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 - 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 - Picture book writing: advanced Course start date: Mon 13 Oct 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 and improve their own stories.Full fee £209.00 Senior fee £209.00 Concession £105.00 - 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 - Writing romance Course start date: Thu 12 Jun 2025 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Aliya Ali-AfzalIt is a truth universally acknowledged that a writer in possession of a single pen can compose an unforgettable romance novel. This six-week course will guide students through the plotting of modern romance stories.Full fee £149.00 Senior fee £149.00 Concession £75.00 - 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 - Advanced fiction writing workshop Course start date: Thu 2 Oct 2025 (and 9 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Claire CollisonFor experienced writers, this supportive but rigorous workshop offers the perfect opportunity to develop your novel or short story. Receive in-depth feedback and benefit from detailed group discussions on the art of fiction.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 1 Oct 2025 (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 £949.00 Senior fee £949.00 Concession £949.00 - 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 - Autobiography into poetry Course start date: Sun 5 Oct 2025
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Sarah WardleLearn how to translate real-life experiences into powerful poems in this stimulating course for those interested in the meeting place between autobiography and poetry.Full fee £79.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £40.00 - Submitting your poetry to magazines Course start date: Wed 22 Oct 2025
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Katherine LocktonThis short course is designed to guide students on submitting their poetry to magazines, journals and websites for publication.Full fee £19.00 Senior fee £19.00 Concession £19.00
Can't see a course you want?
Add this category to your waiting list to set up alerts and we will update you when new courses are released online.
Add me to waiting list