Creative writing courses, In London and Online
Plot & Story – The Deep Dive
Learn the fundamentals of narrative structure and weave together the threads of your story, with bestselling author Laura Barnett.
Edit & Pitch Your Novel – Advanced
Polish your novel and shape up a compelling pitch package with support from a tutor and publishing professionals. Includes a one-month summer recess to focus on rewriting.
Writing a Psychological Thriller
Write a twisty, suspenseful thriller that readers won’t be able to put down – with bestselling author Erin Kelly.
Writing Historical Fiction
Travel to the past and explore what makes a compelling historical novel with the help of bestselling author S J Parris – aka Stephanie Merritt
Writing a Memoir
Bestselling memoirist Cathy Rentzenbrink shows you how to bring your real life stories to the page.
Writing a Romance Novel
Write an irresistible, heartfelt romance that readers will fall in love with – with bestselling author Jenny Colgan.
Writing & Illustrating a Children’s Picture Book
Bringing together the teaching materials from our two individual courses – for people who want to write and the illustrate children's picture books.
Writing a Children’s Picture Book
Turn your ideas into fully-fledged story book texts for 2-6 year-olds with advice from a successful author.
Illustrating a Children’s Picture Book
Want to illustrate children's books? Learn the tricks of the trade from a leading professional illustrator in our online course for all-comers.
Writing Poetry
Sharpen your style and learn how to write distinctive poems that stretch your imagination and resonate with readers.
Writing Crime Fiction
Draw your readers into a web of intrigue that will keep them guessing till the final page – with bestselling crime novelist Vaseem Khan.
Writing Short Stories
Write and edit a complete short story and learn essential fiction-writing techniques on our course from award-winning short story-writer Cynan Jones.
Starting to Write Your Novel
The online writing course that helps you get your novel off the ground. With our support, you'll develop your idea, plot and plan your story, and write a confident opening.
Write to the End of Your Novel
Need some great advice to help you reach the end of the first draft? This course will help you develop the skills, techniques, and staying power that will get you over the finish line.
Edit & Pitch Your Novel
Suitable for anyone with a complete first draft, this online course helps you edit and polish your novel and prepare your pitch package for agents and publishers.
Creative Writing for Beginners
The four-week online writing course that helps you explore your Writer's World and find your voice. With our guidance you'll gain confidence and put pen to paper.
Character Development – The Deep Dive
Build captivating and memorable characters with believable motivations and compelling story arcs.
The Rewrite Doctor – Edit Your Novel
Anna Davis introduces her much-loved editing method – and you try it out on your novel in this day-long Zoom course.
Writing Science Fiction
Write an exciting story that departs from reality as we know it, set in a compelling world that's all yours – guided by award-winning author Adam Roberts.
Writing Your Novel – Six Months
Our biggest online course gives you an intense learning experience with feedback and one-to-ones from expert tutors plus industry advice from literary agents. Scholarship available.
Writing Your Novel – Three Months
Our ever-popular original course is back in London. Get the best out of your novel with expert tuition and exclusive insights from publishing professionals.
Writing Your Novel – Six Months
Get the best out of your novel with expert tuition and advice from publishing professionals on our flagship writing course in London.
Writing Your Novel – Three Months
Get the most out of your novel with expert tuition, a strong peer group and advice from literary agents. All online, and with flexible scheduling.
Writing Your Memoir – Three Months
Develop your memoir on this in-person course with expert teaching, tutorials and workshops from bestselling memoirist Christie Watson.
Discover our Longer Courses
Our Three- and Six-Month Selective-Entry Creative Writing Courses in London or Online
Highly selective, highly personalised
Our selective-entry courses focus in-depth on your novel-in-progress, with tutor-led writing workshops, one-to-one tuition, dedicated teaching and industry insights.
Connect with authors, publishers & literary agents
The literary agents at Curtis Brown and C&W regularly visit our London courses to meet students. On our online courses, they take part in exclusive industry webinars.
Introducing our Short Online Writing Courses
These three six-week online novel-writing courses are open to all-comers. Enrol on whichever suits your stage of writing, or take all three short courses to go all the way from first idea to finished novel.
Starting to Write Your Novel
Develop your story idea, plot and plan your novel, and write a confident opening, with our support.
Write to the End of Your Novel
You’ve started writing but it’s a long way to the end of the first draft. We’ll get you there.
Edit & Pitch Your Novel
Great novels are made in the edit. We’ll help you get the best out of your novel and learn how to pitch to agents.
Expert teaching materials
Each course features teaching videos and substantial notes organised into six modules, specially written and produced by novelist, agent and CBC Director Anna Davis.
Writing tasks and support
Each week you’ll complete writing tasks designed by Anna and get feedback from your writing community of fellow students in group discussions, moderated by us. Weekly messages from Anna and our CBC team readers will reinforce the lessons.