WELCOME TO NEW WRITING SOUTH We not only inspire, enable and nurture all kinds of talented creative writers — including young writers, but we also host and produce live literature events, book launches, author talks and much more. Last year over 6472 people visited The Writers’ Place, our home in the heart of Brighton’s bustling North Laine, to take part in workshops and events. Thousands more went to NWS partner venues throughout the region to enjoy events, masterclasses and performances. New Writing South’s main focus is the development of creative writing talent and we are proud that so many authors, playwrights, bloggers and poets we work with found new opportunities and advancement last year.
aspiring, emerging or professional writer, a lover of new writing, theatre and literature, or you just enjoy a good read there’s something here for you. We look forward to welcoming you this season.
Chris Taylor Director
This autumn we have another fantastic and diverse programme. If you are an
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CONTENTS EVENTS
4—7
WRITING
Workshops and Short Courses Creative Writing Programme
8—27 10—21 22—27
CREATIVE LEARNING
28—34
FOR WRITERS
35—43
Writing Workshops and Residencies Young Writers Squads Young Writers Manifesto Young Playwrights Arts Award
29 30—31 32 33 34
Membership 36 Writers’ Hubs 37 Opportunities 38—39 Mentoring 40 Script Reading 41 The Writers’ Place 42 All events, workshops and courses take place at The Writers’ Place unless otherwise stated.
www.newwritingsouth.com
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EVENTS 4
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Events
COME RHYME WITH ME Dean Atta and Deanna Rodger’s spoken word night Come Rhyme With Me brings extraordinary performances to The Writers’ Place every month. The event regularly sells out, so early booking is essential. This poetry evening is presented as a dining experience with a handpicked menu of performers – starter, main, dessert – each style specific to the course they have been chosen to represent. We serve delicious Caribbean food and outstanding talent with a friendly and laid-back vibe. The open mic slots make perfect appetizers; everyone is welcome – arrive early to perform! 19 September | 17 October | 21 November | 12 December Dinner 7.00pm / Performance 8.00pm £14.50 (£12.50 concs) includes Caribbean dinner £8.00 (£6.50 concs) performance only Belinda Zhawi performing at Come Rhyme With Me / photo © Dean Atta
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Events
BRIGHTON RECALL Brighton is a city of stories. Writers from Graham Greene and Peter James to Julie Burchill and Nick Cave have used it to tell their stories, now it’s your chance to do the same. As part of Brighton Digital Festival, which runs from 1—28 September 2014, New Writing South is launching a new project to map your stories of Brighton.
at The Writers’ Place throughout September. Come and share your stories with others in a relaxed and informal setting and have help uploading it to our digital collection.
Brighton Recall invites you to share your memories and stories of Brighton on a map of the city. Whether it was a great night out, the loss of love, the birth of your child or just a memorable day on the beach, we want them all.
There will be a showcase of selected stories on Tuesday 23 September. Visit www.newwritingsouth.com/BDF for more information.
© Angie Muldowney
Visit our website to find out how to add your story. If you’d like some help, there are free drop-in workshops
Drop-in workshops Tuesdays 2, 9, 16 September 6.30pm—8.30pm Free
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Events
MAKE YOUR OWN PICTURE BOOK Create your own unique picture books from scratch in these fun and inspiring workshops which are suitable for everyone. Half term workshop
Christmas workshop
Delve into the imaginative world of storytelling, create your own characters and see them come to life with pop-ups, cutouts and collage. This workshop is for adults and children to work together and independently, and the techniques can easily be repeated at home during half term. All materials will be provided.
In the lead up to the festive season, escape from the hubbub of the North Laine and join us for a Christmas bookmaking workshop for families, with hot drinks and mince pies. A chance to learn new skills and make the perfect Christmas gift for someone special. All materials will be provided.
Saturday 25 October 2.00pm—5.00pm £20 for one adult and one child £5 for each additional child
Sunday 30 November 10.00am—1.00pm £20 for one adult and one child £5 for each additional child
With illustrator, printmaker and book artist, Sarah Edmonds. www.newwritingsouth.com
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© Josh Pulman
WRITING 8
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Writing New Writing South offers a range of workshops and courses, from taster sessions and short courses for beginners to advanced courses and university-level programmes for experienced writers.
