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.
- Craft focus: scenes and setting in fiction
Course start date: Sat 9 Aug 2025 (and 1 other date)Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Thomas McMullanScenes in fiction are like those in film: we experience action as it unfolds. Action has to take place somewhere, which is why setting is also key. In this practical intensive course, you'll learn how to create scenes and establish setting that engages and convinces readers.Full fee £79.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £40.00 - 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 - Creative nature writing Course start date: Sun 10 Aug 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Jennifer WongDo you enjoy being in nature and want to capture that on the page? Learn how to write about the natural world in this fun course, which encourages you to step outside into the urban 'wild' to seek inspiration for your poetry or prose. - Writing the city Course start date: Sun 10 Aug 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Thomas McMullanThrough a combination of close observation and texts both old and new, you'll explore the depiction of inner city life in fiction, and write your own fiction inspired by the urban landscape in this short course. - Jump start your play Course start date: Sat 16 Aug 2025
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Brian MullinHave you got a script idea but not yet put pen to paper, or a script you started but never finished? This intensive short course will help you inject new energy into your idea – and get started writing. Only suitable for those with playwriting experience. - Writing comedy for TV in the online age Course start date: Sat 16 Aug 2025
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Alan NixonDo you want to find out more about writing comedy? Explore some fundamental aspects of humorous scriptwriting for television, beginning with sketches, and looking at sitcoms from initial idea through to finished script.Full fee £79.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £40.00 - Picture book writing: getting started Course start date: Sat 16 Aug 2025
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Andrew WealeWould you like to write a picture book text for young children? This taster course is designed for children's writers and for illustrators wishing to write their own stories; a starter course to develop both your ideas and your technique.Full fee £79.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £40.00 - Advanced fiction writing workshop Course start date: Tue 29 Apr 2025 (and 9 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
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 £249.00 Senior fee £249.00 Concession £125.00 - Ways into poetryCourse start date: Mon 28 Apr 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 £239.00 Senior fee £239.00 Concession £120.00 - Writing creative non-fiction Course start date: Mon 28 Apr 2025 (and 9 other dates)
Location on this date: Online
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 £249.00 Senior fee £249.00 Concession £125.00 - Writing fiction Course start date: Mon 28 Apr 2025 (and 8 other dates)
Location on this date: Online
Develop your creative writing skills on this practical intermediate course. You'll explore the fundamentals of fiction-writing craft, such as character and structure, and unlock your imagination to produce compelling prose. Suitable for those with some creative writing experience.Full fee £249.00 Senior fee £249.00 Concession £125.00 - Short story writing Course start date: Tue 29 Apr 2025 (and 8 other dates)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Vicky GrutA hands-on introduction to the art of writing short stories. You will receive technical advice, creative exercises to generate ideas, and feedback to develop your writing skills.Full fee £249.00 Senior fee £249.00 Concession £125.00 - Masterclass: fiction (a year-long workshop) Course start date: Wed 1 Oct 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Thomas McMullanThis intensive three-term fiction workshop is open by selective application and interview to a maximum of ten fiction writers working at the advanced and professional levels. The deadline for applications is 25th August 2025. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to interview via Zoom on Wednesday 10th September. - 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 - Writing an academic essay Course start date: Fri 2 May 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 £109.00 Senior fee £109.00 Concession £55.00
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