Interview: Author Ian C Douglas' new creative writing courses at Nottingham Trent University

Congratulations on getting these new courses up and running. What exactly is happening?

I’m running two brand new courses as part of Nottingham Trent University’s summer school. The first for 15- to 17-year-olds, the second for adults. They both focus on world-building for science fiction and fantasy. World-building is the art of inventing your own land or world. Think Dune or Middle Earth or Discworld and so on.  

So how did you get into world-building?

Gosh, reading authors like Tolkien, Le Guin, and Lewis, led me to fall in love with imaginary worlds. If a book had a mythical map on the inside cover I was in! Dr Who too, with all those weekly trips to weird planets. Inventing 'strange new worlds' caught my imagination and never let go. Picturing lost cities, alien cultures, enchanted woods just gives me such a thrill.   

Is it easy to invent your own imaginary world?

Well, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. Very quickly writers need to come up with cultures, environments, timelines, and more. Our course offers a step-by-step start-up kit to designing your own imaginary land. We’ll cover world-building basics with time set aside for writing a story set in your own world.

Cool. You've run workshops around Notts for a while. What's new about these courses?

Well, with a generous five days and the small class-size, I can offer one-to-one attention. Also, by the end of the week, you'll have your own imaginary world, the beginnings of a story set within it, and a certificate of attendance from NTU. You may be able to submit your story to the NTU anthology, should you wish. You’ll be in the heart of the city at summertime, writing alongside other creative minds.

So, courses are five full days of study. What do they entail.

We'll be looking at world building start-up plans. Everything from your world's geography and history to its magic and monsters. Was your world created by gods? How does the magic system work? Magical creatures, aliens, timelines, wars, religions and more.    

Do you have a favourite book set in an imaginary place?

Ah, well, all fiction takes place in an imaginary place, doesn't it? Even if the fictional place is supposed to be the 'real world.' London in Ben Aaronvitch's Rivers of London series, for example. But in terms of sci-fi and fantasy, definitely Narnia when I was a kid.    

So there could be a fantasy Nottingham?

Sadly, no one has written that book yet. Maybe it will be me. The Lions, the Jitty and the Mushy Peas, perhaps? 

Awesome. Anything else?

Well places are limited, so please book asap. Oh, there’s accommodation for teenagers visiting from outside Nottingham. More info about that on the NTU web site. 

Will teenagers need to be accompanied by an adult?

If you're aged 16 or 17 then you can stay unaccompanied with agreement from a parent/guardian. If you're aged 15, you can stay as long as your parent/guardian comes with you.

Any final words?

If you are an aspiring writer of sci-fi/fantasy, these courses are for you. 

World-Building: Science Fiction and Fantasy Writing for 15 - 17 Year Olds
(Runs from 3-7 August 2026)

World-Building for Fantasy and Science Fiction
(Runs from 10-14 August 2026)