Top 10 Best Reading And Writing classes, courses, learnings kits and gifts in the UK

There's no set format for these Workshops, sessions with Christyan are formatted to the individual's writing or illustration needs - at any level - with the intention of giving an overview of the current children’s book market including what publishers are looking for. Previous students have chosen to learn the basics of storytelling, taken a thorough look at plotting, brushed up their illustration and Photoshop skills, received advice on what makes an engaging central character, created illustrator model sheets to bring it to life, learned to break down a story... it's entirely up to you! The full session includes lunch with Diane and Christyan, during which you can gain a different perspective on your work or discuss any further aspects with Diane. If you don't have time for a full 5-hour session, or perhaps your project is still in the early stages, Christyan also teaches by the hour (@ £40 per hour, min 2hrs). Please contact to discuss.

You will receive a fun warm up exercise before the workshop then join a friendly group of new and more experienced writers to receive advice and encouragement from a professional editor and novelist. You will complete focused creative writing exercises, both individual and in small groups, during the workshop. Sometimes we also analyse extracts from contemporary and classic writers. If you like you can share your work and receive feedback from professionals in class and after via email. We included an extra Reading Hour mid-month on a Tuesday evening free for students to share their work and keep their creativity levels up. You can join our regular monthly Zooms on Saturday afternoons with discounts for 5 or 10 workshops.

Key Details: Thursday Evenings: 6:30pm - 8:45pm 21st April - 14th July. Break week: 2nd June. Duration: 12 weeks Costs: 12 weeks standard rate £144 12 weeks concessionary rate £48 (proof of Benefit required) Course Content: Set at the London School of Mosaic in Gospel Oak, 'A Room of Our Own' is a Creative Writing course for Women of all ages that will encourage you to write creatively by exploring the expression of fiction, non-fiction, and poetry. We will celebrate our favourite women authors and share our creativity through writing, ideas and feelings. As a group we will develop various writing techniques such as dialogue, setting, storyline and character and build confidence and relationships through sharing our work. This is an LGBTQ+ friendly space. Each week we will check out authors such as Maya Angelou, Virginia Woolf, Travis Alabanza and Olivia Laing. Attendees are welcome to suggest ideas, texts, and authors they find inspirational. Skill level: The course aims to reach a broad scope of capability. The concept is to share and support the growth and autonomy of women as authors. We welcome those that have a deeper understanding of literature and writing, but equally if you wish to come and learn from a completely new perspective you are more than welcome to attend. A good grasp of the English language is essential. Your tutor: Ruth V Jarvis is a BA (Hons) author, editor and script consultant. Her creative writing focuses on trauma narrative expressed through poetry, feminist, historical, and creative non-fiction. She understands the key components to develop and encourage others to build a solid foundation in their writing practice and bring their stories to life.

Get down to the nuts and bolts of creative writing in fiction, non-fiction, and poetry. We will look at the various aspects of what it takes to be a creative writer in this class. We will develop techniques such as: Character, Setting, Story Arc, Dialogue, Research, The editing process, Feedback and critique, Genre and Form. We will explore the text of established authors in context to each week's subject. All this will be done in an environment where writers are encouraged to support each other's process by sharing, listening and giving feedback. The class is open to all levels, as there is value in learning from the self-expression of others. This is an LGBTQ friendly environment. Skill level: The course aims to reach a broad scope of capability. The concept is to share and support the growth and autonomy of women as authors. We welcome those that have a deeper understanding of literature and writing, but equally if you wish to come and learn from a completely new perspective you are more than welcome to attend. A good grasp of the English language is essential. Your tutor: Ruth V Jarvis is a BA (Hons) author, editor and script consultant. Her creative writing focuses on trauma narrative expressed through poetry, feminist, historical, and creative non-fiction. She understands the key components to develop and encourage others to build a solid foundation in their writing practice and bring their stories to life.

Book-lovers often talk about the intoxicating scent of books, but have you ever thought about the sounds a book makes? The crack of a spine, the rustle of the pages? Come explore a new sensory world at this unique Sound Book Workshop at Merton Abbey Mills. In this class The workshop will be run by the Sound Book Project, a group of collaborative artists and musicians who use books as instruments. You'll start off by listening to the sounds different types of books make: hardcovers, wax-covers, and even the clack of a typewriter. Microphones and special effects will be used to play with the sounds and create different compositions. Poetry will also be explored. The final product will be a participatory sound piece, performed by all workshop participants. Under 16s go free! Now you can get 'in tune' with a sense that you might not otherwise associate with books learn some cool new audio tips and tricks allow your inner musician and bibliophile to be best friends