We work with a number of excellent tutors to cover poetry, drama, fiction, social media, screenwriting and non-fiction, as well as professional development opportunities such as annual Industry Days. Many of these courses sell out well in advance, so why not take a look now? Please feel free to get in touch if you have any queries.
www.newwritingsouth.com
Contact admin@newwritingsouth.com or 01273 735353 All events, workshops and courses take place at The Writers’ Place unless otherwise stated. The Writers’ Place 9 Jew Street Brighton BN1 1UT
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Professional Development
INDUSTRY DAYS Industry days offer writers the chance to network with high profile industry experts from Publishing, Theatre and Broadcasting. These all-day conferences are packed with keynote talks, workshops, debates and practical sessions to keep you 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 one-to-one professional development sessions are available at each event. Theatre Industry Day The politics of playwriting, the politics in playwriting An opportunity for playwrights and theatre makers to meet with key members of the theatre industry, including literary managers, agents, new writing producers, other playwrights and directors. In previous years, speakers and guests have been drawn from major organisations (National Theatre, Soho Theatre,
Paines Plough, Royal Court) and we are planning a stellar line-up for 2014 when the theme is Playwrights and Politics. Saturday 22 November 10.00am—4.00pm Brighton Dome Studio
Dates for 2015 Broadcasting Industry Day Saturday 28 February | Publishing Industry Day Saturday 25 April
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Workshops and short courses
MASTERCLASSES Expert-led workshops across a range of genres. Each one is a standalone session designed to help you develop existing skills and ideas or explore a new form of writing. Performance poetry with Dean Atta
Writing for TV with Jenny Lecoat
Learn how to craft your own piece of spoken word, find your voice and perform your lyrics in this performance poetry workshop with renowned spoken word artist Dean Atta. Dean is an award-winning writer and performance poet, and co-founder of Come Rhyme With Me. His debut poetry collection I Am Nobody’s Nigger was long-listed for the Polari First Book Prize in 2014.
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 want to find out more, this masterclass provides a starter kit for small screen scriptwriting, plus advice on breaking into the business.
Tuesday 30 September 6.30pm—9.30pm £25 (£15 students and young people)
Monday 17 November 6.30pm—9.30pm £25
Visit www.newwritingsouth.com/whatson for details on 2015 masterclasses
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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 a chance to get some feedback about your own writing in class. Led by award-winning writer Wendy Ann Greenhalgh, 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 “Your energy and enthusiasm really inspired me to use all my ideas and images and just get on and write.” Lindsey Tutor: Wendy Ann Greenhalgh
Starts Wednesday 15 October Four weekly sessions | 7.00pm—9.30pm £75 Photo © Shakeel Ansari
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Workshops and short courses
HOW TO WRITE NON-FICTION Develop your ideas and gain the skills you need to create a work of non-fiction with this new short course. Over four weeks you will be given the opportunity to meet like-minded writers, discuss your ideas, share written work and explore the market for non-fiction writing. Guidance will be given on how to research across a wide range of subject matter, with a view to constructing a long piece of work. By the end of the course you will have the skills to write a synopsis and prepare a book proposal for submission to agents and publishers.
Simon Stander is author of Why War: Capitalism and the NationState (Bloomsbury Academic) and Why Capitalism Survives Crises: the Absorptive Class. Founding editor of Peace and Conflict Monitor (www. monitor.upeace.org) and Peace and Conflict Review (www.review.upeace. org). He is currently working on War and Cinema: Imagined Histories and the Art of War. Tutor: Simon Stander
Starts Thursday 30 October Four weekly sessions 2.00pm—4.30pm £50
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Workshops and short courses
WRITING FOR TV 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. This perennially popular eight-week course is designed to help you find and develop your own story and explore the art of screenwriting, plus there are opportunities to see professional actors improvise with your ideas and perform a reading of the finished product – along with tips on how to pitch and sell it. Tutor: Jenny Lecoat
Monday 26 January—20 April 2015 Eight sessions | 7.00pm—9.30pm £195
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Advanced Writing TV Drama
Jenny is also running a six-month course for advanced writers already familiar with the genre or writers who have previously undertaken her sellout TV Drama courses between 2011—2014. By application only. Starts autumn 2014. Visit www.newwritingsouth.com for details.
Jenny Lecoat is an ex-stand up comic with twenty years’ experience as a professional TV and screenwriter, including seven years on the EastEnders team, and episodes of Holby City, Birds of a Feather, Tracy Beaker and The Catherine Tate Show. Jenny also teaches for Arvon, London Film Academy and Central Film School.
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Workshops and short courses
ADVANCED RADIO WRITING This intensive hands-on programme is for writers wishing to develop an original idea into a finished radio play suitable for Radio 4’s Afternoon Drama. Working as part of a small, supportive and focused group, participants will evaluate current radio drama, explore the possibilities and limitations of the medium and receive ongoing feedback on their work in progress. The second part of the course will be held in a professional radio studio where the group will be joined by an experienced radio producer. By the end of the course every writer will have part of their drafted radio play performed by professional actors and recorded in the studios.
