Learn with us
Thursdays in term time, 3pm-4.30pm UK time
Online via Zoom
Our feedback workshop offers a chance to develop good writing habits, be supported by a tight-knit community, and receive advice and feedback from peers and an experienced writer who will facilitate the group. The workshop is restricted to no more than 16 participants to ensure a warm and personable experience. Our group leader, Professor Tonya Hegamin, will facilitate discussion to help you advance your writing project in an enjoyable and friendly group.
Each week one or two participants submit a piece of work for feedback: up to 3,000 words of their work in progress, or their plan, or even a topic for discussion. You do not have to submit your work if you don’t want to, you can simply join in the discussion. Slots are offered on a first-come-first-served basis, so please book early ensure you are offered a slot.
Who can join: this group is open to all and costs £28.75 per 90-minute session, charged by the term (£230 for 8 sessions).
Sign up to the Online Writing Feedback Group here.
Various times, in person and online
See our Events page for further details, or join our mailing list to be the first to hear of opportunities.
Our next Masterclass is on Friday 25 September 2026:
Join Katy Regan, ex-commissioning editor of Marie-Claire magazine; novelist, journalist and columnist for this masterclass on Getting Published. Whether you are a memoirist, journalist, biographer, or simply want to build your writing portfolio this will fire you up with confidence and know-how and plenty of insider’s tips from a writer with twenty-five years’ experience of being published in all forms.
The masterclass will cover publishing in a range of forms - from newspapers and magazines to books and commissioned articles. It will be relevant to life-writing in all its forms, including fiction and non-fiction, trade publishing and those looking to step outside of academic and publish for a general audience. Content will be suitable for those just starting out and for those who have experience in one area but not in others.
Find out more and register here.
New for Michaelmas Term 2026!
Life-Writing Discussion Seminar with Anna Beer
Tuesdays, 1pm-2.30pm (8 sessions between 29 Sept and 15 Dec 2026)
Seminar Room 2, Wolfson College - and hybrid on zoom
With a particular focus on biography, each session will offer a blend of practical exercises and creative analysis of powerful examples of life-writing by established authors, past and present. Content will centre around group discussion of published extracts and themes in biographical writing.
Topics covered will include:
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what is biographical writing, and how is it written?
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the porous line between biographical fiction and non-fiction
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finding the best narrative voice for your own work
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how to discover and articulate the unique qualities of your project
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strategies to support your development as a writer
This seminar is suitable for anyone interested in learning more about how biographies are written, and anyone working on a life-writing project themselves. No prior experience is necessary.
Seminar format: the seminar group is restricted to no more than 16 participants to ensure a warm and personable experience. It meets in person at Wolfson College, but participants can also join online via Zoom.
Register now: this seminar is open to all and costs £250 per 8-week term. Register here.
Mondays in term time, 11am-1pm
Seminar Room 3, Wolfson College - and hybrid on zoom
Our life-writing class offers a space for learning about and discussing topics in life-writing. Whether you are writing something yourself or are simply interested in the subject, this class has something for every level of experience.
This two-hour class will be led by experienced tutor and award-winning author Rebecca Abrams. Short extracts of published material will be circulated to be read in advance and discussed, and there are regular opportunities for participants to share their own writing (500 words at a time) or written responses to a theme - although this is not compulsory!
The group is restricted to no more than 16 participants to ensure a warm and personable experience. It meets in person at Wolfson College, but participants can also join online via Zoom.
Who can join: this class is open to all and costs £250 per 8-week term.
Sign up to the Life-Writing Class here.
Various times, in person and online
The Centre for Life-Writing offers mentoring to individuals via Oxford Writing Mentors. Whether you're working on a book project or simply looking for help with understanding topics in life-writing, mentoring can help you progress. You can arrange sessions at a time and location to suit you and your mentor (including online), and by prior arrangement, mentors can read sections of your work in advance. Find out more about our mentors here.
Who can join: anyone can sign up for mentoring.
You can find out more and book a session here.
Tuscany, Italy, annually in April
Our Tuscan writing retreat began in 2022, and is a bespoke programme for everyone to enjoy, from first-time writers to published authors. Led by Dr Kate Kennedy and Dr Tony Gray, tutors will be eminent writers in the fields of biography, fiction and creative non-fiction.
