A series of free writing workshops from UBC’s School of Creative Writing
This September, we’re launching Creative Writing Taster Month, a series of free writing workshops marking the start of our Fall 2026 term of continuing education courses.
Nine instructors from UBC’s School of Creative Writing, covering everything from fiction to poetry to memoir writing, will each run a free one-hour workshop giving you a taste of their full six-week course.
Deciding if a continuing education course fits your writing goals isn’t always easy. We hope these workshops give you a chance to experience the course material firsthand to find the right one for you, no commitment required.
Everyone’s welcome, whether you go on to take the full course or not. The workshops are designed to be fun and educational on their own.
Stick around for 20 minutes of Q&A after the one-hour workshop and ask the instructor anything you want to know about the full course.
Sign up for our free writing workshops below by clicking the workshop title and filling out the Zoom form. We will be sharing the workshop recording to anyone who signs up.
Workshop List
Free Workshops | Date |
|---|---|
Foundations of Fiction: Writing the World Through Your Character’s EyesJoin Loghan Paylor for a free one-hour creative writing workshop and learn how to create vivid, immersive settings that pull a reader into the world of your story. This is a taster of the 6-week course, Foundations of Fiction. | Wed Sept 2 - 12pm (PT) Sign up here |
Three Exercises in Poetic Self-InterrogationJoin Molly Cross-Blanchard for a generative workshop that will give you a taste of how good it feels to write unabashed, authentic poems. This is a taster of the 6-week course, Voice and Vulnerability - Writing One-of-a-Kind Poems. | Tue Sept 1 - 12pm (PT) Sign up here |
From Idea to First Draft: A Free Screenwriting WorkshopJoin us for a free 1-hour workshop on generating and developing a movie idea, led by Chinelo Amadi. This is a taster of the 6-week course, Feature Screenwriting – From Idea to First Draft. | Fri Sept 11 - 12pm (PT) Sign up here |
Getting Personal with Your Memoir’s NarratorJoin Laurence Lewis Neal for an hour of generative writing and craft tips that will make the narrator of your memoir come alive. This is a taster of the 6-week course, Memoir Writing: Make Your Narrator Come Alive. | Fri Sept 4 - 12pm (PT) Sign up here |
Writing Fiction For Young ReadersJoin us for a free 1-hour workshop on writing fiction for young readers with Stacey Matson. This is a taster of the 6-week course, Writing Fiction for Young Readers. | Wed Sept 9 - 12pm (PT) Sign up here |
Where Picture Books Come From. Three Exercises in Making Things Up!Join Jordan Scott for an hour of generative writing to start your picture book. This is a taster of the 6-week course, Writing Picture Books. | Thu Sept 17 - 12pm (PT) Sign up here |
Foundations of Poetic Practice: How to Craft Memorable MetaphorsJoin poet Selina Boan for this one-hour workshop on making unique and memorable metaphors. This is a taster of the 6-week course, Possibility and Play - Foundations of Poetic Practice. | Mon Sept 16 - 4pm (PT) Sign up here |
The Building Blocks of Sci-fi, Fantasy, and HorrorJoin Ulysses Mugavazi for a speculative fiction workshop designed to give you the building blocks of writing science fiction, horror, and fantasy. This is a taster of the 6-week course, Writing Speculative Fiction: Sci-Fi, Fantasy and Beyond. | Thu Sept 10 - 12pm (PT) Sign up here |
From Draft to Craft: Developing the Promise Your Screenplay MakesJoin screenwriter and producer Thommy Hutson for a free, 1-hour, interactive workshop that will change the way you think about developing your screenplay. This is a taster of the 6-week course, Feature Screenwriting: From Draft to Craft. | Mon Sept 14 - 12pm (PT) Sign up here |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need any writing experience?
No. These workshops are built for all levels, including complete beginners.
Do I have to enroll in the full course afterward?
No. Taster Month is free to attend with no obligation to register for anything further.
Can I attend more than one workshop?
Yes. Register for as many as you’d like.
Will there be a recording if I can’t attend live?
Yes. Recording links will be sent out for all workshops that you sign up for. If you want to view a recording you must sign-up for the workshop, even if you cannot attend.
How do I register for the full course?
You can browse all fall continuing education courses here.