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.
- Writing great child characters
Course start date: Sat 29 Nov 2025Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Sophie McKenzieWrite your way to compelling and convincing child characters that truly connect with your readers, in this fun, interactive course.Full fee £79.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £40.00 - Write a short story in a week Course start date: Mon 8 Dec 2025
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Jonathan BarnesTurn your great idea into a short story on this fun practical course. Through a series of inspiring exercises, you'll be introduced to some key fiction writing techniques and encouraged to draft a short story from beginning to end. Suitable for beginners who are comfortable learning at a fast pace.Full fee £129.00 Senior fee £129.00 Concession £65.00 - Craft focus: introduction to novel plotting Course start date: Sun 18 Jan 2026
Location on this date: Online
Explore different approaches to novel plotting and learn how to plot your own novel successfully in this short course suitable for those who have begun writing a novel. - Starting your novel: intensive Course start date: Mon 19 Jan 2026
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Sarah LeipcigerGot a great idea for a novel? Jump start your project in this supportive, intensive course that covers craft basics such as character and plot. For fiction writers with some experience, and for those comfortable working at a fast pace.Full fee £159.00 Senior fee £159.00 Concession £80.00 - Freelance writing and blogging Course start date: Thu 22 Jan 2026 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Laura SilvermanGet 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 £159.00 Senior fee £159.00 Concession £80.00 - Craft focus: mastering descriptive language Course start date: Sat 24 Jan 2026
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Sophie McKenzieDescriptive language can provide texture and clarity to a story, promoting reader engagement and a sensory experience. In this short course, learn how to create vivid descriptions that will elevate your prose. This course will support writers of fiction and non-fiction.Full fee £79.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £40.00 - Writing the body in fiction Course start date: Sat 14 Feb 2026
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Jennifer ClaessenExplore how to write bodies that bring your fiction to life in this short course suitable for those with some experience of creative writing. - Writing the prose poem Course start date: Sat 14 Feb 2026
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Julie IrigarayA form that’s flowered in recent years, this short course will guide you to write your own prose poetry.Full fee £79.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £40.00 - Craft focus: voice and dialogue in fiction Course start date: Sun 15 Feb 2026
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Rosie ChardAll 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 - Writing horror Course start date: Tue 17 Feb 2026
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Niki MackayWrite to unsettle, in this six-week trip through the techniques of horror fiction, learning from classic horror authors and contemporary masters of the genre.Full fee £159.00 Senior fee £159.00 Concession £80.00 - Writing poetry from visual artCourse start date: Sun 1 Mar 2026
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Lawrence BradbyArt has inspired some of the world’s greatest poetry. This course will show you how to draw from visual art when writing your own poems.Full fee £79.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £40.00 - 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 - 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 - Writing autofictionCourse start date: Sat 14 Mar 2026
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Natasha BellBlurring lines between fact and fiction, blending the 'real' and 'imaginary', autofiction is a rich playground for writers. In this short advanced taster course, learn what 'autofiction' is, how it differs from other forms of life writing, and explore how to write it.Full fee £79.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £40.00 - Joke writing Course start date: Sat 17 May 2025 (and 1 other date)
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.Full fee £119.00 Senior fee £119.00 Concession £60.00
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