How to write a book about your expert knowledge

What is the course about?

This short course is aimed at academics, business experts, health practitioners, life-coaches, psychologists, and anyone with a specific professional expertise who wants to write a book. It demystifies the publishing process and helps you formulate the first steps and stages to long-form writing.

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 if you don't have a computer.
- Earphones/headphones/speakers.
We will contact you with joining instructions before your course starts.

What will we cover?

- Gain a clear overview of the process involved in writing a book.
- Learn what publishers are looking for in a book proposal.
- Discover how to sell yourself to publishers and the public.

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

-Identify what you have that’s unique, and how you fit into the publishing world.
- Consider whether you can do it yourself or need help (ghost-writers and editors).
- Plan your next steps.

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

You need a specific expertise based on your studies, profession or occupation (rather than an interest or a hobby).

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

- Self-reflection exercises.
- Small group work and general group brainstorming, feedback and discussion.
-Workshop style instruction.


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.

For classes longer than one day regular reading and writing exercises will be set for completion at home to set deadlines.

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?

None. Just any materials for taking notes and working through exercises online/offline as needed.

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

City Lit offers a range of professional development courses for authors including Self-publishing: an introduction, How to write a novel synopsis, Approaching an agent and more. For full details browse the City Lit website.

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.