Whether you’re finally revisiting that half-finished novel, looking to add some verve to your verse or simply searching for a welcoming room full of fellow aspiring wordsmiths, Manchester’s literary community is brimming with workshops, critique circles and literature classes for every experience level.
From spoken word collectives and relaxed monthly groups to beginner-friendly fiction masterclasses, nature writing sessions and inclusive spaces for LGBTQ+ and Global Majority writers, there are countless opportunities to develop your craft across the city and beyond.
For more than three decades, CultureWord has helped shape some of the North’s most exciting literary voices. Its free Identity Writers’ Workshop meets every Wednesday evening at Manchester Poetry Library, offering committed Black, Asian and other Global Majority writers an opportunity to share work, receive detailed feedback and develop poetry, fiction, memoir and creative non-fiction in a rigorous but supportive setting.
The organisation also hosts a monthly Novel Writing Group on the last Wednesday of each month, where writers working on longer-form fiction can receive constructive critique in facilitated online sessions.
Hosted inside Queer Lit’s Social Refuge workspace, Fruit Salad Writers offers an informal, low-pressure hub for LGBTQ+ writers, as well as friends and allies looking to develop their work in welcoming company. Meeting on selected Friday evenings throughout the year, sessions provide dedicated writing time, conversation and encouragement without the pressure of formal criticism.
Whether you’re polishing a novel or experimenting with poetry, Fruit Salad Writers offers an inclusive community built on mutual support over perfect prose.
If you’re of retirement age and looking for a traditional writing circle, U3A’s long-running monthly group brings together writers working across short stories, novels, poetry, children’s fiction and memoir. Each meeting revolves around a different prompt before members share and discuss work they’ve brought along, making the steady sessions an encouraging place to test new ideas and receive thoughtful feedback.
New members are always welcome.
Dedicated to the art of the short story, Stockport Storytellers welcomes complete beginners and experienced authors alike to develop fiction inspired by monthly prompts, themes and images. Stories typically run between 700 and 3,000 words, with members regularly contributing to anthologies and collaborative local projects.
The group meets in person on the third Thursday of every month at Hat Works, alongside an online session on the first Thursday.
Held before The Space Poetic’s regular open mic, this relaxed monthly writing club offers an hour of prompts, conversation and dedicated writing time before participants can, if they wish, share their work on stage afterwards. Led by poet Rachael Hill, sessions welcome everyone from novel novices to seasoned performers in a friendly, community-led setting.
Swap the notebook-and-classroom routine for two mindful hours exploring Chorlton Ees, where poet Rachael Hill leads guided walks punctuated by observation, reflection and creative writing inspired by the surrounding landscape. Seasonal poems and optional sharing circles make the unique outdoor workshop an accessible introduction to nature writing, with rainy days ending up in the nearby Bowling Green pub instead.
Meet opposite The Bowling Green, Brookburn Road, Chorlton.
Taking place on various weekends at independent Altrincham bookshop Share Your Story, these beginner-friendly workshops each focus on a different genre, from science fiction and romance through to children’s literature. Across two hours, participants explore craft, complete guided exercises and leave with fresh material ready to develop long after the session finishes.
Blending creative writing with visual art, the ‘creative self-love workshop’ pairs guided poetry prompts with collage-making to explore identity, confidence and multifaceted self-expression. No previous experience is required, with all materials provided in a relaxed environment.
Ideal for beginners, Burton Road Events’ popular evening class blends imaginative games, creative exercises and plenty of storytelling prompts inside Santé’s upstairs space. Participants receive a notebook to take away, alongside access to an ongoing online writing community featuring weekly prompts.
- Words:
- Wolf McFarlane
- Published on:
- Mon 3 Aug 2026
One of Manchester’s most influential spoken word organisations continues to nurture the city’s next generation of writers through a trio of free weekly workshops.
Hosted at HOME, Manchester Central Library and OT Creative Space in Old Trafford, sessions explore poetry, narrative and performance through discussion and practical exercises, alongside regular close readings, all within a supportive environment designed to build confidence on and off the page.
See the full schedule below.