Saturday 13 November 11:00 am - Saturday 11 December 1: 00 pm

In this five week course, Tom Cox, using the experience he has gained as the author of eleven non fiction books, several newspaper columns, one novel and one collection of short stories, will guide you through the inner landscape of life writing. Who are the master life writers, and why? What are the pitfalls of being the main character in your own work? Just how brave and experimental can you be, when your storytelling is confined to real events and characters? Where is the line between creative non-fiction and fiction? From self-editing to social media, and taking in outdoor exercises where we engage with the natural world, we will look at all aspects of life writing, and explore ways to use your own story to tell many bigger, more universal ones.

A former journalist, Tom Cox is the author of thirteen books, including Ring The Hill, the Sunday Times bestseller The Good, The Bad & The Furry, the Shirley Jackson Award-winning Help The Witch, and 21st-Century Yokel, which was longlisted for the Wainwright Prize for nature writing. He lives on Dartmoor, which provides the inspiration for the landscape in his upcoming debut novel, Villager.

*****
Please note: we are intending for this course to take place in-person at Exeter Custom House and will be following social distancing guidance at the time of the course. Spaces are limited to 12, book now to avoid disappointment. Please provide your full name, email address and phone number when booking.

We are offering two bursary places for this course, which are available by application only (to customhouse@literatureworks.org.uk). These will be allocated on a first-come, first served basis. The bursaries are awarded on the basis of financial need not writing ability. You can find out about how to apply for a bursary, here. We can accommodate free tickets for carers or personal assistants if needed. Please email us on customhouse@literatureworks.org.uk after booking to let us know if you would like to book one of these tickets.