About us
THE GROUP
The New Machine (Creative Writing) is not just a workshop. It is a unique opportunity.
Unlike detached, institutional writing programmes, it is a friendly space for writers to connect and stay connected: it is a regular FREE social event, a day of focus, a 5-week course, a platform for novel writing, a platform for short-story writing, a retreat for novelists, a day of poetry, etc., etc.
The New Machine is a place for absolute beginners, as well as intermediate- and advanced-level writers.
It is a commitment to you: a group you can attend and never read aloud if you don’t want to.
It is a small class (*8 people, max.).
It is you learning about narrative perspective, dialogue, tone, and narrative arc.
It is automatic prose, in the surrealist style. It is the “Proustian Questionairre”, the profile, the hero’s quest of character-led fiction.
It is a hook for the reader, the art of conflict, the dark nights and the bright mornings of plot-driven prose.
The New Machine is literary; it is you writing science fiction, action fiction, romance, thriller, adult, and/or children’s.
It is about *you* working on *your thing*.
It is getting 1-to-1 feedback from a committed tutor and a group of dedicated peers.
The New Machine is cost-effective. It is undercutting bigger institutions by half.
It is an opportunity to sit in a café, to use the pomodoro technique: a structure and a discipline to get your writing done.
It is an invitation to publish your work in an online journal.
It is for you, getting closer, to you honing your craft, to you transcending the obstacles you need, to manifest publication.
The New Machine (Creative Writing) currently offers the following MeetUps:
A regular FREE social event (every 5 weeks)
A Tuesday evening “Taster Class”
**POD-1 (a 5-Week Beginners’ Course in Short Fiction Writing)
POD-101 (a 5-Week **Character-Led** Course in Novel Writing)
POD-202 (a 5-Week **Plot-Driven** Course in Novel Writing)
A DAY OF POETRY (a 4-hour session in the poetry basics / writing poetry, for beginner- to intermediate-level writers)
POETRY OF THE CITY (a 4-hour poetry session in reading, writing, and discussing poetry in the urban space).
POD-1:
This is a 5-week beginners’/crash-course in how to write good prose. It will focus on “Character Development and Plot” (week 1), “Perspective and tone” (week 2), “Dialogue + feedback” (week 3), “The Question + Feedback” (week 4), and “Where to go from here + Feedback + the Opportunity for Publication” (week 5).
POD 101:
This is a 5-week course in how to write a novel. It is a character-driven approach and is a counterpart to the plot-driven POD-202. In this course (POD-101) you will focus on “Stasis + Trigger / Inciting Incident / Chapters 1 & 2” (week 1), “Dialogue / The Quest + Obstacles to Overcome / Chapters 3 & 4” (week 2), “Midpoint / Rising Action / Surprises / Chapter 5 & 6” (week 3), “Feedback on your work so far / Critical Choice / Climax / Chapters 7 & 8” (week 4), Feedback / Reversal / Denouement / Chapters 9 & 10 (week 5).
POD 202:
In this 5-week course, you will learn how to outline, plot, and structure a novel. POD-202 is a compliment to POD-101. Once you know how to construct a good, believable character, you can write you novel by plot and structure (or vice versa). In this course, you will focus on the fundamentals of good storytelling: “What makes a good story? / Premise (Week 1), then (once you have chosen your premise and hooked your reader) “How to generate conflict” (Week 2), “The keys to a satisfying climax” (Week 3), “How to flesh out the chapters of your outline” (Week 4), and “Putting everything together / Getting feedback on your outline” (Week 5).
DAY OF POETRY:
This is a 4-hour day, designed to introduce you to the basic elements of writing poetry, such as line breaks, stanza formation, rhythm, rhyme and free verse. By the end of the day you will have a handful of your own poems to take home with you.
POETRY OF THE CITY
This is a 4-hour day, designed to introduce your to some of the best city poetry, including poems by Frank O’Hara, Sharon Olds, Ted Hughes, and Erika Meitner. By the end of the day, you will have a small handful of your own “city poems” to take home and work on.
ETHICS:
The New Machine is proud to offer a writing and critique culture that is fundamentally supportive. Whilst it aims to cultivate incisive, critical feedback, the emphasis here is on friendly, positive discourse. Writers of all abilities and experience levels are welcome. Very often, professional creative writing institutions require their participants/customers to present or to read their work aloud. The New Machine is respectful of the quiet, less vocal writer: he/she who would like the critical feedback of his/her peers, but without having to face the perils of large, intimidating classes or pitching work to an audience.
