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.
- Writing the family
Course start date: Sat 2 Jul 2022 (and 3 other dates)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 - Craft focus: how to edit your novelCourse start date: Sat 16 Jul 2022 (and 2 other dates)
Location on this date: Online (other locations are available)
Tutors: Sarah LeipcigerAs the saying goes: books aren't written - they're rewritten. Learn the different ways into the editing process and how to polish your novel in this short course for writers ready to find a readership.
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 - Advanced academic writing: year 3 undergraduate and beyondCourse start date: Sat 16 Jul 2022 (and 3 other dates)
Location on this date: Online (other locations are available)
Tutors: Anne WilsonExplore the building blocks and strategies for good academic writing at postgraduate level. Ideal for those studying or contemplating academic writing beyond undergraduate studies.
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 11 other dates)
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 £99.00 Senior fee £99.00 Concession £40.00 - Writing and rewriting fairytalesCourse start date: Sat 23 Jul 2022 (and 4 other dates)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Helen CoxOnce upon a time there was a City Lit workshop led by an author who loved fairytales. Her 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 £28.00 - Jump start your playCourse start date: Sat 13 Aug 2022 (and 2 other dates)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Brian MullinHave you got a script idea but not yet put pen to paper? Or a script you started long ago but never finished? This intensive short course is like a dramaturgy bootcamp. You’ll inject some new energy into your idea – and get a headstart at writing it. A perfect motivator to finally fulfill those playwriting resolutions, suitable only for those with playwriting experience.
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 - 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 - 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 - Autobiography into poetryCourse start date: Sat 8 Oct 2022
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Sarah WardleLearn how to translate real-life experiences into powerful poems in this stimulating course for those interested in the meeting place between autobiography and 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 £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 - 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 - Writing eco-poetry: a tasterCourse start date: Sat 25 Jun 2022 (and 2 other dates)
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 £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 - Craft focus: voice in fictionCourse start date: Sat 19 Nov 2022 (and 2 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street (other locations are available)
Tutors: Tasha KavanaghAll fiction must have a 'voice,' a complex mix of elements that, together, give the piece its unique identity. Learn what 'voice' really means in fiction and how to develop a voice for your story that can capture the attention of readers.Full fee £69.00 Senior fee £69.00 Concession £35.00 - How to write your PhD research proposalCourse start date: Sat 19 Nov 2022
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Anne WilsonPreparing a research proposal for a PhD? This course covers the process of researching and articulating the questions that will make your proposal stand out.
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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