How can we capture the essence of a place? Its atmosphere, its histories, its (sometimes) overlooked details, and transform them into compelling non-fiction? In this 90-minute masterclass, writer and creative technologist Babak Fakhamzadeh will guide you through writing place as story.
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Drawing on examples from contemporary writing, we will explore three distinct approaches to location-based non-fiction:
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Biographical writing, where memory and lived experience anchor the narrative
Voice-led or gonzo writing, where personality and perspective drive the story
Historical and sociocultural storytelling, where place reveals hidden histories, cultural legacies, and broader social contexts.

Through short readings, discussion of techniques, and practical writing prompts, participants will have the opportunity to create their own ‘sketches’, short, vivid place-based texts that can later be expanded into fuller works.

While we do not intend to share finished pieces in the session, you’ll leave with drafts, notes, and methods to develop your writing further. Writers within the scope of the Raising Voices project will also be invited to build on their drafts for submission. Arrive with curiosity, openness, and a willingness to notice.
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Join us to discover how place itself can become your subject, your character, and your collaborator in telling true stories.