Creative writing courses in Oxford, UK

What's coming up next

OCTOBER — DECEMBER 2017:

*NEW COURSE* Creative Writing Starting Points, an 8-week introduction to creative writing, covering multiple forms, different approaches to writing, various creative practices, etc. It will be accessible for complete beginners, and also those who're returning to creative writing after a long gap, or who maybe had their joy in it stolen at school or uni, and also for those who're finding their groove might be becoming a bit of a rut, and want to refresh their sense of the possibilities. Read more.

FEBRUARY — MARCH 2018:

Imaginary Worlds, an 8-week course to develop your world-building to improve or invent your own imaginary worlds for fantasy or science fiction. Exact dates and day of the week aren't scheduled yet; if you have a preference, email me. Read more

APRIL — JUNE 2018:

Story Elements, a 12-week course to develop and explore the elements of story building in a collaborative, supportive group. Exact dates and day of the week aren't scheduled yet; if you have a preference, email me. Read more

JULY & AUGUST 2018:

The Summer of Writing workshops run on Saturdays from the last Saturday in July through all the Saturdays in August. Until February, you can add any workshops you'd like to the wish list.Read more.

What you get on the courses & workshops

• practical guidance and help with various aspects of writing
• creative approaches for your own writing and activities to try ideas out – not formulae
• real-life teaching & discussion, not online lessons or videos
• small, personal classes: maximum 12 students, so I can give everyone personal attention
• feedback on your writing: individual feedback on 3 2000-word assignments across the Story Elements course, and 2 2000-word assignments on the Imaginary Worlds course
• handy little booklets with a summary of each session's learning-points and activities (colour-coded, naturally!) on the Story Elements course, Imaginary Worlds course, & summer workshops
• a wealth of original activities designed specifically for the courses and workshops to apply to your own writing
• story plans: in the final class of the Story Elements course, we share out the "Plot Bank" so everyone leaves with rich, developed stories to work on and a sheaf of ideas; on the Imaginary Worlds course, you develop at least two stories with potential for a host more.
• qualified, experienced teacher with 6000+ hours of teaching experience
• grapes, biscuits, tea & coffee to sustain you while we work!

Email for more info or to book a place.

What my students say

• "The course is a pleasure week after week."
• "I never expected the course to make me laugh. It's been fun, funny, far more helpful than I'd anticipated, very stimulating and really inspiring. Plus it's helped me take my writing more seriously."
• "Really loving time spent with the group and the course is everything I expected and more."
• "I love having people to speak to about writing and being able to speak to someone experienced in the field. Also, having a reason to write every week (rather than just for me) makes it easier to set time aside."
• "Genuinely have had a fantastic and stimulating time on this course. I think the online description is very accurate - all the emphasis is on the creative process and not the painful writing bit - which becomes about capturing the ideas - very freeing!"
• "I've really enjoyed the social aspect of the group, as it's the first time I've been able to socialise with people who are as interested in writing as I am."
• "I have attended several writing workshops over the years and this one-day workshop was by far the most enjoyable and useful. "
• "I can't recommend this course enough. Megan is a great teacher and the structure of the Story Elements course really gets into the important part of writing a novel - storytelling. "

Read more student feedback and Daily Info reviews here.