Writing Courses for Beginners
Unlock your creativity and start your writing journey with City Lit’s beginner-friendly writing courses. Whether you dream of penning short stories, crafting compelling novels, or simply improving your writing skills, our expert-led courses will give you the confidence to get words on the page.
Taught by experienced writers, our courses cover the essentials of storytelling, character development, structure, and style. You’ll receive supportive feedback in a relaxed and inspiring environment, helping you develop your voice and refine your craft.
No prior experience? No problem! These courses are designed for absolute beginners, offering a practical and accessible approach to writing. Join a community of like-minded learners and take the first step towards bringing your ideas to life.
Explore our beginner writing courses today and start telling your story.
- How to spark your creative writing
Course start date: Sat 21 Jun 2025Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Sophie McKenzieDiscover the joy of creative writing! Leave stress and worry at the door and find new ways to express your creativity on this fun, dynamic and supportive short course. - Travel writing workshop Course start date: Mon 23 Jun 2025
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Susan GrossmanMake travelling pay. Learn how to get a commission, finance a trip and put your adventures into words, led by practical exercises and expert industry guidance. - How to write a thriller Course start date: Sat 28 Jun 2025
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Sophie McKenzieLearn the art of writing a thriller novel, from concept and character to the twists and turns of story pacing. - 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 - Local history writing Course start date: Sat 28 Jun 2025
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Allis MossOn this inspiring short course you will learn how to write local history books, booklets and features; covering a wide range of topics such as family, home towns, old buildings, parks, markets and beyond. - 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 - World-building for fantasy and speculative fiction writers Course start date: Sat 12 Jul 2025 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: KR MoorheadLearn how to build worlds that lend your fantasy or speculative fiction credibility, richness and the kind of depth that leaves readers wanting more.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 - Beat writer’s block Course start date: Sat 19 Jul 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Claire CollisonA one day course for anyone who has started a project and lost their way, run out of momentum or found themselves staring at a blank page and wondering where the fun of writing went. - Writing for blogs Course start date: Sun 20 Jul 2025 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Terry FreedmanGot a passion, a journey or an obsession to share? Blogging is the perfect medium through which to share your interests with the world. This workshop teaches the essential skills required to write blogposts that will resonate.Full fee £79.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £40.00 - Writing for children: getting started Course start date: Tue 22 Jul 2025 (and 2 other dates)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Andrew WealeDevelop your ideas for children's stories in this practical and interactive short course. Topics will include plot, characterisation and viewpoint, and how to approach the children's publishing industry today.Full fee £79.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £40.00 - Ways into playwriting: getting started Course start date: Sat 26 Jul 2025
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Sharmila ChauhanExplore the fundamental techniques of writing for the stage in this introductory short course. Get to grips with dialogue, character, story and structure, and start work on your own play.Full fee £79.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £40.00 - How to write a novel Course start date: Mon 28 Jul 2025 (and 2 other dates)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Thomas McMullanThis course deals with all aspects of novel writing technique and prose style. Ideal for fiction writers about to begin a novel or those with a novel at early draft stage.Full fee £89.00 Senior fee £89.00 Concession £45.00
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