Hinterland Online: Building Skills in Creative Non-fiction

Join Dr Andrew Kenrick, the founding editor of Hinterland, the magazine of creative non-fiction, and build a strong foundation of craft as you begin your writing journey.

Each week, Andrew will use his experience of writing, editing and publishing to guide you step-by-step through the creative process – from generating ideas and researching your subject, to structuring and polishing your text. You’ll read classic and cutting-edge texts, and put your new skills into practice. In the second half of the class, you will have the opportunity to share and discuss your own work, building critical skills and learning from your writing community.

Tuesday evenings, 6.30-9.30pm

13 January-17 February

£180

Two full bursaries are available. Please email hinterlandnonfiction@gmail.com for more information.

Please note, this course requires around 10-12 pages of advance reading each week, as well as reading fellow students’ work circulated in advance of each class.

See below for the full course programme.

Not sure if this is the right course for you? Try our First Steps one-day course and enjoy a 10% discount if you sign up to Building Skills.

About Andrew

Dr Andrew Kenrick is a publisher, editor and writer, and is the founder of non-fiction magazine, Hinterland. He holds a PhD in Life Writing from the University of East Anglia. He teaches creative non-fiction, biography and publishing at UEA and the University of Cambridge. His first book, a biography of the first-century North African king, Juba II of Mauretania, is forthcoming from Penguin Random House.

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Full course programme:

Week 1 Voice

Understand what it means to find your voice as a writer, and explore examples of different styles, genres and modes of narrative non-fiction writing. Understand the principles of workshopping, and sign up for your workshopping session.

Week 2 Structure

Show no fear when considering structure: it is the key to unlocking your story. Study examples of best practice and different models, while experimenting with your own ideas. In the second half of the session, you’ll try your hand at a workshop – offering constructive feedback on another writer’s work, or receiving feedback on your own.

Week 3 Research

The quality of your research will elevate an idea into a meaningful contribution. Learn how to carry out research, and how to incorporate research into your writing. In the second half of the session, you’ll continue workshopping.

Week 4 Character

How do you capture a real-life character, and what are the ethics of writing about other people? Andrew will guide you through the principles and practice of dialogue and description, followed by a workshop session.

Week 5 Place

Consider some of the best classic and contemporary writing about place, and how to develop your own sense of place in your writing. In the second half of the session, you’ll continue workshopping.

Week 6 Audience & Readers

Drawing on his experience as a writer and editor, Andrew will help you find an audience for your work, including questioning who you're writing for as well as exploring options for submitting your work. You’ll finish the course with a final workshop session.

Indicative Reading List

Bart Van Es, The Cut-out Girl

Davina Quinlivan, Shalimar

Marina Warner, Inventory of a Life Mislaid

Patrick Barkham, Islander

Anna Funder, Wifedom