11 April, 2011
The Fiction Desk: submission guidelines
From their website: "At The Fiction Desk, we're committed to keeping the door open for new writers, and we aim to source at least a third of the content of our publications from unsolicited submissions. Our publishing plans will change from time to time, so we'll keep this page updated with information on what we're looking for."
07 April, 2011
Poetry & the Poetry Scene: Taking a longer view
Tutor: Matthew Welton. Venue: School of English Studies, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham NG7 2RD. Day / Time: Tuesdays, fortnightly, 7.00-9.00pm. Duration: 5 sessions - you can start at any point in the term. Start Date: 10 May. Price: £53, £41 (60+), £35 (concs). Level: open to all. To book: call 0207 582 1679 or online at http://www.poetryschool.com/
"Each of us is probably involved in poetry in a number of different ways – as writers of our own work; as readers of books and magazines; through attending readings or workshops; or by submitting work to publishers, magazines, and competitions. Sometimes, though, writers can feel that, however involved they become in the poetry scene, there is something excluding them from the routes to success – and sending poems out to publishers feels like shooting in the dark. The content of these sessions is designed to give you a view of the bigger picture of how the different aspects of poetry – and the poetry scene – fit in with each other. The importance of the actual poems you write remains central, and provides the basis for developing a strategy for getting published. Lots of practical writing tips included. In association with the School of English Studies, University of Nottingham."
01 April, 2011
Two Great Opportunities for Writers to Develop their Skills
Do you think you’ve got a great story to tell? Want to make your prose sparkle?
You’ve started writing, but now you really want to push on and see just how good you can get? Perhaps you’d like to see your name in print?
Following on from Stoke City Libraries’ All Write and Write On projects, we now have funding for another project called 'What’s the Story?'.
As part of 'What’s the Story?', we are running two longer courses - one for writers of prose fiction, the second for non-fiction writers. Both of these courses will be led by Nicholas Corder, who was writer-in-residence for the libraries and who also writes both fiction and non-fiction.
The courses are aimed at developing writers to a professional level.
What will we be doing?
For the fiction course, we’ll be looking at what makes a story or a novel work and how we go about developing characters, show & tell, dialogue, narrative tension, plotting, point of view, theme and setting. We will try to work out what makes people turn the page and do it ourselves. What you write is entirely up to you – we’re not worried about genre here.
For the non-fiction course, we’ll be looking at both feature article writing and the writing of longer works. You can work in any non-fiction genre – life-writing, travel writing, biography, opinion pieces, humour….
In both courses, we would expect to see work-in-progress and everyone will be allocated a slot for that in the workshops.
By the end of the course, you should be writing work of a publishable standard.
How will it work?
The courses will consist of five Saturdays in June, July, September and October. August will be free for you to write/research. Then, after the final session, you’ll have the chance to have email/telephone support whilst you put together a portfolio of writing. This needs to be finished by the end of November and you will receive a full feedback report on it.
Who can come?
Anyone who’s prepared to put in the work needed to produce quality writing. But you do have to apply – see more below. You also need to part with a small amount of cash.
Do I have to have been to any of the 'All Write' or 'Write On' courses or workshops?
No. You may find it helpful if you have, but talent and commitment are more important than past experience of writing workshops. The important thing is that you should be committed to producing work of publishable standard (even if your goal isn’t publication).
What are the dates?
Fiction 18 June, 2 July, 16July, 30 July, 10 September .
Non-fiction 25 June, 9 July, 23 July, 17 September, 1 October
August is free for you to do some writing. You’ll also get email/phone support (1-1 feedback) whilst you’re putting together your portfolio in September to November.
At the end of November, you need to send off 4,000 words of well-crafted prose for comment. You’ll get detailed written feedback.
What happens when the workshops finish?
You’ll then get e-mail/phone support and personalised feedback on work-in-progress until the end of November, when you will deliver a final portfolio of writing. You’ll also be encouraged to submit your work to publishers, magazines, etc.
Will I get to see my name in print?
We can’t guarantee it. But our aim is to help people produce work of a publishable standard. After that, it’s up to you. Nick will try to point you in the right direction for agents/publishers/editors, but that’s not entirely what this course is about.
Do I have to come to all the sessions?
No, we realise you may have other commitments, but it is best if you can come to most of them.
Can I attend both series of workshops?
Yes, you can. However, we need separate applications and you need to realise that it is a big commitment to do both.
Is there a fee?
Yes. It’s £50 for each course. For that you get the five workshops, email/phone support and a final report. Yes, it’s a bargain. It costs more than that to fill the average petrol tank.
So, can just anyone do it provided they’ve got £50?
No. You need to apply. We want the best local talent, so that we can develop it and create a buzzing community of serious writers. We want to see a sample of your work.
How do I apply?
For each course, please send us the following in a Word (or Open Office or similar) attachment:
You’ve started writing, but now you really want to push on and see just how good you can get? Perhaps you’d like to see your name in print?
Following on from Stoke City Libraries’ All Write and Write On projects, we now have funding for another project called 'What’s the Story?'.
