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.
- City Lit photography: developing practice and portfolioCourse start date: Sat 24 Jan 2026 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
This course is a natural follow on from City Lit photography projects VY844 & VY878.
You will work on a self-set project for the length of the course.Full fee £399.00 Senior fee £319.00 Concession £259.00 - Craft focus: mastering descriptive language
Course start date: Sat 24 Jan 2026Location 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 - Explore: film poster designCourse start date: Sat 24 Jan 2026 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Rebecca ThomasUsing iconic film posters from the 20th century as inspiration, learn how to design and create a compelling poster for your favourite film.
Full fee £89.00 Senior fee £89.00 Concession £89.00 - Adobe Premier Pro and digital editing: stage 2Course start date: Sun 25 Jan 2026
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Lily MarkiewiczImprove and speed up your editing, learn to use all trimming and motion tools properly. Explore building a better narrative structure and find out about essentials like screen-directionality and POV constructions.Full fee £309.00 Senior fee £247.00 Concession £201.00 - Life painting: experimental approaches Course start date: Thu 29 Jan 2026 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Amanda BrackenExplore imaginative, dynamic approaches to painting the figure using a variety of approaches: be inspired by new ways of seeing and access innovative ways of approaching your life painting. Suitable for those with some previous life drawing experience.
Full fee £259.00 Senior fee £207.00 Concession £168.00 - Improve your speaking voice: tasterCourse start date: Thu 29 Jan 2026
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Giles AbbottA taster class to introduce you to how you can improve the quality of your voice and standard of speech through relaxation, breath technique and articulation. This taster class will take place in one of our studios.Full fee £19.00 Senior fee £19.00 Concession £19.00 - Life drawing: experimental approachesCourse start date: Thu 29 Jan 2026
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Steve WrightLearn or develop life drawing skills and approaches to painting the nude figure. Including use of tone and colour selection, composition and paint handling to develop solidity, atmosphere and expression. Some experience of drawing is recommended.Full fee £259.00 Senior fee £207.00 Concession £168.00 - Sewn boards and drum leaf bindings for book artsCourse start date: Thu 29 Jan 2026
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Sue DoggettThese book forms are great for making artists’ books and books with content, as they both open flat with little or no restriction at the spine fold. Come and make some models to experiment with, or bring some artwork with you and use this to produce two versatile and creative structures. Some experience of sewing multi-section books will be helpful but not essential.Full fee £299.00 Senior fee £239.00 Concession £194.00 - Refresher workshop for people who stammerCourse start date: Fri 6 Feb 2026
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Carolyn Cheasman, Vivien Grant-JonesFeeling a bit rusty when it comes to working on your stammering? If you have already completed some therapy either at City Lit or elsewhere, this workshop offers you the ideal opportunity to revise what you’ve learnt so far, practise your speech techniques and to become more open about, and desensitised to, stammering.Full fee £69.00 Senior fee £48.00 Concession £14.00 - Nature and wildlife photography: London locationCourse start date: Sat 7 Feb 2026 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Off Site
Tutors: Rachel WeghWildllife in the city is an exciting opportunity to work off-site and enjoy various surroundings focusing on flora and fauna. Travel to some of some of London’s finest open spaces whilst learning the photography skills required in focusing on details, landscape and capturing natures beauty. Ideal for beginners, those who want to broaden their photography skills and those wishing to continue building their photography portfolio.Full fee £129.00 Senior fee £129.00 Concession £129.00 - Life drawing: sculptural approaches from 2D to 3DCourse start date: Sun 8 Feb 2026
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Annie AttridgeExplore imaginative, dynamic approaches to drawing the figure with a variety of media: be inspired by new ways of seeing and access innovative ways of approaching your drawing.Full fee £259.00 Senior fee £207.00 Concession £168.00 - Beaded jewellery: multi strand knotting and stringing for beads and semi-precious stonesCourse start date: Sun 8 Feb 2026
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Beverley SellLearn to make multi stranded beaded pieces and progress your beaded jewellery making techniques on this course for intermediate learners.Full fee £259.00 Senior fee £207.00 Concession £168.00 - Become more lipreadable Course start date: Fri 13 Feb 2026 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Lorraine BragginsDo you know a hard of hearing or deaf person who needs to lipread you? Find out how lipreading works and how you can make some small adjustments in order to become more 'lipreadable'.
This course will be taught in spoken English and not in sign language.Full fee £59.00 Senior fee £59.00 Concession £59.00 - 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
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