What skills does a writer need to have? It’s a difficult, if unanswerable, question. A strong visual imagination and an ability to observe and recall are important skills, as is curiosity. You also need to be a keen reader.

Happy Publication Day to our course director Cathy Hayward whose third novel THE MISSING MOTHER OF ROSE COTTAGE is published today by Lake Union in paperback, on Kindle and audiobook. The story is a dual timeline tale of twisted family secrets set in Berwick-upon-Tweed and Brighton.

Louise Tondeur writes (mainly) novels, short stories and poetry, and is a writing coach and creative writing tutor. She has previously been a full-time university lecturer, a secondary school drama teacher, a bookshop worker, a washer upper and a chambermaid. Here she talks about her writing life.

Congratulations to second year student Qian Liu who has had a short story published in the online literary magazine Books & Pieces.

Many writers looking to improve their writing craft ask whether they should take a Masters degree in creative writing or study on the Creative Writing Programme.

Congratulations to our former student Hannah Doyle who has signed with with Stephanie Glencross at David Higham after receiving five offers of representation for her literary suspense/psychological thriller set in Paris.

Congratulations to our seven fabulous students and alumni who shared their work at our student reading last night at Kemptown Bookshop. We heard poetry and prose, fiction and memoir.

Joy Persaud is a biographer and a highly experienced journalist. She is the author of the forthcoming book Where Are You Really From? which tells the life stories of 45 people who work for, or worked for, our NHS. Joy teaches on both the Life Writing Programme and Creative Writing Programme. Here she talks about her writing life.

Congratulations to former student Clive Edwards, whose second book LOST IN A YELLOW WOOD comes out in September. It’s a thriller with a supernatural twist.

Julie Corbin has written nine psychological/suspense thrillers, translated into eight European languages. An alumni of the Creative Writing Programme in 2008, here she talks about her writing journey.

The Creative Writing Programme, the two-year degree-level course which has kickstarted the careers of many writers, is coming to the capital.

The Creative Writing Programme is coming to Hastings. If you’ve always dreamed of writing a novel, or collection of short stories, and live in or near Hastings, then why not sign up for a taster session on 22 June or 10 September to see if it’s for you?

We hear a lot about the term life writing these days, but what does it actually mean? Surely all writing is in some way inspired by life?

Cathy’s second novel The Last Daughter of Highdown Hall came out on 1 May 2026. An alumna of the Creative Writing Programme, as well as the course director since 2023, here she talks about her writing routine and the inspiration behind the novel. 

Hannah Vincent is a novelist, short story writer and playwright who has been teaching on the Creative Writing Programme for many years. Here she talks about what inspires her.

The short answer is no. There are many successful authors who don’t have a degree and never went near a university. Having letters after your name, or spending years in a university’s hallowed halls, does not necessarily make you a writer. Becoming a writer is all about learning the craft of writing and actually sitting down and writing.

In September, the Creative Writing Programme will be launching in East Grinstead on a Saturday morning. It will be taught by Mel Parks, an experienced writer and tutor. Here she talks about her writing life.

Paula Lichtarowicz is the author of three novels and comes to writing after twenty years as a documentary-maker. She teaches at London’s City Lit and the University of the Arts and will be working with Rosie Chard on the new London-based Creative Writing Programme. Here she talks about how her first novel was inspired by a postcard, her journey to publication and offers some top writing tips.

Congratulations to our seven students who shared their work at our spring reading last night at Kemptown Bookshop, Brighton. They read a mixture of novels and memoirs in progress, flash fiction and poetry inspired by everything from loss, motherhood, racism, violence and the current state of the world.

Rob Barron took the Creative Writing Programme from 2022 to 2024. His novel The Wrong Men is published on 28th March 2026. Here he talks about his writing life.