ABOUT THE ORGANISER:
Sean is 33 years old. He graduated from Goldsmiths University in 2013 with a Distinction-grade MA in Comparative/World Literature. Prior to this, he studied English and American Literature & Creative Writing at the University of Kent, where he managed to attain a 1st Class BA.
As a reader, Sean is interested in 20th Century modernism, existentialism and postmodernism. However, he has also studied (and continues to enjoy) things as various as Shakespeare, Romantic poetry, 19th Century English, French and Russian literature, Post-Colonial Literature, and 21st Century American. Some of his favourite works are: The Double/The Gambler by Fyodor Dostoevsky, The Trial/The Castle by Franz Kafka, Bliss (and other stories) by Katherine Mansfield, The Love Song of J Alfred Prufrock by T. S. Eliot, The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Outsider, by Albert Camus, Bonjour Tristesse by Francois Sagan, The Story of the Eye by George Bataille, David Golder by Irene Nemirovsky, Krapp’s Last Tape (and many others) by Samuel Beckett, In the Heart of the Country by JM Coetzee, Fantasia by Assia Djebar, and The Crying of Lot 49 by Thomas Pynchon.
When Sean isn’t being pretentious and overly literary, he also enjoys action movies, thrillers, dramas, TV, cinema… and all kinds of narrative!
Sean is currently working on his own short stories, a number of poems, and a novel.
*Other creative writing classes tend to consist of between 12 – 15 people and can be more intimidating/less focused.
**A “POD” is the name given by The New Machine to the group of 8 people; it is not an actual, physical pod!
Upcoming events
2
- £85.00
30-Day Writing Challenge (*PLEASE READ CAREFULLY, RE: DATES)
Finch's Pub, 12a Finsbury Square, London EC2A 1AN, UK, London, GB[FOR ACCESS TO OTHER "TIERS", BOOK DIRECTLY VIA OUR WEBSITE HERE: https://www.writeandpint.com/events/30-day-writing-challenge-2026
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30-Day Writing Challenge 2026
Hosted by A Write & a PintDo you miss NaNoWriMo?
We do too!
💭 This is our second year hosting A Write & a Pint’s 30-Day Writing Challenge, an exciting alternative to NaNoWriMo but in the same tradition!
Last year, we had just over 30 people join us to make progress on their writing. This year, well, we're ready for however many want to be part of the challenge!
If you’d like to join us throughout November 🍂, you’ll build momentum on your writing project in community with others 🤝. We’ll have live weekly online workshops 💻, workshop recordings 🎥, online accountability 📲, and social events 🎉 with other writers to help hone your skills and focus on your writing.
### Who is this for? 🤔
If you’re a writer or would-be writer working on a book of prose, poetry, or just any writing project, this is for you!
It might be fiction ✨, memoir 📝, biography 👤, autofiction 🔄, autoethnography 🌍, a collection of short stories or poems 📚, or anything in between.
You just need something to work on that you want to make tangible progress on over 30 days 📆, with support and in community 🌟.
### What is the challenge? 🎯
The challenge – if you choose to accept it – is just like NaNoWriMo, and to write a full, 50,000+ word manuscript 🖊️ in 30 days (wild, we know! 😅).
And for anybody who makes it to at least 10,000 words, we invite you to submit your favourite 500-word excerpt ✨ to our competition.
The author of our favourite piece will win a Penguin Mini Classics Box Set 🎁 🐧 (RRP £100). Note: organisers Sean and Shimrit + 2 × guest judges will be reading each piece and whittling them down to a short list before choosing a winner.
That said, if you just want to join to be able to make meaningful progress on your writing in community, without needing to track wordcount, you are still very much welcome to join us! This is for anyone who wants to spend November committed to their writing, alongside others doing the same, and with support.
### How it works ⚙️
Through November, you’ll join 8 live, online sessions (1.5 hours each, twice a week) 🗓️.
In the first half hour, we’ll work through practical exercises to hone your writing skills. We’ll then have an hour of shared, quiet writing time, where you can actively focus on your work.
The sessions will cover topics such as arc, plot, style, tone, character, dialogue, pace, and perspective 🎭, and give you practical techniques and inspiration you can put to work straight away.
