Writing courses and workshops in South Africa
A living list (last updated 20 May)
Hello writers,
I have been lucky enough to meet so many people in the last year who want to write. They want to be in community with writers, they want to get guidance from writing coaches, they want to be edited, they want to show up. It is invigorating, and I think one of the best things about running writing workshops.
I am honoured that these writers have chosen to come to one of my workshops, but I am fully aware that
a) I’m only offering these workshops once a month, which is not enough once the writing bug has got you good, and that
b) there are many other wonderful people out there offering courses that I know about but other people don’t.
So, as a list-loving person (p.s. have you seen the list of South African writers on Substack?), I thought I’d make another list for all you writers and aspiring writers out there of courses that are focussed on you actually writing (not on publishing, or winning prizes, or the glory and fame stuff, because I am certainly not an expert in that).
This is a living list of courses that are currently being offered for writers on at least a somewhat regular basis. If you know of a course that’s not on this list, let me know!
Writing with Jen Thorpe
Never missing a chance to talk about myself in the third person, here I am.
Who is the host: Me, Jen Thorpe. Author of two novels, one-full length non-fiction, and three children’s books. Editor of three collections of feminist essays.
What they offer: In-person workshops in Cape Town, online workshops via Zoom about once per month.
Costs: R500 in person, R400 online.
More, here: Jen Thorpe
Writing with Toni Giselle Stuart
Who is the host: Creative writer and writing coach, Toni Giselle Stuart
What they offer: Several writing courses including Meet Your Inner Writer (Online), 120 days of Creating (Online), The Writing Room (in Cape Town), the Writer’s Oasis, one on one mentorship and more.
Costs: Vary depending on course type and length.
More, here or via Toni Giselle Stuart
Writing with Maire and Chantal
Who are the hosts: Novelist Maire Fisher, and Novelist and Poet Chantal Stewart.
What they offer: In person workshops in Cape Town and online workshops via Zoom, with an occasional full-day in-person workshop in Cape Town (with a lovely lunch!)
Costs: Vary by workshop type, but the full-day workshop is just R600.
More, here: Write with Maire and Chantal
Writing with Kerry Hammerton
Who is the host: Poet, Flash Fiction Writer, and Publisher Kerry Hammerton
What they offer: Flash fiction workshops at certain points during the year.
Costs: Vary depending on workshop format.
More, here: Kerry Hammerton
Writing with Sally Cranswick
Who is the host: Author and writing coach Sally Cranswick
What they offer: Courses via UCT summer school and UCT Extra Mural Studies. Also, a subscription offering where you write together each Tuesday from 10 - 12, called Tuesday Write Club.
Costs: A five-session course with Sally at UCT costs R2 200.
More, here: Sally Cranswick
This post is free, but if you’d like to support my work you can consider a paid subscription, or buy me a coffee.
Writing with Mike Nicol
Who is the host: Author Mike Nicol
What they offer: A 9-month masterclass in writing, offered online. The class runs from March to October/November and consists of seven deadlines at roughly six-week intervals. At each submission, writers submit up to 8000 words of their project which can be fiction or nonfiction. Mike reviews each submission and offers comments/suggestions. For the final submission writers can submit everything they’ve written that year and Mike reviews the entire document.
Costs: R18 100 (2027)
More, here Mike Nicol
The Life Righting Collective
Who is the host: Several wonderful writers and writing coaches including Dawn Garisch
What they offer: Many forms of life writing and life-righting courses including memoir courses, writing retreats and more.
Costs: Vary by course, and there are options to reach out for a bursary place if you can’t afford the course.
More, here.
SA Writers College
Who is the host: The South African Writers College
What they offer: Journalism, business writing, and creative writing courses online. Creative writing courses include basics, advanced, short stories, speculative fiction, novel, romance novel, and more.
Costs: Vary by course.
More, here.
DAMD with Finuala Dowling
Who is the host: Author and poet, Finuala Dowling.
What they offer: Three writing courses online and a mentorship programme online.
Costs: Vary by course. Six month mentorship course in 2026 is around R10 000.
More, here
Are you running a course / regular workshops and want to add that to this list? If so, let me know.
Oh Jen, thank you for this incredible generosity! For both including me and also the gift of this list, so we can share with others. You are a gift.
Oh - and yes - the photo is too cute!