Download your free story cheatsheet

Want to build a tale that holds together, pulls your reader in, delivers a satisfactory climax, and burnishes your reputation as a story-teller? Whether you’re writing a novel, a piece of creative non-fiction or a screenplay, here are ten pointers to help light your way.

Download now

All About Writing unveils its 2019 dates

Make 2019 the creative adventure of your life. Over the years we’ve designed courses that suit everyone from novices to masters. Here are our dates for 2019 – the twelfth year we’ve invited people to join us on this exhilarating ride of creative discovery.

Gifts for writers of all kinds - and a gift for you

To put you in that festive mood, here’s a gift from us to you. And our shop is full of potentially life-changing gifts — writing courses for you, or for another, that could turn 2019 into the year in which your dream of writing turns into a satisfying reality.

FIND OUT ABOUT OUR UPCOMING COURSES

Click here to sign up to our mailing list and we’ll send you our FREE story cheatsheet.

You’ll receive our weekly Monday Motivations for writers, a monthly newsletter and writing challenge, and news of our writing courses, workshops and retreats.

Constructive feedback and mentoring

Take your writing to the next level with practical advice which is honest, but always kind

Qualified & experienced instructors

Industry professionals will guide you every step of the way, using their many years of experience

Personal & individual attention

The focus is on you. Our courses will help you hone your craft and make your writing dreams come true

Supportive & friendly community

Share the experience with fellow writers in a safe space – our online network will help build your confidence

… this course has changed lives. We all sit with “that book” lying deep within us, though most of us remain too daunted, embarrassed and just plain inept to even get the first line down. Jo-Anne and Richard have (almost … they can’t write the whole book for you!) all the answers in their wonderful, warm, nurturing and “growing” writing courses.

Ingrid van den Berg Cape Town
It wasn’t until I was introduced to All About Writing that I really began to believe in myself as a writer with purpose. In particular, All About Writing weekend writing courses and international retreats have excelled in providing facilitative, creative and productive environments in which to explore and develop one’s writing talent. Working with Jo-Anne and Richard has been an inspiration. Critical input, insight, humour and encouragement are all part of the magic.

Linda Price Stow-on-the-Wold
Discovering the Creative Writing Course has been one of the most satisfying landmarks in my life and certainly in my writing journey… [They] offer I believe an unequalled forum for prospective writers of all skill levels. I am hooked.

Clive Goodchild-Brown Cape Town
All About Writing really did help me. A great deal. I’m very proud of my association with them.

Redi Tlhabi Author of Endings and Beginnings and winner of the Sunday Times Alan Paton Award
Having sent three of my best-selling authors, Redi Tlhabi, Bonnie Henna and Gia Nicolaides, to All About Writing and having been a student myself, I would recommend the course to anyone, from an aspiring writer to an already established writer looking to refresh and hone their skills. Satisfy your hunger for creative expression whether you have serious writing ambitions or simply want to explore your creativity

Thabiso Mahlape Publisher, Jacana Media
...since attending the All About Writing course in 2010-2011 I just can’t stop writing. My first novel won an important competition in Italy in 2015 and was published this year. The thing is, that having written essays and reports all my life, I had always wanted to write fiction but didn’t think I could. I was right, of course, but Richard and Jo-Anne unlocked that urge in me. And I’m having a ball!

Enrico de Agostini Ambassador of Italy to Zimbabwe and author of Un Prosciutto e Dieci Ducati
I have gained so much knowledge, acquired many skills and been given a plethora of fine tools that I will carry with me for the rest of my life. I thank you so much for your time, your inspiration, your patience and your understanding. You are the best mentors I could wish for. Thank you for sharing your profound knowledge and experience with me.

Julien Erwin Western Cape
You are extraordinary teachers. You’ve taken our writing seriously and over the past 30 days with gentle nudges you have shown us what was good and what still needed to be worked on. You’ve made us believe we could be REAL writers.

Angela van Schalkwyk Paarl
It is amazing to me how Jo-Anne and Richard both manage to constructively, honestly and in the most positive way comment on the assignments. I know that acquiring skills, any skills, does not happen overnight and one has to keep practising. To then have people supporting you in this fashion is … well, clichéd or not, priceless!

Melanie du Plessis Gauteng
A big thank you to Richard for opening up your wealth of knowledge and understanding to us. As a young filmmaker, I consider that a great legacy that you are passing on to some of us. It's an honour and a privilege.

Amukela Moyo Johannesburg
I used to think I would never be able to write anything, but All About Writing changed that thought for me… If I did it, you can do it, too. Thank you so much, All About Writing.

Portia Qubeka Johannesburg
It was perfect timing to use the retreat for planning and starting a new novel. I found the brainstorming sessions extremely useful and Richard seemed to intuitively know exactly the tone I was reaching for and helped me both with plotting and finding the little nuances that will make the story come alive.

Penny Castle, Venice Writing Retreat Author of Cure

Latest Posts

You’re Invited: Cape Town Creative Saturday

Enjoy a bit of literary fun with All About Writing and Slow Life at our creative writing workshop at Casa Labia in Muizenberg. Be inspired by the cry of gulls as you release your creativity, build your confidence and allow your imagination to take flight. The creative writing workshop will be of equal benefit to more […]
Writing Secrets: Why boredom is good for you

I day-dreamed my way through my entire school career, and was consistently punished for it. I found the drone of the maths teacher’s voice created exactly the white noise necessary for me to slip away and immerse myself in another world. For years, authority figures tried to make me feel guilty about it. And yet, […]
January Newsletter: A compendium of writing advice

A happy new writing year from all of us Start the year as you mean to continue – writing. We’ll be here for you through the weeks and months, when it flows and when you feel as though you’re dragging yourself through a mire. We’ll provide you with enough courses and coaching programmes to get […]
Monday Motivation: Is early January too soon to panic?

This is the first piece I’ve written in this brand-new, fresh-out-of-the-box 2019. I’m in trouble. But it’s not the first time I’ve been here. I seem to remember that I face the same problem every January: what am I to write about? It is, of course, a problem that all writers face from time to […]