As part of 'What’s the Story?', we are running two longer courses - one for writers of prose fiction, the second for non-fiction writers. Both of these courses will be led by Nicholas Corder, who was writer-in-residence for the libraries and who also writes both fiction and non-fiction.
The courses are aimed at developing writers to a professional level.
What will we be doing?
For the fiction course, we’ll be looking at what makes a story or a novel work and how we go about developing characters, show & tell, dialogue, narrative tension, plotting, point of view, theme and setting. We will try to work out what makes people turn the page and do it ourselves. What you write is entirely up to you – we’re not worried about genre here.
For the non-fiction course, we’ll be looking at both feature article writing and the writing of longer works. You can work in any non-fiction genre – life-writing, travel writing, biography, opinion pieces, humour….
In both courses, we would expect to see work-in-progress and everyone will be allocated a slot for that in the workshops.
By the end of the course, you should be writing work of a publishable standard.
How will it work?
The courses will consist of five Saturdays in June, July, September and October. August will be free for you to write/research. Then, after the final session, you’ll have the chance to have email/telephone support whilst you put together a portfolio of writing. This needs to be finished by the end of November and you will receive a full feedback report on it.
Who can come?
Anyone who’s prepared to put in the work needed to produce quality writing. But you do have to apply – see more below. You also need to part with a small amount of cash.
Do I have to have been to any of the 'All Write' or 'Write On' courses or workshops?
No. You may find it helpful if you have, but talent and commitment are more important than past experience of writing workshops. The important thing is that you should be committed to producing work of publishable standard (even if your goal isn’t publication).
What are the dates?
Fiction 18 June, 2 July, 16July, 30 July, 10 September .
Non-fiction 25 June, 9 July, 23 July, 17 September, 1 October
August is free for you to do some writing. You’ll also get email/phone support (1-1 feedback) whilst you’re putting together your portfolio in September to November.
At the end of November, you need to send off 4,000 words of well-crafted prose for comment. You’ll get detailed written feedback.
What happens when the workshops finish?
You’ll then get e-mail/phone support and personalised feedback on work-in-progress until the end of November, when you will deliver a final portfolio of writing. You’ll also be encouraged to submit your work to publishers, magazines, etc.
Will I get to see my name in print?
We can’t guarantee it. But our aim is to help people produce work of a publishable standard. After that, it’s up to you. Nick will try to point you in the right direction for agents/publishers/editors, but that’s not entirely what this course is about.
Do I have to come to all the sessions?
No, we realise you may have other commitments, but it is best if you can come to most of them.
Can I attend both series of workshops?
Yes, you can. However, we need separate applications and you need to realise that it is a big commitment to do both.
Is there a fee?
Yes. It’s £50 for each course. For that you get the five workshops, email/phone support and a final report. Yes, it’s a bargain. It costs more than that to fill the average petrol tank.
So, can just anyone do it provided they’ve got £50?
No. You need to apply. We want the best local talent, so that we can develop it and create a buzzing community of serious writers. We want to see a sample of your work.
How do I apply?
For each course, please send us the following in a Word (or Open Office or similar) attachment:
- Your contact details
- 200 words saying what you would hope to gain from the course
- 500 words of either prose fiction or non-fiction (i.e. no more than 2 sides of A4 double-spaced) For the prose fiction, try to avoid a section that is either all description or all dialogue – show us you can mix it up a bit! For the non-fiction, again avoid something that is all description. Perhaps you could do a little bit of life-writing if you’re not sure what to send.
28 February, 2011
After death
If you write thrillers the state of a body may be crucial to solving the crime -- and writing convincing fiction. This website may be of immense benefit.
The Staffordshire Hoard – A Day for Creative Writers
Author Nick Corder will lead a workshop using the Staffordshire Hoard as a springboard for imaginative writing at City Central Library, Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent, on Saturday 19 March 2011, 10.00-3.00.
“In Saxon times, the Lord would thank his warriors when they had been victorious in battle with a huge feast in his Great Hall. Part of the entertainment would be story-telling. Probably the most famous of these stories is Beowulf. The bravest warriors would be rewarded with spoils from the battle-field. We’d like to create some imaginative writing around the theme of the hoard.”
19 February, 2011
The Short Story Website
"Welcome to Story, the campaign to celebrate the short story. We believe that the short story is one of the most exciting and important literary forms, that can and should reach the widest possible readership. We believe that the short story matters."
To find out more visit their website.
To find out more visit their website.
18 February, 2011
Renegade Writers' Group
IMPORTANT NOTE
This picture is historical -- we now meet at the Red Lion, Stoke Old Road.
Jolly Potters is back in business!
The Jolly Potters pub is to re-open this weekend after a month's renovation. Therefore next Wednesday's meeting -- the 23rd February -- will once again take place here. the usual venue.
If you are a writer and you would like to meet like-minded folk over a drink, have a chat, then do come along. We are a friendly and supportive bunch.
If you are a writer and you would like to meet like-minded folk over a drink, have a chat, then do come along. We are a friendly and supportive bunch.
06 February, 2011
Bristol Short Story Competition
3000 words / entry fee £7 / prizes up to £1000 / closing date 31 March
Details: Bristol Prize website
Details: Bristol Prize website
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