Colchester Library is launching a series of free creative writing workshops for children and teenagers this autumn.
The library is gearing up for its Autumn 2026 Young Writers’ Programme, promising a series of standalone workshops for young writers aged seven to 11 and 12-17.
The workshops will take place on Saturdays from September to November, each with a unique focus area, including graphic novels, poetry, and a Halloween-themed session.
The programme aims to foster creativity and develop writing skills in a fun and engaging way.
The schedule for children aged 7 to 11 kicks off on Saturday, September 5 with a workshop on getting started with writing.
It will be followed by sessions into October, focusing on creating superheroes, playing with poetry and character creation.
The Halloween special will take place on October 31, focusing on crafting spooky stories, while November sessions will guide children on structuring stories and making their own zine.
All workshops for this age group are an hour long, starting at 10.30am.
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For teenagers aged 12 to 17, the programme begins on September 5 with a workshop aimed at overcoming writer’s block.
Other workshops in September and October will cover storytelling through graphic novels, finding your voice with poetry, and creating compelling characters.
These 90-minute workshops start at noon.
A highlight of the programme is the Young Writers Novella November.
This special series of three workshops is designed to help teenagers plot, plan, and write a complete novella in a month.
The first session is on October 31, with subsequent sessions on November 14 and 28.
Participants will receive support and feedback from a creative writing tutor and a certificate of achievement at the end.
All workshops are free but require booking due to limited places.
Materials for the workshops will be provided, and no prior writing experience is necessary.
The workshops are part of Colchester Library’s ongoing efforts to engage young people in creative activities and foster a love for writing.
The full schedule and links for booking can be found on the library's website.
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