Creative writing is once again taking center stage in the cultural agendas of various Spanish cities. Libraries, cultural centers, athenaeums, and universities have scheduled workshops and courses for those who want to tell stories, improve their style, or simply try writing more fluently.
The offerings are varied: there are free options and others that require registration, in-person sessions as well as online ones, and approaches ranging from classic storytelling to self-discovery. Prior registration is a common requirement for most activities, which take place between October and November and, in some cases, extend into the following spring or summer.
A program spread across several cities
The Community of Madrid, through its Public Library Network, has prepared around thirty reading, creative writing, and cultural participation activities for the last quarter of the year. Among the writing initiatives are workshops such as "The Workshop of Words: Exploring and Inventing Language," which approaches language as heritage, a tool for imagination, and a source of literary experimentation.
At the Javier MarÃas Public Library in Moratalaz, the exhibition "Detail: The Importance of the Invisible in Writing" proposes focusing on gestures, objects, silences, and nuances to construct meanings, atmospheres, and characters. Observation thus becomes raw material for writing.
The Luis Rosales Public Library in Carabanchel is offering a course called "Writing Poetry: The Construction of a Poem." It is aimed at adults and young people aged 18 and over and uses readings and practical exercises to explore rhythm, metaphor, tone, and poetic imagery.
Anyone wishing to consult the rest of Madrid's program can do so through the Reader Portal. Registration and conditions for each workshop depend on the corresponding library, so it's advisable to check the information before attending.
Free workshops in libraries and municipal centers
In Torremolinos, the Torremolinos Storytellers workshop resumes its sessions in October. It will be held on Fridays the 16th and 30th at the El Pozuelo Active Participation Center, starting at 17:00 PM, and will be led by Cristina Soriano. The activity is free , and registration can be done through the Torremolinos Despega app/Activity Registration or by calling 952385182.
The ValentÃn Andrés Municipal Library in Grado is offering "Family Stories," an approach to creative writing through family narratives and characters. The workshop consists of five sessions led by Ana MarÃa Lamela Rey and takes as its starting point a simple idea: every family holds stories that can become literary material.
The sessions focus on developing compelling characters and offering a fresh perspective on everyday life. Family photographs serve as inspiration, though they don't need to be personal. The meetings will be held on Mondays at 18:00 PM, on October 5th and 19th, and November 9th, 16th, and 30th, at the Cultural Center. The activity is free, but prior registration is required at the library or by calling 985 754 813.
Courses with tuition fees and a therapeutic or literary focus
In Cuenca, Metta CV Psychology is organizing a creative writing workshop designed as a group space for self-discovery. It will take place on Saturday, October 24th, from 10:30 a.m. to 13:30 p.m., and will be led by Samanta GarcÃa Marinkovic, a graduate in stage direction and dramaturgy, and Raquel Ochoa de la Cruz, a special education teacher. Writing will be used to put thoughts and feelings into words, and to discover what emerges when writing freely and in a supportive environment.
The location is Metta CV Psychology, at Calle Antonio Maura, 3, Local 35, inside the Cuatro Caminos Shopping Center. Registration is required and can be arranged by calling 655 109 884.
The Ateneo Mercantil Foundation of the Valencian Community is organizing the Creative Writing Workshop "Tell It to Cervantes," part of the Aula Cultural + program and led by Mª Jesús Puchalt. The workshop aims to develop literary creativity and provide emotional support during uncertain times. Throughout the course, participants will explore text structure, narrative voice, dialogue, and character development.
The program also explores literary movements from the Renaissance to the Generation of '27, with readings of authors such as Garcilaso, Quevedo, Lope de Vega, and Lorca. There are weekly practical exercises, vocabulary expansion activities, and discussions. Sessions will be held on Tuesdays from 11:30 a.m. to 13:00 p.m., from October to June. With direct debit, registration costs €110 for members and €165 for non-members; €150 is due on October 10, 2026, for both groups, and another €150 on January 10, 2027. Without direct debit, the price is €410 for members and €465 for non-members. A minimum of 15 students is required, and the fee is non-refundable.
The UNED (National University of Distance Education) in Ponferrada will launch a creative writing course at the end of October, combining narrative techniques and literary practice. It is coordinated and taught by Manuel Cuenya GarcÃa, a professor at the University of Experience on the Ponferrada Campus. The course will run from October 26 to November 30, with 20 hours of instruction spread over ten two-hour sessions.
The course can be taken in person at the UNED in Ponferrada or online, live or on-demand. The methodology is eminently practical: in addition to theory on writing, creation, and editing, participants will complete exercises, readings, text analysis, and short stories. The syllabus includes the art of storytelling, the five senses, literary devices, description, story construction, narrators and points of view, time and space, and character creation.
The course will also cover narrative styles and discourses, linguistic tones and registers, and microfiction, with examples of aphorisms, greguerÃas (witty sayings), and micro-stories. The final session will be dedicated to literary journalism and the relationship between journalism and literature. The best stories may be published, as has happened in previous courses, provided the instructor deems them suitable and the authors provide written permission. Classes will be held on Mondays and Wednesdays, from 19:00 to 21:00 p.m., in room A3 of the UNED (National University of Distance Education) in Ponferrada. Reduced rates are available for students, members of the UNED university community, seniors over 65, the unemployed, and other groups.
One language: characters, memory, and a desire to tell stories
Although each program has its own distinct character, many share tools and objectives. Character development, narrative voice, and structure appear in several programs, as do techniques for observation, memory, and emotions.
- Narration and craft: text structure, narrative voice, dialogues, characters, times, spaces, styles and registers.
- Poetry and language: rhythm, metaphor, tone, poetic imagery, exploration of language, and attention to detail.
- Intimate writing: self-awareness, putting thoughts and feelings into words, and using family memories.
- Practice and community: weekly exercises, shared readings, debates, text correction and the possibility of publishing stories.
Dates, registration and modalities
Most activities require prior registration, and some have limited spaces or a minimum number of participants. Workshops in Torremolinos and Grado are free , while other offerings, such as those at the Ateneo Mercantil or the UNED in Ponferrada, require registration and offer reduced prices for certain groups.
- Madrid: Writing and poetry workshops in public libraries; information on the Reader Portal.
- Torremolinos: Friday, October 16 and 30, at 17:00 p.m., in El Pozuelo; free, with registration via app or phone.
- Grade: Mondays, October 5 and 19, and November 9, 16 and 30, at 18:00 p.m., at the House of Culture; free, with prior registration.
- Basin: Saturday, October 24, from 10:30 a.m. to 13:30 p.m., at Metta CV Psychology; registration at 655 109 884.
- Valencia: Tuesdays from 11:30 to 13:00, from October to June, at the Ateneo Mercantil; registration according to payment method.
- Ponferrada: From October 26 to November 30, Mondays and Wednesdays from 19:00 p.m. to 21:00 p.m., in person or online; registration with discounts.
This map of workshops and courses shows that creative writing continues to find a place in libraries, cultural centers, athenaeums, and universities. The variety of formats, prices, and approaches allows each person to choose the option that best suits their time, budget, and desire to tell their story.
