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.
Courses available both in-person and online
We offer a range of courses allowing you to choose between online and in-person learning. All our courses are live, interactive, and taught by expert tutors. No matter how you prefer to learn, you’ll receive the same great City Lit experience. See our guide to online learning for more information about accessing our live online courses.
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.
- A taste of creative writingCourse start date: Sat 17 Sep 2022 (and 11 other dates)
Location on this date: Online (other locations are available)
Tutors: Sophie McKenzieGive creative writing a try on this fun and supportive online short course. Ideal if you want to write but need help getting started. Guided exercises will encourage you to experiment and unlock your imagination.
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 £35.00 - Ways into screenwriting: a tasterCourse start date: Sat 17 Sep 2022 (and 4 other dates)
Location on this date: Online (other locations are available)
Tutors: Alan NixonWant to write scripts but don't know how to start? Discover the basics of screenwriting - character, conflict and more - on this short online course that will help you shape your ideas and get your story going.
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 £35.00 - A taste of poetryCourse start date: Sat 17 Sep 2022 (and 3 other dates)
Location on this date: Online (other locations are available)
Tutors: Julie IrigarayThis short, fun workshop is the perfect starting point for students who are writing for the first time or new to poetry. Join us for thought-provoking writing exercises and poetry theory for beginners.
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 £35.00 - Writing and rewriting fairytalesCourse start date: Tue 4 Oct 2022 (and 3 other dates)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Mary VictoriaOnce upon a time there was a City Lit workshop all about writing fairytales. The quest: to inspire writers to pen stories of love, fear, forests, revenge, dragons, witches, kings, queens, frogs and magic.
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 £35.00 - Picture book writingCourse start date: Sat 18 Feb 2023 (and 9 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street (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.Full fee £99.00 Senior fee £99.00 Concession £50.00 - Edward Thomas: 'On a Strange Bridge Alone'Course start date: Sat 8 Oct 2022
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Peter BrennanThe reflective, questioning poems of Edward Thomas have gained many admirers. By studying a carefully chosen selection of both his poetry and prose writings, we shall look more deeply into the significance of his achievement.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee £59.00 Senior fee £47.00 Concession £38.00 - Write a short story in a weekendCourse start date: Sat 8 Oct 2022 (and 6 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street (other locations are available)
Tutors: Vicky GrutTurn 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.Full fee £99.00 Senior fee £99.00 Concession £50.00 - Autobiography into fiction: a tasterCourse start date: Sat 15 Oct 2022 (and 4 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street (other locations are available)
Tutors: Vicky GrutLearn how to turn real-life experiences into gripping fiction in this fun short course for fiction-writing beginners and experienced writers. Develop your writing skills and explore techniques for transforming personal stories into strong narratives.Full fee £69.00 Senior fee £69.00 Concession £35.00 - Writing political comedyCourse start date: Sat 22 Oct 2022
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Kate SmurthwaiteWhen it comes to subjects for comedy, the news media never seems to run out. Learn to write political comedy from pithy one liners to satirical columns and monologues using techniques from professional comedy script writers.
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 £35.00 - Self-publishing: a tasterCourse start date: Sun 23 Oct 2022 (and 2 other dates)
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 £35.00 - Flash fiction: a tasterCourse start date: Sat 29 Oct 2022
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Lucy PopescuFlash fiction is the art of telling small stories that make a big impact. Learn how to harness the power of economy in this practical course. Suitable for those with some experience of creative writing.
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 £35.00 - Writing comedy for TV in the online ageCourse start date: Sat 5 Nov 2022 (and 2 other dates)
Location on this date: Online
The opportunities to develop narrative comedy are multitude. This course led by an Emmy award-winning producer, explains how to identify your outlets and modify your projects accordingly.
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 £35.00 - How to get an agentCourse start date: Sat 12 Nov 2022 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Sophie McKenzieThis intensive workshop offers students insider, need-to-know information on securing 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 £35.00 - 'Isaac Rosenberg, Londoner and War Poet: 'An Inch of Candle'Course start date: Sat 12 Nov 2022
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Peter BrennanDiscover the poignant, incisive poetry of Isaac Rosenberg, who grew up in Cable Street and developed into a gifted poet and painter. His reflections on the private soldier’s experiences of the trenches are unique and compelling.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee £59.00 Senior fee £47.00 Concession £38.00 - Writing eco-poetry: a tasterCourse start date: Sat 12 Nov 2022 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Sarah WestcottHow might poets write about the natural world today, 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 £35.00
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