Flexible Creative Writing Classes in Newcastle upon Tyne
Barrie Darke runs weekly creative writing evening classes for adults in Newcastle upon Tyne. Classes run from 6.30pm to 8.30pm, Monday to Thursday, at the Amnesty Bookshop on Westgate Road, a short walk from Newcastle Central Station.
A 12-week course costs £80, or £40 if you receive Universal Credit or Jobseeker’s Allowance. That’s under £7 a class. Complete beginners and experienced writers are both welcome, and you don’t need to bring any previous work.
Barrie is a fiction writer and playwright, and won a Northern Promise Award from New Writing North in 2002.
At a glance
| Course detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Tutor | Barrie Darke, fiction writer and playwright; Northern Promise Award winner (New Writing North, 2002) |
| Who it’s for | Adults at any level, from first-time writers to people with a novel in progress |
| What you’ll write | Short stories, poetry, scripts and novel extracts |
| When | Monday, Tuesday or Thursday, 6.30pm to 8.30pm; you choose one evening a week |
| Where | The Amnesty Bookshop (Books For Amnesty), Unit 5, Charlotte House, 92 Westgate Road, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 4AF |
| Course length | 12 weekly classes of two hours |
| Start dates | Three courses a year, starting in September, January and April |
| Joining | New students can join partway through a course |
| Cost | £80 per 12-week course; £40 with Universal Credit or Jobseeker’s Allowance |
| Homework | One writing prompt a week, usually about 750 words |
| Group size | Up to 15 students |
| Summer | A summer school runs most years |
| Booking | Email barriedarke@aol.com |
About your tutor, Barrie Darke
Barrie Darke is a Newcastle-based writer of short stories, novels and plays. He won a Northern Promise Award from New Writing North in 2002. He has since had more than 50 short stories published.
His plays have been performed across the North East. He worked with Live Theatre on Cap-a-Pie, its 30th-anniversary production, and on several BBC co-productions.
As well as his Newcastle classes, Barrie has taught creative writing at HMP Durham. He is always working on his next novel, so his feedback comes from someone doing the same work as his students.
What happens in a class
Each two-hour class combines group discussion, short writing exercises and reading work aloud. Each week, Barrie sets a prompt to write at home, usually a piece of around 750 words.
The following week, students read their pieces to the group. Barrie and the other writers give constructive feedback, looking at what worked and why. There are no exams or grades.
Over a course, you’ll write short stories, poetry, scripts and novel extracts. Classes cover the core skills every writer needs: story structure, character, dialogue and setting.
750 words a week can sound like a lot. Many students quickly get into the rhythm and start looking forward to the next prompt.
When and where
Barrie runs a separate group on three weeknights: Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday. Every group meets from 6.30pm to 8.30pm, and you attend one evening a week.
Classes take place at the Amnesty Bookshop (also known as Books For Amnesty), Unit 5, Charlotte House, 92 Westgate Road, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 4AF. It’s a four-minute walk from Newcastle Central Station, opposite the Salsa Club.
The shop floor is on one level, with step-free access from the street. There’s no parking outside, but there are meters and car parks nearby.
Cost and course dates
A 12-week course costs £80, which works out at under £7 for each two-hour class. If you receive Universal Credit or Jobseeker’s Allowance, the fee is £40.
There are three courses a year, starting in September, January and April.
You don’t need to wait for a new course to start: new students can join partway through. Barrie also runs a relaxed summer school most years; email him for dates.
Why students keep coming back
A weekly deadline. The prompt gives you a reason to write every week, even when life is busy.
Many answers to one prompt. Students often say the best part is hearing the same prompt turned into completely different pieces.
Feedback from a working writer. You get comments from Barrie and from writers at every level.
A small, friendly group. Some students have attended for several years and now have crime, science fiction and fantasy projects under way.
What Students Say
“I’ve been attending Barrie’s creative writing evening classes in Newcastle for several years. This weekly course is perfect for fiction writers of all abilities to take part in a friendly and inclusive group. You get constructive feedback from other writers and from Barrie himself. The weekly prompts really help to keep me motivated. I now have several projects in progress, including crime, science fiction, and fantasy. I highly recommend these creative writing classes for beginners and experienced writers alike.”
— Andrew Openshaw
“One of the best things about this creative writing group in Newcastle upon Tyne is hearing everyone’s different responses to the same prompt. It’s so interesting to see how creative people can be.”
— Angela Adamson
“It’s always a really enjoyable evening. You feel like part of a little writing club where everyone’s supportive. Sometimes you need a fresh perspective to improve your work – and you get that here. These creative writing night classes have really helped me build confidence in my writing.”
— Charlie McGovern
Frequently asked questions
Are the classes suitable for complete beginners?
Yes. You don’t need any writing experience, qualifications or portfolio. Beginners write alongside people who have been writing for years.
How much do Barrie Darke’s creative writing classes cost?
£80 for a 12-week course, or £40 if you receive Universal Credit or Jobseeker’s Allowance.
When are the classes?
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday evenings, from 6.30pm to 8.30pm. You attend one evening a week.
Where are the classes held?
At the Amnesty Bookshop, 92 Westgate Road, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 4AF, a four-minute walk from Newcastle Central Station.
Can I join partway through a course?
Yes. You don’t need to wait for a new course to start. Email Barrie to check which evenings have space.
How much homework is there?
One prompt a week, usually a piece of about 750 words. There’s nothing to prepare before your first class.
What kinds of writing can I work on?
Short stories, poetry, scripts and novel extracts. Current students are working on crime, science fiction and fantasy, among other genres.
Is there a summer course?
Barrie runs a summer school most years. Email him for dates.
How do I book a place?
Email barriedarke@aol.com and say which evening you’d like. Groups are kept small, so it’s worth getting in touch early.
Book your place
To join a class, email Barrie Darke at barriedarke@aol.com. Tell him which evening suits you, and he’ll confirm when you can start.
About this page: written by Andrew Openshaw, a writer and editor who has attended Barrie’s classes since 2016. Details last checked with Barrie Darke on 30/9/2026.
