Welcome to Raw Writing

Do you really want to write?
Do you have a novel in you? (It’s said everyone does!) Maybe you’ve been thinking about writing your memoir for a long time. You might want to experiment with a short story first…

Welcome to Raw Writing

Do you really want to write?
Do you have a novel in you? (It’s said everyone does!) Maybe you’ve been thinking about writing your memoir for a long time. You might want to experiment with a short story first…

Welcome to Raw Writing

Do you really want to write?
Do you have a novel in you? (It’s said everyone does!) Maybe you’ve been thinking about writing your memoir for a long time. You might want to experiment with a short story first…

Raw Writing, founded by author and teacher Carla Jenkins, is a growing community of over 500 members. With face-to-face and online courses, author masterclasses, live events and gatherings that celebrate creative writing at every stage, Raw Writing is about more than just writing — it’s about finding your voice, building confidence, and being part of a warm, creative community.

Sign up today and start writing.

GROUP CLASSES

Small group (max. 8) Memoir and Novel courses take place throughout the year at The Phoenix Arts Centre in Exeter. With the limited class sizes, everyone gets a good amount of attention.

For a full list of courses available, please visit our courses page

Reviews

The below are reviews from past attendees of Raw Writing courses and classes.

If you would like to leave a review, please do so here.

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Tasmiya Chowdhury profile picture
Tasmiya Chowdhury
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5
Made one of the best decisions ever by joining a writing course at Raw Writing. Taught me so much not only about how to write, but the art of writing. Already signed up for another course!!!
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Chris Shadrick profile picture
Chris Shadrick
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I am on my third raw writing course over the last 12 months and cannot recommend them and Carla enough. I’ve learnt so much, become a significantly better write and more confident in sharing my writing with others for feedback. It’s a truly brilliant resource for the local community and the future of writing.
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sam slabrat profile picture
sam slabrat
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5
Great for meeting other writers and getting out of a creative rut
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Deborah Sugden profile picture
Deborah Sugden
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5
Carla is an amazing teacher. I attended the “Start Writing Your Novel Course,” where Carla a published author herself, incorporated her vast amount of knowledge and experience as a writer in an easy to digest format. I learned a phenomenal amount on how to make a novel readable. If like me, you have spent years scribbling away with imagination but no structure this course is for you. Without doubt it was money well spent and thoroughly enjoyable.
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Louis Victory profile picture
Louis Victory
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My experiences with RAW Writing courses on poetry and Shakespeare have been brilliant: well organised, run by a highly expert professional tutor, hugely informative and stimulating. Enjoyable would be an understatement!
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Sheila Sloan profile picture
Sheila Sloan
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Memoir was my second writing course with Cara…the first being the short story which was truly inspiring thanks to Carla’s teaching skills…Both courses excel because of the structure Cara builds into the course providing the building materials for the narrative… i was thrilled to bits with my story and the Memoir. Thank you Cara
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Felicity Boucher profile picture
Felicity Boucher
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I signed up to the 8-week start your novel writing course this spring, and I cannot recommend it enough. Before Raw Writing I was writing my novel in secret and was embarrassed to tell anyone I was trying to write one. I’d signed up to online courses from other providers but it never unlocked what I needed to feel confident to write. I found Raw Writing and before I committed to a course I went to a few of their social gatherings and silent writing hours. There is a real social community attached to this course. I’ve now signed up to the 6-month novel writing sessions and cannot wait. Thanks to Carla and Adam, you’ve helped me find joy in writing but also thanks to Raw writing where I’ve met amazing people who are also passionate about reading, writing and talking and learning about reading and writing. If the team will have me, I can see me signing up to more events and get togethers in the future.
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Lewis Budd profile picture
Lewis Budd
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5
I can’t thank Adam enough, not just for his relentless optimism but for his fantastic insight into my writing. RAW Writing’s course has honed my ability to analyse and improve my own work tenfold. To anyone unsure about signing up to one of RAW Writing’s courses, this is your sign to DO IT. You’ll learn loads! Thank you.
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Claire Morris profile picture
Claire Morris
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5
I thoroughly enjoyed Adam Shackleton's introductory novel writing course. Adam instantly created a welcoming and encouraging environment where everyone felt comfortable sharing their work, regardless of experience. His feedback was insightful, constructive and always delivered with kindness, helping me see both the strengths in my writing and the areas where I could improve. The course struck a great balance between practical techniques and creative inspiration. I came away with a better understanding of storytelling, stronger confidence in my own writing, and plenty of ideas to keep working on my novel. Listening to the work of other writers and discussing it as a group was equally valuable. I'd highly recommend this course to anyone considering writing a novel, whether you're just starting out or looking to strengthen your craft. Thank you, Adam, for such an inspiring and enjoyable experience.
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Tony Priest profile picture
Tony Priest
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5
The course administration was straightforward and smooth. The location of the venue was very convenient for me, near the city centre train station. Carla, our tutor, really was excellent. Her subject knowledge is broad and deep and her passion for developing writers obvious. Carla had a most engaging, interested manner with students, was generous with her time and full of positivity. The course provided very good value for money and I would recommend it wholeheartedly without reservation. Tony P
Raw Writing

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