This advanced day workshop explores approaches to poetry and workshopping techniques in the idyllic surroundings of Keats House, the former Hampstead residence of the Romantic poet, John Keats.
Learning modes and locations may be different depending on the course start date. Please check the location of your chosen course and read our guide to learning modes and locations to help you choose the right course for you.
Please note: We offer a wide variety of financial support to make courses affordable. Just visit our online Help Centre for more information on a range of topics including fees, online learning and FAQs.
This course is designed to coach students on writing poetry to a publishable standard. Poets will have the opportunity to write some new work, receive guidance on advanced poetic technique and methods of revising their work.
What will we cover?
This workshop will look at poetic technique, content and form. Students will be introduced to methods of generating raw material and ideas for poems. The group will explore craft and content through reading and writing exercises, and constructive feedback. Ideal for students with some experience of writing and workshopping their poetry.
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
- Express an understanding of some new techniques for starting and revising a poem. - Begin work on a new or existing poem using exercises and techniques introduced in the class. - Assess poems provided in class, based on discussions and your own reading and opinions. - Discuss individual texts. - Participate constructively in a workshop setting.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
A working knowledge of poetry is necessary; for example, familiarity with some poetic techniques, such as rhyme, metre and imagery. You will need an enthusiasm for poetry and a willingness to take part in discussions, reading, creative exercises and writing poetry.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
Teaching will be through writing exercises, group discussion and tutor input.
City Lit Writing endeavours to create a safe and welcoming space for all and we strongly support the use of content notes in our classes. This means that learners are encouraged to make their tutor and classmates aware in advance if any writing they wish to share contains material that may be deemed sensitive. If you are unsure about what might constitute sensitive content, please ask your tutor for further clarification and read our expectations for participating in writing courses at City Lit.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
Please bring loose paper, a writing notebook, pens and pencils, You will receive feedback from your tutor throughout the day, as and when appropriate. You may also wish to bring a packed lunch to enjoy in the gardens of Keats House.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
All students are invited to join us at Late Lines, our regular performance night for City Lit writers. Students are also encouraged to submit their work to Between the Lines, our annual anthology of creative writing. For the latest news, courses and events, stay in touch with the Department on Facebook and Twitter.
Dr. Suzannah V. Evans is a poet, researcher, and educator. Her debut full poetry collection is Under the Blue (Bloomsbury Poetry, September 2025). She is the author of Brightwork and Marine Objects / Some Language, and the editor of All Keyboards are Legitimate: Versions of Jules Laforgue (Guillemot Press). A chapter of her work appears in Carcanet’s anthology New Poetries VIII. Her poetry has been awarded the Ivan Juritz Prize for Creative Experiment and a Northern Writers’ Award, performed at international festivals, and broadcast on BBC Radio. She holds an AHRC-funded PhD in modern poetry from Durham University, and has taught literature and creative writing widely in higher and adult education. https://suzannahvevans.com/
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
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https://www.citylit.ac.uk/poetry-masterclass-at-keats-house-hampstead158625Poetry masterclass at Keats House, Hampsteadhttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/p/o/poetry_masterclass_at_keats_house-square.jpg8989GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Writing/Poetry/Poetry/Courses/vm/Courses to do around London/Courses/Writing/Courses/Writing/Poetry/Courses/vm/Summer offers/Courses/vm/Summer courses/Courses/vm/Summer courses/Summer courses in writing2285159016781358113602136141345713578122851358113602165313457This advanced day workshop explores approaches to poetry and workshopping techniques in the idyllic surroundings of Keats House, the former Hampstead residence of the Romantic poet, John Keats. <div data-content-type="html" data-appearance="default" data-element="main">This course inspires and supports students in developing their poetry to a publishable standard.<br />
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<b>The Tutor:</b> Belfast-born poet Paul McMahon has been widely published in journals such as The Threepenny Review, The Salt Anthology of New Writing, The Montreal International Poetry Prize Global Anthology, The Moth, The Irish Independent, Southword, and The Poetry Saltzburg Review. He has won The Ballymaloe International Poetry Prize (2012), The Nottingham Poetry Open Competition (2012), The Golden Pen Poetry Prize (2011), and has had numerous short-listings including The Montreal International Poetry Prize (2013) and The Bridport Poetry Prize (2011). His poem, Tom’s Pouch of Cure-Stones, won the Shelley-Keats prize in 2015.<br />
