Writing Courses & Workshops Online & in London
Be inspired to write, and learn how to get published at the college where Andrea Levy, Malorie Blackman, Anna Burns, and other celebrated authors studied. Read our success stories to see what's possible for you as a writer.
Learn from published authors
Whether you're just starting out or ready to publish your first book, the benefits of our writing courses include expert tuition from a published author and feedback on your work as you develop your writing skills. There will also be opportunities to participate in group discussions and activities with fellow students.
Unheard Voices Scholarship
City Lit’s Malorie Blackman Scholarships for 'Unheard Voices' provide three annual awards to fund one year’s study within the Creative Writing department at City Lit. Learn more >
See what it's like be part a City Lit online creative writing course.
- Advanced creative non-fiction: turning experience into art
Course start date: Tue 16 Sep 2025Location on this date: Keeley Street
Weave the rich strands of your personal experience into an intricate story that will entertain and educate readers. Ideal if you've attended 'Creative non-fiction' or already have a specific project planned out. - Advanced playwriting Course start date: Tue 16 Sep 2025 (and 2 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Brian MullinDive deeper into the key elements of writing for the theatre, gain fresh critical insight into your own writing, and produce a new draft of your work. This online course is designed for experienced playwrights who have work in-progress.Full fee £259.00 Senior fee £259.00 Concession £130.00 - Advanced playwriting workshop Course start date: Fri 2 May 2025 (and 2 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Brian MullinDive deeper into the key elements of writing for the theatre, gain fresh critical insight into your own writing, and produce a new draft of your work. This workshop is for experienced playwrights with ongoing projects.Full fee £349.00 Senior fee £349.00 Concession £175.00 - Masterclass: poetry (a one-term intensive workshop) Course start date: Tue 23 Sep 2025 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Ellen CranitchThis intensive poetry masterclass is open by selective application to a maximum of ten students. You will receive inspiring tutor instruction and rigorous constructive feedback on your poems as you prepare them for publication and performance.Full fee £399.00 Senior fee £399.00 Concession £399.00 - Masterclass: fiction (a one-term intensive workshop) Course start date: Mon 28 Apr 2025 (and 2 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Jonathan BarnesThis intensive fiction workshop is open by selective application to a maximum of ten fiction writers working at the advanced and professional levels. You will receive rigorous constructive feedback on your novel or short story as you develop it with a view to publication, and participate in detailed tutor-led discussions on advanced elements of fictional craft.Full fee £399.00 Senior fee £399.00 Concession £399.00 - Advanced writing for children: finishing your novel Course start date: Thu 25 Sep 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Penny JoelsonDo you start lots of stories but never finish them? Do you have a novel in progress or nearly finished? This course is for you! You can take this term independently or you can continue with ‘Advanced Writing for Children’ all year and learn to edit your novel too.Full fee £209.00 Senior fee £209.00 Concession £105.00 - Advanced autobiographical writing Course start date: Fri 26 Sep 2025 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Nick BarlayA supportive workshop for more experienced writers of autobiography who are ready to push their practice, explore new techniques and further develop their authorial voice.Full fee £259.00 Senior fee £259.00 Concession £130.00 - Masterclass: fiction (a year-long workshop) Course start date: Wed 1 Oct 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Thomas McMullanThis intensive three-term fiction workshop is open by selective application and interview to a maximum of ten fiction writers working at the advanced and professional levels. The deadline for applications is 25th August 2025. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to interview via Zoom on Wednesday 10th September. - Masterclass: poetry (a year-long workshop) Course start date: Wed 2 Oct 2024 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Fran LockThis year-long poetry masterclass is open by selective application to a maximum of ten students. You will receive inspiring tutor instruction and rigorous constructive feedback on your poems as you prepare them for publication and performance.Full fee £999.00 Senior fee £999.00 Concession £999.00 - Writing an academic essay Course start date: Fri 2 May 2025 (and 2 other dates)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: William BradyA crash course in essay writing – beginnings, middles and ends. Suitable for students on A level and access courses or undergraduates.Full fee £109.00 Senior fee £109.00 Concession £55.00 - Craft focus: how to edit your short story Course start date: Sun 30 Nov 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Lucy PopescuEditing is an essential skill for any writer. Learn the different types of editing processes and how to polish your own prose in this useful workshop for short story writers. Suitable for those with some experience of creative writing.Full fee £79.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £40.00 - Advanced writing for children: editing your novel - part 1 Course start date: Thu 15 Jan 2026
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Penny JoelsonLearn how to edit a children’s/YA novel as a whole and chapter by chapter, looking at the ‘bigger picture’ and using the skills you learn to edit your own novel during the course.Full fee £209.00 Senior fee £209.00 Concession £105.00 - Writing comics and graphic novels Course start date: Mon 16 Feb 2026
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Bobby JosephLearn the skills to write comics on this introductory course. Discover the history and key features of the medium and create your own project.Full fee £159.00 Senior fee £159.00 Concession £80.00 - Create your first short story collection Course start date: Sat 28 Feb 2026
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Alice AshYou've workshopped your fiction, and now you're ready to create your first short story collection. But where do you begin with that process? This day offers instruction and advice on putting together your first short story collection.Full fee £79.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £40.00
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