Writing Courses & Workshops
At City Lit, we offer a supportive and inspiring environment where you can enhance your writing and gain confidence. Our courses are designed to help you find your voice, sharpen your writing skills, and take your work to the next level. Whether you're writing short stories, poetry, or working on a novel, you'll receive expert guidance and feedback from experienced tutors.
Learn from Published Authors
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.
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.
- Writing a memoir
Course start date: Wed 22 Apr 2026 (and 4 other dates)Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Julie GartonSome moments in our lives are so powerful they beg to be shared with the world. This six week course will help you plan and craft a memoir that will resonate and inspire.Full fee £159.00 Senior fee £159.00 Concession £80.00 - Short story writing: intensive Course start date: Wed 25 Feb 2026 (and 2 other dates)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: KR MoorheadA fast-paced introduction to the art of writing short stories. In this 6-week course you will receive technical advice, creative exercises to generate ideas, and feedback to develop your writing skills.Full fee £159.00 Senior fee £159.00 Concession £80.00 - Picture book writing Course start date: Wed 18 Feb 2026 (and 7 other dates)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Andrew WealeWould you like to write a picture book text for young children? This 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 £159.00 Senior fee £159.00 Concession £80.00 - Writing creative non-fiction: intensive Course start date: Wed 11 Jun 2025 (and 3 other dates)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Claire CollisonThis shorter version of our introductory creative non-writing course explores the core elements of creative non-fiction across genres such as travel writing, the personal essay and life writing.Full fee £149.00 Senior fee £149.00 Concession £75.00 - Ways into creative writing: intensive Course start date: Wed 17 Sep 2025 (and 9 other dates)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Tasha KavanaghNot sure whether creative writing is for you? Give it a try on one of these fun and supportive short courses covering the basics of fiction and poetry. Increase your confidence and produce work through guided exercises and discussion.Full fee £159.00 Senior fee £159.00 Concession £80.00 - How to write a novel Course start date: Wed 27 May 2026 (and 4 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Thomas McMullanThis course deals with all aspects of novel writing technique and prose style. Ideal for fiction writers about to begin a novel or those with a novel at early draft stage.Full fee £89.00 Senior fee £89.00 Concession £45.00 - Creative writing: a taster Course start date: Wed 3 Dec 2025 (and 2 other dates)
Location on this date: Online
Give creative writing a try in this fun and supportive one-off taster session. Ideal if you want to unlock your imagination and express yourself, but need a bit of encouragement to get started.Full fee £19.00 Senior fee £19.00 Concession £19.00 - Writing creative non-fiction: a taster Course start date: Wed 10 Sep 2025 (and 2 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Julie GartonHave you had experiences that will move, delight or entertain readers? This taster session in creative non-fiction explores approaches to capturing your most poignant moments and crafting them into inspiring pieces of literature.Full fee £19.00 Senior fee £19.00 Concession £19.00 - Ways into screenwriting Course start date: Wed 17 Sep 2025 (and 6 other dates)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Nico MensingaLearn to write for the screen on this practical, introductory 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 £249.00 Senior fee £249.00 Concession £125.00 - Developing your novel Course start date: Wed 24 Sep 2025 (and 6 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Sarah LeipcigerHave you started work on your novel? This course is suitable for experienced creative writers who want to make progress with a novel draft. Learn more about the art of novel writing and move your project forward in a supportive workshop environment.Full fee £259.00 Senior fee £259.00 Concession £130.00 - Advanced fiction writing workshop Course start date: Wed 21 Jan 2026 (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 £259.00 Senior fee £259.00 Concession £130.00 - Ways into creative writing Course start date: Wed 24 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 for magazines Course start date: Wed 21 Jan 2026 (and 5 other dates)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Phyllis RichardsonGet 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 - Ways into poetry Course start date: Wed 21 Jan 2026 (and 7 other dates)
Location on this date: Online
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 Jan 2026 (and 4 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 £249.00 Senior fee £249.00 Concession £125.00
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