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.
- Getting away with murder: how to write crime fiction
Course start date: Thu 25 Sep 2025 (and 1 other date)Location on this date: Online
Want to write a murder mystery that will knock readers dead? On this course you'll learn how to plot a murder most horrid and develop your writing to create maximum suspense.Full fee £159.00 Senior fee £159.00 Concession £80.00 - Writing for children: workshop Course start date: Mon 12 May 2025 (and 4 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Penny JoelsonFor experienced children's writers, this ongoing workshop offers an opportunity to develop your work-in-progress with constructive feedback from tutor and classmates.Full fee £249.00 Senior fee £249.00 Concession £125.00 - Ways into playwriting Course start date: Mon 28 Apr 2025 (and 2 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Nicole AcquahExplore the fundamental techniques of writing for the stage in this introductory course. Get to grips with dialogue, character, story and structure, and start work on your own play.Full fee £239.00 Senior fee £239.00 Concession £120.00 - Advanced autobiographical writing Course start date: Fri 26 Sep 2025 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Nick BarlayA supportive workshop for more experienced writers of autobiography who are ready to push their practice, explore new techniques and further develop their authorial voice.Full fee £259.00 Senior fee £259.00 Concession £130.00 - Developing your creative writing Course start date: Fri 26 Sep 2025 (and 2 other dates)
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 - Reading for writers: the short story (a fortnightly course) Course start date: Thu 1 May 2025 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Annabel BanksThe best way to write good short stories is to read a lot of good ones first. Dive into the best of short fiction, explore point-of-view, character and pacing, and begin to apply the lessons learnt to your own writing in this fortnightly course.Full fee £149.00 Senior fee £149.00 Concession £75.00 - Writing an academic essay Course start date: Fri 3 Oct 2025 (and 2 other dates)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: William BradyA crash course in essay writing – beginnings, middles and ends. Suitable for students on A-level and access courses or undergraduates.Full fee £119.00 Senior fee £119.00 Concession £60.00 - Autobiography into poetry Course start date: Sun 5 Oct 2025
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Sarah WardleLearn how to translate real-life experiences into powerful poems in this stimulating course for those interested in the meeting place between autobiography and poetry.Full fee £79.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £40.00 - Writing about food Course start date: Mon 28 Apr 2025 (and 2 other dates)
Location on this date: Online
Love food and want to write about it? Whether you’re keen to review dishes, interview chefs or write about sustainable eating, now is your chance. This course will cover writing for established publications as well as personal blogs.Full fee £199.00 Senior fee £199.00 Concession £100.00 - Picture book writing: advanced Course start date: Mon 12 May 2025 (and 3 other dates)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Andrew WealeWould you like to workshop, edit and polish your picture book texts for young children? This course is designed for advanced picture book writers wishing to hone their skills and improve their own stories.Full fee £199.00 Senior fee £199.00 Concession £100.00 - Submitting your poetry to magazines Course start date: Wed 22 Oct 2025
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Katherine LocktonThis short course is designed to guide students on submitting their poetry to magazines, journals and websites for publication.Full fee £19.00 Senior fee £19.00 Concession £19.00 - Writing the body in poetry Course start date: Sun 2 Nov 2025
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Julie IrigarayExplore the relationship between poetry and the body, and learn to be bold and innovative in writing about your own bodily experiences, in this thought-provoking workshop.Full fee £79.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £40.00 - Introduction to journalism Course start date: Mon 3 Nov 2025 (and 2 other dates)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Allis MossOn this course students will explore the basic skills a freelance journalist needs to write and sell news and features to newspapers and magazines. From developing ideas and identifying outlets to interview skills and approaching editors.Full fee £159.00 Senior fee £159.00 Concession £80.00 - Writing women's experiences in poetry Course start date: Sat 15 Nov 2025
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Julie IrigarayThis course will look at how contemporary women poets write about their experiences of womanhood. We'll discuss their strategies and you'll be encouraged to write poems, in a supportive environment, about what being a woman means to you.Full fee £79.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £40.00 - Comedy sketch writing Course start date: Sat 15 Nov 2025
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Kate SmurthwaiteDiscover the art of creating a great comedy sketch. Study the brilliance of classic sketches and learn how to deploy their techniques in your own work.Full fee £79.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £40.00
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