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.
- Creative writing: getting started
Course start date: Sat 30 May 2026 (and 8 other dates)Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Deborah MartinGive creative writing a try on this fun and supportive short course. Ideal if you want to express yourself but need help in getting started. Guided exercises will encourage you to experiment and unlock your imagination.Full fee £79.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £40.00 - Writing blackout poetryCourse start date: Sat 30 May 2026
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.Full fee £79.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £40.00 - Create your first poetry collection Course start date: Sat 30 May 2026 (and 1 other date)
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.Full fee £79.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £40.00 - How to develop a sustainable writing practice Course start date: Sun 31 May 2026
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: KR MoorheadCreate a routine that will help your long-term ambitions as a writer.Full fee £79.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £40.00 - Life writing: getting started Course start date: Mon 1 Jun 2026
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Alice RobbThis inspiring workshop encourages students to explore a range of techniques and approaches for writing about your own life.Full fee £79.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £40.00 - Writing a memoir (continuation) Course start date: Wed 3 Jun 2026 (and 3 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 continuation course guides students in developing a memoir project that will resonate and inspire.Full fee £159.00 Senior fee £159.00 Concession £80.00 - Advanced creative non-fiction workshop Course start date: Wed 3 Jun 2026 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Julie GartonThis advanced workshop is designed for students who have already completed introductory and intermediate creative non-fiction courses and would like to focus on workshopping their writing.
Full fee £169.00 Senior fee £169.00 Concession £85.00 - Ways into creative writing: a gentle pace Course start date: Wed 3 Jun 2026 (and 3 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Henry MartinAre you brand new to creative writing? Do you want to build your confidence in a supportive environment alongside other beginners? This gentle short course guides students taking their first steps on the path to becoming a creative writer.
Full fee £159.00 Senior fee £159.00 Concession £80.00 - Writing creative non-fiction: intensive Course start date: Wed 3 Jun 2026 (and 3 other dates)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Erica BuistThis 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 £159.00 Senior fee £159.00 Concession £80.00 - Writing romance Course start date: Thu 4 Jun 2026 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Eleanor PennyIt is a truth universally acknowledged that a writer in possession of a single pen can compose an unforgettable romance novel. This six-week course will guide students through the plotting of modern romance stories.Full fee £159.00 Senior fee £159.00 Concession £80.00 - Biography writing Course start date: Thu 4 Jun 2026 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Andrew KenrickWhat makes a great biography? Learn to experiment with your own life writing as you uncover the techniques and methods of this exciting genre with a professional biographer.
Full fee £159.00 Senior fee £159.00 Concession £80.00 - Ways into poetry: a gentle pace Course start date: Thu 4 Jun 2026 (and 1 other date)
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.Full fee £159.00 Senior fee £159.00 Concession £80.00 - The poem as quest: writing narrative poetry Course start date: Sat 6 Jun 2026
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Ellen CranitchFrom ballads to myths, learn the techniques and styles needed to write narrative poetry.Full fee £79.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £40.00 - Writing about art Course start date: Sat 6 Jun 2026
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Thomas McMullanLearn how to write journalistically about visual art, from exhibition reviews to features, in this intensive one-day course.Full fee £79.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £40.00 - Performance poetry: getting started Course start date: Sat 6 Jun 2026 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Toby CampionWrite 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
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