Poetry Writing Courses Online & in London
Be inspired to write poetry at the college where Andrea Levy, Malorie Blackman, Anna Burns, and other celebrated authors studied. Experiment with poetic form and technique, develop your craft, and fine-tune your poems in our range of courses and workshops.
We have poetry lessons and courses for everyone, from complete beginners right up to experienced poets looking for detailed feedback on their work.
Learn from published authors
Our tutors are published authors, practising writers and experts in their field. So you'll benefit from the expert tuition from a published author as well as getting 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. Learn about their recent accomplishments.
Unheard Voices Scholarship
City Lit’s Malorie Blackman Scholarships for 'Unheard Voices', providing three annual awards worth up to £1000 each, to fund one year’s study within the Creative Writing department at City Lit. Learn more >
For the latest news, courses, events and competitions, stay in touch with the Department on Facebook and Twitter.
- Ways into poetry
Course start date: Thu 16 Jan 2025 (and 4 other dates)Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Claire CollisonRelatively 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.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee £239.00 Senior fee £239.00 Concession £120.00 - Masterclass: poetry (a one-term intensive workshop) Course start date: Tue 21 Jan 2025 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Ellen CranitchThis intensive poetry masterclass is open by selective application to a maximum of ten students. You will receive inspiring tutor instruction and rigorous constructive feedback on your poems as you prepare them for publication and performance.Full fee £399.00 Senior fee £399.00 Concession £399.00 - Developing your poetry Course start date: Thu 23 Jan 2025 (and 3 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Suzannah V. EvansFor 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 £249.00 Senior fee £249.00 Concession £125.00 - Advanced poetry workshop Course start date: Fri 24 Jan 2025 (and 3 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Sarah WardleDevelop your poetry, taking it in new directions and maturing your poetic voice. Various approaches and techniques will be explored, and new poetry can be workshopped. For experienced poets only.Full fee £249.00 Senior fee £249.00 Concession £125.00 - Writing poetry: getting started Course start date: Fri 7 Feb 2025 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Billie ManningThis short, fun taster course is the perfect starting point for students who are writing for the first time or new to the poetry path. Join us for thought-provoking writing exercises and poetry theory for beginners.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee £79.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £40.00 - Writing haiku poetry Course start date: Sat 8 Feb 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 - Performance poetry Course start date: Sat 15 Feb 2025 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Megan BeechWrite poetry and perform it, finding your own style and delivery under the guidance of a spoken word artist. Explore the differences between performance and other forms of poetry.Full fee £79.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £40.00 - Writing the prose poem Course start date: Sat 15 Feb 2025
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.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee £79.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £40.00 - Writing poetry through objects at Sir John Soane's Museum Course start date: Thu 20 Feb 2025
Location on this date: Off Site
Tutors: Suzannah V. EvansDelve into the realm of objects in this one-day poetry course, where we will probe how we might write about the material world, inspired by the collection in Sir John Soane’s Museum.Full fee £89.00 Senior fee £89.00 Concession £45.00 - Ways into poetry: intensive Course start date: Thu 27 Feb 2025 (and 3 other dates)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Billie ManningAre you just starting to write poetry? This shorter version of our introductory Ways into poetry course offers an opportunity to experiment with language and a variety of poetic devices. Discover the key elements of a poem in a friendly and interactive class.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee £149.00 Senior fee £149.00 Concession £75.00 - Writing poetry from visual art Course start date: Sun 2 Mar 2025
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Lawrence BradbyArt has inspired some of the world’s greatest poetry. This course will show you how to draw from visual art when writing your own poems.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee £79.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £40.00 - Poetry workshop: intensive Course start date: Tue 29 Apr 2025 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Julie IrigarayWant to have your poems critiqued in a supportive environment? This intensive poetry workshop focuses on offering feedback to poets who have already written a selection of poems and are looking to push their writing further.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee £149.00 Senior fee £149.00 Concession £75.00 - Create your first poetry collection Course start date: Sat 7 Jun 2025
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Megan BeechYou've written and workshopped your poetry, and now you're ready to create your first collection. But where do you begin with that process? This workshop offers instruction and advice on putting together your first poetry collection.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information. - Ways into poetry: a gentle pace Course start date: Thu 12 Jun 2025
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Andrew WealeAre you brand new to writing poetry? Do you want to build your confidence in a supportive environment alongside other beginners in the craft? This gentle short course guides students taking their first steps on the path to becoming a poet.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information. - The poem as quest: writing narrative poetry Course start date: Sat 14 Jun 2025
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Ellen CranitchFrom ballads to myths, learn the techniques and styles needed to write narrative poetry.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee £79.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £40.00
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