Courses and Workshops
FRESH SHORTS
Always wanted to write, or need a writing re-set? Make it happen in 2025
Join my first-thing ‘Fresh Shorts’ group for a 4-week writing boost. Suitable for writers at any level.
Write with the sunrise. Overcome procrastination. Develop and refresh your writing. A half-hour intensive wake-up session to boost your confidence. Varied prompts and inspiration, ideas for editing and streamlining your writing, all with expert feedback on offer. After four weeks you’ll have a neat selection of short pieces with big impact!
DATES: Starting Wednesday January 8th 2025
TIME: 8.15 - 8.45am
DURATION: 4 weeks (8th, 15th, 22nd and 29th January)
LOCATION: Online via Zoom
COSTS: £56
TUTOR: Helen Chambers
HOW TO BOOK: Contact Helen
The set up of the microfiction course was efficient, the timing prompt and well managed. Homework was potentially demanding but the comments that came back from Helen were invaluable. Her responses were considerate, thoughtful and instructive.
EXPLORING FICTION
with Kate Worsley
These workshop-format sessions aim to deepen your understanding of how fiction works through the traditional method of close reading– a.k.a. learning from the best.
They also provide regular feedback on your own work, as well as the encouragement, support and stimulation of a varied group of writers from around the world. You are encouraged to share your work, its influences, and aims, develop your skills and confidence and push your writing to its limits.
EXPLORING FICTION is suitable for anyone who is already motivated to write, but keen to stretch their writing muscles. The close-reading element will be accessible to writers at all levels of ability as well as those with English as a second language.
Numbers are capped, to ensure all writers’ work receives regular attention. Every other week, you submit 700-1,000 words over the weekend before a session. Kate then guides the
non-submitting writers in giving their feedback on your work in the first part of the session.
The second part of each session focuses on an aspect of writing technique such as point of view, voice, character etc. Kate guides you in the analysis of a relevant text which will be provided in advance. You are encouraged to explore this in your own work, whether or not you will be submitting it to the group (although you can opt to receive written feedback from Kate at any point). The aim is to show you what is possible, and to motivate and inspire you to do your best work.
These workshops will run in an initial sequence of six, with the option to continue.
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Kate Worsley is an award-winning novelist ('She Rises’, 'Foxash'), creative writing tutor and mentor.
She is a founder tutor at The Writers Company and has been a visiting lecturer in creative writing at City, University of London since 2015. From 2014- 2017 she was Royal Literary Fund Fellow in the Department of Literature, Film and Theatre, University of Essex.
She holds an Introductory Postgraduate Certificate in Academic Practice, is an associate fellow of Advance HE and a member of the National Association of Writers in Education.
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TIME: Recurring MONDAYS 1-3pm; WEDNESDAYS 6- 8pm
LOCATION: Online via ZOOM
COSTS: £155 discounted rate if full course fee paid in advance, or £30 per session.
TUTOR: Kate Worsley (Find out more about Kate here).
HOW TO BOOK: Contact Kate
'Seriously though, these sessions have been life-changing. Joining was the best decision I ever made.’ Exploring Fiction writer 2023
THE BOOK WRITERS GROUP
THIS COURSE IS FULLY BOOKED. PLEASE CONTACT PETRA FOR ALTERNATIVES.
This is a focused book writing support group. You must either be undertaking a long-term project or be working regularly on shorter fiction, creative nonfiction, or poetry.
Each week members of the class send each other up to 1000 words to be reviewed by each other and the tutor. The workshop then takes the form of positive feedback and areas for improvement. Occasionally Petra will run a skills workshop where she feels the group as a whole will benefit.
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We are looking for committed writers only as the work is time-intensive for students and the teacher. There will be a maximum of seven students.
DATES: Weekly throughout the year (with holidays).
TIME: Friday at 10 am.
LOCATION: Online via ZOOM
COSTS: £25 per class paid in half-termly blocks.
TUTOR: Petra McQueen (Find out more about Petra here)
HOW TO BOOK: Contact Petra
"Petra McQueen is an extremely capable and knowledgeable team leader."
MONTHLY MONDAY MORNING POETRY WORKSHOP
Through monthly study/set homework on a new theme each session, and writing exercises aimed at developing your inner voice and observational artistry, you will gain skills in crafting your poetry, and editing your material with like-minded others.
After attending a few sessions, you will have written and edited a small collection of your own material, and you will have had the opportunity to explore a broad range of poetic themes and styles.
Feel free to drop in each month, or book a block of six.
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UPCOMING DATES
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Tuesday 17th September
10-1pm
Bensusan and Baker Archives
University of Essex
Monday 28th October
10-1pm
Halloween Gothic Poetry
Alresford Church
Monday 18th November
10-1pm
Ballads and storytelling poetry
The Nottage
Monday 16th December
10-1pm
Performing Poetry with Special Guest
Colchester venue to be confirmed but likely Patch or Level Best
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DATES: These workshops run regularly throughout the year - please contact Lelia to express an interest
TIME: 9:30am - 12:30pm
LOCATION: Various in North East Essex
COSTS: The cost for the block of 4 is £65 or it is £18 drop in with concessions available via prior arrangement (min £10).
