We have some very exciting news! After a hugely successful taster session, we can't wait to welcome Mariah Mannae back to the shop for our first full creative writing course. This will be an 8-week course taking place every Wednesday after school, and your ticket will cover the entire course. The sessions will allow participants to build their own stories throughout the term, guided by Mariah, with the opportunity to share ideas and progress with their peers.

The course is designed for children ages 7-12 and will be a great opportunity to develop creativity, writing skills, and make friends amongst the group.

The course will take place in the first half term of the new academic year, with classes taking place on the following dates:

Session 1: Wednesday 3rd September 2025 (4:15pm-5:15pm)

Session 2: Wednesday 10th September 2025 (4:15pm-5:15pm)

Session 3: Wednesday 17th September 2025 (4:15pm-5:15pm)

Session 4: Wednesday 24th September 2025 (4:15pm-5:15pm)

Session 5: Wednesday 1st October 2025 (4:15pm-5:15pm)

Session 6: Wednesday 8th October 2025 (4:15pm-5:15pm)

Session 7: Wednesday 15th October 2025 (4:15pm-5:15pm)

Session 8: Wednesday 22nd October 2025 (4:15pm-5:15pm)

Mariah's classes are designed to promote creativity, confidence, literary technique and imaginative thinking. The write your own story classes will consist of imaginative based games and writing activities that spark originality, voice and world building. The classes are all about community, creativity and connection; allowing young writers to explore new ideas in a collaborative space, working towards crafting their own unique narrative which they will finish by the end of the course.

This term, participants will:

Discover new writing techniques

Develop and edit their own original piece

Take home a finished piece of work

Share their work with friends and family at the end of the term

Mariah is an accomplished writer, educator and youth mentor, with over 10 years of experience in arts and education. She was one of only 16 selected for the prestigious Curtis Brown Creative Novel Program. She received the Dennis Diderot Grant for her screenplay and completed a residency in the renowned Château d'Orquevaux Artists & Writers Residency in France. Mariah is passionate about empowering the next generation of creatives and helping young artists find their voices.

The price of the full 8-week course is £100 per child. This includes a £25 Alligator's Mouth voucher for each child, and covers the sessions on all of the above dates. We can't wait to build a community of budding young writers with Mariah at The Alligator's Mouth.