Live Online Courses, Workshops & Retreats
Small, thoughtful gatherings in person & online for deep creative work
Live Online Courses
The Poets Eye
A 3 hour workshop focused on writing poetry with courage, feeling, and metaphorical depth. We will explore how poems are made through attention — learning to see more clearly, trust your instincts, and follow the language where it wants to go. This session is about finding your voice, making braver choices on the page, and shaping poems that carry music, image, and emotional resonance.
Session Structure
Total session time: 3 hours
1.5 hours of teaching and guided / group work
30 minutes of break and practical writing time
1 hour of feedback, discussion, and closing reflections
In this session, we will explore:
New ways of approaching poetry and poetic thinking
What voice is, and how to allow yours onto the page
Moving through blocks and periods of low inspiration
Drawing poems from your surroundings and lived experience
Editing for rhythm, pace, and musical impact
Writing poetry that carries emotional weight
Expanding metaphor, imagery, and lyrical depth
Goal of the session:
To strengthen your metaphorical power and help you find your poetic voice.
An Invitation For
Poets & writers at any stage
Whether you’re just beginning or have been writing for years
Finding Your Voice
Writing with greater confidence and clarity on the page.
Moving Through Blocks
Working past hesitation, doubt, and creative stagnation.
Music & Feeling
Shaping poems that carry rhythm, emotion, and resonance.
The Poets Heart
A 3 hour workshop devoted to writing romantic poetry that is rich, layered, and vulnerable. We will explore how love poems draw from both the vast and the intimate — the cosmos and the creases — to speak honestly of longing, desire, grief, and devotion. This session invites you to write from the body, the heart, and the soul, and to imagine romance as something serious, living, and human.
Session Structure
Total session time: 3 hours
1.5 hours of teaching and guided / group work
30 minutes of break and practical writing time
1 hour of feedback, discussion, and closing reflections
In this session, we will explore:
Writing as a sensual and embodied practice
Using metaphor to deepen emotional and romantic truth
Creating striking, haunting, and intimate imagery
Building narrative and movement within poetry
Writing from contrast — the cosmos and the crease, beauty and the mundane
Goal of the session:
To write romance and romantic poetry with lyrical and metaphorical power.
An Invitation For
Poets & writers at any stage
Whether you’re just beginning or have been writing for years
Romantic Depth
Writing love and romance with seriousness and honesty.
Living Imagery
Creating imagery that feels embodied, striking, and alive.
Writing from the Body
Drawing from sensation, feeling, and the inner life.
The Poet Seen
A 3 hour workshop focused on finding the courage to share your work and be seen. We will explore how to move beyond limiting beliefs, build confidence in your voice, and develop a healthier relationship with visibility, criticism, and praise. This session is about stepping forward without self-erasure — learning to trust your work, stand by it, and allow it to meet the world.
Session Structure
Total session time: 3 hours
1.5 hours of teaching and guided / group work
30 minutes of break and reflection
1 hour of feedback, discussion, and closing reflections
In this session, we will explore:
Sharing your work with confidence, clarity, and intention
Understanding criticism as a natural part of creative life
Moving beyond the fear of being seen
Practical ways to cope in the online sphere
Strengthening belief in your work and your mission
Developing sustainable and healthy best practice
Goal of the session:
To help you feel confident & excited to share more of your work, online and in the world.
An Invitation For
Creatives of All Kinds
Writers, artists, and makers who want to share their work more openly.
Sharing Your Work
Putting your writing into the world with greater confidence.
Meeting Visibility
Moving beyond fear, doubt, and self-censorship.
Living with Criticism
Developing a healthier relationship with feedback and opinion.
Standing by Your Voice
Trusting your work and allowing it to be seen.
ONLINE COURSE FAQ
Do I need to be an experienced poet to attend?
No. These workshops are open to poets and writers at any stage. What matters most is curiosity, openness, and a willingness to explore language.
Will I be expected to share my work?
Sharing is always optional. You are welcome to listen, write quietly, or contribute only when it feels right for you.
How many people will be in each workshop?
Groups are kept intentionally small (around 20–25 participants) to allow space for discussion, attention, and thoughtful exchange.
What should I bring with me?
Just something to write with and an open mind. You may also want a quiet space and headphones if possible.
Is this a lecture or an interactive session?
These are interactive workshops. Alongside teaching, there will be guided exercises, writing time, and space for reflection and discussion.
What happens after I book my place?
You’ll receive a confirmation email with all the details, including how to join the session live and how to access the replay afterward.
Will there be any follow-up or resources after the session?
Yes. You’ll receive any prompts or materials used during the workshop, so you can continue exploring the work in your own time.
What if I can’t attend the session I’ve booked?
Please contact me in advance if you’re unable to attend. Transfers to a later course may be possible, but cannot be guaranteed.
Poetry & Writing Retreats
Romantic Italy Writing Retreat
Places from £1499*
In March 2027, join me in the heart of Romantic Tuscany for an intimate, slow-living writing retreat shaped by walking, wondering, and working as the Romantic poets once did. Near the landscapes that stirred Lord Byron, Percy Bysshe Shelley, Mary Shelley, and Elizabeth Barrett Browning, we’ll gather for morning workshops, spend afternoons writing, wandering, or resting with the land, and share work together in the evenings.
Led by me, Samuel Hurley, this retreat is an invitation to awaken the poet and the storyteller — to deepen language, imagination, and attention in a place that has shaped centuries of art.
Price includes accommodation, travel to and from the airport and all lessons.
*Pricing varies depending on room type and is first come, first served.
Bookings open for deposits in June 2026.
Register your interest below to receive early access and priority booking.