TUTOR: Lelia Ferro
HOW TO BOOK: contact Lelia here.
"I totally enjoyed the course, such a different experience, different people and different craft to my norm. You have such a beautiful warmth and authenticity about you which comes through in the way you shared with, and lead, the group."
THE WOMEN WRITERS CIRCLE
A bumper coaching & co-working programme to help you realise your writing dreams. It provides motivation, accountability, tried and tested ideas for managing your time, help to move beyond your specific blocks and a community of like-minded women (capped at 7 participants). You’ll develop the habit of showing up for yourself and your writing.
Comprises,
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An individual 45-minute introductory session with your coach to clarify your focus for the 6 weeks
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Six weekly 90-minute group sessions that blend themed discussion and tailored coaching.
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Weekly (optional) 3-hour co-working sessions and drop in Q&A time
All sessions are led by an experienced coach who is also a writer.
You can be at any stage of your writing journey and working on any project. For more details see Arlene's website.
DATES: Monday evening.
TIME: Contact Arlene for details
LOCATION: Zoom
COSTS: £350. You can pay in three instalments.
TUTOR: Arlene Francey Lyne
HOW TO BOOK: contact Arlene here.
If you have to choose one thing to make your dream of being a writer real, choose this. Arlene will motivate and empower you beyond your wildest dreams. Writer’s block will become a distant memory and your fears and insecurities will take a back seat to make way for mind blowing action.
I cannot recommend it highly enough, a positive experience in every way.
WORSLEY WRITE CLUB
FREE co-writing sessions on Wednesday mornings. Focused silent time to work on your writing project. No sharing or feedback required, just companionable writing. Level access. Trained barista to hand. Proper cafe just across the road. Too many books on the shelves begging to be bought though! The venue is 20 min walk from Manningtree station or you can catch the104 bus from Colchester and Harwich. Parking is free on streets and in the Coop car park nearby.
DATES: Every Wednesday
TIME: 10am -12.30pm
LOCATION: Manningtree Arts, 19 High St, Manningtree CO11 1AG
COSTS: Free!
TUTOR: Kate Worsley
HOW TO BOOK: contact Kate here.
Really enjoyed it! I got more writing done that I would normally do in a couple of weeks
UNLEASH YOUR BOOK - HOW TO SELF-PUBLISH
Congratulations! You’re writing a book but are unsure about what happens next, and how to self- publish?
This one-day course is an exciting introduction to self-publishing. It will answer your questions and explore the six essential steps to successfully navigate the self-publishing route.
· Why your book is important.
· Understand your genre and define your ideal reader
· Get the inside right - tighten your manuscript
· Who judges a book by it’s cover? Everyone! Introduction to cover design.
· Marketing basics
The workshop will take place in an interactive group setting via Zoom with the opportunity to practice skills and discuss concerns.
DATES: TBD. Please contact Angela for details.
TIME: 9-4.30pm with breaks for lunch and coffee
LOCATION: Zoom
COSTS: £50
TUTOR: Angela Cairns
HOW TO BOOK: contact Angela here.
With insider knowledge and a warm friendly manner, Angela really helped me understand all the ins and outs of self- publishing
STARTING OUT IN FICTION
with Kate Worsley
Learn how to read and think and work like a writer; and identify and understand the basic techniques and elements of good writing. Receive expert feedback on your writing and build skills and confidence by sharing your work. By the end of the course you will have a portfolio of new short pieces for you to develop further.
This course is entry level beginners. It is suitable for anyone who enjoys writing and wants to learn new skills, but is not yet read to share their work with a group. It will build your confidence in sharing your work, preparing you for the Exploring Fiction workshops and close reading sessions.
Kate Worsley is an award-winning novelist ('Foxash', 'She Rises’), creative writing tutor and mentor.
She is a founder tutor at The Writers Company and has been a visiting lecturer in creative writing at City, University of London since 2015. From 2014- 2017 she was Royal Literary Fund Fellow in the Department of Literature, Film and Theatre, University of Essex.
She holds an Introductory Postgraduate Certificate in Academic Practice, is an associate fellow of Advance HE and a member of the National Association of Writers in Education.
Session one: Reading
Session two: Sensing (the world about you)
Session three: Listening (dialogue)
Session four: Speaking (voice/POV)
Session five: Exploring (filling out slowing down)
Session six: Paring (editing)
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DATES: 16th September to 21st October
TIME: 6-8pm
LOCATION: Zoom
COSTS: £155 discounted rate if full course fee paid in advance, or £30 per session.
TUTOR: Kate Worsley
HOW TO BOOK: contact Kate here.
Kate makes you feel like anything is possible with your writing - do this!