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: character in fiction
Course start date: Sat 10 May 2025 (and 1 other date)Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Tasha KavanaghIn fiction, character and plot are inseparable elements of craft. Without characters there can be no action or plot. In this short course you will learn how to create characters that can drive a narrative forward and deepen its themes.Full fee £79.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £40.00 - Craft focus: grammar, syntax and style for creative writers - getting started Course start date: Sat 10 May 2025 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: William BradyGreat poetry and prose begin when the writer puts the right words in the right places. Learn how and why the rules and conventions of language matter in this new course, which combines creative writing with a review of essential points of grammar.Full fee £79.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £40.00 - Writing inspiration jam Course start date: Sun 11 May 2025
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Claire CollisonThis fun, inspiring day workshop explores the many sources of inspiration available to writers in their everyday lives. - Writing and rewriting fairytales Course start date: Sun 11 May 2025 (and 2 other dates)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: KR MoorheadOnce upon a time there was a City Lit workshop all about writing fairytales. The quest: to inspire writers to pen stories of love, fear, forests, revenge, dragons, witches, kings, queens, frogs and magic.Full fee £79.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £40.00 - Craft focus: grammar, syntax, and style for creative writers Course start date: Mon 12 May 2025 (and 3 other dates)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: William BradyGreat poetry and prose begin when the writer puts the right words in the right places. Learn how and why the rules and conventions of language matter in this new course, which combines creative writing with a review of essential points of grammar.Full fee £179.00 Senior fee £179.00 Concession £90.00 - How to plot your children’s novel Course start date: Mon 12 May 2025
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Penny JoelsonYou’re a writer with some experience and a great idea for a children’s novel, but plotting is the thing that lets you down. Over six weeks on this fun and interactive course you’ll learn how to structure your book, finding fresh ways to develop your idea into a compelling plot.Full fee £149.00 Senior fee £149.00 Concession £75.00 - Picture book writing: advanced Course start date: Mon 12 May 2025 (and 2 other dates)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Andrew WealeWould you like to workshop, edit and polish your picture book texts for young children? This course is designed for advanced picture book writers wishing to hone their skills and improve their own stories.Full fee £199.00 Senior fee £199.00 Concession £100.00 - Writing for children: workshop Course start date: Thu 1 May 2025 (and 3 other dates)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Josh LaceyOn this ongoing workshop you will develop your work-in-progress with constructive feedback from tutor and classmates. You need to have completed a ‘Writing for children’ course before joining this class.Full fee £199.00 Senior fee £199.00 Concession £100.00 - Advanced poetry workshop Course start date: Mon 12 May 2025 (and 4 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Fran LockDevelop your poetry, taking it in new directions and maturing your poetic voice. Various approaches and techniques will be explored, and new poetry can be workshopped. For experienced poets only.Full fee £249.00 Senior fee £249.00 Concession £125.00 - Writing for magazines Course start date: Wed 7 May 2025 (and 5 other dates)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Laura SilvermanGet inspired to write on this practical course for freelance journalists and bloggers. Learn to carry out research, interview people, pitch and publish stories, and build your presence on social media.Full fee £149.00 Senior fee £149.00 Concession £75.00 - Advanced creative non-fiction workshop Course start date: Wed 14 May 2025 (and 2 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Erica BuistThis advanced workshop is designed for students who have already completed introductory and intermediate creative-non fiction courses and would like to focus on workshopping their writing.Full fee £149.00 Senior fee £149.00 Concession £75.00 - The 60 minute writer Course start date: Tue 29 Apr 2025 (and 10 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Rosie FioreFit creative writing into your busy day: a relaxed, informal rolling programme for writers of all levels of experience who enjoy being thrown new ideas and experimenting with poetry and prose.Full fee £129.00 Senior fee £129.00 Concession £65.00 - Craft focus: voice and dialogue in fiction Course start date: Sun 18 May 2025 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Sophie McKenzieAll 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 - Craft focus: how to edit your novel Course start date: Sat 31 May 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Sarah LeipcigerOnce your story is on the page, the editing process begins. Where do you start and what skills do you need? This course guides learners through the editing of a story or manuscript, exploring approaches to making line edits, improving narrative structure and more. - Investigative journalism Course start date: Sat 31 May 2025
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Allis MossGet to grips with the skills needed to make a start in investigative journalism.Full fee £79.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £40.00
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