NEW WRITING SOUTH
PROGRAMME AUTUMN 2013/ SPRING 2014 SUPPORTING WRITERS ENCOURAGING CREATIVITY INSPIRING AUDIENCES
MEMBERS GET MORE Annual membership offers a range of benefits for writers including 10% discount on most events and workshops when booked online. See page 45 for more details.
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WELCOME TO NEW WRITING SOUTH We hope you enjoy our packed programme for 2013/14 and everything on offer at New Writing South! Supporting Writers As the new writing and literature development agency for the region, NWS aims to identify new talent, encourage emerging and mid-career creative writers and act as a broker between writers and the creative industries. We support all kinds of creative writers – fiction, theatre, poetry, creative non-fiction, selfpublished, television, film, blogs – with commissions, employment, information and career guidance. Encouraging Creativity Our Creative Learning Team is made up of thirty professional poets, authors, playwrights and screenwriters working with young people and adults in schools, places of work, galleries and theatres, within specialist communities and here at The Writers’ Place. Our writers inspire and encourage thousands of young people, who also www.newwritingsouth.com
support and inspire each other on our ‘Just Words’ site, an online community for young writers. (See pages 37-39 for Creative Learning) Inspiring Audiences We offer a range of events for everyone to enjoy! From ballet superstar Carlos Acosta in conversation about his novel, to an exciting project in collaboration with Brighton Digital Festival, to a new series of our fabulous spoken word and Caribbean food evening, Come Rhyme With Me. (See pages 31-36 for Events) We look forward to welcoming you at our workshops, courses, young writer projects and live events this season.
Chris Taylor Director
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OPEN DAY Join us on Saturday 14 September for an open day at the Writers’ Place. Whether you’re a writer who might benefit from New Writing South membership or you’re interested in finding out more about our workshops and courses, this is a fantastic opportunity to come and talk to us and see our flexible workshop space. The Writers’ Place 9 Jew Street Brighton BN1 1UT
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Creative Writing Programme convenor and tutor Mark Slater will be on hand to talk about all of our autumn courses
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Learn more about New Writing South membership and all the resources available for writers
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Find out more about our work with young people
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Did you know we hire the Writers’ Place? Why not stop by for tea and cake and find out a bit more about what we do?
Saturday 14 September 2013 1:00pm–4:00pm Drop in anytime Call 01273 735353 or email admin@newwritingsouth.com
CONTENTS
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WRITING 7–30 Creative Writing Programme Workshops and Short Courses Online Courses Young Writers
8–14 15–28 25–26 29–30
EVENTS 31–36 CREATIVE LEARNING 37–39 FOR WRITERS 40–48 Good Blog Guide 41 Script Reading 42 Writer Guide and Mentoring 43 Writers’ Hubs 44 Membership 45–47 The Writers’ Place 48
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WRITING 7
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Creative Writing Programme
CREATIVE WRITING PROGRAMME AT THE WRITERS’ PLACE New Writing South is pleased to be offering another year of creative writing, dramatic writing and poetry courses in partnership with The Creative Writing Programme. Our university-level programmes and workshops are run by a team of writers, with years of experience teaching creative writing, an extensive knowledge of the publishing world and a professional commitment to you – the developing writer – to help realise your potential. On the programme, you will receive regular feedback on your work and there will be opportunities to meet and discuss your writing with published
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writers and publishing professionals. Many writers from the programme have gone on to publication or have won or been shortlisted for regional or national awards and competitions including the Man Booker Prize and the Costa Prize. Some pursue writing as a career; others are satisfied with the intrinsic pleasure that writing well and appreciating good literature can bring. Whether you are writing for pleasure or publication, The Creative Writing Programme offers the opportunity to take your writing to a higher level. All courses take place at The Writers’ Place unless otherwise stated.
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Creative Writing Programme
CREATIVE WRITING 2013-15 This in-depth, university-level programme has been carefully designed to develop your understanding of the craft of writing, to provide you with the support and structure you need to push your skills to another level and complete a planned writing project.
experimentation, in practical work guided by your tutor and with the support of an internet study site, you will learn how to improve the quality of your writing; develop your creative and critical skills; organise and manage your work and develop a strong individual style.
Whether it is a novel, a collection of short stories, autobiography or family history, your course tutors will teach you the necessary writing techniques, offer focused written feedback and help you set realistic deadlines.
At the end of the programme there will be an Agents Day, for which you will prepare a synopsis and an extract of your work to discuss with a visiting literary agent. Over the two years you will have significantly increased your understanding of how to write good fiction and have developed a substantial body of work.
