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.
- Picture book writing: advanced
Course start date: Mon 12 Oct 2026 (and 2 other dates)Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Andrew WealeWould you like to workshop, edit and polish your picture book texts for young children? This course is designed for advanced picture book writers wishing to hone and improve their own stories.Full fee £229.00 Senior fee £229.00 Concession £149.00 - Short story writing: intensive Course start date: Thu 15 Oct 2026 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Judith BryanA 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 £179.00 Senior fee £179.00 Concession £116.00 - Craft focus: how to edit your non-fiction Course start date: Sat 17 Oct 2026
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Andrew KenrickOnce your manuscript is on the page, the editing process begins. Where do you start and what skills do you need? This course guides learners through the editing of a non-fiction manuscript, exploring approaches to making line edits, improving structure and more.Full fee £79.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £51.00 - Writing reviews Course start date: Thu 22 Oct 2026 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Laura SilvermanLearn to write compelling and insightful reviews for films, books and stage performances. Develop your critical skills and ability to write in a succinct style.Full fee £179.00 Senior fee £179.00 Concession £116.00 - Craft focus: scenes and setting in fiction Course start date: Sat 24 Oct 2026
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 £51.00 - Picture book writing Course start date: Sun 25 Oct 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 £179.00 Senior fee £179.00 Concession £116.00 - Ways into poetry: a gentle pace Course start date: Mon 26 Oct 2026 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Toby CampionAre 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 £179.00 Senior fee £179.00 Concession £116.00 - Freelance journalism workshop Course start date: Tue 27 Oct 2026 (and 2 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Laura SilvermanWorkshop your pitches and features on this practical course for freelance journalists and bloggers. You'll learn to carry out research and interview people, as well as hone your pitches and stories.
Full fee £179.00 Senior fee £179.00 Concession £116.00 - Ways into creative writing: a gentle pace Course start date: Tue 27 Oct 2026 (and 3 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Claire CollisonAre 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 £179.00 Senior fee £179.00 Concession £116.00 - Writing romance Course start date: Wed 28 Oct 2026 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Anna RichardsIt 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 £179.00 Senior fee £179.00 Concession £116.00 - Writing the body in poetry Course start date: Sun 1 Nov 2026
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Alice FrecknallExplore 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 £51.00 - Writing magical realism Course start date: Sun 1 Nov 2026
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Lucy PopescuLearn how fantasy and reality can meet in this interactive workshop on writing magical realism.
Full fee £79.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £51.00 - Introduction to journalism Course start date: Mon 2 Nov 2026 (and 2 other dates)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Allis MossOn this course students will explore the basic skills a freelance journalist needs to write and sell news and features to newspapers and magazines. From developing ideas and identifying outlets to interview skills and approaching editors.Full fee £179.00 Senior fee £179.00 Concession £116.00 - Biography writing Course start date: Thu 5 Nov 2026 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Robert FraserWhat 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 £179.00 Senior fee £179.00 Concession £116.00 - Writing for blogs Course start date: Fri 13 Nov 2026
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Terry FreedmanGot a passion, a journey or an obsession to share? Blogging is the perfect medium through which to share your interests with the world. This taster course teaches the essential skills required to write blogposts that will resonate.Full fee £79.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £51.00
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