Non-Fiction Creative Writing Courses
Be inspired to write at the college where Andrea Levy, Malorie Blackman, Anna Burns, and other celebrated authors studied.
Learn how to craft compelling stories from real life, using your experiences and observations to create powerful, engaging narratives. Our courses cover key non-fiction writing techniques such as voice, structure, characterisation, and pacing, helping you tell true stories with authenticity and creativity.
From personal essays to longer memoirs, you’ll develop your writing skills in a supportive environment, receive valuable feedback from tutors, and connect with other writers. Whether you’re writing for personal expression or aiming for publication, City Lit offers a space to explore your non-fiction writing ambitions.
All our non-ficion writing courses are taught by practicing writers. Our tutors are published authors and experts in their field. Learn about their recent accomplishments.
For the latest news, courses, events and competitions, stay in touch with the Department on Facebook and X.
- Writing creative non-fiction: intensive
Course start date: Tue 21 Jul 2026 (and 3 other dates)Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Claire CollisonThis shorter version of our introductory creative non-fiction course explores the core elements of creative non-fiction across genres such as travel writing, the personal essay and life writing.
Full fee £159.00 Senior fee £159.00 Concession £80.00 - How to write a memoir Course start date: Wed 29 Jul 2026
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Julie GartonDo you have a personal story to tell that will move, delight, stir and inform readers? This short course guides students in planning and crafting a memoir.Full fee £89.00 Senior fee £89.00 Concession £45.00 - Advanced creative non-fiction: turning experience into art Course start date: Tue 15 Sep 2026
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Harper WaltonWeave the rich strands of your personal experience into an intricate story that will entertain and educate readers. Ideal if you've attended 'Writing creative non-fiction' or already have a specific project planned out.
Full fee £279.00 Senior fee £279.00 Concession £181.00 - Writing creative non-fiction Course start date: Tue 15 Sep 2026 (and 11 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Paul LaffanExplore practical and imaginative approaches to creative non fiction, including travel writing, life writing and the essay. Analyse published work, produce your own pieces, and benefit from detailed feedback.Full fee £279.00 Senior fee £279.00 Concession £181.00 - Autobiographical writing: intensive Course start date: Tue 15 Sep 2026 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Julie GartonThis shorter version of our introductory autobiographical writing course covers the basic elements of the genre, drawing on memories, diaries, photos, dreams and fantasies with a focus on the forms of autobiography, memoir and the personal essay.Full fee £179.00 Senior fee £179.00 Concession £116.00 - Writing creative non-fiction: a taster Course start date: Wed 16 Sep 2026 (and 2 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Julie GartonHave you had experiences that will move, delight or entertain readers? This taster session in creative non-fiction explores approaches to capturing your most poignant moments and crafting them into inspiring pieces of literature.Full fee £19.00 Senior fee £19.00 Concession £19.00 - Writing a memoir (continuation) Course start date: Thu 24 Sep 2026 (and 3 other dates)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Julie GartonSome moments in our lives are so powerful they beg to be shared with the world. This continuation course guides students in developing a memoir project that will resonate and inspire.Full fee £179.00 Senior fee £179.00 Concession £116.00 - Advanced autobiographical writing Course start date: Fri 25 Sep 2026 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Nick BarlayA supportive workshop for more experienced writers of autobiography who are ready to push their practice, explore new techniques and further develop their authorial voice.Full fee £279.00 Senior fee £279.00 Concession £181.00 - Writing a memoir Course start date: Fri 25 Sep 2026 (and 4 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Julie GartonSome moments in our lives are so powerful they beg to be shared with the world. This course will help you plan and craft a memoir that will resonate and inspire.Full fee £179.00 Senior fee £179.00 Concession £116.00 - Autobiographical writing Course start date: Mon 28 Sep 2026 (and 2 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Nick BarlayWhether writing for self-discovery, testimony or to tell your story, this term-long course explores how to ensure your autobiographical work is both evocative and powerful.Full fee £279.00 Senior fee £279.00 Concession £181.00 - Local history writing Course start date: Sat 3 Oct 2026
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Allis MossOn this inspiring short course you will learn how to write local history books, booklets and features; covering a wide range of topics such as family, home towns, old buildings, parks, markets and beyond.Full fee £79.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £51.00 - Craft focus: how to edit your non-fiction Course start date: Sat 17 Oct 2026
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Andrew KenrickOnce your manuscript is on the page, the editing process begins. Where do you start and what skills do you need? This course guides learners through the editing of a non-fiction manuscript, exploring approaches to making line edits, improving structure and more.Full fee £79.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £51.00 - Biography writing Course start date: Thu 5 Nov 2026 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Robert FraserWhat makes a great biography? Learn to experiment with your own life writing as you uncover the techniques and methods of this exciting genre with a professional biographer.
Full fee £179.00 Senior fee £179.00 Concession £116.00 - Micro-memoir: a taster Course start date: Fri 13 Nov 2026 (and 2 other dates)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Lawrence BradbyA life is measured in moments as well as momentous occasions. This fun workshop coaches students in the art of micro-memoir. Can you write about an instant that changed you in 200 words or less?
Full fee £19.00 Senior fee £19.00 Concession £19.00 - Masters of style: reading and writing Annie ErnauxCourse start date: Sat 14 Nov 2026
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Megan BeechAnnie Ernaux’s approaches to writing about society and the self have made her a leading voice in contemporary literature. This day workshop explores the literary interpretations of several seminal texts and writing exercises that encourage you to experiment with Ernaux’s style.
Full fee £79.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £51.00
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