This two-year programme will develop your confidence and ability as a writer. Through discussion and Tutor: Mark Slater Catherine Smith Jess Richards Dr Kim Lasky
Length: 2 years Time: Tuesday 10:00am–12.30pm or Tuesday 6.30pm–9:00pm Date: Starts 8 October 2013 Fee: £950 per annum 9
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Creative Writing Programme
YEAR 2 There are limited places available on the second year of the Creative Writing Programme in 2013/14. You would be joining a group of writers who have already spent a year working together. If you have experience of working in writing groups, have done short courses at university level or are working on a novel or collection of short stories, these courses will help you to focus and develop your work in progress. For further information contact Mark Slater on info@creativewritingprogramme.org.uk or 07774 564685
Length: Time: Date: Fee:
1 year Wednesday 10:00am–12.30pm Starts 9 October 2013 £950
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Creative Writing Programme
ADVANCED WRITING WORKSHOP This higher-level course is designed for experienced writers who are committed to their writing practice and who want to continue developing their technique in practical sessions. Every month the groups will explore and discuss aspects of writing style, form, structure and technique. These sessions will be run by the writing tutor, though there will be opportunities for writers to present work, ideas and practical exercises. The emphasis will be on practical writing in the class as well as opportunities to review and discuss work in progress.
There are three options: Saturday 10.00am–1.00pm Tutor: Susannah Waters Monday 6.30pm–9.30pm Tutor: Catherine Smith Monday: 1.00pm–4.00pm Tutor: Mark Slater Entry requirement: Experienced writers, or writers who have completed an undergraduate or postgraduate programme of study in creative writing, or have had fiction published.
Tutor: Susannah Waters Catherine Smith Mark Slater
Length: 1 year in monthly sessions Time: As above Date: 12/10/2013 (SW) // 14/10/2013 (CS) // 21/10/2013 (MS) Fee: £330 11
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Creative Writing Programme
DRAMATIC WRITING Learn how to write scripts for stage, radio, film and television with this prestigious, university-level programme in dramatic writing. By the end of the year you will have: • A strong working knowledge of scriptwriting technique • Written a script for TV, stage or film • Had your work critically reviewed • Developed a deeper insight into professional practice • Worked with professional writers
In the autumn, you will be taught how to format scripts and work creatively within them. In the spring, we will focus on screenwriting and the art of storytelling in filmic and episodic forms. By summer, you will take a piece of work from the first two terms and, through reading and discussion in script workshops, develop it into a second draft. At the end of the summer term there will be a showcase of readings of students’ work.
Tutor: Mark Wheatley Julie Everton
Length: 1 year Time: Wednesday 6:30pm–9:00pm or Thursday 10:00am–12:30pm Date: Starts 9 or 10 October 2013 Fee: £700 www.newwritingsouth.com
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Creative Writing Programme
POETRY PROGRAMME Develop your skills as a poet and your understanding of poetry on this intensive, university-level programme. This programme, run by published poet John McCullough and supported through our website, will teach a range of poetic techniques including compression, imagery, texture, line breaks, traditional forms, rhyme and metre. You will meet once a week to consider practical aspects of writing technique and will be encouraged to submit poetry for constructive
feedback from the group and from your programme tutor. In addition, each week you will develop your creative and critical understanding of poetry through discussions of twentieth century and contemporary poets. John McCullough is a published poet who won the Polari First Book Prize in 2012 for his collection, The Frost Fairs.
Tutor: J ohn McCullough
Length: 1 year Time: Monday 10:00am–12.30pm Date: Starts 7 October 2013 Fee: £500 13
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Creative Writing Programme
ADVANCED WRITING POETRY This higher-level course is designed for experienced writers of poetry who are committed to their writing practice and who want to continue developing their technique in practical sessions. Every month the group will explore and discuss aspects of writing style, form, structure and technique. These sessions will be run by the writing tutor, though there will be opportunities for writers to present work, ideas and practical exercises. The emphasis will be on practical writing in the class as well as opportunities to review and discuss
work in progress. You will be given further writing exercises after each session and will have access to an interactive webpage to support the course. The format of the course is designed to be flexible and to allow writers in the group to suggest potential topics as the course progresses. Entry requirement: Experienced writers, or writers who have completed an undergraduate or postgraduate programme of study in creative writing, or have had fiction published.