Depending on the tier you sign up for, you might also participate in:
- An all-day kick-off workshop at a London location 🍵 🥐 (with brunch + tea/coffee included)
- An online midway-point check-in 💬
- A final “Read & Pint” social at a London location 🍷 📖 (with a drink included)
- A 1.5-hour, one-to-one coaching session 🎓 to dive deeper into your writing
- Editorial feedback on up to 1,500 words ✍️ 📝
You’ll also have the option of joining a dedicated WhatsApp group of fellow writers who are participating in the challenge 📲, for daily inspiration and accountability. Once you’re part of the WhatsApp community, there may also be people who want to commit to additional shared quiet writing time, or to self-organise writing meet-ups with others. The adventure is yours to craft! 🌟
### Total Value at a Glance 📌
- 12 hours of live online workshops and focused writing time (All Tiers)
- Midway online “check-in” gathering, to share challenges and progress (All Tiers)
- Designed journal to accompany you through the month, including word tracker, worksheets, and daily pages (All Tiers)
- Facilitated WhatsApp group, for daily support (All Tiers)
- 1 full-day in-person kick-off workshop in London, including brunch and a drink (Tiers 2 and 3)
- Final “Read & Pint” in-person social with a drink, in London (Tiers 2 and 3)
- 1.5-hour 1:1 coaching session + feedback on up to 1,500 words (Tier 3)
All participants will also be given a **50% discount code to join our Wake Up, Write membership **for the month, giving you access to our Morning Sessions up to three times a week, as an additional quite space to focus on your writing (All Tiers)
### Pricing & Tiers 💷
Tier 1 – Weekly Online Workshops (£85)
- 8 x 1.5-hour live online sessions (twice a week) led by our facilitators, including skill-building exercises and focused writing time
- Mid-point online check-in: gather with others and our facilitators to share and work through your challenges, progress, and successes so far
- Dedicated journal to accompany you through the month
- Accountability and community with fellow book writers
- Membership of the WhatsApp group
Tier 2 – Weekly Workshops + Kick-Off and Finale (£130)
Everything in Tier 1, plus:- Kick-off (London venue): an all-day, in-person deep-dive to launch your month with momentum. Includes tea/coffee and brunch.
- Final “Read & Pint” (London venue): a celebratory day of reflection, connection, and (if you’d like) the opportunity to share your words. Includes a drink of your choice (beer, wine, or soft) 🍻
Tier 3 – Weekly Workshops, Kick-Off, and Finale, + Coaching (£205)
Everything in Tiers 1 and 2, plus:- 1.5-hour one-to-one creativity coaching with Sean 🎓
- Editorial feedback on up to 1,500 words of your project ✍️
### Why is there a fee? 💡
While NaNoWriMo was largely self-led, this challenge is built around live, expertly designed workshops, and (if you choose) a day-long, in-person kick-off (with food and drink included), a community celebration, and personal coaching with editorial feedback. So, unlike the self-governed NaNoWriMo, you’re investing in teaching, handouts, structure, feedback, a month-long stable community, and peer support that will help you move forward with your book.
### Which tier is right for me? 🧭
- Tier 1 – Best value if you simply want structured weekly workshops with focused writing time, and accountability.
- Tier 2 – Best value if you want the full community experience with the London kick-off and finale.
- Tier 3 – Great value if you want deeper, more personalised coaching from a professional editor (Sean) with hands-on feedback and lots of clarity around the direction you're taking.
### Dates for your diary 🗓️
All tiers (online):
- Saturday 1st November: The challenge begins!
- Tuesday 3rd: Workshop 1, on Arc
- Thursday 5th: Workshop 2 on Plot
- Tuesday 10th: Workshop 3 on Style
- Thursday 12th: Workshop 4 on Tone
- Saturday 14th (2pm to 3:30pm): Midpoint check-in circle
- Tuesday 17th November: Workshop 5 on Character
- Thursday 19th November: Workshop 6 on Dialogue
- Tuesday 24th November: Workshop 7 on Pace
- Thursday 26th November: Workshop 8 on Perspective
- Tuesday 1st December: The challenge ends! Celebrate the month just passed together in our WhatsApp group, the milestone reached, and share your ongoing plans ✅
All weekly workshops are from 6:30 to 8pm (UK), with themes subject to change. Each weekly workshop includes up to an hour of focused quiet writing time.
