The Home of Creative Writing

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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

Aug 21

Online

Poetry

Online Writing Day: Poetry

Boost your writing for performance

Joelle Taylor

Aug 31-Sep 3

Totleigh Barton

Other

Short Course: The Creative Pause Wellness Retreat

Open the body, calm the mind

Ehireme Omoaka

Leah Salm

Last few places left

Sep 1

Online

Theatre

Masterclass: Playwriting

Structure and archetype

Jack Holden

Sep 4

Online

Poetry

Masterclass: Poetry and AI

Larger languages

Caleb Parkin

Sep 5-12

Totleigh Barton

Non-Fiction

Residential Arvon Plus: Memoir

Stories from life

John-Paul Flintoff

Lily Dunn

Guest: Clover Stroud

Sep 7-29

Online

Poetry

Online Writing Month (evening): Poetry

Writing taboo

Rachel Long

Cecilia Knapp

Sep 8

Online

Fiction, Non-Fiction

Masterclass: Research for Writers

Prying with a purpose

Claire Lynch

Sep 10

Online

Poetry

The Obsidian Black Poetry Lectures: Session Five

American Poetry with Roger Robinson

Roger Robinson

“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