Tutor: J ohn McCullough
Length: 1 year in monthly sessions Time: Monday 6:30pm–9:30pm Date: Starts 7 October 2013 Fee: £330 www.newwritingsouth.com
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Workshops and Short Courses
HOW TO WRITE FICTION If you’ve always wanted to write a novel or short story, these four workshops will introduce you to the key techniques for writing fiction. Over four weeks you’ll develop your writing skills through classroom writing exercises and learn the core techniques for successful fiction through reading examples of great stories and tutor-led discussion. There’ll also be chance to get some feedback about your own writing. Week 1: How to write...Plot and Character Week 2: How to write...Show and Tell Week 3: How to write...Voice and Point of View Week 4: How to write...Dialogue
Wendy Ann Greenhalgh is an awardwinning writer and an experienced creative writing tutor and coach. Find out more about Wendy on her website www.storyscavenger.com ‘Great course! Loved the mixture of learning and putting into practice with writing exercises.’ Kay ‘I’ve just had a very short story accepted for publication. This wouldn’t have happened if I hadn’t come along to your workshops and kickstarted the creative process again, so many thanks!’ Carole ‘Your energy and enthusiasm really inspired me to use all my ideas and images and just get on and write. Your classes are ace!’ Lindsey
Tutor: W endy Ann Greenhalgh
Length: 4 weeks Time: 1:00pm–3:30pm Date: Thursdays 7 / 14 / 21 / 28 November Fee: £70 15
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Workshops and Short Courses
BECOMING A WORKING WRITER This short, intensive course will explore all aspects of the writer’s world: from the bigger questions of ‘Why do we do what we do?’ and ‘What is it that we’re actually doing?’ to smaller but equally important questions like, ‘How do we earn enough money to do it?’ and ‘How can we find the time?’ In a series of talks, seminars and workshops, writers, industry professionals, trainers and advisors will share their experience and knowledge with you.
Length: Time: Date: Fee:
1 April: Understanding the Publishing Industry 2 April: Promoting Your Work 8 April: Developing Professional Practice 9 April: Making a Living as a Writer 15 April: Making a Living as a Writer 16 April: Managing Your Writing Career 26 April: New Writing South Publishing Industry Day: an all day event that offers writers the chance to meet literary agents and literary managers, directors, publishers, producers and professional development guides. See page 24 for more details.
7 sessions 6:30pm–9:00pm April 2014 £230 (all sessions and Publishing Industry Day)
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Workshops and Short Courses
WRITING FOR TV Always wanted to write a cracking television drama but don’t know where to begin? Do you have great story ideas, but don’t know how to translate them to the small screen? This 8-week course is designed to help you find and develop your own story and explore the art of screenwriting. Get to grips with the tools you need to write a successful television drama series – creating a world, character building, story structure – and write your own script, supported by an experienced professional writer. There will also be opportunities to see professional actors improvise with your ideas and perform a reading of the Tutor: J enny Lecoat
finished product – along with tips on how to pitch and sell it. Jenny Lecoat is an ex-stand up comic with 20 years’ experience as a professional TV and screenwriter. Her CV includes seven years on the EastEnders team, episodes of Holby City, Birds of a Feather, Dangerfield, Tracy Beaker, her own sitcom Sometime Never and contributions to The Catherine Tate Show. In addition to her work with New Writing South she has also taught at the Arvon Foundation, London Film Academy and Central Film School. ‘ Jenny Lecoat is a superb teacher. Having personally done aspects of this course at Masters level, I would suggest for those considering writing TV drama, don’t bother to look anywhere else.’
Length: 8 weeks Time: Thursday 7:00pm–9:30pm Date: 6 February–17 April 2014 Fee: £195 17
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Workshops and Short Courses
ADVANCED WRITING TV DRAMA Do you have a television drama script which is half finished, stuck at a first draft stage, or a new idea which you want to develop with a whole new approach? This six-month course is recommended for advanced writers already familiar with the genre or writers who have already undertaken Jenny’s sell-out TV Drama courses in 2012/13.
is the perfect opportunity to bring an existing project up to professional submission level and hone your screen writing skills within a smaller group. By application only. For more information contact admin@newwritingsouth.com
By studying successful drama series, working on your own script and supporting other writers in their, this
‘ This is one of the best courses I’ve attended. It’s given me a clear and comprehensive ‘toolkit’ to help develop my writing skills for TV drama and know how to present and market what I write.’
‘ This course has been invaluable in helping me to focus my writing. It was very much ‘learning by doing’ and there was an excellent tutor and peer support at every stage. I learnt an incredible amount about writing TV drama and the industry in a relatively short time.’
Length: 6 monthly sessions Time: Monday 7:00pm–9:30pm Date: 12 October 2013–31 March 2014 Fee: £280 www.newwritingsouth.com
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Workshops and Short Courses
MASTERCLASSES A brand new series of expert-led workshops across a range of genres. Each one is a standalone session, designed to help you develop existing ideas or explore a new form of writing.
