Writing creative non-fiction: intensive

Course Dates: 19/02/25 - 26/03/25
Time: 18:00 - 20:00
Location: Online
Tutors: 
Lucy Popescu
This shorter version of our introductory creative non-writing course explores the core elements of creative non-fiction across genres such as travel writing, the personal essay and life writing.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.
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Full fee £149.00 Senior fee £149.00 Concession £75.00
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Writing creative non-fiction: intensive
  • Course Code: HW319
  • Dates: 19/02/25 - 26/03/25
  • Time: 18:00 - 20:00
  • Taught: Wed, Evening
  • Duration: 6 sessions (over 6 weeks)
  • Location: Online
  • Tutor: Lucy Popescu

Course Code: HW319

Choose a start date  

Wed, eve, 19 Feb - 26 Mar '25

Duration: 6 sessions (over 6 weeks)

Any questions? writing@citylit.ac.uk
or call 020 4582 0415

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.

What is the course about?

This course covers core elements of the creative non-fiction genre. Students will be encouraged to think creatively and imaginatively about their approach to writing their own creative non-fiction.

This is a live online course. You will need:
- Internet connection. The classes work best with Chrome.
- A computer with microphone and camera is best (e.g. a PC/laptop/iMac/MacBook), or a tablet/iPad/smart phone/iPhone can be used if you don't have a computer but please note the experience may be less optimal.
- Earphones/headphones/speakers.
We will contact you with joining instructions before your course starts.

What will we cover?

What is creative non-fiction?
How do we constructively analyse a creative non-fiction text?
Which core language and structural techniques are used for effect?

What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...

- Develop your understanding of the creative non-fiction genre.
- Constructively analyse creative non-fiction texts.
- Write your own creative non-fiction pieces.

What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?

No formal requirements except a good standard of literacy and a love of reading.

How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?

- Analysis of short pieces in class through group discussion.
- Pair work and group work.
- Regular individual short writing exercises.
- Formal instruction from the teacher combined with group discussion.

All writing courses at City Lit will involve an element of workshop. This means that students will produce work which will be discussed in an open and constructive environment with the tutor and other students. The college operates a policy of constructive criticism, and all feedback on another student’s work by the tutor and other students should be delivered in that spirit.

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?

Writing materials.

When I've finished, what course can I do next?

The Writing department offers a range of creative writing courses, including Autobiographical writing, Biography writing, Writing a memoir and The art of the personal essay.

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 Twitter.

Lucy Popescu

Lucy Popescu is a writer, editor and arts critic. She has published two anthologies about refugee experiences, A Country of Refuge (2016) and A Country to Call Home (2018) and is the author of The Good Tourist (2008). Lucy is chair of the Authors’ Club and its Best First Novel Award. She reviews books for The Observer, FT and TLS, among other publications, has a regular column in the Literary Review and is theatre editor at Camden New Journal. Lucy has taught creative writing for over ten years, is a writing mentor at Freedom for Torture and also curates literary events. Before that, she worked with the English Centre of PEN.

Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.