Online Non-Fiction Creative Writing Courses
Explore the art of true stories with City Lit’s online non-fiction creative writing courses. Whether you're interested in memoir, travel writing, biography or personal essays, our expert-led courses will help you shape real experiences into compelling narratives — all from the comfort of your own home.
You’ll learn how to bring non-fiction to life using creative techniques such as voice, structure, character and detail, while staying true to your subject. With live sessions, group discussion and personalised feedback, you’ll develop your skills in a flexible and supportive online environment.
Our courses are suitable for writers at all levels. Whether you're just starting out or working on a project, you'll gain the confidence and craft to tell your story with clarity and impact.
Explore our online non-fiction creative writing courses today and learn to turn real life into powerful writing.
- Micro-memoir: a taster
Course start date: Fri 13 Mar 2026 (and 2 other dates)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 (and 1 other date)
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 1 Dec 2026 (and 2 other dates)
Location on this date: Online
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: Thu 23 Apr 2026 (and 10 other dates)
Location on this date: Online
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 (and 1 other date)
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 - Writing a memoir Course start date: Thu 11 Jun 2026 (and 4 other dates)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Nick BarlaySome 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 £159.00 Senior fee £159.00 Concession £80.00 - Journal inspiration: creative approaches to writing about your life Course start date: Thu 23 Apr 2026
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Julie GartonThis inspiring, six-week workshop, 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 £159.00 Senior fee £159.00 Concession £80.00 - The art of writing the personal essay Course start date: Sun 24 May 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 - Life writing: getting started Course start date: Mon 1 Jun 2026
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Alice RobbThis inspiring workshop encourages students to explore a range of techniques and approaches for writing about your own life.Full fee £79.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £40.00 - 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 - Writing creative non-fiction: intensive Course start date: Wed 3 Jun 2026 (and 3 other dates)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Erica BuistThis 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.Full fee £159.00 Senior fee £159.00 Concession £80.00 - Local history writing Course start date: Sat 20 Jun 2026 (and 1 other date)
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 £40.00 - Writing the family Course start date: Sat 27 Jun 2026 (and 2 other dates)
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 - 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 - 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
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