Tutor: J enny Lecoat
Tutor: O la Animashawun
Writing for TV With Jenny Lecoat Have you always dreamed of creating your own TV drama or sitcom, or writing episodes of your favourite show? Whether you’re already an experienced writer in another medium, or a complete beginner who just wants to find out more, this masterclass provides a ‘starter kit’ for small screen scriptwriting, plus advice on breaking into the business. This session also provides a good taster opportunity for anyone considering committing to a longer scriptwriting course. Jenny Lecoat has been a professional screenwriter for twenty years.
Tutor: C ourttia Newland
Time: 6:30pm–9:30pm Date: Thursday 17 October Fee: £25 19
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Workshops and Short Courses
Has it got Legs… a Heart, a Body, and Soul?: How to turn your ideas into plays that stand up and stand out With Ola Animashawun By locking into your passion and concerns we will create a central idea and theme and breathe life into it through the creative deployment of the building blocks of drama – desire, action and language. An evening of play, writing, enquiry, creating and sharing. By the end of this workshop you will have the beginnings of a clear road map of your play, from beginning to end. Delivered by the playwriting specialist, and Creative Director of Euphoric Ink, Ola Animashawun.
Time: 6:30pm–9:30pm Date: Thursday 14 November Fee: £25 www.newwritingsouth.com
What makes a good short story? With Courttia Newland There are many ideas on what makes a good short story, but the easiest way to describe them is as miniature slices of epiphanies, or intense moments of change. This workshop will focus on helping writers to find these moments in their lives and recreate them. We will explore the writer’s own personal themes, develop character and plot. Writers should attend with a sense of exploration, an open mind and the urge to write! Courttia Newland is an author, screenwriter, playwright, creative writing tutor and literary activist.
Time: 6:30pm–9:30pm Date: Thursday 12 December Fee: £25 20
Workshops and Short Courses
MAKING INNOVATIVE LIVE LITERATURE One-person shows by writers are on the rise and there is a broadening out of ‘live literature’ as a distinct genre. This course explores the practicalities of turning your own piece of writing – be it poetry, fiction or memoir – into a distinctive live literature production. Participants should have an idea of a piece of writing they might wish to develop for a live audience. At the end of the course, each person will have an idea of how their project can be turned into a production, how it might be funded, and what expertise they would need to draw upon.
An advanced course (following this introduction) will begin in March 2014, leading to work-in-progress performances and offering writers additional one-to-one mentoring, advice and technical support from a range of practitioners. Mark Hewitt is Artistic Director of Lewes Live Literature and has directed a number of live literature productions, including Dementia Diaries by Maria Jastrzebska, Altered Egos by Bernadette Cremin and Weight: three stories about secrets by Catherine Smith. www.mchblank.co.uk
Tutor: M ark Hewitt
Length: 4 sessions Time: Thursday evenings 6:30pm–9:00pm Date: 21 Nov / 5 Dec / 19 Dec / 9 Jan Fee: £100 21
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Workshops and Short Courses
ZONES OF AVOIDANCE Zones of Avoidance is a new live literature production currently being developed by Portsmouth-based poet Maggie Sawkins. The work is an exploration of her personal and professional involvement with people in recovery from addictions, combining her own poetry and prose with the video and audio testimony of former addicts. Dominique De-Light of Creative Future (a Brighton-based company who work with marginalised artists) will interview Maggie about how, as a poet, she became involved in working
with recovering addicts and about the working process behind her production. The afternoon will then open out to examine, explore and discuss the ways in which people working in the arts can develop socially engaged projects that are valid and have integrity and that can support and involve troubled and vulnerable individuals. The afternoon will finish with a presentation of Zones of Avoidance, written and performed by Maggie Sawkins, directed by Mark Hewitt.
Tutor: M aggie Sawkins
Length: Time: Date: Fee:
1 day Workshop: 2:00pm–5:30pm / Performance 6:00pm Friday 1 November £10 full day / £6 performance
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Workshops and Short Courses
INDUSTRY DAYS The chance to network with high profile industry experts, including literary managers, directors, agents, publishers, producers, professional development guides and other writers. The aim is to help you keep abreast of current issues, broaden your understanding of the industry and open up new opportunities to get your work out into the world. A number of oneto-one writer surgeries are available at each day.
Theatre Industry Day – offers playwrights and theatremakers the opportunity to debate the state of the industry with leading practitioners, take part in practical sessions, examine current practice and network with other writers and theatre professionals.
Location: Brighton Dome Studio Time: 10:00am–4:30pm Date: Fri 25 Oct 2013 Fee: £50 23
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Workshops and Short Courses
Publishing Industry Day – packed with advice, tips and debate with leading publishers, agents, editors, and writers. An essential event for all authors whether you want to get published – through traditional routes, self-publishing or digital alternatives – or just to keep up with current thinking and practice. Broadcasting Industry Day – this brand new event for television, audio and digital writers offers the chance to hear from experts representing leading broadcasters, including BBC, Sky and ITV.
