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.
- Journaling: a taster
Course start date: Mon 2 Feb 2026Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Julie GartonThis inspiring taster course led by an experienced journaler, encourages students to explore a range of techniques and prompts in order to find an approach to life writing that suits them.Full fee £79.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £40.00 - The art of writing the personal essay Course start date: Sun 15 Feb 2026 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Lawrence BradbyFollow in the footsteps of Dorothy Parker, George Orwell and Zadie Smith with this taster course on the personal essay, a continuously thriving genre of autobiographical writing.Full fee £79.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £40.00 - Writing a memoir (continuation) Course start date: Mon 16 Feb 2026 (and 1 other date)
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 continuation course guides students in developing a memoir project that will resonate and inspire.Full fee £159.00 Senior fee £159.00 Concession £80.00 - Autobiographical writing: intensive Course start date: Tue 17 Feb 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 £159.00 Senior fee £159.00 Concession £80.00 - Writing creative non-fiction: intensive Course start date: Wed 18 Feb 2026 (and 2 other dates)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Lucy PopescuThis 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 - Writing the family Course start date: Sat 21 Feb 2026 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Nick BarlayA thought-provoking workshop designed to tackle the challenges of writing about family life in creative non-fiction projects, and offer guidance on shaping personal stories into coherent, engaging narratives.Full fee £79.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £40.00 - Advanced creative non-fiction workshop Course start date: Mon 23 Feb 2026 (and 2 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Paul LaffanThis advanced workshop is designed for students who have already completed introductory and intermediate creative non-fiction courses and would like to focus on workshopping their writing.
Full fee £149.00 Senior fee £149.00 Concession £75.00 - Life writing: getting started Course start date: Fri 27 Feb 2026 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Lucy PopescuThis inspiring workshop encourages students to explore a range of techniques and prompts in order to create vivid and engaging life writing.Full fee £79.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £40.00 - How to write a non-fiction book proposalCourse start date: Sun 1 Mar 2026
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Nick BarlayLearn how to write a compelling non-fiction book proposal on this interactive and informative short course, which will demystify the essentials to give your project the best chance of success.Full fee £79.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £40.00 - Micro-memoir: a taster Course start date: Fri 13 Mar 2026 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Julie GartonA 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 - Memoir writing: a taster Course start date: Thu 26 Mar 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 £19.00 Senior fee £19.00 Concession £19.00 - Writing creative non-fiction: a taster Course start date: Tue 31 Mar 2026
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 creative non-fiction Course start date: Mon 20 Apr 2026 (and 7 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 £259.00 Senior fee £259.00 Concession £130.00 - Advanced autobiographical writing Course start date: Tue 21 Apr 2026
Location on this date: Online
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 £259.00 Senior fee £259.00 Concession £130.00 - Autobiographical writing Course start date: Tue 21 Apr 2026 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Julie GartonWhether 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 £259.00 Senior fee £259.00 Concession £130.00
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