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.
- Advanced poetry workshop
Course start date: Mon 12 May 2025 (and 4 other dates)Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Fran LockDevelop 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 - Create your first poetry collection Course start date: Sat 7 Jun 2025 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Online
You'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.Full fee £79.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £40.00 - Writing poetry: getting started Course start date: Thu 12 Jun 2025 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Billie ManningThis short, fun workshop 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.Full fee £79.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £40.00 - Writing black out poetryCourse start date: Sat 14 Jun 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Sarah WestcottSometimes a poem is shaped by stripping words away. This fun day workshop explores the emerging form of black out poetry. Learn how to find hidden poems in texts such as newspaper articles, advertisements and letters. - Writing eco-poetry Course start date: Sat 28 Jun 2025
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Sarah WestcottHow might poets write about the natural world today, and what is an eco-poem?Full fee £79.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £40.00 - What the poem wants: drafting and editing workshop Course start date: Mon 4 Aug 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Christina DunhillWrite fast and edit fast in this poem-blitzing workshop. Learn to step back, look at your poem and think about the different directions it might take. Practise ruthlessness as well as care in the poem’s service. - Micropoetry: small poems, big ideas Course start date: Fri 8 Aug 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Suzannah V. EvansExplore the emerging art form of micropoetry in this fun but informative day workshop. Compose your own poetry and learn how to make every word on the page count. - Writing haiku poetry Course start date: Sat 9 Aug 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 - Masterclass: poetry (a one-term intensive workshop) Course start date: Tue 23 Sep 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 - Masterclass: poetry (a year-long workshop) Course start date: Wed 2 Oct 2024 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Fran LockThis year-long 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 £999.00 Senior fee £999.00 Concession £999.00 - 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 - 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 - 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 - 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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