Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) compliance statements, please visit https://www.suu.edu/heoa. The sharing of copyrighted material through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, except as provided under U.S. copyright law, is prohibited by law; additional information can be found at https://my.suu.edu/help/article/1096/heoa-compliance-plan.

You are also expected to comply with policies regarding intellectual property (SUU Policy 5.52) and copyright (SUU Policy 5.54).

Mandatory Reporting

University policy (SUU Policy 5.60) requires instructors to report disclosures received from students that indicate they have been subjected to sexual misconduct/harassment. The University defines sexual harassment consistent with Federal Regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106, Subpart D) to include quid pro quo, hostile environment harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. When students communicate this information to an instructor in-person, by email, or within writing assignments, the instructor will report that to the Title IX Coordinator to ensure students receive support from the Title IX Office. A reporting form is available at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv

Non-Discrimination Statement

SUU is committed to fostering an inclusive community of lifelong learners and believes our university's encompassing of different views, beliefs, and identities makes us stronger, more innovative, and better prepared for the global society.

SUU does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex (including sex discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services.

SUU strives to cultivate a campus environment that encourages freedom of expression from diverse viewpoints. We encourage all to dialogue within a spirit of respect, civility, and decency.

For additional information on non-discrimination, please see SUU Policy 5.27 and/or visit https://www.suu.edu/nondiscrimination.

Pregnancy

Students who are or become pregnant during this course may receive reasonable modifications to facilitate continued access and participation in the course. Pregnancy and related conditions are broadly defined to include pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, related medical conditions, and recovery. To obtain reasonable modifications, please make a request to title9@suu.edu. To learn more visit: https://www.suu.edu/titleix/pregnancy.html.

Disclaimer Statement

Information contained in this syllabus, other than the grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.