Masterclass: The Architecture of Non-Fiction

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Tutor

Simon Garfield

Date Tuesday May 6th 2025, 19:00-21:00 BST

Location Online

Book

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There is nothing more important to a non-fiction book than its architecture. How does one assemble a compelling story from a collection of facts, anecdotes, interviews and observations? Whether writing a broad history or a unique memoir, a good structure is essential in ensuring the reader is held from the beginning and will continue to be curious, informed and entertained throughout. While chronology may provide a solid basis for your story, it may not necessarily provide the most exciting or original way forward. Simon Garfield is the prize-winning author of more than 20 books of creative non-fiction on diverse subjects, including the international bestsellers Just My Type, On The Map, and Mauve. During this interactive two-hour session, drawing examples from both his own work and from classics of the form, he will guide you through approaches to making your work both personal and universal, and how to find the path to deciding on the right idea – ‘the one’ that will both work best as a book and allow you to sustain the creative energy required to ensure success.

Is this session for me?

Our masterclasses are regularly attended by writers who:

Are hungry for fresh thinking, stimulus and new ways into their writing
Are looking to keep up or boost their writing momentum
Have time constraints and can’t always commit to the live experience
Are wanting to try something new
Enjoy taking things at their own pace
Are looking to develop a regular writing habit
Are looking for a supportive environment in which to open up creatively

What will I gain?

A two hour writing workout – at your pace
Two hours of inspiring tuition from the finest writers at work today
Two hours to focus on your writing with guidance from experienced Arvon tutors
Two hours of craft, technique and writing prompts
Two hours that will propel your writing forward
Support from friendly Arvon hosts
Becoming part of an inclusive creative community
Access to the recording afterwards

How does it work?

The Masterclass will be delivered via Zoom webinar, so you can take the session at your own pace, without the pressure of having your video or camera on. You can contribute via the chatbox with your tutor and other writers attending the session. Sessions are also recorded so if you are unable to attend live, you will have access to the recording afterwards. Masterclasses can be accessed from anywhere in the world. Just translate the UK time to your local time zone.

Why Arvon?

Arvon is a not-for-profit charity that has been running since 1968.

At Arvon, everyone who crosses the door of one of our writing houses is a writer – no matter what their age or writing experience – and all are welcome.

For more information About Arvon – Home of Creative Writing since 1968 – Arvon

Tutor

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Simon Garfield

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Simon Garfield is the author of more than 20 books of creative non-fiction, including the international bestsellers Just My Type…

Online: £40

Concessions: £20

As part of our effort to increase participation in the arts, half-price concessions are available for this course at checkout. There are a limited number of free subsidised places for those who cannot afford the concession price.

We are committed to making our Arvon at Home programme accessible to as many people as possible.

Across all of Arvon at Home

All sessions will have auto-generated captioning.
There is a Chat facility to ask any questions.

Masterclasses

A recording of the Masterclass will be available to view for one month after it is aired live, simply log in to your account on our website and you’ll find a link under the ‘Event Details’ tab in the ‘Video recording’ column (you may need to scroll right on your screen to see it), similarly, if any learning resources are available, another link will appear under the ‘Course Materials’ tab.
There is a Chat and Q & A facility to ask any questions.
Zoom webinar format (your  video and audio will remain off throughout & your name will not be visible to other participants, so it is a ‘relaxed’ event).
We aim to present all resources in two formats e.g., extracts of texts will be read aloud and provided in text form via screen-share or as a document. If it would be helpful for you to have any available resources ahead of the session, we will try to arrange this for you. Please email arvonathome@arvon.org to discuss.

Online Writing Day

A recording of the workshops will be available to view for one month after it is aired live, simply log in to your account on our website and you’ll find a link under the ‘Event Details’ tab in the ‘Video recording’ column (you may need to scroll right on your screen to see it), similarly, if any learning resources are available, another link will appear under the ‘Course Materials’ tab.
There is a Chat and Q & A facility to ask any questions.
All sessions of the day are delivered live via Zoom meetings, with the option of cameras off or on.
We aim to present all resources in two formats e.g., extracts of texts will be read aloud and provided in text form via screen-share or as a document. If it would be helpful for you to have any available resources ahead of the session, we will try to arrange this for you. Please email arvonathome@arvon.org to discuss.

How I Write

There is a chat and Q&A facility to ask any questions.
Zoom webinar format (your video and audio will remain off throughout, & your name will not be visible to other participants so it is a ‘relaxed’ event).
A recording will be available to view for one month after the event is aired live, simply log in to your account on our website and you’ll find a link under the ‘Event Details’ tab in the ‘Video recording’ column (you may need to scroll right on your screen to see it), similarly, if any learning resources are available, another link will appear under the ‘Course Materials’ tab.

Online Writing Weeks and Evening Courses

Courses are delivered by Zoom meeting, which means they are not recorded.
Courses have much smaller groups than Masterclasses and How I Write events, and are also more interactive with your fellow course participants and tutors, so cameras and audio are usually on (though both are completely optional). If you would prefer your camera and audio to be off at all times, it would be helpful to let your course host know this in advance.
We use Padlet as a landing page for all course materials, and to provide an optional platform for interaction with your tutors and fellow course participants. If you would like some more information about this, or if you have any anxiety about using this platform, please email arvonathome@arvon.org.

Subject to funding/permissions (please contact arvonathome@arvon.org for more details)

Recording of Writing Weeks and Evening Courses.
Downloadable transcripts.
BSL interpretation.
Live captioning.

If you have any access issues that we have not covered here, please contact us on access@arvon.org

See here for more access information.

"These zoom opportunities are really helping to open my world and keep me inspired to write."

— Masterclass participant

"Arvon at Home creates a model to participate in inspirational tutoring for writers, at a distance. The feeling of attending to my writing life in an excellent fashion, and still having a half-day for my work and caring responsibilities at home, felt like a good balance."

— Masterclass participant

"It was an absolutely brilliant session and very very useful. And it made me realise how much I’ve missed this kind of workshop because of having children and family that I can’t leave. Now we’re all in the same boat the online stuff is truly transformative."

— Masterclass participant