Location: Lighthouse Time: 10:00am–4:30pm Date: Sat 30 Nov 2013 Fee: £50 www.newwritingsouth.com
* This event can be booked on its own or as part of Becoming A Working Writer: a professional development course for writers, poets, dramatists and scriptwriters. (See page 16)
Location: Jubilee Library Time: 10:00am–4:30pm Date: Fri 26 April 2014 Fee: £50 24
Online Courses
THE CRAFT OF WRITING FOR RADIO Award-winning writer Anna McGrail leads this popular online course that explores radio drama’s particular strengths and challenges, and equips you with the professional techniques to write for this liberating medium. Each week there will be practical exercises to complete and share with fellow students which will cover: the nature of radio drama; the importance
of beginnings; radio story-telling and the use of narrators, location, sound and dialogue; and the market place for radio drama. By the end of the course, you will have gained an understanding of radio drama, be able to make a proposal for a radio play and have the beginnings of a script.
Tutor: A nna McGrail
Length: 10 weekly online sessions via New Writing South website Time: n/a Date: 7 October 2013–9 December 2013 Fee: £110 25
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Online Courses
FOUNDATION SKILLS IN SCREEN WRITING If you’ve ever wanted to write for the big screen, then this exciting online course is for you. Playwright and screenwriter Julie Everton leads participants in exploring the essentials of the craft of screenplay writing, where the emphasis throughout is upon developing an individual voice and a confident style whilst working in a supported environment.
online forums and will be given advice on offering constructive and useful criticism. Each weekly lesson will arm you with the professional skills required to write in and for the film industry and you will be supported through the process creating your own short screenplay.
In addition to tutor feedback, participants will be encouraged to discuss one another’s writing in the
Tutor: J ulie Everton
Length: 10 weekly online sessions via New Writing South website Time: n/a Date: 20 January 2014–24 March 2014 Fee: £110 www.newwritingsouth.com
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Workshops and Short Courses
COMEDY WRITING WEEKEND Scriptwriter Brian Mitchell shares tips and answers your questions on writing comic dialogue for stage, screen, radio and podcast in this weekend-long workshop. Your assignment for the weekend will be to write a short sketch or comic scene for podcast. On Sunday this will be recorded by well-known radio comedy actors Joanna Neary and David Mounfield, with the best piece selected for podcast by Jibba Jabba Productions (Pick of The Pods). The digital age has liberated scripts. Increasingly, as the technology becomes more affordable, writers and performers are taking production and webcast into their own hands, with
such comedians as Brian Limmond (Limmy’s Show) and Adam Buxton coming to prominence through their self-produced, self-disseminated work. As the co-founder and director of the acclaimed sketch group, The Ornate Johnsons, Brian Mitchell has a wealth of experience in realising his own material. On this course you will be inspired and shown how to do the same. Brian Mitchell is an award-winning playwright, director, and television and radio comedy scriptwriter. On Saturday he will be joined by his long-standing writing partner, Joseph Nixon to discuss the benefits (and pitfalls) of writing comedy in partnership.
Tutor: B rian Mitchell
Length: 2 days Time: 10:00am–4:00pm Date: 21–22 September Fee: £125 27
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Workshops and Short Courses
IMPROVE YOUR SOCIAL WEB PRESENCE A short course for writers who have a website, a blog or perhaps a Facebook or Twitter profile, but need help with taking it to the next level. More than ever before, publishers now are hungry for writers willing to take an active role in marketing their work. It’s even more essential for those looking to self-publish. In these three sessions we will look at how to shape and manage your social presence, extend your online network and build your reach and reputation on the social web. We will discuss goals, engagement,
social content, time management and sustainable strategies. We will look at how others are doing it successfully, and how to avoid common mistakes. You will finish the course with an improved social web presence, and action plan for developing it further. Former Nike marketer Robin Houghton is an online communications consultant, writer, trainer and mentor. She has worked in online marketing for over 13 years, focusing since 2007 on social media. She is also a poet and blogger.
