Reading for writers: creative non-fiction (a fortnightly course)
The best way to learn creative non-fiction is to read good examples. Dive into creative non-fiction, from journalistic features to memoir, and begin to apply the lessons learnt to your own writing in this fortnightly course.
Learning modes and locations may be different depending on the course start date. Please check the location of your chosen course and read our guide to learning modes and locations to help you choose the right course for you.
Please note: We offer a wide variety of financial support to make courses affordable. Just visit our online Help Centre for more information on a range of topics including fees, online learning and FAQs.
This course will help writers of every level develop their skills in creative non-fiction. Through reading and discussion, the class will explore a range of successful essays and memoir extracts, looking at how writers shape real experiences into compelling narratives. There will be fortnightly reading assignments and writing exercises designed to help you develop your own voice and approach to writing from life.
What will we cover?
Voice and perspective
Shaping memory into narrative
Writing vivid scenes from real experience
Balancing reflection with storytelling.
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
Identify key techniques used in creative non-fiction
Recognise these techniques in the work of published essayists and memoirists
Apply these techniques in your own writing
Develop greater confidence in shaping personal experience into engaging narratives.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This class is open to writers with some experience of creative writing or personal writing who would like to explore creative non-fiction. You will need to be fluent in English.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
You will be assigned several short readings between sessions, including essays and memoir extracts. There will also be opportunities to share and discuss your work in a supportive workshop environment.
City Lit Writing endeavours to create a safe and welcoming space for all and we strongly support the use of content notes in our classes. This means that learners are encouraged to make their tutor and classmates aware in advance if any writing they wish to share contains material that may be deemed sensitive. If you are unsure about what might constitute sensitive content, please ask your tutor for further clarification and read our expectations for participating in writing courses at City Lit.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
There are no additional costs. Please bring writing materials.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
City Lit offers a range of non-fiction creative writing courses, including Autobiographical writing and Biography writing.
All students are invited to join us at Late Lines, our regular performance night for City Lit writers. Students are also encouraged to submit their work to Between the Lines, our annual anthology of creative writing. For the latest news, courses and events, stay in touch with the Department on Facebook and Bluesky.
We’re sorry. We don’t have a bio ready for the tutor of this class at the moment, but we’re working on it! Watch this space.
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https://www.citylit.ac.uk/reading-for-writers-creative-non-fiction-a-fortnightly-course3037135Reading for writers: creative non-fiction (a fortnightly course)https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/Creative-writing-a-taster-HW687-1024.jpg179179GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Writing/Creative non-fiction/Creative non-fiction/Courses/Writing/Courses/Writing/Creative non-fiction/Courses/Online courses2285159313581135931731122851358113593<p>The best way to learn creative non-fiction is to read good examples. Dive into creative non-fiction, from journalistic features to memoir, and begin to apply the lessons learnt to your own writing in this fortnightly course.</p>003037120Reading for writers: creative non-fiction (a fortnightly course)179179https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/Creative-writing-a-taster-HW687-1024.jpgInStockEveningTueOnlineAvailable courses5-10 weeksWeekday2027-01-12T00:00:00+00:00Some experience, AdvancedJan 2027WritingHW719179179Reading for writers: creative non-fiction (a fortnightly course)179116179reading-for-writers-creative-non-fiction-a-fortnightly-course/hw719-2627<p>The best way to learn creative non-fiction is to read good examples. Dive into creative non-fiction, from journalistic features to memoir, and begin to apply the lessons learnt to your own writing in this fortnightly course.</p>0000-Available|2027-01-12 00:00:00<p>This course will help writers of every level develop their skills in creative non-fiction. Through reading and discussion, the class will explore a range of successful essays and memoir extracts, looking at how writers shape real experiences into compelling narratives. There will be fortnightly reading assignments and writing exercises designed to help you develop your own voice and approach to writing from life.</p><p>The best way to learn creative non-fiction is to read good examples. Dive into creative non-fiction, from journalistic features to memoir, and begin to apply the lessons learnt to your own writing in this fortnightly course.</p><ul><li>Voice and perspective</li><li>Shaping memory into narrative</li><li>Writing vivid scenes from real experience</li><li>Balancing reflection with storytelling.<br></li></ul><ul><li>Identify key techniques used in creative non-fiction</li><li>Recognise these techniques in the work of published essayists and memoirists</li><li>Apply these techniques in your own writing</li><li>Develop greater confidence in shaping personal experience into engaging narratives.<br></li></ul><p>This class is open to writers with some experience of creative writing or personal writing who would like to explore creative non-fiction. You will need to be fluent in English.</p><p>You will be assigned several short readings between sessions, including essays and memoir extracts. There will also be opportunities to share and discuss your work in a supportive workshop environment.<br></p> <br />
