Workshops

The Writers’ Workshop has many fine qualities - but no one has ever accused us of pampering our clients.

If you're looking for the kind of workshop that involves long walks on sunny beaches  and poetry evenings accompanied by a live string quartet ... well, we're sorry to say you won't get that with us.

But if you're serious about your writing you don't want to feel like a writer - you want to be one. So our workshops focus relentlessly on the skills you need to acquire, and on giving participants a realistic understanding of the extraordinarily tough market conditions faced by first time writers.

All our tutors are published, professional writers (of course), but they also have massive experience of working with the manuscripts written by first-time writers - so we know precisely the challenges that you face, and exactly how to overcome them.

Our remaining 2008 courses are all one-day events, held in Oxford. As from 2009, we'll start to arrange courses in London & Scotland too.

If you want to book a place on one of our workshops, all you have to do is give us a call on 01869 347040 or simply drop us an email including (i) the workshop you want to book for, and (ii) your phone number.

Dates & Times

All our courses are intensive one day-ers. They run from 10.00 am to 5.00 pm. For dates and workshops, see table below. There will be a maximum of one tutor per 10 students - usually one tutor per 6 to 8 students.

Location

All our 2008 workshops take place in the impressive surroundings of the Oxford Union (that's the Union library on the right) and include lunch, tea and coffee. No string quartets, though.

Oxford is easily accessible by all forms of public transport and by road - though if you're coming by car, then do allow plenty of time to sort out parking. Our welcome pack will give you more info on all this.

Cost

The cost is £120 + VAT (£141 all told). Bookings are first come, first served so book early to reserve your place. A full welcome pack will be sent out once you've made your booking, confirming details of venue, etc

Cancellations

We can take cancellations for a full refund up to 22 days before the event. Thereafter, no refunds - sorry. If we do need to cancel a course (which happens very seldom), then we will give at least 21 days notice.

Freebies

All participants will receive a "£50 off" voucher to be used against a full-length WW editorial review. (£30 off for children's MSS). This voucher is yours to keep even if the course is cancelled.

Homework

We do ask that all participants send in some work to us in advance of the course. This will be discussed during the workshop itself. Please do send this work to us well in advance of the course (min 7 days, please!), because if you just turn up with it on the day, your tutor won't have had a chance to read it themselves or copy it for others.

The Courses

See below for details of our upcoming courses. Please just click the link in the left hand box for more info on your chosen course.

New courses will be arranged all the time, so do check this page every month or two. If there's a particular course that you'd love to see, then let us know. We're here to give you what you're after.

Other Workshops

If none of the workshops listed above seem right for you, give us a call on 01869 347040, and we'll see if we can recommend different ones.