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.
- Advanced fiction writing workshop
Course start date: Mon 15 Sep 2025 (and 8 other dates)Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Claire CollisonFor experienced writers, this supportive but rigorous workshop offers the perfect opportunity to develop your novel or short story. Receive in-depth feedback and benefit from detailed group discussions on the art of fiction.Full fee £259.00 Senior fee £259.00 Concession £130.00 - Ways into poetryCourse start date: Mon 15 Sep 2025 (and 7 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Cecilia KnappRelatively new to writing poetry? This inspiring course offers an opportunity to experiment with language and a variety of poetic devices alongside fellow emerging poets. Discover the key elements of a poem in a friendly and interactive class.Full fee £249.00 Senior fee £249.00 Concession £125.00 - Starting your novelCourse start date: Wed 14 May 2025 (and 5 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Sophie McKenzieGot a great idea for a novel? Jump start your project in this supportive course that covers craft basics such as character and plot. Ideal for writers of fiction with some experience who have an idea for a novel.Full fee £239.00 Senior fee £239.00 Concession £120.00 - Ways into creative writing Course start date: Mon 15 Sep 2025 (and 17 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Claire CollisonWant 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 - Writing creative non-fiction Course start date: Tue 16 Sep 2025 (and 10 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Paul LaffanExplore practical and imaginative approaches to creative non fiction, including travel writing, life writing and the essay. Analyse published work, produce your own pieces, and benefit from detailed feedback.Full fee £259.00 Senior fee £259.00 Concession £130.00 - Developing your screenwriting Course start date: Thu 18 Sep 2025 (and 2 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Billy CookContinue your screenwriting journey in this practical intermediate course. Writing exercises, presentations and screenings will teach you key skills, and you’ll begin to produce work and an outline for a full-length project.Full fee £259.00 Senior fee £259.00 Concession £130.00 - Developing your poetry Course start date: Tue 23 Sep 2025 (and 5 other dates)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Christina DunhillFor those familiar with the basics of poetic form, this intermediate course explores craft and content through reading exercises, writing exercises and constructive feedback. Ideal if you have already attended 'Ways into poetry'.Full fee £259.00 Senior fee £259.00 Concession £130.00 - 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 - Ways into playwriting Course start date: Thu 25 Sep 2025 (and 1 other date)
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 £249.00 Senior fee £249.00 Concession £125.00 - 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 - Reading for writers: the short story (a fortnightly course) Course start date: Thu 1 May 2025 (and 2 other dates)
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 - Memoir writing: a taster Course start date: Mon 1 Dec 2025 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Julie GartonDo you have a personal story to tell that will move, delight, stir and inform readers? This short course guides students in planning and crafting a memoir.Full fee £19.00 Senior fee £19.00 Concession £19.00 - Journalism: a taster Course start date: Thu 4 Dec 2025 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Laura SilvermanWhat makes a great story? Discover what goes into a magazine or newspaper article and be inspired to write your own.Full fee £19.00 Senior fee £19.00 Concession £19.00 - 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 - Journal inspiration: creative approaches to writing about your life Course start date: Thu 23 Apr 2026
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Julie GartonThis inspiring, six-week workshop, led by an experienced journaler, encourages students to explore a range of techniques and prompts in order to find an approach to life writing that suits them.
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