Good non-fiction contains a wealth of facts. Great non-fiction brings those facts to life. If you’re confident in the strength of your knowledge, but new to long-form writing, this one-day course will show you how to turn your personal expertise into compelling prose, make the most of your research and ensure your readers are as enthused about your subject as you are.
Bestselling non-fiction author and renowned writing coach Jenny Rogers will introduce you to the essentials of structuring a compelling factual narrative and developing a distinctive and appealing writing style. Whether you’re writing a self-help book, a how-to guide, a textbook, a polemical exposé or a manual for others in your profession, this intensive workshop will show you how to craft a book that publishers – and readers – will love. You’ll also receive a wealth of tailored feedback from Jenny, meaning you’ll finish the day ready to make real progress on your book.
This course is for you if...
- You already have a concept and outline for a non-fiction book, and want to know how to bring your subject to life
- You’re in the early stages of writing a work of non-fiction and want to bring out its full potential
PLEASE NOTE: The course requires each attendee to have completed 1,500 words of draft copy
Course description
This informal, faced-paced workshop mixes tutor input with structured practical exercises and feedback to give attendees a grounding in the fundamentals of good storytelling and phrasemaking. Topics covered include:
- Reader motivation: understanding why a reader would want to buy – and finish – your book
- Finding your unique writing voice: applying the conventions of plain English without stripping your text of liveliness
- The essential rules of punctuation and spelling
- The style traps that will make any commissioning editor groan in despair, and how to avoid them
- What every non-fiction writer needs to know about storytelling
- Structuring a chapter order that works for your book
Tutor profile
Jenny Rogers has published more than 70 non-fiction titles. She commissioned and edited Delia Smith’s Cookery Course which has now sold upwards of 12 million copies. She has worked as a commissioning editor, a series editor and as a writer. Most recently, her books have had a self-help theme, including the best-selling Facing Redundancy: Surviving and Thriving. She is one of the most experienced executive coaches in the UK, and series editor of the Coaching in Practice series for the Open University Press/McGraw.
Details
Date: Saturday 23 May 2015
Times: 10am-4pm
Location: The Guardian, Kings Place, 90 York Way, London N1 9GU
Price: £249 (includes VAT, booking fee, lunch and refreshments)
Event capacity: 16
To contact us, click here. Terms and conditions can be found here.
Returns policy
Tickets may be refunded if you contact us at least 14 days before the course start date. Please see our terms and conditions for more information on our refund policy.