Tutor: R obin Houghton
Length: 3 weeks Time: 6:30pm–9:00pm Date: Thursdays 12 / 19 / 26 September Fee: £80 www.newwritingsouth.com
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Young Writers
AUTUMN SQUADS Write for the Stage Award-winning playwright Natasha Langridge will lead you through a week-long high-energy workshop, using drama, improvisation and writing exercises to write your own short pieces of theatre. You will learn some of the skills of a playwright and, at the end of the week, share your work with an invited audience. Suitable for ages 13–17
Tutor: Natasha Langridge © Josh Pulman
Length: Time: Date: Fee: 29
1 week 1:30pm–4:30pm Monday 28 October–Friday 1 November £125 (£30 non-refundable deposit is required to secure a place) 01273 735353
Young Writers
CHICHESTER YOUNG PLAYWRIGHTS New Writing South and Chichester Festival Theatre have teamed up for a fifth year to run Chichester Young Playwrights; an exciting series of workshop for young playwrights in the south-east. 16 young writers aged 16–25 will be selected to develop their knowledge and skills as playwrights. Working with professional playwright, Josie Melia, there will be the opportunity to turn ideas and passion into drama in the context of a producing theatre, as well as meeting with other theatre professionals. The course will run for ten fortnightly sessions between autumn and winter 2013/14. This is a subsidised programme and the fee is £60 for successful applicants.
Saturdays 11:00am–1:00pm at Chichester Festival Theatre To apply, please send two A4 sides of creative writing on a subject of your choice, along with a short extract as to why you would like to take part to creativelearning@newwritingsouth.com What we want to see is creative flair; no prior experience of writing for theatre is needed. Deadline for applications: 5:00pm on Monday 9 September 2013 Selection workshop: 2:00pm– 4:00pm on Saturday 21 September at Chichester Festival Theatre. (Please ensure you are available.)
Length: 10 sessions Time: 11:00am–1:00pm Date: TBC Fee: £60 www.newwritingsouth.com
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EVENTS 31
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Events
BRIGHTON DIGITAL FESTIVAL: DOT DOT DOT For the Brighton Digital Festival 2013 (1–30 September) New Writing South is working with bestselling Brighton crime novelist Peter James on something special. This modern, multimedia spin on the traditional storytelling parlour game of Consequences will involve a relay team of our creative writers. Peter James will post the opening cliffhanger and throughout September each writer will contribute a section in their favoured form, from prose to drama to performance poetry, then pass the virtual paper on using YouTube, Soundcloud, Facebook,
blogs and Twitter. As the story unfolds over the internet, you’ll be able to follow, comment and take it off in new tangents via the hashtag #NWSdigital. The ending will be revealed in an event at the Writers’ Place on Friday 27 September. Keep an eye on the project at www.newwritingsouth.com/BDF to discover where the story will go next... Contact digital@newwritingsouth.com to get involved.
Peter James
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Events
COME RHYME WITH ME
Dean Atta and Deanna Rodger bring back Come Rhyme With Me for another season at the Writers’ Place. We celebrated the first anniversary of this monthly spoken word event with a sell out show as part of the 2013 Brighton Fringe and we can’t wait to see more fantastic performances over the next year.
A poetry evening presented as a dining experience with a set menu of performers, each style specific to the course they have been chosen to represent. With an open mic to open the night, arrive early to perform!
Time: 7:00pm–10:00pm Date: 20 September, 18 October, 15 November, 20 December Fee: £12.50 (£10 concs.) with Caribbean supper £7.50 (£ 6 concs.) performance only 33
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Events
QUEER IN BRIGHTON BOOK LAUNCH Over the past twelve months New Writing South, Pink Fringe and Photoworks have invited LGBT and Queer people in Brighton & Hove to talk about and document their life experiences. The result is a very special new book of life stories, photography and creative fiction edited by Shaun Levin and Maria Jastrzebska.
piece of Brighton & Hove history at our special event in February 2014. Get in touch at admin@newwritingsouth. com to be kept up to date with details of this event. Visit www.queerinbrighton.co.uk for sneak previews.
