New Year, Writing Course

We are delighted to welcome back Alison Waller with a new writing course for 2026.

Writing for Children

Have you always wanted to write for children or teenagers? Do you have a picturebook, a middle grade adventure, or a YA novel in you? Is there a young character you want to bring to life?

Writing for Children will help you discover the world of children’s literature and invite you to explore your ideas in a friendly and collaborative space. The course runs over ten weeks and is a fun opportunity to start creating fiction for young readers. It is suitable for beginner writers or those who want to explore a new form of writing.

Each session will draw on examples from classic and contemporary works of fiction and guide you through creative exercises and discussion. You will be introduced to the tools you need to start writing: digging into your own childhood for inspiration and learning about character, story, world-building, theme, and how to play with language.

You will also receive tutor feedback on your writing throughout the course and will be encouraged to share and celebrate your work with other members of the group, if you feel comfortable doing so.

Course Dates: Wednesdays, 7.30-9pm, 14 January – 25 March 2026

Tutor: Alison Waller is a writer and coach with a passion for telling stories. For many years she ran the Children’s Literature MA at the University of Roehampton. She now runs The Writing Path, helping writers find their way, and blogs about walking in West Oxfordshire at https://thewritingpath.substack.com.

Cost: £220 (full amount payable in advance.)

2 assisted place are available depending on circumstance.

To register your place or as a gift please pop into Madhatter Bookshop or send a whatsapp message to 07774637941