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.
- Writing creative non-fiction: intensive
Course start date: Wed 17 Feb 2027 (and 3 other dates)Location on this date: Online
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 £179.00 Senior fee £179.00 Concession £116.00 - 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 - Writing creative non-fiction Course start date: Wed 30 Sep 2026 (and 11 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 £279.00 Senior fee £279.00 Concession £181.00 - 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 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 a memoir Course start date: Fri 15 Jan 2027 (and 4 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 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 - Advanced autobiographical writing Course start date: Tue 20 Apr 2027 (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 £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 - 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 - Writing the family Course start date: Sat 14 Nov 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 £51.00 - Memoir writing: a taster Course start date: Mon 30 Nov 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 - Reading for writers: creative non-fiction (a fortnightly course)Course start date: Tue 12 Jan 2027
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Andrew KenrickThe 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.
Full fee £179.00 Senior fee £179.00 Concession £116.00 - Journaling: a taster Course start date: Mon 1 Feb 2027
Location 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 £51.00 - The art of writing the personal essay Course start date: Sun 14 Feb 2027 (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 £51.00
Can't see a course you want?
Add this category to your waiting list to set up alerts and we will update you when new courses are released online.
Add me to waiting list