Explore History, Culture & Writing
Explore our extraordinary range of History, Culture and Writing courses and lectures. We offer both introductory and specialist in-depth courses to suit all levels of interest and experience, from ‘How to read a film’ and World literature, to Creative non-fiction writing courses and American history and Politics courses.
Study in-person at City Lit or offsite, or online from the comfort of home, with interactive classes that allow you to participate in discussions with fellow adult students. We offer daytime, evening and weekend courses, both short and long. For more information on our online courses, please see our guide to online learning.
Our tutors are experts in their fields and experienced educators; many have published, teach in universities or share their expertise in the media. Tutors share their knowledge and passion through presentations, readings, interactive discussion and exercises, analysis, and other activities.
Many students return to take more courses, telling us they enjoy being part of our City Lit Learning community.
Our popular courses often sell out quickly, so we invite you to browse and book your place now.
- Investigative journalism: a taster
Course start date: Sat 28 May 2022Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Allis MossGet to grips with the skills needed to make a start in investigative journalism.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee £69.00 Senior fee £69.00 Concession £28.00 - Reviewing museums, exhibitions and galleriesCourse start date: Sat 4 Jun 2022
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Claire CollisonThis fun and informative workshop will consider how to write an effective review of a museum or art gallery, or a specific exhibition. This particularly satisfying form of writing allows you to engage in greater depth with the arts.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee £69.00 Senior fee £69.00 Concession £28.00 - How to write a book about your expert knowledgeCourse start date: Sat 4 Jun 2022
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Lorna VThis crash course aims to demystify the publishing process and help you formulate the first steps to writing your book, whether you’re an academic, a business expert or anyone else with specific professional expertise.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee £69.00 Senior fee £69.00 Concession £28.00 - Picture book writingCourse start date: Mon 6 Jun 2022 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Online (other locations are available)
Tutors: Andrew WealeWould you like to write a picture book text for young children? This course is designed for children's writers and for illustrators wishing to write their own stories; a starter course to develop both your ideas and your technique.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee £129.00 Senior fee £129.00 Concession £52.00 - Local history writingCourse start date: Sat 11 Jun 2022
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Allis MossOn this inspiring short course you will learn how to write local history books, booklets and features; covering a wide range of topics such as family, home towns, old buildings, parks, markets and beyond.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee £69.00 Senior fee £69.00 Concession £28.00 - The poem as quest: writing narrative poetryCourse start date: Sat 11 Jun 2022
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Ellen CranitchFrom ballads to myths, learn the techniques and styles needed to write narrative poetry.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee £69.00 Senior fee £69.00 Concession £28.00 - Approaching an agentCourse start date: Sat 18 Jun 2022
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Neil ArkseyThis workshop, designed for authors who have finished their manuscript, offers practical advice on finding and approaching a literary agent.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee £69.00 Senior fee £69.00 Concession £28.00 - Write a short story in a weekendCourse start date: Sat 25 Jun 2022
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Maria ThomasTurn your great idea into a short story on this fun practical course. Through a series of inspiring exercises, you'll be introduced to some key fiction writing techniques and encouraged to draft a short story from beginning to end in two days. Suitable for beginners who are comfortable learning at a fast pace. Please note - this course includes a 2-hour break from 12:30-14:30 each day.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee £99.00 Senior fee £99.00 Concession £40.00 - Writing experimental fiction: a tasterCourse start date: Sat 25 Jun 2022
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Thomas McMullanWriting fiction is always an experiment in how to connect to your reader, but some stories push the boundaries of form to the extreme. In this advanced course you'll test the limits of your imagination to craft fiction that breaks all the rules with purpose.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee £69.00 Senior fee £69.00 Concession £28.00 - Self-publishing: a tasterCourse start date: Sat 25 Jun 2022
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Helen CoxWant to keep full creative control of your writing project? Learn more about self-publishing and how to give your book (poetry, fiction or non-fiction) the best chance of achieving high sales.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee £69.00 Senior fee £69.00 Concession £28.00 - Writing eco-poetry: a tasterCourse start date: Sat 25 Jun 2022
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Sarah WestcottHow might poets write about the natural world in 2022 and beyond, and what is an eco-poem?
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee £69.00 Senior fee £69.00 Concession £28.00 - Sports: an American historyCourse start date: Sat 2 Jul 2022
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Brian KennedyThis course (from an American lecturer who is a sports fanatic!) will provide a brief overview of the history of American sport and the role of sport in American society.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee £69.00 Senior fee £55.00 Concession £35.00 - Writing YA fiction: a tasterCourse start date: Sat 2 Jul 2022
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Neil ArkseyWith so many Young Adult bestsellers topping fiction lists and becoming blockbuster movies, YA fiction has a higher profile than ever before. Find out more about this exciting genre and how it differs from other forms of writing for adults and children.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee £69.00 Senior fee £69.00 Concession £28.00 - World-building for fantasy and speculative fiction writersCourse start date: Sat 2 Jul 2022
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Mary VictoriaLearn how to build worlds that lend your fantasy or speculative fiction credibility, richness and the kind of depth that leaves readers wanting more.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee £69.00 Senior fee £69.00 Concession £28.00 - Writing the familyCourse start date: Sat 2 Jul 2022
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Nick BarlayTackle the challenges of writing about family life in this thought-provoking workshop about how to craft personal stories into an engaging narrative.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee £69.00 Senior fee £69.00 Concession £28.00
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