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 writing creative non-fiction and American history and politics.
Study 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, 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 online now.
- Unreal city: the history of London through literature from 1800 to todayCourse Date: Tue 20 Apr 2021
Location on this date: Online
Fiction writers are often the first to identify and analyse a social phenomenon. We will examine two centuries of London history through the eyes of novelists and poets, from William Blake to Zadie Smith.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee £89.00 Senior fee £89.00 Concession £39.00 - The 'superfluous man' in 19th century literatureCourse Date: Tue 20 Apr 2021
Location on this date: Online
This class explores the subject of the superfluous man in nineteenth-century literature. From disaffected dropouts to dissolute dandies, we investigate the origins of the subject in the Romantic movement, its flourishing in masterpieces of nineteenth-century Russian literature, and variations on its character and ideas in European and American literature up to the turn of the twentieth century.
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 £79.00 - Writing non-fiction for children: an introductionCourse Date: Tue 20 Apr 2021
Location on this date: Online
Learn how to write children’s non-fiction on this exciting and interactive course encompassing classic fact book, biography and narrative. You will also get an opportunity to practise and get some feedback on your writing.
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 - Advanced fiction writing workshop
Course Date: Tue 20 Apr 2021 (and 1 other date)Location on this date: Online
For experienced writers, this supportive but rigorous workshop offers the perfect opportunity to develop your novel or short story. Receive in-depth feedback and benefit from detailed group discussions on the art of fiction.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee £219.00 Senior fee £219.00 Concession £88.00 - Short story writingCourse Date: Tue 20 Apr 2021 (and 2 other dates)
Location on this date: Online
A hands-on introduction to the art of writing short stories. You will receive technical advice, creative exercises to generate ideas, and feedback to develop your writing skills.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee £209.00 Senior fee £209.00 Concession £84.00 - Television screenwritingCourse Date: Tue 20 Apr 2021
Location on this date: Online
Do you want to write a drama script for television? What do you write and where do you start? Through exercises and examples this course will assist you in developing your own projects.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee £209.00 Senior fee £209.00 Concession £84.00 - Developing your novelCourse Date: Tue 20 Apr 2021 (and 2 other dates)
Location on this date: Online
Have you started work on your novel? This course is suitable for experienced creative writers who want to make progress with a novel draft. Learn more about the art of novel writing and move your project forward in a supportive workshop environment.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee £209.00 Senior fee £209.00 Concession £84.00 - Introduction to journalismCourse Date: Tue 20 Apr 2021
Location on this date: Online
On this course students will explore the basic skills a freelance journalist needs to write and sell news and features to newspapers and magazines. From developing ideas and identifying outlets to interview skills and approaching editors.
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 - Ending your novelCourse Date: Tue 20 Apr 2021
Location on this date: Online
Are you wondering how to wrap up your novel? Maybe you're grappling with the best way to bring your book to a satisfying conclusion. This course is suitable for experienced creative writers who have completed or made significant progress with a novel draft. Learn more about the art of novel writing and conclude your project in a supportive workshop environment.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee £209.00 Senior fee £209.00 Concession £84.00 - The 60 minute writerCourse Date: Tue 20 Apr 2021 (and 5 other dates)
Location on this date: Online
Fit creative writing into your busy day: a relaxed, informal rolling programme for writers of all levels of experience who enjoy being thrown new ideas and experimenting with poetry and prose.
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 for childrenCourse Date: Tue 20 Apr 2021
Location on this date: Online
Always wanted to write a children's book? This practical course will develop your ability to write for different age groups and genres of contemporary children's fiction.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee £209.00 Senior fee £209.00 Concession £84.00 - Autobiographical writing: an introductionCourse Date: Tue 20 Apr 2021
Location on this date: Online
This short course explores the basic elements of writing autobiography drawing on memories, diaries, photos, dreams and fantasies with a focus on the forms of autobiography, memoir and the personal essay.
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 - Masterclass: fiction (a one-term intensive workshop)Course Date: Tue 20 Apr 2021 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Online
This intensive online fiction workshop is open by selective application to a maximum of ten fiction writers working at the advanced and professional levels. You will receive rigorous constructive feedback on your novel or short story as you develop it with a view to publication, and participate in detailed tutor-led discussions on advanced elements of fictional craft. Application deadline: Sunday 28th March 2021.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee £339.00 Senior fee £339.00 Concession £339.00 - Ways into creative writingCourse Date: Tue 20 Apr 2021 (and 4 other dates)
Location on this date: Online
Want to have a go at creative writing in a supportive environment? Join one of these introductory courses. Guided exercises will give you the tools to explore language creatively and find your own writing voice.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee £209.00 Senior fee £209.00 Concession £84.00 - Reading for writers: the short story (a fortnightly course)Course Date: Tue 20 Apr 2021
Location on this date: Online
The best way to write good short stories is to read a lot of good ones first. Dive into the best of short fiction, explore point-of-view, character and pacing, and begin to apply the lessons learnt to your own writing in this fortnightly course.
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
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