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.
- Writing art criticism
Course start date: Sat 14 Jun 2025Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Thomas McMullanLearn how to write journalistically about visual art, from exhibition reviews to features, in this intensive one-day course.Full fee £79.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £40.00 - Writing black out poetryCourse start date: Sat 14 Jun 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Sarah WestcottSometimes a poem is shaped by stripping words away. This fun day workshop explores the emerging form of black out poetry. Learn how to find hidden poems in texts such as newspaper articles, advertisements and letters. - How to write a novel synopsis and query letter Course start date: Sat 14 Jun 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Rosie ChardThis one-day workshop teaches students how to write a query letter and synopsis of their completed manuscript, essential requirements of submitting to agents and publishers. - Creative writing for learners with dyslexia Course start date: Sun 15 Jun 2025
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Homan YousofiWant to have a go at creative writing in a supportive environment? This course is designed to help you tap into your creativity and find your unique writing voice. Suitable for beginners and those with some experience of creative writing who identify as having dyslexia.Full fee £149.00 Senior fee £149.00 Concession £75.00 - Craft focus: novel plotting workshop (advanced) Course start date: Sun 15 Jun 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Rosie ChardGain fresh insight into your novel's plot in this advanced course designed to help you find a structure that showcases the story you want to tell. Suitable for those with a novel in progress.
Please note: sessions include a 1-hour break. - Creative writing using constraints Course start date: Sat 21 Jun 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Terry FreedmanDoes your writing need a boost of inspiration? While it may seem counter-intuitive, setting creative constraints can be a way to free your imagination. Learn about the ideas of the French Oulipo movement and see what happens when you experiment with interesting – and challenging – limitations.Full fee £79.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £40.00 - Queering characterisation: writing LGBTQIA+ characters Course start date: Sat 21 Jun 2025
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Char HeatherJoin this interactive one-day course which brings together essential elements of characterisation and its relation to plot through the lens of queer writing. You will delve into elements of craft in characterisation while referring back to examples and questions of LGBTQIA+ representation and histories in literature.Full fee £79.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £40.00 - Masters of style: reading and writing Virginia Woolf Course start date: Sat 28 Jun 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Thomas McMullan, Patricia SweeneyVirginia Woolf was one of the twentieth century’s greatest writers. Her approaches to writing character interiority were at the forefront of modernist literary innovations. This day workshop explores the literary interpretations of several seminal texts and writing exercises that encourage you to experiment with Woolf’s stream-of-consciousness style. - Writing political journalism Course start date: Sat 28 Jun 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Erica BuistWhether you’re looking for a role at a newspaper or want to pitch freelance pieces, this one-day course will cover the basics of writing journalistically about politics.Full fee £79.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £40.00 - Writing eco-poetry Course start date: Sat 28 Jun 2025
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Sarah WestcottHow might poets write about the natural world today, and what is an eco-poem?Full fee £79.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £40.00 - Writing film journalism Course start date: Sat 28 Jun 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Colin CrummyLearn how to write journalistically about film, from features to reviews, in this intensive one-day course.Full fee £79.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £40.00 - Writing the family Course start date: Sat 5 Jul 2025 (and 2 other dates)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Nick BarlayA thought-provoking workshop designed to tackle the challenges of writing about family life in creative non-fiction projects, and offer guidance on shaping personal stories into coherent, engaging narratives.Full fee £79.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £40.00 - How to pitch your screenplay Course start date: Sat 5 Jul 2025
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Alan NixonYou've worked hard on a screenplay but how do you sell it? This short intensive course identifies tools you can select to create a compelling Pitch Treatment.Full fee £79.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £40.00 - Writing a newspaper column Course start date: Sat 12 Jul 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Erica BuistLearn how to approach writing a column, whether for a newspaper, magazine or your own platform.Full fee £79.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £40.00 - Postgraduate academic writing Course start date: Sat 19 Jul 2025 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Anne WilsonExplore the building blocks and strategies for good academic writing at postgraduate level. Ideal for those studying or contemplating academic writing beyond undergraduate studies.Full fee £79.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £40.00
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