Online and In-Person Writing Courses
We are different because we only run low-number courses or private one-to-ones.
Practical guidance to get your ideas out of your head and onto the page.
Professionally tutored creative writing courses that get you on track to become a published writer.
Our courses are led by industry experts and professional writers. [All our tutors make money from their ideas]. We offer one to one/small class tuition via multiple exercises.
You can be a beginner, intermediate or advanced. We cover Fiction, Biopic, Biography, Documentary, Autobiography & Memoir. Books, Plays, Screenplays.
If you need feedback on your writing or want to meet others like yourself who write for fun, our courses arefor you.
We are not cheap but we are excellent at what we do. Our courses cost as low as £800 per person. A private two day introduction course is just £1199. A five day course costs from £1495. Your own exclusive private 5 day course for up to 3 people is £1495 per person. Group can be made up of family, friends and colleagues. [Your project can be written by more than one person remember! Have you thought about a family book for instance?]
We run the courses from a beautiful private location perfect for creativity. We can also teach at your own premises if appropriate but there is an extra charge for this.
Testimonials
‘In my first session with John I learnt more in one morning than I had attending a six-week online course.’ *****
Tracey Armitage, Holmfirth
Course Attendee
‘When it comes to motivation, John is up there with Colonel Tom Parker!’
Mark Vernon, Saddleworth
Course Attendees
‘The course is brilliant. I was nervous at first but am now writing!’
Sharon, Halifax
‘John is so enthusiastic, offering frequent check-ins for accountability. He uses anecdotes that help lighten the load, for instance, how great ideas were often discovered quickly, rather than some long drawn-out process.’ *****
Robbie
Course Attendee
‘John is a highly talented individual, using his observational skills and humour in many ways’
Margarita Martyniuk
Artist and Designer
‘John’s level of energy and positivity is amazing and refreshing.’ *****
Logan
Fellow Teacher
Benefits
- Zero distractions and masses of one to one opportunity as required.
- Step by step stages to develop your idea from something inside your head into a clear, compelling plan on the page.
- Personal guidance from industry experts with lots of experience.
- Opportunity to meet likeminded people in the same situation as you.
- Opportunity to share your ideas and test them out in a safe space.
- End up with a concrete, achievable personal plan.
We differ from other courses in that these are private courses for people who are serious about improving their writing and want to get things finished. We don’t offer accommodation because this is not a holiday, per se, (although they do say a change is as good as a rest!). We can advise where to stay nearby.
Chose your course
[These change occasionally – watch this space]
Online Mentoring with ‘First Ten Pages’ John L Matthews
Online or in person
Radically transform your fiction, drama, non-fiction.
£89 for first hour -subsequent hours negotiable.
Consultancy also available up until 4th December – see course page for time slots available.
John has masses of commercial experience in writing drama, creating fiction, non-fiction, producing books, TV shows and screenwriting for the cinema.
For details contact us via 07855 375 615 or e-mail john@big-pic.co.uk
Letting It Rip! – Renegade Writing Workshop – Fiction/Non fiction online course
Up to 3 people for an agreed fee.
1 – 3 people 2 day or 5 day.
Fun high-energy course that gets stuck in, perfect for those used to creativity and those that like to break rules.
Award winning film maker, writer, poet and memoirist John L Matthews is ready to help you harness your inner superpowers! This is the time to forget everything you think you know about writing. This is the time to stop thinking and dive in!
For details contact us via 07855 375 615 or e-mail john@big-pic.co.uk
Start me Writing!
Start Me Writing! Fiction/Non Fiction
1 – 3 people 2 day course £1200 p p
Gentle introduction to writing using workshops, discussion and one-to-ones.
Do you love telling stories? Would you like to take stories from your own life, or from people you know? Maybe you are new to writing or are coming back to it? If so, this is for you.
This life-changing Start to Write week with award winning film maker, memoirist and writer John L Matthews will guide you on how to pull your story together. It can be non-fiction or fiction, poetry, prose – anything! Using different ideas as launching pads we will explore place, character and structure. Before you know it, your idea will be flying!With support from your tutor and new and back-to-it writers, you will begin this important journey of discovering your voice
For details contact us via 07855 375 615 or e-mail john@big-pic.co.uk
Memoir/Life Writing
Available online and also on site
1 – 3 people 2 day or 5 day.
A course that uses your own experiences to understand yourself better and potentially share your learnings with others. Uses a mix of genres including non-fiction, poetry and dramatisation.
Has something happened to you that you just know will make a compelling book, film or play? If you have already jotted down ideas but don’t know where to start, then this course is for you.
For details contact us via 07855 375 615 or e-mail john@big-pic.co.uk
Special Two Day Course!**
Non-fiction/Dramatisation
1 – 3 people 2 day or 5 day.
A course that helps bring non-fiction/factual stories to vivid life using techniques from other genres so your story leaps off the page!
Non-fiction, factual, whatever you want to call it, should never be dull! When you start your non-fiction project, it’s important to think of all the areas it touches. But where to start? We will help you get on your way.
For details contact us via 07855 375 615 or e-mail john@big-pic.co.uk
Location:
Didsbury Parsonage, South Manchester
We have two main places – a private residence in it’s own grounds and Didsbury Parsonage which is our writing hub. Nestled in the picturesque village of Didsbury in its own relaxing gardens, this is the perfect place to get away from it all and focus on your creativity alongside other like-minded people.
Some Questions Answered
Am I the right age?
JK Rowling published her first Harry Potter book aged 32. Bram Stoker, Raymond Chandler and Richard Adams all wrote their first book in their 50s. Ann Youngson’s first novel was published in her 70s!
Am I in the right job to be a writer?
Life experience is an advantage. Franz Kafka worked in insurance, Anthony Trollope toiled at the Post Office, Agathie Christie was a pharmacist’s assistant and Kurt Vonnegut sold cars! And our founder used to be a butcher!
Why listen to us?
Our founder John L Matthews not only writes but has made plenty of money out of creating and selling his ideas. Over 100 million people have seen his work in 65 countries. John has researched, written and created ten films for international broadcast, written and edited 5 books and produced two best sellers. He has won many awards and been peer-longlisted for a BAFTA. John’s work has been on the BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Discovery, sold in Waterstones and dozens of other places all over the world. He has a Master’s in writing and has lectured at several colleges and universities.