I've been teaching Creative Writing to adults since 1988, founding Creative Ink for Writers in 2000 in the relaxing environment of the Fitzwilliams Centre, Beaconsfield. Writers who have workshopped their words in classes have won or been placed in national and local competitions. Many writers have gone on to publish their novels, plays, re-creative fiction, collections of poetry and short stories with mainstream and independent publishers and some have gained representation with leading and boutique literary agents. (Jan is a scout for two leading London literary agents.) But other writers have decided to self-publish their words or simply enjoy writing them. Please contact Jan if you would like her to run a day, weekend or evening workshop for you. The fee is negotiable.

I source writers and have sub-edited for the glossy magazine Chic Chat and Chiltern Living whilst contributing scores of features to Writing Magazine for whom I have been a home tutor since 2007. Other magazines: Mother, Reader's Digest, Company, School Leaver, Limited Edition, Online Scenic South. My interview features include those with Anita Dobson, James Corden and the BAFTA award-winning Holby City producer Tony McHale. I've also lectured aboard Thomsons' and Cruise & Maritime' cruise liners and was a founder member and editor of Rhyme & Reason which has raised over £60,000 for the Iain Rennie Hospice at Home.

I divide my time between UK and Cape Town, South Africa where I have regularly lectured at Milnerton for West Coast Writers and Fish Hoek Scribblers and I have worked with young people at the Desmond Tutu HIV Foundation Youth Centre helping them to express themselves in a creative and promotional way.

In 2008, I was awarded the 'Going the Extra Mile' award for lecturing by Buckinghamshire Adult Learning. CRB checked.

Please see my publications. I'm originally from a theatre stable so as well as novels and a collection of poetry and short stories which have won or been placed in national competitions, I have written plays and had them performed on the London Fringe.

COURSE/WORKSHOP INFORMATION

Adult Learning Workshops - 2025-2026

Saturday 18th October 2025 - 'Clean Sheets and Write Beginnings' at Gerrards Cross Memorial Centre

Saturday 15th November 2025 - 'Writing for Children' at Gerrards Cross Memorial Centre

Saturday 25th April 2026 - 'Get That Book Out of You' at Gerrards Cross Memorial Centre

Saturday 6th June 2026 - 'Life Writing - For publication and/or posterity' at Gerrards Cross Memorial Centre

Contact studentenquiries@buckinghamshire.gov.uk

If you are booking, please contact Jan and let her know.

Jan runs webinars hosted by Writing Magazine

Tailored Workshops

Day and evening workshops - Zoom. If you get a group together - £15 a head. 1 hour and a half. Free if you are organising.

Day and evening workshops in person. Consult Jan for fee.

One-to-one consultations (Or 45 minute Zoom for £45.)

Online Educational Creative Writing Support for Young People

Creative Ink for Young Writers:

Children and teenagers catered for. One-to-one consultations for children and adults. And on Zoom. One hour (and a bit) one-to-one or telephone consultation* - £65

Zoom Consultations- £45 for 45 minutes

Course/Workshop Reservation

Please contact Jan for reservations and more information.

Gavin Extence - author of The Universe versus Alex Woods was a visiting speaker. Waterstones' 11 Literary Prize, Richard and Judy summer read and runner up Desmond Elliott Debut Novel Award. Film options have now been taken up on his novel.