Tŷ Newydd 2026 Course Programme: A Star-Studded Feast Featuring Award-Winning Authors

Published Mon 27 Oct 2025 - By Literature Wales

Literature Wales is delighted to unveil our 2026 programme of residential writing courses at Tŷ Newydd, the National Writing Centre of Wales. Next year’s mix of day, weekend and week-long courses and retreats boast an impressive lineup of acclaimed and prize-winning authors, who will join us as tutors and guest readers. From fiction to memoir, poetry to storytelling, the 2026 programme promises an inspiring creative retreat for writers of all levels.

“I would recommend Tŷ Newydd to anyone with an interest in writing. It doesn’t matter what stage of your journey you are at. The environment, a favourable, green and beautiful garden and comfy, quirky building, lending itself well for creativity to flow, the people, supportive. Even if you are not a group person, you will find your people here. I hope to be back one day, and I’m already eagerly awaiting the release of next years course list. Thank you, Tŷ Newydd, you are a very special place.”
– Sue Glanville

We are proud to present yet another varied and rich programme, with several genres and themes represented, including folk fiction, crime, historical fiction, YA, storytelling, writing tension and mythology. Courses are available to book now via the Tŷ Newydd website.

Some highlights include:

Beginning your Novel: Led by best-selling authors Mark Haddon (author The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, which won 17 literary prizes) and Rachel Joyce (nominated for the MAN Booker Prize for The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry), with David Nicholls (winner of the Galaxy Book of the Year Award for One Day and longlisted for the MAN Booker Prize for Us) as guest reader.
Writing the Body (Poetry): Led by editor of Poetry Wales and Poetry Editor for Seren Books, Zoë Brigley, and multidisciplinary artist, Rupinder Kaur Waraich. They’ll be joined by Polly Atkin (poet and non-fiction writer twice longlisted for the Wainwright Prize for Nature Writing) as guest reader.
Queer Fiction: A powerful trio of Julia Armfield (winner of the Polari Prize and shortlisted for The Sunday Times Young Writer of the Year Award for Our Wives Under the Sea), Leone Ross (author of This One Sky Day and longlisted for the Women’s Prize for Fiction and the Ondaatje Prize), and guest reader Sarah Waters (shortlisted for the MAN Booker Prize for Fingersmith, The Night Watch and for The Little Stranger).
Writing the Self: A reflective course to enrich your non-fiction with Amy Liptrot (winner of the Wainright Prize and the PEN Ackerley Prize for The Outrun) and Horatio Clare (winner of the Somerset Maugham Award for Running for the Hills).
Writing Working Class Experience: Co-tutored by Kerry Hudson (author of Portico Prize winning Lowborn) and Graeme Armstrong (winner of the Betty Task Award and the Somerset Maugham award for The Young Team), focusing on class and lived experience.
Writing on Enlli: After a successful away-trip in 2024, we’ll once again venture over the Swnt to Ynys Enlli for a special course under the care of ecologist and poet, Elinor Gwynn.
Being Bold in Your Writing: Encouraging risk-taking with Cynan Jones (winner of the Wales Book of the Year Fiction Prize and the Jerwood Fiction Uncovered Award for The Dig) and James Scudamore (winner of the Somerset Maughan Award and longlisted for the MAN Booker Prize for Heliopolis), joined by guest reader Eimear McBride (winner of the Women’s Prize for Fiction for A Girl is a Half-formed Thing).

Welsh-language courses this year will see chaired poet, Mererid Hopwood, return to lead the annual Cynganeddu Course alongside Tudur Dylan; we will write historical fiction with Angharad Price; we will explore how writing can ease the mind with the winner of the 2026 Wales Book of the Year Poetry Category, Meleri Davies; Malachy Edwards will share his tips on memoir writing; we will write Welsh landscapes with Carwyn Graves; learn the art of creative translation with Esyllt Lewis; and write from the heart with Wales Book of the Year People’s Choice winner, Gwenllian Ellis.

For those simply looking for a tranquil creative refuge to write, four untutored retreats form part of the programme running from spring to autumn. Homecooked meals will be provided as writers enjoy Tŷ Newydd’s enchanting Grade II* listed building, built in the 15th century as well as the natural beauty of the local area. Information on how to redeem discounts can be found on the information page of each retreat on our website.

For those who are interested in the less structured style of our retreats, but would still benefit from some guidance, look no further than our Meet the Agent Retreat with acclaimed literary agent, Cathryn Summerhayes (Curtis Brown). The week will include some group workshops, one-to-one tutorials, and plenty of independent writing time.

“Tŷ Newydd is magic. I can honestly say that without my several visits over many years I wouldn’t have become a successful author – and I certainly wouldn’t have a PhD! Thank you Tŷ Newydd. I miss you!”
– Jenny Sullivan, from Facebook
“Tŷ Newydd itself is like a page out of a storybook – a nook of the world whose beauty and serenity provide nourishment for tired minds and souls. The staff was warm and forthcoming and always ready for a chat or a helpful tip. 13/10 best place in the world!”
– 2025 course attendee

As part of Literature Wales’ commitment to making Tŷ Newydd Writing Centre and its courses as accessible as possible, we are pleased to offer a bursary for each course programmed in 2026. Bursaries will be awarded to select writers who are unable to afford the full course fee following a simple application process. Further information on available financial support can be found on Tŷ Newydd’s Writing Centre’s website.

The 2026 programme will run from March 2026 – January 2027.

See the full list of courses on the Tŷ Newydd website: www.tynewydd.wales.

We look forward to welcoming you!