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Essays, Insights, Writing Tips and Philosophy Discussions - A Forum For Those Who Love Writing and Love Thinking and Love Thinking About Writing.

Hi, I’m Tim Lott - journalist, novelist, and writing mentor, formerly of Guardian Masterclasses and the Faber Academy.

Welcome to my Bootcamp - a forum for readers, writers and the curious.

On my site, behind the paywall, there are video and podcast interviews with other writers and writing teachers, including Jon Ronson, Blake Morrison, Robert McKee, Sadie Jones and many others.

There are currently nearly 600 posts available for paying subscribers. Many of them contain invaluable writing lessons. There are also posts from my archive as a writer, discussion groups, and a monthly Juke Books live online episode in which members of the group read from their favourite books to other subscribers. I have also added conversations between me and Zen teacher Manu Bazzano ( that’s the ‘Philosophy Jam’ part of the title.)

Much of my work on writing appears in this book, published June 15, 2023

You won’t know whether you can write a novel until you try. This newsletter is here to help you try – but also to help you be realistic about what you can achieve. And it’s here for you to form part or a COMMUNITY where we all help one another. It’s not so much a pulpit with me on the soapbox, as a bustling village square with everyone swapping information with everyone else.  I try and guide and use my experience to help, but everyone has a voice in the Bootcamp. To help build the community please share below.

There’s a more practical reason.  Writing courses and classes are expensive.  For £5 a month, or £30 a year, I am within the reach of any would-be writer.

If you want to learn about the subscription options please go here:

But whether you want to be a writer or not, there is plenty of fascinating material at the Bootcamp. Please take a look and come and join us.