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.
- Writing comedy for TV in the online age
Course start date: Sat 16 Aug 2025Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Alan NixonDo you want to find out more about writing comedy? Explore some fundamental aspects of humorous scriptwriting for television, beginning with sketches, and looking at sitcoms from initial idea through to finished script.Full fee £79.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £40.00 - Picture book writing: getting started Course start date: Sat 16 Aug 2025
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Andrew WealeWould you like to write a picture book text for young children? This taster course is designed for children's writers and for illustrators wishing to write their own stories; a starter course to develop both your ideas and your technique.Full fee £79.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £40.00 - Screenwriting: a taster Course start date: Mon 8 Sep 2025 (and 2 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Give screenwriting a try in this fun and supportive one-off taster session. Ideal if you want to unlock your imagination and express yourself, but need a bit of encouragement to get started.Full fee £19.00 Senior fee £19.00 Concession £10.00 - Playwriting: a taster Course start date: Tue 9 Sep 2025 (and 2 other dates)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Nicole AcquahGive playwriting a try in this fun and supportive one-off taster session. Ideal if you want to unlock your imagination and express yourself, but need a bit of encouragement to get started.Full fee £19.00 Senior fee £19.00 Concession £19.00 - Creative writing: a taster Course start date: Tue 9 Sep 2025 (and 2 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Give creative writing a try in this fun and supportive one-off taster session. Ideal if you want to unlock your imagination and express yourself, but need a bit of encouragement to get started.Full fee £19.00 Senior fee £19.00 Concession £10.00 - Writing creative non-fiction: a taster Course start date: Wed 10 Sep 2025 (and 2 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Julie GartonHave you had experiences that will move, delight or entertain readers? This taster session in creative non-fiction explores approaches to capturing your most poignant moments and crafting them into inspiring pieces of literature.Full fee £19.00 Senior fee £19.00 Concession £19.00 - Poetry: a taster Course start date: Sat 13 Sep 2025 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Julie IrigarayThis short, fun workshop is the perfect starting point for students who are writing for the first time or new to poetry. Join us for thought-provoking writing exercises and poetry theory for beginners.Full fee £19.00 Senior fee £19.00 Concession £19.00 - Ways into screenwriting Course start date: Wed 7 May 2025 (and 4 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Nico MensingaLearn to write for the screen on this practical, introductory course. Writing exercises, presentations and screenings will teach you key skills, and you’ll begin to produce work and an outline for a full-length project.Full fee £239.00 Senior fee £239.00 Concession £120.00 - 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 - Ways into poetryCourse start date: Sat 4 Oct 2025 (and 7 other dates)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Cecilia KnappCome and revel in the possibilities of expression and form offered by poems across time, guided by lively group discussion and tutor expertise.Full fee £29.00 Senior fee £23.00 Concession £19.00 - Writing for magazines Course start date: Wed 7 May 2025 (and 6 other dates)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Phyllis RichardsonGet 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 - Starting your novelCourse start date: Wed 14 May 2025 (and 4 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Sophie McKenzieGot a great idea for a novel? Jump start your project in this supportive course that covers craft basics such as character and plot. Ideal for writers of fiction with some experience who have an idea for a novel.Full fee £239.00 Senior fee £239.00 Concession £120.00 - Ways into creative writing Course start date: Wed 7 May 2025 (and 18 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Claire CollisonWant to have a go at creative writing in a supportive environment? Join one of these introductory courses. Guided exercises will give you the tools to explore language creatively and find your own writing voice.Full fee £239.00 Senior fee £239.00 Concession £120.00 - Writing creative non-fiction Course start date: Thu 8 May 2025 (and 11 other dates)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Paul LaffanExplore practical and imaginative approaches to creative non fiction, including travel writing, life writing and the essay. Analyse published work, produce your own pieces, and benefit from detailed feedback.Full fee £249.00 Senior fee £249.00 Concession £125.00 - Travel writing Course start date: Wed 17 Sep 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.
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