Manchester Writing Weeks

Stop Delaying. Start Writing!

Get on track to become a published author with us.

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. We offer one to one tuition via multiple exercises.

You can be a beginner, intermediate or advanced. We cover 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 course is for you.

Benefits

• 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 in the evening, rather than hanging out over a meal, we expect you to be doing at least a little bit of work on your project, incorporating some of the days learnings. Then bringing that work to class the following day and perhaps sharing your experience. 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!).

Stop Delaying! Start Writing!

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 pharmacists 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, 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.

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 attendee.

‘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

‘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.

This course is about being creative, productive.

You don’t have to write. You can if you want, but writing is only a part of the creative process. And you can be at any stage. You can be at the beginning or have a developed idea. Whatever stage you are at, we can help you get to the next.

This course is for people who may have some experience and are wanting to get on the way to finishing a project. This course is about getting things in shape so that it can be ultimately finished and then, maybe, even made. But it is also relevant to those interested in editing factual books, articles and those interested in historical research. It is also relevant to those starting out, ideally with a firm idea in mind that has already had a little work done on it.

Over 30 Years of Experience

Using small group tutorials, classes, classroom debate and taught sessions, you will explore different ways of approaching your story, how to use research and development, creativity, and strategic thinking, how to mould this into your work. Or if it is developed, different ways of taking your idea to the next stage.

At the end of the five days you will know exactly where you are, what to do next. Not just how to develop your idea, but already thinking how to make it resonate with the biggest and most important, specific audience possible.

Upcoming Courses