Stephen Wyatt is an award-winning radio writer and co-author or So You Want to Write Radio Drama? published by Nick Hern Books. By application only. Please send a writing biography and a paragraph explaining why you wish to take the course to admin@newwritingsouth.com by Friday 26 September. Tutor: Stephen Wyatt
Monday 6 October—Saturday 6 December Four evening workshops and one full day in studio 6 Oct, 20 Oct, 2 Nov | 7.00pm—9.30pm at The Writers’ Place 24 Nov | 7.00pm—9.30pm at Pier Productions 6 Dec | 10.00am—4.30pm at Pier Productions £255
www.newwritingsouth.com
In association with Pier Productions and producer Martin Jenkins.
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Workshops and short courses
CRAFTING THE SECOND DRAFT ‘Don’t get it right, get it written’, is a great motto for inspiring you to put pen to paper and bring the first draft of your play into the world. But what happens once you’ve got it written? The next stage of honing your script and getting it ready to send to theatres and agents is crucial and it is essential to ensure that your play is as polished as possible before you send it off. Led by Karis Halsall this intensive course for playwrights aims to help you get your play as ‘rehearsal ready’ as possible, by highlighting and developing its strengths, working through its weaknesses and re-evaluating everything from the characters to the central question of the piece. Karis will be providing oneto-one feedback and a script report on your second draft.
Karis Halsall is a playwright, dramaturg and director. She is a graduate of both The Royal Court’s Young Writers Programme and their Advanced ‘Invitation Only’ Group. From 2011-2013, Karis was literary assistant at The Bush Theatre, and she is currently the literary associate at Theatre 503. By application only. You will need to submit the first draft of your play by Monday 1 September. Visit www.newwritingsouth.com/whatson for full details. Tutor: Karis Halsall
Starts Saturday 11 October 2014 2.00pm—5.00pm Six monthly sessions £175
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Creative Writing in the workplace
WRITERS AT WORK Writers at Work is a programme that offers businesses the chance to work with professional writers to provoke discussion, inspire creativity and stimulate the imagination. Using specially tailored projects designed in collaboration with you, our writers will work creatively with your teams to develop fresh approaches, build team morale and boost productivity. “We all enjoyed the experience and thought it was useful. We will be using the skills we learned in our everyday work.” Bonnett’s Estate Agents
www.newwritingsouth.com
Programmes can range from a 60-minute lunchtime creative injection, to a day workshop with your team, to a series of workshops or writer in residence over several weeks. To find out more, or have an informal chat about how Writers at Work can work for you, contact Clare Thurman on clare@newwritingsouth.com or 01273 735353
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Workshops and short courses
SOCIAL MEDIA FOR WRITERS A writer with a strong social web presence has a big advantage over one who does not engage with social tools. More than ever, publishers expect their authors to play an active role in marketing their books – and it’s even more essential if you’re self-published – but it’s about more than just promoting yourself on social media, and it certainly doesn’t have to feel like a chore. Improve Your Social Web Presence
Master Twitter In A Day
Do you have a blog that needs some attention? Do you go for days or weeks wondering what to tweet about? This popular short course has been condensed into an essential one-day workshop for all writers. Come along and roll up your sleeves, let’s kick some new life into your blog and give those social profiles a remodel.
Go from nought to sixty with Twitter in a day! What works and what doesn’t on Twitter? How do you connect with the right people? Is anyone really listening? Come and find out the answers to these questions and more. By the end of the day you’ll have all the ideas, tools and tactics you need to master Twitter.
Saturday 18 October 2014 10.00am—4.30pm £75 / £60 concessions
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Saturday 15 November 2014 10.00am—4.30pm £75 / £60 concessions
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Workshops and short courses
Set Up A Blog In A Day No more procrastinating – let’s get your blog up and running! Come along and set up a blog, learn the basic mechanics of WordPress, be inspired by some great examples of writer blogs and create your first blog post. Yes, it really can be done in a day. Saturday 7 February 2015 10.00am—4.30pm £75 / £60 concessions
Robin Houghton is a social communications consultant and trainer who specialises in mentoring writers on building their social web presence. She is the author of the illustrated ‘how to’ manuals from Ilex/F+W Blogging for Creatives (2012) and Blogging for Writers (forthcoming 2015) and a poet (The Great Vowel Shift, Telltale Press 2014). She writes a blog and fortnightly email newsletter at Social Media for Writers (http://www. socialmediaforwriters.co.uk) and her poetry blog is http://www.poetgal.co.uk.
www.newwritingsouth.com
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Workshops and short courses
STOP F***ING ABOUT AND START WRITING Declare war on procrastination and smash writing blocks to smithereens It’s pretty self-explanatory really. Stop fucking about. Start writing. That is the big, secret solution to beating procrastination. It’s easier said than done though, which is why these workshops exist. You’ll spend the day in a room with a bunch of writers, limitless caffeine and no internet. We’ll help you set your personal writing goal for the day and longer term. We’ll talk about your successes and blocks. And then you write. And write. And write. A score board, gold stars, general silliness and supportive competitiveness will help you reach your targets and break you out of your bad habits.
