Inscribe 2026: Narrative Non-Fiction Workshop, Kolkata
- What: An intensive workshop in the craft of narrative non-fiction — structure, reporting, voice, character, ethics, revision and publishing.
- Who: Led by Subir Ghosh, journalist and author with over 30 years of experience.
- Duration: 30 days | Venue: Newtown/Salt Lake, Kolkata (exact venue to be confirmed) | Starts: 5 September 2026.
- Cohort: Limited to 20 participants.
- Fees: ₹9,999 | Early Bird: ₹7,999 until 25 August 2026.
- Applications close: 29 August 2026.
Learn the Craft of Narrative Non-Fiction
Inscribe 2026 is not a lecture series or a general creative-writing course. It is an intensive, hands-on workshop in the craft of narrative non-fiction — the kind of writing that tells true stories using the techniques of literature: structure, scene, character, voice, research and revision.
Over 30 days, guided by Subir Ghosh — a veteran journalist and author of six books — the workshop covers how to find a story inside a subject, how to structure a narrative, how to report for non-fiction, how to develop character and voice on the page, how to revise rigorously, and how to navigate the world of publishing.
The programme blends seven full-day offline sessions in Kolkata with weekly online mentoring and individual editorial consultations. You will work on a piece of your own writing throughout — an article, essay, reportage or a chapter of a longer work — applying what you learn in each session to your own material.
This workshop is designed for people who want to write fact-based, researched, narratively developed stories. You should consider applying if you are a working or early-career journalist, a freelance writer, a researcher or academic who wants to write for general readers, a documentary researcher, a communications professional working with factual material, or a serious first-time non-fiction writer. You do not need previous publication credits. You do need a willingness to write, revise and engage with editorial feedback over four weeks.
Programme Highlights
- Seven full-day offline sessions covering structure, reporting, craft, ethics, research, revision and publishing.
- A workshop assignment: each participant works on a piece of narrative non-fiction throughout the programme, applying what they learn.
- Weekly online mentoring to track progress and address problems as they arise.
- Individual editorial consultations with Subir Ghosh at key stages.
- Peer review and group discussion throughout.
- A post-workshop follow-up session four to six weeks after the programme ends.
The Full Schedule
- Focus: Welcome and preparation.
- Details: Meet Subir Ghosh online to discuss goals, expectations and interests. Prepare for Day 1.
- Format: Group session via online platform.
- Morning: What narrative non-fiction is and is not. Genres, forms, examples drawn from published work.
- Afternoon: Structure, pacing, plot — using real-world case studies.
- Evening: One-on-one consultation with Subir Ghosh to discuss your interests and define your workshop assignment.
- Morning: Character development, voice — techniques grounded in real subjects.
- Afternoon: Scene-setting, dialogue, grounded in factual material.
- Evening: Workshop exercises, feedback from Subir Ghosh and peers.
- Focus: Track progress — research plans, early reporting, initial challenges.
- Format: Group session plus optional individual check-in.
- Morning: Research methods — interviews, archives, public records.
- Afternoon: Ethical responsibilities: accuracy, sensitivity, the limits of reconstruction.
- Evening: Case studies exploring the treatment of sensitive subjects.
- Morning: Navigating traditional and independent publishing.
- Afternoon: Building a submission strategy. Marketing and outreach for writers.
- Evening: Q&A with Subir Ghosh on his career and the publishing landscape.
- Focus: Track progress — structure, voice, emerging drafts.
- Format: Group session plus optional individual check-in.
- Morning: Present your work-in-progress to the group for feedback.
- Afternoon: Techniques for strengthening narrative arcs, addressing structural problems and refining themes.
- Evening: One-on-one consultations with Subir Ghosh.
- Focus: Track progress — drafts, revisions, preparing for the final sessions.
- Format: Group session plus optional individual check-in.
- Morning: Advanced revision techniques — tightening prose, clarifying voice, sharpening the argument.
- Afternoon: Peer review with a focus on structure and impact.
