Creative Non Fiction short course

Creative Non Fiction online course (six weeks)

We are living in the age of ‘reality hunger’. The reading public has an insatiable appetite for well-crafted true stories.

This six week ‘live’ online course will introduce you to some of the essential skills required to write publishable works of creative non fiction.

From essays and memoirs to biographies and autobiographies, from personal columns to informative and self-help books, the ingredients remain the same:

  • well-planned and focussed research

  • a consistent and convincing voice

  • an understanding of the ‘stories’ you want to tell about the ‘situations’ you’re describing

  • an engaging mix of scenes, summaries and musings

  • an ability to ‘show’ rather than ‘tell’ your readers what you want them to know.

You will also learn how to write persuasive pitches to editors, so you can sell your writing!

The course involves two ‘live’ contact hours (online via Zoom) per week, 7 pm to 9 pm on a weeknight, and some homework writing and reading tasks. You will also receive private individual feedback from Sian on some of your writing.

course content

  • How to distinguish the ‘story’ you want to tell from the ‘situation’ you want to describe in your creative non fiction writing.

  • How to create vivid ‘characters’ in non fiction writing.

  • How to develop the right ‘voice’ for your story.

  • How to choose the most appropriate point-of-view to tell your story.

  • How to ‘show’ rather than ‘tell’ your reader what you want them to know.

  • How to employ research techniques, including interviewing.

  • How to do immersion writing.

  • How to pitch your work to editors/publishers.

Next ONLINE course:

Thursday October 24th to Thursday November 28th, 7 pm to 9 pm each week.

Course fee: $450 ($400 concession)