2026 workshop dates and themes - online and in person
In one happy post so you know where to find them
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Hello writers,
In an effort to put all the information you need about the 2026 workshops in one place, I’m doing a combined post about the online and offline workshops here.
The previous two posts will be removed because a) it’s confusing for everyone and b) I accidentally posted two March workshops. Whoops. That’s how you know I’m not AI (and that I’m very very tired).
Prices for workshops
January special workshop - online only - R250.
Online workshops - R400 each, or R1800 for all five (Feb - June)
In-person workshops - R500 each, or R2250 for all five (Feb - June)
What you need to know about what happens at a workshop
They are a warm and friendly space to get some writing done.
The online workshops take place on Zoom. The in-person workshops will take place at the Athaneum in Newlands, Cape Town.
In person workshops are limited to 12 people. Online workshops are limited to 15.
Workshops are four hours long - 9 - 1pm (Zoom) / 9.30 - 1.30 (Cape Town).
They are usually on a set theme.
They include guided writing exercises, shared readings of good writing examples, and a little bit of writing craft content too.
The other writers are absolutely wonderful, warm, and encouraging.
You don’t have to EVER have written ANYTHING before to join. Exercises are aimed at writers of all levels.
To sign up you just need to send me an email. Easy peasy lemon squeezy.
They are fun!
Dates and themes 2026
23 January (Online only!) The best of 2025. Here I’ll be sharing my five favourite writing exercises from 2025 on building character, setting scene, building emotion, writing dialogue, and writing different forms.
14 February (Cape Town) / 20 February (Online) - Writing love. Here we’ll talk about writing love, sex, romance, and relationships. We’ll look at the currently popular romance genres, and talk about what they entail.
14 March (Cape Town) / 20 March (Online) - Writing speculative. Speculative fiction is like writing about the real world, but with a twist. We’ll look at some great local examples, what people expect from the speculative, and I’ll share some tips and tricks for building a world.
18 April (Cape Town) / 24 April (Online) - Memoir and life writing. We’ll explore some great examples of memoir, some of the central tenets of a strong piece of life writing, and how you can use your life experiences to write fiction.
16 May (Cape Town) / 22 May (Online) - Writing with the senses and through the seasons. We’ll use sensory cues and the weather to nudge us towards some vivid setting, affected characters, and tense plots.
13 June (Cape Town) / 19 June (Online) - Writing youth. Here we’ll talk about using memory in writing exercises, capturing a child or young character’s voice, what YA is and what some of the central elements are, and I’ll share some great local examples.
Want to buy my books. Find them all here.
How to sign up
Send me an email! jenthorpewrites@gmail.com