Nature Writing with Sophie Cunningham

Begin and build your own piece of nature writing with this insightful course

Join Sophie Cunningham, one of Australia's best nature writers, for this course all about exploring nature in your writing.

For some of us Nature Writing is a form of activism, a way of bearing witness in a time of rapid change. But even if you don’t think of yourself as a political writer, you will, most likely be wrestling with anxiety and grief about what is being lost — at the same time as being wanting to celebrate the wonders of nature that still are with us. This course provides a method for writing about nature in both fiction and non-fiction, and encourages thinking around the complicated terrain, literal and metaphoric, that Nature Writing leads us into.

You'll learn:

  • Techniques for getting to know a landscape
  • Building narrative and creating momentum in your work
  • The importance of observation, repetition and POV
  • Research skills
  • A consideration of ethics, politics and the philosophy of radical hope

Scroll down to see the full course curriculum and a list of frequently asked questions.

KYD Members receive a 10% discount on this course and all other KYD online courses throughout the year. Become a member here, or contact [email protected] for more information.

Want to buy a course for a friend? Purchase a gift voucher here.


Your Instructor


Sophie Cunningham
Sophie Cunningham

Sophie Cunningham is the author of nine books, including City of Trees: Essays on Life, Death and the Need for a Forest and the novel This Devastating Fever. She is currently working on her fourth novel, The Whole Earth Catalogue, and a long form essay Epistemological Chaos. She posts a photo of a tree on her Instagram @sophtreeofday everyday, is a teacher of creative writing, is the Chair of the Australian Society of Authors and a Director of the Copyright Agency. You can learn more about her at www.sophiecunningham.com.


Course Curriculum


  Welcome
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  Part One: Beginning
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  Part Two: The Creative Process
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Frequently Asked Questions


When does the course start and finish?
The course starts now and never ends! It is a completely self-paced online course - you decide when you start and when you finish. We encourage you to approach this material not just as lessons to be finished once and for all, but also as a collection of resources to which you can return time and again.
How long do I have access to the course?
Forever! After enrolling, you have unlimited lifetime access to this course - across any and all devices you own.
Does the teacher provide feedback?
No. If you are interested in receiving feedback on your project, we encourage you to check out KYD's Manuscript Assessment Service: https://killyourdarlings.com.au/shop/manuscript-assessments/
How do I access my course?
All our online workshops are hosted at workshops.killyourdarlings.com.au, via the Teachable platform. You can access your workshop by logging in at that link, or by following the link in your welcome email when you enrol. Please note that as the Teachable platform is a separate website to KYD you will need to create a new account, and will not be able to use your KYD login details.
I'm a KYD member. How do I receive my 10% discount?
Click on 'Enrol in course for $169'. Enter the coupon code that was emailed to you when you became a KYD member at checkout, underneath the tutor's photo.
What if I have another question?
You can email us at [email protected] and we'll be happy to help!

Get started now!