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.
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.
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- Write a short story in a weekend
Course start date: Sat 7 Oct 2023 (and 5 other dates)Location on this date: Keeley Street
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: getting started Course start date: Sat 14 Oct 2023 (and 4 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
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 comedy Course start date: Sat 21 Oct 2023
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. - Writing flash fiction: getting startedCourse start date: Sat 27 Jan 2024 (and 2 other dates)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Maria ThomasFlash fiction is the art of telling small stories that make a big impact. Learn how to harness the power of economy in this practical short 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 - Picture book writing Course start date: Sat 2 Mar 2024 (and 7 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
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 - Writing eco-poetryCourse start date: Sun 12 Nov 2023 (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 - Writing the family Course start date: Sat 18 Nov 2023 (and 2 other dates)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Nick BarlayA thought-provoking workshop designed to tackle the challenges of writing about family life and offer guidance on shaping personal stories into coherent, engaging narratives.
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 - Comedy sketch writing Course start date: Sat 18 Nov 2023
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Kate SmurthwaiteDiscover the art of creating a great comedy sketch. Study the brilliance of classic sketches and learn how to deploy their techniques in your own work.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information. - An artistic history of JerusalemCourse start date: Sat 25 Nov 2023
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Roberta MarinJerusalem is considered the holy city for the three monotheistic religions (Judaism, Christianity and Islam) and is one of the most iconic cities in the world.Full fee £59.00 Senior fee £47.00 Concession £38.00 - Craft focus: voice in fiction Course start date: Sat 2 Dec 2023 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
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 - Jump start your play Course start date: Sat 2 Dec 2023 (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 but never finished? This intensive short course will help you inject new energy into your idea – and get started writing. Only suitable 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 £35.00 - World-building for fantasy and speculative fiction writers Course start date: Sat 29 Jun 2024 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Victoria M. AdamsLearn 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 £35.00 - Joke writing Course start date: Sat 9 Mar 2024
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Kate SmurthwaiteUncover the workings of the classic one-liner, practise joke writing and find out what makes a good joke. Learn how to refine and develop your own writing skills for stand up, comedy writing and pleasure.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information. - Writing autofictionCourse start date: Sat 9 Mar 2024
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Natasha BellBlurring lines between fact and fiction, blending the 'real' and 'imaginary', autofiction is a rich playground for writers. In this short advanced taster course, learn what 'autofiction' is, how it differs from other forms of life writing, and explore how to write it.
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 environmental essays and features
Course start date: Sat 9 Mar 2024Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Laura SilvermanLearn what makes environmental writing sing and how to write an article or blog post, from research to editing.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.
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