Join us for a celebration of LGBT and Queer Stories uncovered during the Queer in Brighton project and be the first to get your hands on this new
Location: Brighton Dome Studio Date: 10 February 2014
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Events
CARLOS ACOSTA IN CONVERSATION New Writing South and South East Dance present an evening with the internationally acclaimed dancer and debut novelist Carlos Acosta. Carlos will be talking about the themes in his debut novel, Pig’s Foot, a big Cuban tale of revolution, family secrets, love and identity across three generations. Pig’s Foot has been chosen for the Waterstones Eleven, the retailer’s pick of the best debut novels of the year. Carlos Acosta was born in Havana and trained at the National Ballet School in Cuba. He has
been a principal at the English National Ballet, the Houston Ballet, the American Ballet Theater and The Royal Ballet, danced all over the world and won numerous awards. He is the author of the autobiography No Way Home. Carlos will be in conversation with Rachel Cooke. Rachel is a lead writer on The Guardian and Observer and the author of Her Brilliant Career: Ten Extraordinary Women of The Fifties. Tickets are available from Brighton Dome only. Book on 01273 709709 or www.brightondome.org
Carlos Acosta
Location: Brighton Dome Studio Time: 7:30pm Date: Wednesday 23 October Fee: £10 35
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Events
SIDE SHOWS REHEARSED READINGS Discover new voices in the South East. The Nightingale theatre and development space and New Writing South are collaborating to present a series of rehearsed readings this autumn. These enticing evenings will bring new scripts to life, and give you the opportunity to see work beginning to move from page to stage. Find out more about The Nightingale Theatre at www.nightingaletheatre.co.uk
Š Josh Pulman
Length: The Nightingale Theatre Time: 6:00pm Date: Sunday 6 October, Sunday 27 October Fee: ÂŁ4 www.newwritingsouth.com
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Creative Learning
CREATIVE LEARNING 37
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Creative Learning
HOW CREATIVE LEARNING CAN WORK FOR YOU Our work in schools, places of work and in all kinds of communities sparks imaginations, encourages creative thinking and gets both young people and adults writing with vigour and enthusiasm. New Writing South’s Creative Learning Team is unique, consisting of an unrivalled selection of writers across all genres. The team includes authors, playwrights, performance poets, rappers, comedians, storytellers and scriptwriters working in film, television and radio. All our team members have an enhanced DBS, many are qualified Arts Award advisers and everyone is highly trained and has extensive experience of working with young people. The team works regularly in schools, youth centres, libraries, arts festivals and specially created projects. The cost to work with a member of the Creative Learning Team is £390 per day, including planning and evaluation. Costs vary for longer-term projects. For further information, please contact creativelearning@newwritingsouth.com
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Creative Learning
WRITERS AT WORK Writers at Work is a scheme that brings creative writers into business. We have worked with all kinds of businesses in a variety of settings, from communications officers in the public sector, to accountants to estate agents. Writers stimulate the imagination, provoke discussion and inspire creativity. A Writer at Work can also help you to take a fresh look at your business and the way you work. ‘We all enjoyed the experience and thought it was useful. We will be using the skills we learned in our everyday work.’ Bonett’s Estate Agents
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Each bespoke programme is tailored to your needs, including length and frequency of workshops. Programmes can range from a 90-minute lunchtime creative injection, to a day workshop with your team, to a writer in residence. To find out more, contact Anna Jefferson on anna@newwritingsouth.com or 01273 735353 for an informal chat about how Writers at Work can work for you.
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For Writers
FOR WRITERS www.newwritingsouth.com
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For Writers
GOOD BLOG GUIDE New Writing South champions good writing in all forms, and it’s no different when it comes to the wonders of the ‘blogosphere’. We know there are some excellent blogs out there, full of original content and inspiring writing – perhaps you even write one yourself? However, if like us, you don’t know where to start looking for a good blog, or you find blog after blog where both the frequency and quality of the posts leave much to be desired, then help us to help you.
If you would like to nominate a blog (including your own) for our consideration please visit www.newwritingsouth.com/ goodblogguide
The New Writing South Good Blog Guide is a curated list of blogs that have received the New Writing South stamp of approval for good writing.
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01273 735353
For Writers
SCRIPT READING A professional feedback service for scripts written for stage, film, radio and television. Writers normally only get one shot at attracting the attention of a company or producer, so it’s essential that your script is as good as it can possibly be. Our competitive non-profit making script reading service provides an opportunity to get professional and objective feedback on your script prior to sending it out into the world. Your script will be read by a professional independent reader, many of whom also read for companies such as Paines Plough, Royal Court, Channel 4, UK Film Council and Arvon.
Reports are broken down to cover every element of the script, through presentation, story, structure, dialogue, characterisation, tone, genre and marketability – and will advise you on the potential next step for your script. We also offer a poetry critique service in association with Waterloo Press, providing a professional, honest appraisal of your work. Open to poets at all stages of development. Visit www.newwritingsouth.com/ for-writers for more information on these services.
Fee: Prices start at £45 for script reading and £40 for poetry critique, and are based on length.
www.newwritingsouth.com
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For Writers
WRITER GUIDE AND MENTORING New Writing South provides bespoke professional development for writers, from impartial advice on achieving your goals to in depth support with an ongoing project. Our Writer Guides and Mentors are writers, or other industry professionals, who offer expertise and experience. The will listen to your aims, empathise with what you want to achieve during your relationship, and then give you the focused support and guidance you need. Writer Guide or Mentoring? A Writer Guide session lasts 90 minutes. It is a structured process which allows you to define your goals and ambitions with the help of an
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objective professional, and create a plan of action to achieve them. An individual session costs ÂŁ95. Mentoring is a long-term arrangement that lasts six to nine months. A personal mentor can offer emerging writers expert advice and guidance to take their writing to a higher level, usually working on a specific project. New Writing South will work with you to find exactly the right mentor for you and support the relationship throughout. For further information and an informal chat about how either of these services could work for you, call 01273 735353 or email admin@newwritingsouth.com
01273 735353
For Writers
WRITERS’ HUBS Our Writers’ Hubs are a network of regular meetings for members and other creative writers throughout the region. Working with partner venues, these Writers’ Hubs offer the chance to meet informally with other writers and guest speakers. Each hub curates its own events supported by New Writing South and hub partners. All writers are welcome to attend. Writers’ Hubs are currently held in these locations:
Rye Hub The School Creative Centre, Rye West Kent Hub Tonbridge Adult Education Centre Visit www.newwritingsouth.com for more information on Writers’ Hub meetings. Free for New Writing South members, otherwise £5 per session.
