All the multi-week courses run as two separate courses: one in person, in Oxford, and one online, so you can choose whichever suits you best. The online classes are live class sessions on Zoom with materials for each session posted to you or emailed, as suits.
The classes runs on Zoom, which lets us work both as a whole class and in small groups, so you get to know and work with all the different people in the group. If you don't know Zoom or would like to practise it more, I run a couple of practise sessions before each course for you to explore it. You can sign up with Zoom for free and use it on any device – laptop, iPad, phone, etc.
The online courses keep the lovely physicality of the in-person courses, which helps us engage and adds variety.
In the UK? Before each session, I send you your materials by post, usually in batches of 2 classes at a time. You'll have an A4 envelope for each session in the course, with all the handouts in order inside it, any cards for games in their own little envelope, plus your class summary booklet. I'll also include some physical materials you need for the class.
Elsewhere in the world? Depending on the postal system and your situation, I can send you physical materials, printables, OR digital materials, as suits you. If you're getting materials by email, I'll also suggest some goodies to gather for the sessions.
Everyone gets a soundscape before each session, matched to that session's theme, to help you shift into creative mode.
The chance to connect with other writers socially as well as in class is a vital part of all the courses. For the online courses, I use several different avenues to facilitate that social atmosphere.
In March 2020, the courses and workshops started running online. Some of the students have come to in-person courses or workshops as well, others are new students. These are excerpts of their reviews about the online aspect. You can read the full reviews here.
I had some trepidation about doing the course online (as I live too far for f2f) but Megan's approach blew my worries out of the water. Every few weeks we would get an envelope in the post, chock full of resources and goodies for the coming lessons, and I particularly like the fact that Megan incorporates a sensory approach to her teaching style - using scent and soundscapes to get us into the writing frame of mind.
Shervelle 22 Aug 2022
Pre-Covid, the [Summer of Writing] workshops were in person, but Megan has very skilfully adapted the workshops to run on Zoom. They run like clockwork, with excellent timekeeping, screen sharing and breakout rooms.
Prior to the workshop, Megan sends emails with general info, FAQs and a list of anything needed for the workshop (simple things like pen, paper, coloured pens, pictures, maybe something short to pre-read, etc), and the Zoom link. Then on the day of the workshop another email appears with the same information. During the final part of the workshop, when reflection is happening in the breakout rooms, Megan emails out a summary booklet from the workshop, followed up a few days later in the post by a physical copy of the booklet.
All this to say that the workshops are uber organised! You feel in safe hands with Megan.
Adele 18 Oct 2021
[The] zoom courses worked amazingly as well, and allowed me to participate from the other side of the planet, which is magical too. I also recommend these courses for anyone wanting a crash course in how to teach small groups-- I learn so much about timing, effective group/ discussion, use of interactive handouts/ materials, and creating containers that rocket fuel people's creativity. If you are thinking about it, don't hesitate.
Felice Wyndham 18 Oct 2021
And if you're new to writing workshops (or online classes, which is the format I took) and a little nervous about the experience, put your fears to rest. Megan's got it all figured out and will leave you feeling almost pampered with her thoughtful pre-session notes on how to prepare and post-session take-home goodies that are both adorable and useful.
Kahina 31 Aug 2021
I was concerned that I might not enjoy online classes as much as in-person teaching, but Megan has adapted her materials and the class format perfectly and nothing was lost.
Anna 23 Jul 2021
I was looking for a fun, friendly and supportive environment and that is what I got. The classes were varied and interactive and I would recommend this to anyone.
Jack 25 Mar 2021
I feared that the necessity to conduct classes over Zoom might take the edge off, but Megan uses the platform very intuitively and the sessions were just as much fun as an in-person workshop.
Anna 15 Dec 2020
I have completed two courses with The Writers' Greenhouse, Imaginary Worlds and Writing in Style. The first was 'in person' and the second on Zoom and I have to say that the organisation and attention to detail has been incredible for both.
Ellie 11 Dec 2020
It's not easy to transfer from face to face teaching to the magic of Zoom almost instantly, but Megan managed it with ease. What a lovely way to spend a summer weekend afternoon in the company of people all over the world doing wonderful writing exercises.
