From James Baldwin to Joan Didion, many of literature’s most daring writers have used essays to tell their stories and capture the world around them. But how do you write about such personal experiences in succinct and relatable ways? Where do you start in telling the stories from your own life?

In this masterclass, acclaimed essayist and writer Sinéad Gleeson explores the art of the personal essay, focusing on the skills required for life-writing and first-person non-fiction. Through exercises and the work of other writers, you will learn how to extract the key elements of your own story and craft an essay that is both personal and universal.

Gain insight into the technical and creative elements behind personal essays and learn from a master of the form.

Supported by University of Auckland, Faculty of Arts and Culture Ireland.