Hampshire Hub The Berry Theatre, Hedge End Portsmouth Hub New Theatre Royal, Portsmouth
www.newwritingsouth.com
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For Writers
JOIN US! Our membership scheme is open to everyone involved in creative writing in the south-east, whether you’re a professional, emerging or aspiring writer. We exist for our members and your membership helps us with everything that we do. Membership offers access to a wide range of writer services and benefits including: • 10% discount on almost all workshops, courses and events when booked online • Members also get 10% discount on our highly recommended script reading and poetry critique services and mentoring schemes. • Free entry to local Writers’ Hubs (see page 44)
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• Profile page in our online directory of writers in the south-east • Advance notice of all New Writing South events, writer services and opportunities. • Exclusive news in a fortnightly e-bulletin, featuring news, competitions, events and writing opportunities. • Preferential use and discounted hire of The Writers’ Place (see page 48) • Annual membership costs just £45 (concessions available). See opposite for details. Join us online at www.newwritingsouth.com/ become-a-member or fill in the form on the opposite page.
01273 735353
For Writers
MEMBERSHIP FORM Name: Contact number: Email address: Address:
Postcode: £45
Full membership
£26
Concessionary membership (Available to those in receipt of government benefits: JobSeekers allowance, state pension, income support and registered disabled – proof required)
£20
Student & young people membership (Available to those 25 and under or holders of a valid NUS card – proof required)
£____
Additional donation
£____
Total
Please complete both sides of this form before returning it to the address overleaf
www.newwritingsouth.com
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For Writers
By completing the gift aid declaration below New Writing South can claim up to an extra 28% in reclaimed tax at no additional cost to you as a UK taxpayer. Please treat as Gift Aid donations any qualifying gifts of money made in the past four years and from today onwards I confirm I have paid or will pay an amount of Income Tax and/or Capital Gains Tax for each tax year (6 April to 5 April) that is at least equal to the amount of tax that all the charities or Community Amateur Sports Clubs (CASCs) that I donate to will reclaim on my gifts for that tax year. I understand that other taxes such as VAT and Council Tax do not qualify. I understand the charity will reclaim 28p of tax on every ÂŁ1 that I gave up to 5 April 2008 and will reclaim 25p of tax on every ÂŁ1 that I give on or after 6 April 2008. Signed
Send this page along with payment (cheques made payable to New Writing South) to Operations Manager, New Writing South, 9 Jew Street, Brighton, BN1 1UT or join us online at www. newwritingsouth.com/members 47
01273 735353
For Writers
THE WRITERS’ PLACE The Writers’ Place is our workshop and meeting space conveniently located at New Writing South’s offices in the heart of Brighton’s cultural quarter, within walking distance of shops, bars, restaurants as well as main transport links.
• Hourly prices from £15 (excl. VAT)
Whether you are looking to hold a creative workshop, meeting, rehearsal or informal training session, you will benefit from a flexible, private space to suit your requirements.
• Wheelchair access and accessible WC
The room holds up to 25 people theatre style, or up to 16 people workshop style and is available for individuals, groups and organisations to hire.
www.newwritingsouth.com
• Free Wi-Fi connection • Projector and screen • Tea/Coffee making facilities • Marketing and ticketing services for your workshop or event
For members of New Writing South looking to use the space for noncommercial writer-led activity hourly prices start at £12 (excl. VAT). To find out more about availability please call on 01273 735353 or email georgia@ newwritingsouth.com
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BOOKING INFO Unless otherwise stated, book online at www.newwritingsouth.com or call 01273 735353 Access: we endeavour to ensure that all our events, venues and services are accessible to everyone. The Writers’ Place has wheelchair access and accessible WC. Please contact us to discuss any other access needs you may have. New Writing South 9 Jew Street Brighton BN1 1UT 01273 735353 admin@newwritingsouth.com www.newwritingsouth.com
f Find us on Facebook or l follow us on Twitter @newwritingsouth New Writing South is a company registered by guarantee and a registered charity. Company No: 1092533 Registered Charity: 4318810