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.
- Teatime Talks: Lynette Yiadom-Boakye, imagined portraits
Course start date: Tue 3 Mar 2026Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Chantal CondronOne of the most absorbing contemporary artists working in the UK today, Lynette Yiadom-Boakye paints startling ‘portraits’ of characters entirely derived from her imagination. Discover aspects of her artistic process and the ideas and themes behind her paintings on this course.Full fee £19.00 Senior fee £15.00 Concession £12.00 - Drawing and mindfulness: the imaginationCourse start date: Thu 5 Mar 2026
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Clare Barton-HarveyDiscover the enriching relationship of mindfulness and the imagination, whilst exploring a range of methods for stimulating and connecting to what inspires you. This course offers an introduction to mindful drawing, as well as a context to explore it more deeply through the imagination.
Full fee £209.00 Senior fee £167.00 Concession £136.00 - Drawing and mindfulness: modern and contemporary natureCourse start date: Fri 6 Mar 2026
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Clare Barton-HarveyExplore how mindfulness can enrich the process of drawing, as we discover a range of modern and contemporary approached to drawing from nature. This course offers a great introduction to mindful drawing, or a way to explore it more deeply in the context of this theme.
Full fee £209.00 Senior fee £167.00 Concession £136.00 - 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 - How to write strong women charactersCourse start date: Sun 8 Mar 2026
Location on this date: Online
Celebrate strong women for International Women's Day with this inclusive one-off session on how to create your own, powerful fictional women.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 - Joke writing Course start date: Sat 14 Mar 2026
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Kate SmurthwaiteUncover the workings of the classic one-liner, practise joke writing and find out what makes a good joke. Learn how to refine and develop your own writing skills for stand up, comedy writing and pleasure. - 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 - Drawing and mindfulness: the art of seeingCourse start date: Sat 28 Mar 2026
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Clare Barton-HarveyExplore drawing and mindfulness and how the two combined can support new ways of seeing and relating to drawing. ‘The true journey of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes but in having fresh eyes’ Marcel Proust.
Full fee £89.00 Senior fee £89.00 Concession £89.00 - Write your screenplay: from idea to first draftCourse start date: Sat 28 Mar 2026
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Clive FordA good screenplay starts with a good story but it also needs structure, good characters and interesting twists. This is a course for writers who have an idea they think is ready to go. We’ll look at the best ways to grab the viewers’ attention from the off, and at the end of the course you’ll get a chance to pitch your ideas.Full fee £79.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £40.00 - English and Maths for deaf people: Managing your personal finances (Level 1)Course start date: Tue 14 Apr 2026
Location on this date: Online
Learning how to handle money is very important in life. It doesn't matter how old you are - it's always a good time to get better at it. During this course you will explore different ways of managing your money so you can reach your goals, deal with unexpected stuff, and feel good about having enough money. We'll make it fun and interesting to learn about money. By the end, you'll understand why having a budget is important, how to keep track of what you spend, be ready for bills, and even plan for big things like a holiday or buying a home.
This course is free for learners who have not achieved a GCSE grade C (4) and higher in Maths. For more information Click here
Full fee £0.00 - Lipreading and managing hearing loss: improvers module 3Course start date: Mon 20 Apr 2026 (and 2 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Nicola HicksDevelop your lipreading skills and strategies for face-to-face communication and keep up-to-date with relevant equipment and services. This course is suitable if you have completed improvers module 1 and 2.
This course will be taught in spoken English and not in sign language.Full fee £169.00 Senior fee £110.00 Concession £85.00 - Journal inspiration: creative approaches to writing about your life Course start date: Thu 23 Apr 2026
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Julie GartonThis inspiring, six-week workshop, led by an experienced journaler, encourages students to explore a range of techniques and prompts in order to find an approach to life writing that suits them. - Music history bookclub: Viva Violetta and VerdiCourse start date: Fri 24 Apr 2026
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Edward BreenThe music history book club meets towards the end of each term to discuss novels and biographies with musical themes and references relevant to the music history programme.Full fee £19.00 Senior fee £19.00 Concession £19.00 - ACT for people who stammer Course start date: Thu 30 Apr 2026
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Carolyn Cheasman, Rachel EverardThis is a powerful approach to therapy. You'll learn to work more effectively with negative thoughts and feelings through acceptance and mindfulness work. You'll also learn how to identify, and move towards, valued goals and directions in your life.Full fee £129.00 Senior fee £90.00 Concession £26.00
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