Non-Fiction First: The Basics of Writing & Creating a Non-Fiction Book
Booking for course starting October 15
Six sessions covering all aspects of turning your idea into a reality
Non Fiction First provides a comprehensive toolkit for the author who knows they ought to be writing a book but isn’t certain how to make sure it’s the best it can be. It will help the first time author who is hesitant about even starting the process, by exploring how it’s done and what will be expected of them, giving them the knowledge to go forward. Or the course will provide support and explanations for the author daunted by the mere thought of turning their idea into printed and bound 300 pages.
All the basics of non-fiction authorship will be covered in Non Fiction First – many of which should be considered at the very beginning of the process. The course includes deciding what is the best non-fiction format for your book; how to gather, collate and present information; how best to get your ideas and information across to your reader; what your book ought to look like; and how to take it further should you decide to.
Industry experts taking part in this course are award winning graphic designer Joel Chernin, speaking about the importance of design in all aspects of non-fiction work; and Hannah Knowles, a senior editor at Canongate Books, explaining why editing is at least as important as writing.
Non Fiction First cannot promise your work of non-fiction will be successfully published, but we guarantee it will be much better – the best you can do – after you’ve taken the course. Most importantly, though, it teaches that creating a book doesn’t have to be a chore. Yes, we will put the“fun” into the fundamentals.
The six sessions will cover:
The various types of non-fiction, and how decide what best suits your idea.
The gathering, collating and checking of information, facts and data.
Structuring your book so the points you want to make have the greatest impact, including how to organise the length, chapter breakdown, sections and a narrative thread
The importance of visuals; and how best to use them in each type of book.
Self-editing for sense, length and accuracy
What to do next: to publish or to self publish and in what format?
Describing and presenting your idea – a synopsis.
A full course prospectus will be supplied on registration
After each session there will be a small amount of homework set, as practical exercises related to each class. This should not take up much more than a couple of hours for each student, and will be assessed and given individual feedback.
Next course: Tuesdays; October 15 to November 19; 19.00 - 21.00
Second Home London Fields: 125–127 Mare St, London E8 3SJ