Susan 8 Sep 2020
Although I'm quite experienced with Zoom, I was seriously impressed with Megan's Zoom skills: she made us all feel as much at home as she always does, and it was easy to forget that we were not actually meeting in person.
Jessica Osborne 7 Sep 2020
Once again thanks for running a great course. Your use of zoom is exemplary and offers a very creditable substitute for face to face classes.
John 7 Sep 2020
Megan is a fantastic teacher - warm, friendly, inclusive. The workshops, being held on Zoom, could have been very intense, but Megan presented a varied programme, which was very enjoyable and balanced. The sessions were brilliantly planned, with bang-on timekeeping, and included small group discussions, preparation exercises, writing, a bit of whole group work and reminders to stretch - very important!
Adele 24 Aug 2020
I’m enjoying the process so much and Megan runs incredibly organised and fun workshops online - so much so that I completely forgot they were online.
RoseH 12 Aug 2020
As this was an online course the content was posted out to us weekly and that worked really well, especially as she supplied binders for us to keep it in order and to build an invaluable resource for future reference. I was uncertain whether or not the dynamism and enjoyment of her classes could work online, but they do. Megan is very engaging and her classes so well paced and structured that I did not feel I was missing out by not being in her tutoring room.
Yes I did miss the candle-light and the tea and biscuits but Megan looked after us all by sending us candles and her own Writers Greenhouse blend of essential oil to put us all into the writing mood. A WhatsApp group for all of us attending kept us feeling part of a group and I am now joining a writers group as a result of contacts made on the course. I cannot recommend Megan Kerr and her courses highly enough.
Clare 17 Jul 2020
Just completed the Meddling with Poetry course with Megan at The Writers Greenhouse. The course, adapted for the Coronavirus restrictions, proved delightful and lively and the content assured and comprehensive. Megan does a superb job in sharing her love and enthusiasm for poetry which worked well for a poetic novice such as myself. Great course!
David 30 Jun 2020
I had actually participated in the very same course a year or so ago [in person] and was hoping it would really just act as a stimulus to get me writing again. However, it did so much more. ... The current pandemic also meant that most online courses are being offered without thought or access to stimulating resources. Megan created I am sure very painstakingly weekly packs with all you can imagine in and more inside. Not only that but as a shielded student I was completely reassured by her amazing regime to keep packs COVID free.
Carolyne 30 Jun 2020
I attended the Starting Points course in March 2020, and it exceeded all my (already high) expectations. Megan is a brilliant teacher - reassuring, motivating and fun, and she creates a welcoming environment in which it's clear that all levels are genuinely welcome. It's also pretty remarkable that the course was able to seamlessly shift into online delivery (thank you, pandemic), without leaving me feeling that I'd missed out in any way. I hesitated for a long time before booking onto Megan's course, and I now have no idea why. If you're at all apprehensive or nervous (as I was) I suggest you just go for it - you definitely won't regret it!
Anna 23 Apr 2020
The classes are fast-paced and interactive. Lots of fairly short activities. Lots of discussion. Lots of stimulating ideas. Lots of different exercises to suit different learning styles. We moved online for the last couple of sessions because of the coronavirus and Megan did a brilliant job of adapting the course for this, organising classes on Zoom (and a tutorial on how to use it) and mailing out worksheets etc.
Benjamin 14 Apr 2020
I cannot rate this course/workshop highly enough or Megan as a teacher. It started as a face to face group of 12 at Megan's house and due to current COVID19 restrictions transitioned smoothly to online with very little fuss but no less enjoyment. As someone new to creative writing and therefore very nervous, I found Megan to be, kind, encouraging, incredibly knowledgeable, and most importantly fun.
Manoo 14 Apr 2020
Just finished the Starting Points course with Megan Kerr. Her course came recommended to me and I now recommend it wholeheartedly to you. Lively and perceptive, Megan delivers a friendly and lively course, and, unphased by the current social distancing protocols, she moved seamlessly to on-line sessions, which were just as successful. Thinking of starting to write - start here!
Older not wiser 3 Apr 2020
I won't share your email with anyone else. You'll get emails from me only: the latest news on courses and workshops, priority booking for courses and workshops (new workshops fill up especially fast), the opportunity to join writing groups or put up a listing for your own, free writing skills, and new blog posts if you ticked that.