Books have always been portals to other worlds, but their creative potential doesn't end there. This unique class at Merton Abbey Mills is the perfect introduction to the craft of book arts. Beginners welcome; you'll learn the many ways in which you can turn these powerful paper objects into something entirely new. In this class In this class, you'll learn the many ways you can sculpt and tease books into unique art objects. Three activities will be pre-picked out of the following: book sculpting, pamphlet binding, collage/black-out books, miniature book jewelry and narrative photo books. The class is designed to give you a little taster of multiple book arts; so you can decide which world is calling you the most! Now you can craft original art pieces to give to book-loving friends and family repurpose old books you might have been meaning to donate discover new ways to celebrate and immortalise words and literature Keep You'll get to go home with your lovely literary creation, be it a sculpture, photo book or cute piece of jewelry. Participants are advised to bring an old book of their own along (though some will be available from the studio if you can't bear to reinvent your favourite tome!)

You probably talk to fellow humans every day, but have you ever tried talking to a tree? This one-of-a-kind workshop at Merton Abbey Mills gives you a chance to. Through an 'embodied encounter with a tree', participants will explore and examine the art of language making. In this class This workshop aims to break down language-making into three parts: sound, movement and mark-making. Through your interaction with the tree, you'll examine how these components are made by and with the tree. You'll then use your findings to devise a short language performance to share with the group (optional). Under 16's can attend at a reduced price of £14. Now you can examine human language on a level you've never explored before discover that age-old concept of 'being at one with nature' choose a forest over a nightclub next time you want to get social Keep / bring Participants are encouraged to capture/document their experience, be it through a performance or writing. You'll leave with a deeper understanding of human language and our connection to the natural world.

Take a leaf out of Henry David Thoreau's book in this unique and interactive workshop in Merton Abbey Mills. Like the famous nature writer and poet, learn how your reading and writing practices are shaped by your environment, culminating in the production of your very own "tree text". In this class This workshop aims to explore how our reading and writing practices are influenced by the environments in which we practise them. The session will start by looking at 'tree texts' by other writers. You'll use cut-up, collage and adaptation techniques to re-work the texts, moving between indoor and outdoor environments. In the end, you'll produce your own unique 'tree text' influenced by the immersive experience. Object Book is an accessible and inclusive studio, but mobility - be it on foot or wheels - is required for this workshop to move between indoors and outdoors (Morden Hall Park). Under 16's can attend at a reduced rate of £14. Now you can have some leafy inspiration for your next writing or art project get in tune with the natural world and its influences become more conscious of your physical surroundings in an increasingly digital age Keep You'll leave with your own series of 'tree texts', which will culminate in a final tree piece. You'll also have a good excuse to head to Hyde Park or out to Epping Forest for some literary inspiration.

Is a picture really worth a thousand words? Dip into the world of photo storytelling in this narrative photo books workshop at Merton Abbey Mills. In this class In this class, you'll use photographs - either your own or sourced elsewhere - to make a narrative photo book. The book will not necessarily have to follow a linear order, and experimentation will be encouraged. You'll design the narrative first, sequence the photographs, and then bind them together yourself using a simple 'pamphlet stitch' book-binding method. Now you can create unique and meaningful photo books to capture your own stories or to give as gifts experiment with new storytelling forms and structures get your photos off Instagram and into the real tangible world Keep / bring Participants are asked to bring their own photographs to use. You'll leave with a photo book you've created yourself, bound and all: a corporeal story to hold in your hands.

Hey! Ho! Let's go. Chaos and Chucks, angst and art; tap into your pulsing punk rock heart in this exclusive Punk Band workshop for teenage girls at Merton Abbey Mills. In this class This workshop is a chance for teenage girls to live the punk rock dream. Punk bands will be formed, songs will be written, dress-ups will be worn, zines will be made, and microphones will well and truly be screamed into it. Noise, experimentation, emotion and abandon will be highly encouraged. Now you can tick 'join a band' off your bucket list learn some awesome arty skills, like lyric writing and zine creation discover a priceless outlet for all the thoughts and emotions churning and burning inside Keep / bring Even rockstars have to eat, so participants are asked to bring a packed lunch with them. You'll go home with the zines and songs you make, plus the musical foundation and friendships to become the next Ramones.

