What does it mean to write a self? What makes us human?
In this online tutored course led by Camilla Balshaw, you will discover new ways to navigate the map(s) of self and reimagine how you might write about the journey your life has taken in a fresh light.
What a thing it is to live a life, and what a joy it is to be able to write it. To share it with others and have the freedom to explore who you are through writing.
This eight-week course is designed for writers with a work in progress. Over eight weeks, you will explore:
- The politics of self, and how you can reflect your true self in your writing
- The relationship between memories and time.
- Techniques to bring yourself onto the page.
- Form, and its impact on how your story is told
- How life writing can help ourselves and others.
- How writing can build resilience.
Camilla will read and provide feedback on two assignments, including up to 3,500 words of your manuscript in progress, and at the end of the course, you will have a 1-1 tutorial with her to discuss your writing and potential next steps.
Start date
Monday 12 October
Location
Online
Length
Eight weeks (see course schedule below)
Price
£300*
*Payment plans available. Drop us a line at [email protected] to find out more.
Course format
This course is delivered weekly (see course programme below). The majority of the content is presented in text form via Teachable, allowing you to progress through the material chapter by chapter at your own pace. You will submit two assignments directly to your tutor for personalised feedback and guidance, due at the end of week three and week six.
The course also includes up to two live Zoom sessions: a welcome session in the first module, followed by a one-to-one tutorial with your tutor later in the course.
Click to find out more about the course structure and the equipment you may need.
Course programme
The module breakdown for this course will be confirmed shortly.
Live sessions
There will be two live sessions for this course, an introductory sessions and a bookable one-to-one. Both of these sessions will take place via Zoom.
Meet the tutor
Camilla Balshaw‘s debut memoir, Named: A Story of Names and Reclaiming Who We Are, is published by Bedford Square. It won the Biography & Memoir Award at the East Anglian Book Awards 2025.
Camilla has written for the Guardian and Observer. She holds an MA in Creative & Life Writing from Goldsmiths (Distinction) and is an Honorary Research Fellow in Name Studies at the University of Nottingham.
Hear from former students
Got a question?
If you still have questions, get in touch with the learning team by emailing [email protected] or call (+44) 01603 877177 between our working hours of 9am – 5pm BST, Monday to Friday. We’re here to help!