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City Lit reserves the right to change course tutors from those advertised in this outline. In line with our refund policy we are unable to grant a refund on the grounds of a change of tutor.</div>152822304Poetry masterclass at Keats House, Hampstead8989https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/p/o/poetry_masterclass_at_keats_house-square_6.jpgInStockDaytimeSunOff SiteAvailable coursesOne-off onlyWeekend2026-07-12T00:00:00+00:00Beginners, Some experienceJul 2026WritingHW4408989Poetry masterclass at Keats House, Hampstead898989Suzannah V. Evanspoetry-masterclass-at-keats-house-hampstead/hw440-2526This advanced day workshop explores approaches to poetry and workshopping techniques in the idyllic surroundings of Keats House, the former Hampstead residence of the Romantic poet, John Keats.0000-Available|2026-07-12 00:00:00This course is designed to coach students on writing poetry to a publishable standard. Poets will have the opportunity to write some new work, receive guidance on advanced poetic technique and methods of revising their work.This advanced day workshop explores approaches to poetry and workshopping techniques in the idyllic surroundings of Keats House, the former Hampstead residence of the Romantic poet, John Keats.This workshop will look at poetic technique, content and form. Students will be introduced to methods of generating raw material and ideas for poems. The group will explore craft and content through reading and writing exercises, and constructive feedback. Ideal for students with some experience of writing and workshopping their poetry.- Express an understanding of some new techniques for starting and revising a poem.<br/>- Begin work on a new or existing poem using exercises and techniques introduced in the class.<br/>- Assess poems provided in class, based on discussions and your own reading and opinions.<br/>- Discuss individual texts.<br/>- Participate constructively in a workshop setting.A working knowledge of poetry is necessary; for example, familiarity with some poetic techniques, such as rhyme, metre and imagery. You will need an enthusiasm for poetry and a willingness to take part in discussions, reading, creative exercises and writing poetry.Teaching will be through writing exercises, group discussion and tutor input. <br />
<br />
City Lit Writing endeavours to create a safe and welcoming space for all and we strongly support the use of content notes in our classes. This means that learners are encouraged to make their tutor and classmates aware in advance if any writing they wish to share contains material that may be deemed sensitive. If you are unsure about what might constitute sensitive content, please ask your tutor for further clarification and read our <a href=" https://www.citylit.ac.uk/expectations-for-participating-in-writing-courses" target="_blank">expectations for participating in writing courses at City Lit</a>.Please bring loose paper, a writing notebook, pens and pencils, <br/>You will receive feedback from your tutor throughout the day, as and when appropriate.<br/>You may also wish to bring a packed lunch to enjoy in the gardens of Keats House.All students are invited to join us at <a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uklatelines">Late Lines</a>, our regular performance night for City Lit writers. Students are also encouraged to submit their work to <a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/betweenthelines">Between the Lines</a>, our annual anthology of creative writing. For the latest news, courses and events, stay in touch with the Department on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/citylitcreativewriting">Facebook</a> and <a href="https://www.twitter.com/citylitwriting">Twitter</a>.PoetryPoetryvirtual898989HW440NONESun12/07/2611:00 - 16:3011:0016:301 session1One-off onlyWeekendOSOff SiteSuzannah V. EvansBeginners, Some experienceAvailable courses2026-07-12T00:00:00+00:00DaytimeJul 2026Writing8989Poetry masterclass at Keats House, Hampsteadpoetry-masterclass-at-keats-house-hampstead/hw440-2526This advanced day workshop explores approaches to poetry and workshopping techniques in the idyllic surroundings of Keats House, the former Hampstead residence of the Romantic poet, John Keats.0000-Available|2026-07-12 00:00:00This course is designed to coach students on writing poetry to a publishable standard. Poets will have the opportunity to write some new work, receive guidance on advanced poetic technique and methods of revising their work.This advanced day workshop explores approaches to poetry and workshopping techniques in the idyllic surroundings of Keats House, the former Hampstead residence of the Romantic poet, John Keats.This workshop will look at poetic technique, content and form. Students will be introduced to methods of generating raw material and ideas for poems. The group will explore craft and content through reading and writing exercises, and constructive feedback. Ideal for students with some experience of writing and workshopping their poetry.- Express an understanding of some new techniques for starting and revising a poem.<br/>- Begin work on a new or existing poem using exercises and techniques introduced in the class.<br/>- Assess poems provided in class, based on discussions and your own reading and opinions.<br/>- Discuss individual texts.<br/>- Participate constructively in a workshop setting.A working knowledge of poetry is necessary; for example, familiarity with some poetic techniques, such as rhyme, metre and imagery. You will need an enthusiasm for poetry and a willingness to take part in discussions, reading, creative exercises and writing poetry.Teaching will be through writing exercises, group discussion and tutor input. <br />
<br />
City Lit Writing endeavours to create a safe and welcoming space for all and we strongly support the use of content notes in our classes. This means that learners are encouraged to make their tutor and classmates aware in advance if any writing they wish to share contains material that may be deemed sensitive. If you are unsure about what might constitute sensitive content, please ask your tutor for further clarification and read our <a href=" https://www.citylit.ac.uk/expectations-for-participating-in-writing-courses" target="_blank">expectations for participating in writing courses at City Lit</a>.Please bring loose paper, a writing notebook, pens and pencils, <br/>You will receive feedback from your tutor throughout the day, as and when appropriate.<br/>You may also wish to bring a packed lunch to enjoy in the gardens of Keats House.All students are invited to join us at <a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uklatelines">Late Lines</a>, our regular performance night for City Lit writers. Students are also encouraged to submit their work to <a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/betweenthelines">Between the Lines</a>, our annual anthology of creative writing. For the latest news, courses and events, stay in touch with the Department on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/citylitcreativewriting">Facebook</a> and <a href="https://www.twitter.com/citylitwriting">Twitter</a>.PoetryPoetryconfigurable