Poetry seems to be a forgotten art in our fast-paced, modern life, but can a short poem still be a great poem? Find out in the Minimum Viable poem workshop at The Poetry School in London. In this class In this class, you will discuss poetry and write your own, with topics such as 'what elements are required for a poem?' and responding to writing prompts throughout the class to develop your own writing style and explore avenues of poetry you may not have considered before. What you learn think more deeply about what a poem needs to contain to qualify as a poem. write shorter poems without worrying about meeting certain criteria attend further poetry classes to gain a deeper understanding of poetry as an art form

Find out how mistakes and accidents can help your poetry in the 'Making a Mess' workshop at The Poetry School in London. Kayo Chingonyi walks you through the ins and outs of failure, mess, and happy accidents in your writing. Drawing on the work of Douglas Kearney, poet and performer, this class covers all you need to know about the processes behind allowing the creative processes to go astray and how to turn those muddles into muses. In this workshop Based on the work of Douglas Kearney, this workshop takes you through the creative processes surrounding overcoming mistakes and turning errors into works of art, as well as how to embrace happy little accidents that end up making your poetry the unique piece it is. Now you can experience mistakes and accidents in a new way think about poetry differently, without stressing about getting things wrong feel more freedom when writing and creating, opening your mind to new ideas and ways of working What's included? All creations and influences you think of during this class are yours to keep to work on later or for reference for future pieces.

Get to grips with poetic light and shadow in the ' If You Don't Have Any Shadows You're Not in the Light' workshop at The Poetry School in London With inspiration from lady Gaga's lyrics, this class covers all areas of light and shadow in poetry - taking inspiration from real-life, paranormal and lucid experiences to bring depth and dimension into your poetry. In this workshop Throughout this class you will explore the theme of light and shadows, through real-life, paranormal and lucid interpretations. Through a mix of discussion, writing prompts and poetry readings, you will delve deeper into the world of poetry to inspire and improve your own works. Now you can bring deeper meaning into your work understand more of the world and themes of poetry create better work by incorporating new themes and dimensions What's included? All creations and influences you think of during this class are yours to keep for reference.

Explore well-known sayings and quotes in the ' Bird in the hand: Proverbial' poetry workshop at The poetry School in London. Penelope Shuttle leads you through the ins and outs of proverbs, sayings and well-known quotes from history as you discover how proverbs have been used in poetry over time. Through discussion, readings, writing prompts and exercises, you will discover how to bring proverbs into your work and create unique inspiration from common sayings. In this workshop Uncover the secrets behind the sue of proverbs in poetry, including how proverbs have been used as inspiration for poems and how poetry has influenced the popularity of proverbs. The workshop includes poetry readings, discussions and writing prompts and exercises, as well as optional read-backs. Now you can understand more about proverbs and bring them into your own work take inspiration from common sayings to develop new ideas improve your writing process What's included? Keep your written work for future reference and inspiration.

Discover how image and narrative can influence and improve poetry in the 'Image & narrative workshop at The Poetry School in London Learn how the use of image can enhance poetry and bring prose to life, with Raymond Antrobus. Discuss the themes and turn your poetry into much more than a single story, giving depth, dimensions and detail to every stanza. In this workshop After discussing the themes of image and narratives in poetry, the class will feature readings of existing and famous poetry, as well as a series of writing prompts to assist you in creating your own pieces based on the theme. The class ends with optional read-backs. Now you can bring more depth into your work understand the use of narrative and images in poetry Bring new elements to your work and explore new creative ways of thinking What's included? Your written ideas and inspiration are yours to take home and use as reference for future work.

Inject honesty and real-life perspective into your poetry with 'The Berlin lens' workshop at The Poetry School in London, near Waterloo. Tutor Rachel long takes you through the collection of short stories by Lucia berlin, allowing you to discuss and respond to a range for poems by Morgan Parker and Arda Collins, exploring female lived reality, perspective, economy and character to build depth and structure to your work. An introspective class, this poetry course will allow you to use personality traits and real life to create poetry which laughs at itself and the absurdities of life. In this workshop Covering the female lived experience, this class explores the themes and depths found in poems by female authors including Lucia Berlin, Morgan Parker and Arda Collins to determine how real-life, female experiences, economies, traits and characters can add depth and humour to poems. The workshop includes poetry readings and analysis, discussion of the themes and writing prompts whereby you will respond to the works being used. Now you can understand female perspective in poetry through the years bring more depth into your own work find new ways to analyse and think about personal experiences and explore feeling through poetry What's included? All of your work is your to keep as reference material

Discover how the form of a poem can evoke reactions before reading in the 'Radiant From' workshop at The Poetry School in London. There are some poems which do not follow traditional rules, yet they evoke reaction and engage the reader before a single line has been read. This is achieved through perfect form. This workshop covers the methods used to create perfectly forms poetry and contains exercises to further understand how these methods can be adapted to suit your own style of poetry writing. In this workshop To discover how the prefect form works and is used to evoke reactions and stir emotions before the reader has begun reading, this class covers example poetry and explores the methods used to create poems with 'perfect form'. You will then respond to a series of writing prompts to discover how to use perfect form for yourself to bring new depths into your work. Now you can bring new dimensions to your poetry make poems visually pleasing for readers or gifts put new skills into your work to improve your poetry even further What's included? Your writing is yours to take home and use as reference or the basis for your latest masterpiece.