The Home of Creative Writing

Browse online and in-person writing courses

The Obsidian Black Poetry Lectures

Obsidian Black Poetry Lectures Tutor Collage

Arvon is a charity that has been supporting writers at every stage of their journey since 1968. We offer inspiring courses and retreats – both in-person and online – led by leading authors.

Whether you have an hour, a day, or a week to spare, we’re here to help you transform your writing and unlock your creativity. Grants and concessions are available to keep our courses accessible to all.

ARVON COURSES & RETREATS

Sep 10

Online

Poetry

The Obsidian Black Poetry Lectures: Session Five

American Poetry with Roger Robinson

Roger Robinson

Sep 12-19

Lumb Bank

Poetry

Residential Arvon Plus: Poetry

Polishing and Redrafting

Sep 14-19

Totleigh Barton

Non-Fiction

Residential Writing Course: Non-Fiction

Clearing the path

Keiron Pim

Rose Tomaszewska

Guest: Rebecca Carter

Last few places left

Sep 15

Online

Non-Fiction

Masterclass: Writing Lives

Fresh approaches to life-writing

Francesca Wade

Sep 22

Online

Non-Fiction

Masterclass: Energise your Non-Fiction

Sensory detail for vivid non-fiction

Helen Gordon

Sep 24

Online

Poetry

The Obsidian Black Poetry Lectures: Session Six

Poetry of the UK & Europe with Victoria Adukwei-Bulley

Victoria Adukwei Bulley

Sep 25

Online

Poetry

Online Writing Day: Writing the Menopause

Poems of rage and power

Helen Ivory

Sep 26

Online

Fiction, Poetry, Non-Fiction, Starting to Write, Children & YA, Screenwriting, Theatre, Short Story, Publishing, Other

The Saturday Writing Club (September)

A space to write, a place to belong

“Every time I’ve taught at Arvon - going back over fifteen years now - I’ve seen how much difference just a handful of days can make in the life of writers. There’s a perfect mix of tutorials, writing time, socializing, and discussion - all those elements come together to create an atmosphere in which writing projects move in that longed-for but often unattainable direction: forward.”

— Kamila Shamsie

RESIDENTIAL WRITING COURSES

A transformative 5-day Arvon experience

Our courses, held in three historic countryside houses, are led by leading authors and offer a powerful mix of workshops and one-to-one tutorials, with time and space to write, free from the distractions of everyday life.

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ARVON AT HOME

Flexible online writing courses to suit your schedule

Whether you’ve got just two hours or a few evenings a week, Arvon at Home offers flexible options to fit around work, family, and everything else life brings – including virtual Writing Weeks, Months, Days, two-hour Masterclasses, and the Saturday Writing Club.

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CLOCKHOUSE WRITERS' RETREAT

Give your writing the time and space it deserves

The Clockhouse is specifically designed for writers on retreat. It has four apartments for writers, each with bedroom, study-lounge and bathroom. All food is provided for you, so you can spend your time as you please.

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SUPPORT ARVON

Do you believe that everyone should have the opportunity to unlock their creative potential?

Arvon is a charity that believes everyone deserves the freedom to imagine, write and explore ideas regardless of their age or financial background.

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OUR SCHOOLS & GROUPS WORK

We offer residential weeks for schools, young people and adult groups.

Our weeks for schools and groups follow the same pattern as our adult course programme – led by two professional writers, with tutorials, group workshops, and time and space to write.

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The Home of Creative Writing

The Obsidian Black Poetry Lectures

ARVON COURSES & RETREATS