Tiers 2 and 3:
- Saturday 24th October, 11:00 am–5:00 pm (London venue): Kick-off all-day workshop, to help you prepare for the challenge starting 🍵 🥐
- Saturday 5th December, 11:00am to 5:00 pm (London venue): A celebratory “Read & Pint” social to reflect, connect, plan forward, and (if you’d like) share your writing 🎉Note: This final in-person session is where we will announce our competition winner and award the prize, a full box set of Penguin Mini Classics (and don’t worry, no speech required unless you want to!). 🐧 🎁
Tier 3:
- Your 1.5-hour one-to-one coaching session can be booked with Sean at any point during November. You’re welcome to share up to 1,500 words for editorial consideration and feedback ✍️
### Meet your hosts! 👋
About Sean:
Sean is the founder of A Write & a Pint and is a huge fan of fiction, screenwriting, poetry, memoir, and all manner of other literary forms. He works occasionally as a copywriter for Oxford University Press and a copy editor for ETH Zurich in Switzerland. Over the years, he’s studied with Curtis Brown, Scriptwriters & Co., and MetFilm, and regularly coaches novelists, poets, screenwriters, and memoirists. Sean’s favourite genres are modern, postmodern, existential, and literary fiction – but he’s a big fan of everything from sci-fi and fantasy to thriller and comedy as well. 👨🏫
About Shimrit:
Shimrit is a writer, poet, facilitator and researcher, and member of the A Write & a Pint team, co-hosting Wake Up, Write and writing retreats with Sean. She is co-author of Nature of Work: The new story of work for a living age (2021), which blends storytelling and research to explore what we can learn from nature to create healthier working environments. Since then, she’s taken her love of literature, poetry, and nature deeper into her own creative practice, and is currently working on a verse novel exploring what it means to remember ourselves as of nature.
Ready to commit a month to writing?
🚀 Pick your tier and join us for The A Write & a Pint 30-Day Writing Challenge! 🎉Testimonials from the 30-Day Writing Challenge 2025
"I loved participating in this 30 day writing challenge. I discovered so many unexpected and lovely things about how I like to write and what I would like to explore. I loved the learning aspect of the sessions as well as time to experiment and write together. All in all a wonderful experience, thank you!”
"I’ve really enjoyed the 30 days challenge. It’s been incredibly nice to meet different people and listen to their brilliant ideas, including what they might be working on. I especially liked the varying workshops, which were delivered twice weekly – nothing like an extra arrow in one’s quiver. One of the main benefits for me, I felt, was that it almost forced me to make time to write so I’d have something to share with all. I would certainly recommend anyone to join the challenge, as its open to all people, no matter what standard you are. Sean and Shimrit are excellent and easy going hosts, who love what they do.”
"Thank you for bringing me into this lovely, supportive community of writers brought together by the fantastic Sean and Shimrit. My creativity has been nurtured and my thinking stimulated - taking part in this challenge has genuinely accelerated and levelled up my writing and I’m so excited to see where I go with it next!”
“The month nourished my creativity and was super helpful to get me writing again. We had lovely sessions (I took part online and in person) and I am already missing the community and gentle encouraging support to keep going!”
“I've really loved this challenge and can't thank you both enough for reaching out and encouraging me to take the plunge on things. Even though I wasn't able to be as involved with sessions or the group because of my work (I could have done so much more writing); I've really benefited from having the group education, support and community. I've been going through a really hard time recently, I was even feeling dejected by writing which has always been my safe space. This challenge and community has helped me regain my confidence tenfold and has really encouraged me to keep doing what I love. The relaxed and down to earth nature of how you have run the challenge has been a breath of fresh air. I've been put off so many times by high costs and pretentiousness making me lesser because of being from a working class background. W&P has changed that for me and I am incredibly grateful.”
“It was an amazing experience and would love to do it again.”
“The W&P community is a precious pearl, holding in care so many diverse writers and creative thinkers. Sean and Shimrit gently, kindly inspire and support all of us to do the same for one another. It is, by far, filled with the best people I have had the privilege to know, and has had a genuine and lasting impact on my ability to move my writing forward thanks to the support of everyone.”
“The challenge was perfect for me this month. Rather than the big, unachievable goal I had of 'finish the book', I have achieved the challenge of writing 10,000 words of my book in a month. It's a digestible, achievable goal which helped me recommit to my writing rather than it just feel like a huge unachievable burden. And I could start enjoying it again. The workshops were great and I enjoyed the different styles. I especially like the quiet writing opportunities in community, which really helps me get things done and in the zone. It was a pleasure to meet so many fellow writers and I loved hearing other people's contributions and what they are passionate about. I learnt so much from the community and they have inspired me. This month has been important for me to slow down, reengage with my passions and cosy up in my writing blanket. I've really appreciated the challenge and space."
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Past events
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