This Level I creative writing course runs for 6 weeks from  3 July  – 7 August. It meets online with 1-hour live sessions on Wednesdays from 20:00 – 21:00 CEST (UTC/GMT +2). Class size is 6 – 10 people.

IMPORTANT INFO FOR STUDENTS OUTSIDE OF EUROPE: If you are located outside of the EU/EEA sales tax area, the course will be 21% less than the list price. Please click here to register for this course instead of using the button on the right.

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN

A Level I course is a great place to start whether you’re just getting going or you’ve been writing for a while and would like more formal instruction. The focus is on giving you mastery over techniques fundamental to both fiction and poetry, supporting you in establishing a writing routine, and encouraging you to try new things and stretch your imagination.

During the 6 weeks you’ll learn how to:

• Read like a writer, so you can see how your favourite authors and poets work their magic—it’s a skill that will serve you well throughout your writing life.
• Construct a compelling narrator to tell your story.
• Use elements of craft such as tone, mood, description, and action to reveal your characters and pull readers in and make them want more.
• Give your fellow writers useful feedback.
• Revise your own work—as any professional writer will tell you, writing well is all about revising well.

HOW IT WORKS

Each week you’ll be given a new exercise, which we’ll discuss during the live online session. You can join the session via computer, phone or tablet. The default for the session is audio but you can choose to enable your device’s video camera (the teacher is usually on video) or participate via text chat (you’ll still need to be able to hear). If you can’t attend the live session, don’t worry—you’ll receive notes and access to a recording so you don’t miss anything.

You’ll upload your exercise by the following Monday. Critiques are given in writing via our online platform before the next live session. To participate all you need is a computer and an internet connection. Headphones are optional but highly recommended.

The Level I curriculum is designed to give you a toolkit of techniques foundational to good writing over the course of two to four terms, depending on your goals, focus and experience. We currently teach two core levels of workshops online—each level (usually completed over multiple consecutive terms) builds on the skills and techniques taught in the level before, and at the end of every term your instructor will help you decide on the best path forward.

If you already have a degree in creative writing or have taken numerous technique-focused workshops, contact us and we’ll help you find the right option to meet your needs.

WHAT STUDENTS SAY ABOUT THEIR EXPERIENCE WITH US

“I would wholeheartedly recommend this course – either the in person workshop or the online. I’ve put off taking these for years because there was always something more important…which, in my mind, already prevented me from justifying the time and expense. Putting aside that thought and actually doing something which I love to do, something which will help me achieve what I actually enjoy doing has been the best gift I could give myself. I don’t even think of it as a gift anymore – this is just what I need.”
–  Kristen Langereis

“I found the quality of the instruction excellent, inspiring, and generally what I needed to get myself writing again. The other participants were also quite good, and I really enjoyed reading and critiquing the pieces each week.”
– Lauren Danahy

“I loved having the weekly chats to discuss each exercise. Even though we couldn’t meet in person, I felt that the class was very engaged. As in previous classes, I learned many new skills. And I really feel like with the International Writers’ Collective, there is a sense of community, and being part of a writing community that is supportive and constructive really helps one develop as a writer.”
– Jessica Pena

“It makes you write and keeps you writing and editing and writing and improving. The feedback is very helpful, clear and worthwhile. I would recommend the course to any blocked writers.”
– Deborah Culhane

You can view more student feedback here.

OUR REFUND POLICY

If something comes up and you can’t take the course, let us know at least 24 hours before the first session (so we can offer your spot to someone else) and we’ll give you a complete refund. If you decide to drop out after the first session, let us know within the first week, and you only pay for the first session—we’ll refund the rest. And if at any point in the term your circumstances change such that it’s impossible for you to complete the course, we can offer you a credit voucher based on the number of weeks remaining that you can apply to another course within a year.