<br />
City Lit Writing endeavours to create a safe and welcoming space for all and we strongly support the use of content notes in our classes. This means that learners are encouraged to make their tutor and classmates aware in advance if any writing they wish to share contains material that may be deemed sensitive. If you are unsure about what might constitute sensitive content, please ask your tutor for further clarification and read our <a href=" https://www.citylit.ac.uk/expectations-for-participating-in-writing-courses" target="_blank">expectations for participating in writing courses at City Lit</a>.<p>There are no additional costs. Please bring writing materials.<br></p><p>City Lit offers a range of non-fiction creative writing courses, including Autobiographical writing and Biography writing.</p><p>All students are invited to join us at <a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/latelines" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Late Lines</a>, our regular performance night for City Lit writers. Students are also encouraged to submit their work to <a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/betweenthelines" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Between the Lines</a>, our annual anthology of creative writing. For the latest news, courses and events, stay in touch with the Department on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/citylitcreativewriting" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Facebook</a> and <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/citylitwriting.bsky.social" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Bluesky</a>.</p>Creative non-fictionCreative non-fictionvirtual179179116HW719NONETue12/01/27 - 23/03/2718:00 - 20:0018:0020:006 sessions (over 11 weeks)65-10 weeksEveningWeekdayOnlineOnlineSome experience, AdvancedAvailable courses2027-01-12T00:00:00+00:00Jan 2027Writing179179Reading for writers: creative non-fiction (a fortnightly course)reading-for-writers-creative-non-fiction-a-fortnightly-course/hw719-2627<p>The best way to learn creative non-fiction is to read good examples. Dive into creative non-fiction, from journalistic features to memoir, and begin to apply the lessons learnt to your own writing in this fortnightly course.</p>0000-Available|2027-01-12 00:00:00<p>This course will help writers of every level develop their skills in creative non-fiction. Through reading and discussion, the class will explore a range of successful essays and memoir extracts, looking at how writers shape real experiences into compelling narratives. There will be fortnightly reading assignments and writing exercises designed to help you develop your own voice and approach to writing from life.</p><p>The best way to learn creative non-fiction is to read good examples. Dive into creative non-fiction, from journalistic features to memoir, and begin to apply the lessons learnt to your own writing in this fortnightly course.</p><ul><li>Voice and perspective</li><li>Shaping memory into narrative</li><li>Writing vivid scenes from real experience</li><li>Balancing reflection with storytelling.<br></li></ul><ul><li>Identify key techniques used in creative non-fiction</li><li>Recognise these techniques in the work of published essayists and memoirists</li><li>Apply these techniques in your own writing</li><li>Develop greater confidence in shaping personal experience into engaging narratives.<br></li></ul><p>This class is open to writers with some experience of creative writing or personal writing who would like to explore creative non-fiction. You will need to be fluent in English.</p><p>You will be assigned several short readings between sessions, including essays and memoir extracts. There will also be opportunities to share and discuss your work in a supportive workshop environment.<br></p> <br />
<br />
City Lit Writing endeavours to create a safe and welcoming space for all and we strongly support the use of content notes in our classes. This means that learners are encouraged to make their tutor and classmates aware in advance if any writing they wish to share contains material that may be deemed sensitive. If you are unsure about what might constitute sensitive content, please ask your tutor for further clarification and read our <a href=" https://www.citylit.ac.uk/expectations-for-participating-in-writing-courses" target="_blank">expectations for participating in writing courses at City Lit</a>.<p>There are no additional costs. Please bring writing materials.<br></p><p>City Lit offers a range of non-fiction creative writing courses, including Autobiographical writing and Biography writing.</p><p>All students are invited to join us at <a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/latelines" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Late Lines</a>, our regular performance night for City Lit writers. Students are also encouraged to submit their work to <a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/betweenthelines" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Between the Lines</a>, our annual anthology of creative writing. For the latest news, courses and events, stay in touch with the Department on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/citylitcreativewriting" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Facebook</a> and <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/citylitwriting.bsky.social" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Bluesky</a>.</p>Creative non-fictionCreative non-fictionconfigurable
