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 political journalism
Course start date: Sat 28 Jun 2025Location 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 - Masters of style: reading and writing Virginia Woolf Course start date: Sat 28 Jun 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Thomas McMullan, Patricia SweeneyVirginia Woolf was one of the twentieth century’s greatest writers. Her approaches to writing character interiority were at the forefront of modernist literary innovations. This day workshop explores the literary interpretations of several seminal texts and writing exercises that encourage you to experiment with Woolf’s stream-of-consciousness style. - 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 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 - Postgraduate academic writing Course start date: Sat 19 Jul 2025 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Anne WilsonExplore the building blocks and strategies for good academic writing at postgraduate level. Ideal for those studying or contemplating academic writing beyond undergraduate studies.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. - Poetry masterclass at Keats House, Hampstead Course start date: Sun 20 Jul 2025
Location on this date: Off Site
This advanced day workshop explores approaches to poetry and workshopping techniques in the idyllic surroundings of Keats House, the former Hampstead residence of the Romantic poet, John Keats. - Autobiographical writing: intensive Course start date: Mon 28 Jul 2025 (and 2 other dates)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Paul LaffanThis shorter version of our introductory autobiographical writing course covers the basic elements of the genre, drawing on memories, diaries, photos, dreams and fantasies with a focus on the forms of autobiography, memoir and the personal essay.Full fee £149.00 Senior fee £149.00 Concession £75.00 - Poetry and nature workshop at Keats House, Hampstead Course start date: Sat 2 Aug 2025
Location on this date: Off Site
Tutors: Eleanor PennyA two-day writing workshop on poetry and nature, set in the former residence of the Romantic poet, John Keats, as well as nearby Hampstead Heath. - Writing about food: getting started Course start date: Sat 2 Aug 2025 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Laura SilvermanWhether you’re keen to review dishes, interview chefs or write about sustainable eating, now is your chance. This introductory course will cover the basics of writing about food.Full fee £79.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £40.00 - How to write a short story Course start date: Mon 4 Aug 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Vicky GrutThrough a series of inspiring and practical exercises, you'll be encouraged to tap into your imagination and draft a short story from beginning to end in four days. - What the poem wants: drafting and editing workshop Course start date: Mon 4 Aug 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Christina DunhillWrite fast and edit fast in this poem-blitzing workshop. Learn to step back, look at your poem and think about the different directions it might take. Practise ruthlessness as well as care in the poem’s service. - Micropoetry: small poems, big ideas Course start date: Fri 8 Aug 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Suzannah V. EvansExplore the emerging art form of micropoetry in this fun but informative day workshop. Compose your own poetry and learn how to make every word on the page count. - 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 - Writing haiku poetry Course start date: Sat 9 Aug 2025 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Pearl MayLearn how to write haikus that resonate, move and entertain on this fun day workshop.Full fee £79.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £40.00
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