Creative Writing Courses
Fancy trying your hand at creative writing? Or are you looking to take your passion for writing to the next level? Find your inspiration to write at the college where Andrea Levy, Malorie Blackman, Anna Burns, and other celebrated authors studied.
Learn the art of creative writing from published writers in a range of courses designed to support and encourage your creativity. You'll explore your own potential, discover a range of literary forms and techniques, and develop your writing skills. Our courses will help you grow your confidence and passion for writing, while motivating you to achieve your personal goals.
Workshops available both online and in-person
To help you fit your studies around your busy life, you have the freedom to either learn creative writing online in the comfort of your own home, or in a classroom setting from our Central London location. Whatever your preference, you'll be able to meet fellow learners, interact, share, and learn in a way that motivates and inspires you. For more information about our live online courses, please see our guide to online learning.
Choosing a level that's right for you – beginner to advanced level
Whether you're completely new to creative writing, have some previous experience, or you're writing at the professional level, we have courses that can support your needs. Our goal is to provide a supportive space in which you feel empowered to experiment, express your ideas, and challenge yourself to write creatively to a level that feels right for you.
Find your voice and nurture your creativity
On our courses, you'll receive guidance on how to give and receive constructive feedback on written work, and learn how to use that feedback to improve your writing. You'll share ideas and sharpen your critical thinking skills through close analysis of peer and published work, as well as growing your vocabulary, your communication skills, and your knowledge of the mechanics of writing.
For the latest news, courses, events and competitions, stay in touch with the Department on Facebook and X.
- Ways into creative writing: intensive
Course start date: Mon 16 Feb 2026 (and 4 other dates)Location on this date: Online
Tutors: KR MoorheadNot sure whether creative writing is for you? Give it a try on one of these fun and supportive short courses covering the basics of fiction and poetry. Increase your confidence and produce work through guided exercises and discussion.Full fee £159.00 Senior fee £159.00 Concession £80.00 - In conversation with Thomas McMullan Course start date: Thu 19 Feb 2026
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Join award-winning author, journalist and City Lit Creative Writing Tutor Thomas McMullan as he sits down to discuss his new novel Groundwater with City Lit Principal Mark Malcomson. The discussion will be followed by a Drinks reception and a book signing in the City Lit Gallery.
Full fee £0.00 - Creative writing: getting started Course start date: Sat 21 Feb 2026 (and 5 other dates)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Timothy FoxGive creative writing a try on this fun and supportive short course. Ideal if you want to express yourself but need help in getting started. Guided exercises will encourage you to experiment and unlock your imagination.Full fee £79.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £40.00 - Writing and rewriting fairytales Course start date: Sat 7 Mar 2026 (and 2 other dates)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Victoria M. AdamsOnce upon a time there was a City Lit workshop all about writing fairytales. The quest: to inspire writers to pen stories of love, fear, forests, revenge, dragons, witches, kings, queens, frogs and magic.Full fee £79.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £40.00 - How to write strong women characters Course start date: Sun 8 Mar 2026
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Sharmila ChauhanCelebrate strong women for International Women's Day with this inclusive one-off session on how to create your own, powerful fictional women.Full fee £79.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £40.00 - Craft focus: grammar, syntax and style for creative writers - getting started Course start date: Sun 19 Apr 2026 (and 1 other date)
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 £79.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £40.00 - Craft focus: grammar, syntax, and style for creative writers Course start date: Mon 20 Apr 2026
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 £209.00 Senior fee £209.00 Concession £105.00 - Ways into creative writing Course start date: Mon 20 Apr 2026 (and 3 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Sarah LeipcigerWant 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 £249.00 Senior fee £249.00 Concession £125.00 - The 60 minute writer Course start date: Tue 21 Apr 2026 (and 3 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Tasha KavanaghFit creative writing into your busy day: a relaxed, informal rolling programme for writers of all levels of experience who enjoy being thrown new ideas and experimenting with poetry and prose.Full fee £139.00 Senior fee £139.00 Concession £70.00 - Developing your creative writing Course start date: Fri 24 Apr 2026
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Christina DunhillThis supportive intermediate course for writers with some experience will provide inspiration, technical guidance and feedback on your work, as well as helping you to sustain your writing practice. You will be working with other aspiring writers and benefit from the support and encouragement that working with a group over a whole term can bring.
This course supports several kinds of creative writing, including prose fiction, poetry, reflective writing and memoir, whether they are finished pieces or works-in-progress.Full fee £259.00 Senior fee £259.00 Concession £130.00 - Writing myths Course start date: Sat 2 May 2026
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Maria ContosWhether you want to write about mythical beasts in a modern-day setting or pen a traditional epic, this fun, interactive taster will equip you with the craft basics to write a myth that will move and inspire.Full fee £79.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £40.00 - Writing inspiration jam Course start date: Sun 10 May 2026
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Claire CollisonThis fun, inspiring day workshop explores the many sources of inspiration available to writers in their everyday lives.Full fee £29.00 Senior fee £29.00 Concession £15.00 - Developing your fairytale Course start date: Sat 23 May 2026
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Nicole AcquahAlready devised a cunning plan for your own fairytale? This fun workshop coaches students on how to add an extra dash of magic into the cauldron while writing in the fairytale genre.Full fee £79.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £40.00 - How to develop a sustainable writing practice Course start date: Sun 31 May 2026
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: KR MoorheadCreate a routine that will help your long-term ambitions as a writer.Full fee £79.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £40.00 - Writing for video games Course start date: Tue 2 Jun 2026
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Thomas McMullanLearn about the fundamentals of writing for video games, from interactive dialogue to environmental storytelling.Full fee £159.00 Senior fee £159.00 Concession £80.00
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