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.
- Micro-memoir: a taster
Course start date: Fri 13 Nov 2026 (and 2 other dates)Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Lawrence BradbyA life is measured in moments as well as momentous occasions. This fun workshop coaches students in the art of micro-memoir. Can you write about an instant that changed you in 200 words or less?
Full fee £19.00 Senior fee £19.00 Concession £19.00 - Masters of style: reading and writing Annie ErnauxCourse start date: Sat 14 Nov 2026
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Megan BeechAnnie Ernaux’s approaches to writing about society and the self have made her a leading voice in contemporary literature. This day workshop explores the literary interpretations of several seminal texts and writing exercises that encourage you to experiment with Ernaux’s style.
Full fee £79.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £51.00 - Writing women's experiences in poetry Course start date: Sat 14 Nov 2026
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Sarah WestcottThis 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 £51.00 - Writing the family Course start date: Sat 14 Nov 2026 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Nick BarlayA thought-provoking workshop designed to tackle the challenges of writing about family life in creative non-fiction projects, and offer guidance on shaping personal stories into coherent, engaging narratives.Full fee £79.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £51.00 - Create your first poetry collection Course start date: Tue 17 Nov 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 £51.00 - Submitting your poetry to magazines Course start date: Wed 25 Nov 2026
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Timothy FoxThis 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 - Postgraduate academic writing Course start date: Sat 28 Nov 2026 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Anne WilsonExplore the building blocks and strategies for good academic writing at postgraduate level. Ideal for those studying or contemplating academic writing beyond undergraduate studies.Full fee £79.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £51.00 - Writing great child characters Course start date: Sat 28 Nov 2026
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Sophie McKenzieWrite your way to compelling and convincing child characters that truly connect with your readers, in this fun, interactive course.Full fee £79.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £51.00 - Writing haiku: a taster Course start date: Sat 28 Nov 2026
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Tasha KavanaghWriting Haiku poems can provide a peaceful distraction from life's challenges by focusing on creative writing. Composing Haiku can produce a feeling of achievement, and help you to get in touch with the natural world and show us our place within it.
Full fee £19.00 Senior fee £10.00 Concession £12.00 - Craft focus: how to edit your short story Course start date: Sun 29 Nov 2026
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Lucy PopescuEditing is an essential skill for any writer. Learn the different types of editing processes and how to polish your own prose in this useful workshop for short story writers. Suitable for those with some experience of creative writing.Full fee £79.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £51.00 - Memoir writing: a taster Course start date: Mon 30 Nov 2026 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Julie GartonDo you have a personal story to tell that will move, delight, stir and inform readers? This short course guides students in planning and crafting a memoir.Full fee £19.00 Senior fee £19.00 Concession £19.00 - Writing for children: a taster Course start date: Tue 1 Dec 2026 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Andrew WealeFind out more about writing children's stories in this practical and interactive, short taster session.Full fee £19.00 Senior fee £19.00 Concession £19.00 - Journalism: a taster Course start date: Thu 3 Dec 2026 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Laura SilvermanWhat makes a great story? Discover what goes into a magazine or newspaper article and be inspired to write your own.Full fee £19.00 Senior fee £19.00 Concession £19.00 - How to get an agent Course start date: Sat 5 Dec 2026 (and 2 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Rosie ChardThis intensive workshop offers students insider, need-to-know information on securing a literary agent.Full fee £79.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £51.00 - Writing a bear book for childrenCourse start date: Sat 5 Dec 2026
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Penny JoelsonHave fun and learn skills in writing for children, while you create a bear character and write/start writing a bear story for children, inspired by wonderful bear books including Winnie the Pooh, Paddington, We’re Going on a Bear Hunt, Where’s my Teddy? and The Last Bear.
Full fee £79.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £51.00
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