Tutor - Mark Haddon

1-day workshop

Friday 23 October 2026, 10.30am - 4.30pm

The RWA is thrilled to be partnering with national creative writing charity Arvon in the development of a series of Writing Days, using the RWA's lead exhibitions as a stimulus for different forms of writing.

The latest workshop, focused on fiction, is led by highly acclaimed artist and writer Mark Haddon. His bestselling novel, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, won seventeen literary prizes, was longlisted for the Booker Prize, was translated into 36 languages, and went on to become an award-winning stage adaptation by Simon Stephens.

He has since written five more works of fiction for adults, most recently the novel The Porpoise and a collection of fables and stories, Dogs and Monsters. He has written many books for children, as well as a collection of poetry, The Talking Horse and the Sad Girl and the Village Under the Sea, and works for the stage, television and radio.  His next book is a memoir including his own illustrations, Leaving Home, due to be published by Penguin in 2026. Mark has been teaching creative writing for Arvon for many years.

In this welcoming and stimulating Writing Day Mark will share ideas and techniques for writing fiction, as well as leading the group through hands-on exercises.

The day will include free exhibition entry throughout the day, a tour of the RWA's 173 Annual Open exhibition, and a delicious lunch provided by Spicer + Cole.

It is suitable for anyone with an interest in fiction writing. Participants will need to bring a notebook and a pencil.

Buying as a gift?

When buying a course or workshop you will be automatically emailed a confirmation which you can print off and include in a card for your loved one. Gift vouchers can also be bought if you aren't sure which course they would prefer. Please email us the name and email address of the person attending on drawingschool@rwa.org.uk 

Before booking we ask everyone please read our updated Terms and Conditions. 

Participants must be 18 or over. 

If eligible, discounts must be applied when first purchasing your class and cannot be given retrospectively. Please contact us if the discount code is not working.

If you have a disability, learning difficulty or mental health issue which you feel may affect your participation in your chosen class, please either email drawingschool@rwa.org.uk or call 01179067600, prior to booking, so we are aware of any needs you may have. 

Refund/transfer and Cancellation Policy: We are unable to offer full or part cash refunds, but you are eligible for an RWA gift voucher or transfer, minus an admin fee*, provided you notify us more than 14 days before the start of your class with us. If we cancel a course or workshop for any reason, then participants will be offered a different date, course/workshop or RWA gift voucher. 

*Admin fee for courses £25, Admin fee for workshops £15