Masterclass: Creative Nonfiction

A full day to develop the craft of writing personal, creative stories that stem from truth – whether you want to write memoir, personal essays or new genre-defying forms of creative nonfiction. Learn from the experts as they consider the personal, ethical and craft-based considerations and techniques of writing from life.

10AM: Keynote: The ‘I’ in the narrative

In this keynote, Maria Tumarkin will reflect on writing the ‘I’ in a narrative. What is the impetus to write about oneself? How can we use the ‘I’ to tell a great story – or to bring greater attention to something? And when can the ‘I’ become problematic? This keynote will ask readers to interrogate their self as narrator and their unique voice and position in the world, as well as outlining different approaches and considerations a writer can take with various forms of creative nonfiction.

With Maria Tumarkin

11AM: BREAK

11.15AM: Panel: Debut Life Writers

A session for debut personal storytellers on their unique paths to writing and publishing their first books of creative nonfiction. Hear about the different forms these writers chose to best serve their stories and why – from memoir to the essay to genre-blurring forms like autofiction that refuse to pick a side between fiction and nonfiction.

With Veronica Heritage-Gorrie, Fi Murphy and André Dao

Hosted by Rebecca Harkins-Cross

12.15-12.45PM: LUNCH

12.45PM: Keynote: Personal Essays for Publication

Before you’re ready to publish your first book-length work, or perhaps alongside it, you may want to take the route of writing and publishing shorter works of creative nonfiction. Learn the art and craft of writing personal essays from the brilliant writers and essayist Ellena Savage. This session will cover everything from planning, writing and pitching essays for publication, to collecting details from life and weaving personal scenes with research to craft a beautiful, critical essay.

With Ellena Savage
(Please note: Alison Whittaker can unfortunately no longer join us for this session)

1.45PM: BREAK

2.00pm: Workshop: A Book of Memories

A workshop to hone your craft for a book-length work of memoir or other creative non-fiction, led by the esteemed writer and teacher Anna Spargo-Ryan. Learn how to access and sort through your memories to craft them into a narrative, as well as using your life as research, finding the right shape for your story, and crafting a character out of yourself. Plus, learn the tips and tricks to begin planning your own book-length work.

With Anna Spargo-Ryan

4PM: FINISH

How to attend this event

Masterclass: Creative Nonfiction is a live event, hosted via Zoom.

To ensure the event stays private, ticket holders will be emailed a Zoom link and password 30 minutes prior to the event start time. Please check your email (including that pesky junk email folder).

Ticket bookings will cease 1 hour before the event starts.

You can download Zoom for free here.