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 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 - 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 - The art of writing the personal essay Course start date: Sun 1 Jun 2025 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Yvonne SinghFollow in the footsteps of Dorothy Parker, George Orwell and Zadie Smith with this taster course on the personal essay, a continuously thriving genre of autobiographical writing.Full fee £79.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £40.00 - Writing a memoir (continuation) Course start date: Wed 11 Jun 2025 (and 3 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Julie GartonSome moments in our lives are so powerful they beg to be shared with the world. This continuation course guides students in developing a memoir project that will resonate and inspire.Full fee £149.00 Senior fee £149.00 Concession £75.00 - Writing poetry: getting started Course start date: Thu 12 Jun 2025 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Billie ManningThis short, fun workshop is the perfect starting point for students who are writing for the first time or new to the poetry path. Join us for thought-provoking writing exercises and poetry theory for beginners.Full fee £79.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £40.00 - Life writing: getting started Course start date: Mon 16 Jun 2025 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Alice RobbThis inspiring workshop encourages students to explore a range of techniques and approaches for writing about your own life.Full fee £79.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £40.00 - Writing science fiction Course start date: Tue 17 Jun 2025 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: KR MoorheadLearn how to build futuristic worlds and set them to explore thought-provoking concepts in this course on writing science fiction.Full fee £149.00 Senior fee £149.00 Concession £75.00 - 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 get published Course start date: Mon 21 Jul 2025 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Neil ArkseySo you've finished your manuscript. What's next? This short course provides guidance in submitting novels and non-fiction books to agents and publishers, and helps you to tailor your work to maximise its potential in the marketplace.Full fee £109.00 Senior fee £109.00 Concession £55.00 - Writing flash fiction: getting started Course start date: Sun 3 Aug 2025 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Lucy PopescuA sideways glance: succinct, powerful. This short workshop on the essential components of flash fiction will teach you to tell a complete story in very few words.Full fee £79.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £40.00 - What the poem wants: drafting and editing workshop Course start date: Mon 4 Aug 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Christina DunhillWrite fast and edit fast in this poem-blitzing workshop. Learn to step back, look at your poem and think about the different directions it might take. Practise ruthlessness as well as care in the poem’s service. - Screenwriting for feature film Course start date: Tue 5 Aug 2025
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Sharmila ChauhanHave you ever wondered what goes into writing a screenplay? How is it different from theatre, radio or prose? Learn the basics of the craft and develop a script of your own in this creative and analytical workshop. - How to write a memoir Course start date: Wed 6 Aug 2025
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Julie GartonDo you have a personal story to tell that will move, delight, stir and inform readers? This short course guides students in planning and crafting a memoir. - Micropoetry: small poems, big ideas Course start date: Fri 8 Aug 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Suzannah V. EvansExplore the emerging art form of micropoetry in this fun but informative day workshop. Compose your own poetry and learn how to make every word on the page count. - Craft focus: scenes and setting in fiction Course start date: Sat 9 Aug 2025 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Thomas McMullanScenes in fiction are like those in film: we experience action as it unfolds. Action has to take place somewhere, which is why setting is also key. In this practical intensive course, you'll learn how to create scenes and establish setting that engages and convinces readers.Full fee £79.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £40.00
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