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.
- Craft focus: introduction to novel plotting
Course start date: Sun 18 Jan 2026Location on this date: Online
Explore different approaches to novel plotting and learn how to plot your own novel successfully in this short course suitable for those who have begun writing a novel. - Craft focus: mastering descriptive language Course start date: Sat 24 Jan 2026
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Sophie McKenzieDescriptive language can provide texture and clarity to a story, promoting reader engagement and a sensory experience. In this short course, learn how to create vivid descriptions that will elevate your prose. This course will support writers of fiction and non-fiction.Full fee £79.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £40.00 - Writing the prose poem Course start date: Sat 14 Feb 2026
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Julie IrigarayA form that’s flowered in recent years, this short course will guide you to write your own prose poetry.Full fee £79.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £40.00 - Craft focus: voice and dialogue in fiction Course start date: Sun 15 Feb 2026
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Rosie ChardAll fiction must speak to us as readers. It must communicate atmosphere and plot, character and layers of meaning with a unique 'voice'. Characters must also sound like themselves with dialogue that compels and convinces. Learn the fundamentals of voice and dialogue in this one-day course.Full fee £79.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £40.00 - How to write a non-fiction book proposalCourse start date: Sun 1 Mar 2026
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Nick BarlayLearn how to write a compelling non-fiction book proposal on this interactive and informative short course, which will demystify the essentials to give your project the best chance of success.Full fee £79.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £40.00 - Writing poetry from visual artCourse start date: Sun 1 Mar 2026
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Lawrence BradbyArt has inspired some of the world’s greatest poetry. This course will show you how to draw from visual art when writing your own poems.Full fee £79.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £40.00 - Submitting your short stories to magazinesCourse start date: Sat 7 Mar 2026
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Vicky GrutThis is a fast-track course to help you hone and prepare your short stories for submission to magazines and publishers.Full fee £79.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £40.00 - Writing environmental essays and featuresCourse start date: Sat 14 Mar 2026
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Laura SilvermanLearn what makes environmental writing sing and how to write an article or blog post, from research to editing.Full fee £79.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £40.00 - Writing autofictionCourse start date: Sat 14 Mar 2026
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Natasha BellBlurring lines between fact and fiction, blending the 'real' and 'imaginary', autofiction is a rich playground for writers. In this short advanced taster course, learn what 'autofiction' is, how it differs from other forms of life writing, and explore how to write it.Full fee £79.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £40.00 - Craft focus: narrative time in fictionCourse start date: Sat 21 Mar 2026
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Vicky GrutAll fiction is bound by time: a story must begin and end. In this practical short course learn how time functions in fiction and, through practical writing exercises, how you can manipulate it to great effect. Suitable for those with some creative writing experience.Full fee £79.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £40.00 - Writing historical fictionCourse start date: Sun 22 Mar 2026
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Anna RichardsDig into the past to craft historical fiction that speaks vividly to contemporary readers. From Hilary Mantel to C.J. Sansom, learn techniques writers use to turn historical record into compelling fiction.Full fee £79.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £40.00
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