Local history writing

What is the course about?

This course uses practical exercises and discussion to get you started on your local history writing. You can also join the course if you want to work on parts of something you are already writing. Local history writing covers a huge range of interests, places and passions. Writing about local history allows you, as the writer, to be creative and an explorer in your local area of choice.

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?

- Researching local history.
- Practical tips for telling your story.
- How to write about passions and pastimes.
- How to write about environment.
- How to present real life characters on the page.

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

- Understand effective research strategies for writing social history.
- Research and write excerpts from your finished book.
- Understand how to effectively represent characters, environments and topics in your writing.

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

This is an intermediate course. Ideally, students will already have some potential ideas for local history writing projects.

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

A mix of group work, workshopping, pair work, extract analysis and formal instruction from the tutor.


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?

Writing materials. Materials relating to your chosen local history topic could be useful as the course progresses.

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

City Lit offers a range of non-fiction writing courses for aspiring authors. Browse the writing section of our website for more information.

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.