- Evening: Consultations with Subir Ghosh on preparing for final presentations.
- Focus: Final check-in before presentations.
- Format: Group session plus optional individual check-in.
- Focus: Share work for peer and mentor feedback.
- Format: Group session via online platform.
- Morning: Intensive critique with Subir Ghosh. Address remaining challenges in voice, structure and argument.
- Afternoon: Present work to the group. Discuss next steps and publishing pathways.
- Evening: Closing remarks.
The Workshop Assignment
Each participant works on a piece of narrative non-fiction throughout the programme — an article, essay, reportage or a chapter of a longer work. The assignment is the practical core of the workshop: a way to apply what you learn in each session to your own material.
The range of subjects is wide — place and city, work and livelihoods, environment, institutions and governance, social conflict, family and memory, biography and profile, culture and community, food and culture, investigations and documented injustice, personal essays grounded in reporting. Bring the subject that interests you.
You are encouraged (but not required) to come with an idea or subject area in mind. Your assignment will be discussed and defined with Subir Ghosh during the workshop.
What Each Participant Receives
- Seven full-day offline sessions with Subir Ghosh.
- Weekly online group mentoring sessions.
- Individual editorial consultations at key stages.
- Feedback on your work-in-progress.
- A written editorial assessment — a note covering what works in your writing, what needs attention, and where to take it next.
- Guidance on submission and publishing pathways.
- A certificate of completion, conditional on attendance and participation.
- One post-workshop group follow-up session (4–6 weeks after the programme, mid-November 2026).
Selected pieces may be featured in an online Inscribe showcase, with the participant's consent.
Why Join Inscribe 2026?
- Expert editorial guidance. Work directly with Subir Ghosh — 30+ years in journalism, six published books — through sessions, consultations and sustained editorial feedback.
- The craft, not just the theory. Seven offline sessions where you write, revise, present, receive feedback and learn by doing — not by listening to lectures.
- Sustained engagement. Weekly mentoring and a post-workshop follow-up session.
Frequently Asked Questions
Narrative non-fiction tells true stories using literary techniques — structure, scene, character, voice — while maintaining factual accuracy. It includes literary journalism, memoir, essay, biography, place writing and investigative narrative.
Working and early-career journalists, freelance writers, researchers, academics, documentary researchers, communications professionals and serious first-time non-fiction writers. No previous publication credits are required.
Structure, reporting, character development, voice, research methods, ethics, revision techniques and publishing — applied to your own writing throughout the programme.
It is preferable, so that we can tailor the workshop to your interests. You can also define your assignment during the programme. Quality of idea is not a selection criterion.
₹9,999 standard fee. Early bird: ₹7,999 for applications confirmed by 25 August 2026. A two-instalment option is available at the standard fee. A small additional discount applies when two people register together. A concession is available when an institution or organisation sends three or more participants.
Limited scholarships are available for participants from the Northeast states. Contact us for application details.
No formal prerequisites. Participants must commit to attending sessions and engaging with the work. A willingness to write, revise and receive editorial feedback is essential.
Applications close on 29 August 2026. Early bird pricing (₹7,999) is available for applications confirmed by 25 August 2026.
You are encouraged to submit a brief description of a subject or story you're interested in, along with a writing sample (published or unpublished). Neither is mandatory — but both help us understand your background and interests. Confirm that you can attend the required sessions. Applications are reviewed and responded to within 48 hours. Click "Apply Now" or contact us directly.
Full participation is strongly recommended. Online sessions may be recorded where feasible. Offline sessions will not be recorded. If you anticipate missing more than one offline session, mention this in your application.
Yes. Individual editorial feedback from Subir Ghosh is central to the programme — through consultations, session work and a written editorial assessment.
In the Newtown/Salt Lake area of Kolkata. The exact venue will be confirmed before the programme begins, once the cohort size is finalised.
Registration & Contact
The cohort is limited to 20 participants.
Fees: ₹9,999 | Early Bird: ₹7,999 until 25 August 2026.
Applications close: 29 August 2026.