#  English CSAF. Autofiction 

 



Instructor: [Namwali Serpell](https://english.fas.harvard.edu/people/namwali-serpell)  
Monday, 12:00-2:45pm | Location: TBD  
*Enrollment: Limited to 12 students*

In this course, we will learn about representing the “real” self and “real” life in prose fiction. The use of confessional, autobiographical, and memoiristic elements in fiction arguably begins with the very origins of the European novel. The specific term *autofiction* was coined in 1977 by the French writer, Serge Doubrovsky, to describe his novel *Fils*. He wrote: “Autobiography? No, that is a privilege reserved for the important people of the world, at the dusk of their lives, in a fine style. Fiction, about events and strictly real facts; if one prefers, *autofiction*, having entrusted the language of an adventure to the adventure of language.” During the first part of the semester, we will read older and recent versions of autofiction, as well as essays analyzing its possibilities. We will then workshop our own efforts at writing in this difficult and fascinating form.

Please note: This course does not address or encourage the writing of nonfiction autobiography or memoir. It is a reading intensive course, as autofiction is predominantly written in the form of books. And prior experience with writing fiction is helpful but not required.

**Supplemental Application Information:** Please submit a writing sample of fiction (three pages) and an application letter (one page) detailing your interest in this course, any relevant writing experience you have, and up to three authors whose work inspires you.  
  
[Apply via Submittable](https://harvardcw.submittable.com/submit) (deadline: 11:59pm EDT on Sunday, November 9)



 



 

 See also:- [ 2025-26 ](/academic-year/2025-26)
- [ Fiction ](/course-topic/fiction)
- [ Creative Writing Workshops ](/course-type/1-creative-writing-workshops)
- [ Course ](/page-type/course)
- [ Spring 2026 ](/term/spring-2026)