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In short: space to write. Bliss. Who is this for? This workshop is perfect for people with a project in progress that has stalled or been put aside while life takes over, or those with an idea they want to make a big start on, or those who want to drink tea and eat biscuits and write some words in a fun, supportive environment. Monthly 21 September | 19 October | 16 November 10.00am—4.00pm £36 including lunch, tea, coffee and biscuits
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Workshops and short courses
BRIGHTON WRITERS RETREAT NANOWRIMO SPECIAL National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) is upon us and thousands have people have just committed to bashing out 50,000 words in 30 days. Join us! NaNoWriMo is an annual challenge for participants to write a novel in a month. Over 200,000 people across the world take part, and the aim is to get people writing and not let them stop: completion not perfection, quantity not quality. New Writing South and Brighton Writers Retreat have teamed up to celebrate this most bonkers of challenges with a kick-starting day to make getting to that golden 50,000 as easy as possible. Spend the morning plotting and brainstorming (plotstorming, if you will), finishing up with a clear and concise battle plan for the month ahead. And the afternoon? We’ll help you get your first 1,700 words down on paper (or in pixels) and make sure you’re set for a winner’s
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badge. Why spend five years carefully crafting a novel when you can do it in a month? Sarah Lewis runs writing retreats to help people become super productive writing powerhouses. She is a graduate from the creative writing MA at UEA, winner of the David Higham Award, received a special mention in the BBC National Short Story Award 2013 and is now finishing her first novel thanks to an Arts Council grant. www.brightonwritersretreat.co.uk Saturday 1 November 2014 10.00am—4.00pm £36 including lunch, tea, coffee and biscuits
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Creative Writing Programme
CREATIVE WRITING 2014—16 New Writing South is working in partnership with The Creative Writing Programme for a third year to offer a range of university-level creative writing, dramatic writing and poetry courses at The Writers’ Place. Creative Writing Programme (Year 1) 2014—16
Creative Writing Programme (Year 2) 2014—15
This in-depth two-year, 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. 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.
There are limited places available to join a second year group in 2014. 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.
Starts 8/9 October 2014 Two years (weekly sessions) Wednesday: 10.00am—12.30pm or Thursday: 6.30pm—9.00pm £950 per annum
Starts 7 October 2014 One year (weekly sessions) Tuesday: 10.00am—12.30pm or 6.30pm—9.00pm £950 per annum
For further information contact Mark Slater on mark.slater@creativewritingprogramme.org.uk 22
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Creative Writing Programme
ADVANCED WRITING WORKSHOPS 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. The course will focus on the discussion and review of work in progress though there will be opportunities for writers to present work, ideas and practical exercises. You will have access to an interactive webpage to support the course and to distribute work. 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 and as they arise in their own writing practice. “The course has been invaluable for my writing and Susannah’s teaching inspirational. Getting together each month with a group of like-minded writers is a great impetus to keep writing and the feedback always helps me to take a leap forward.” Lucy
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Entry requirement: Experienced writers, or writers who have completed an undergraduate or postgraduate programme of study in creative writing, or have had fiction published. There are three courses available: Monday: 1.00pm–4.00pm with Mark Slater Monday: 6.30pm-9.30pm with Catherine Smith Saturday: 10.00am-1.00pm with Susannah Waters
Starts 11/13 October 2014 One year (monthly sessions) £330
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Creative Writing Programme
WRITING POETRY Enjoy the beauty of words as you develop your skills as a poet with this intensive course on the art of writing poetry.
© Salt Publishing
This course, run by published poet John McCullough will look at a range of poetic techniques such as compression, imagery, texture, line breaks, traditional forms, rhyme and metre. As well as considering practical aspects of writing technique, you will be encouraged to bring in your own poetry for constructive feedback from your tutor and fellow writers. In addition, each week we will study and learn writing strategies by looking at both twentieth century and contemporary poets. Writers on this course will be assumed to be writing with a mind to eventual publication and the importance of analysing and catering to different markets will be discussed. Starts 8 October 2014 One year (weekly sessions) Wednesday: 1.00pm—3.00pm £350
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Tutor: John McCullough
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Creative Writing Programme
ADVANCED POETRY WORKSHOPS 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 fortnight the group will meet to discuss work in progress and explore 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.
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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: John McCullough
Starts 6 October 2014 One year (fortnightly sessions) Monday: 10.00am—12.30pm £500
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Creative Writing Programme
DRAMATIC WRITING PROGRAMME 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
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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. Tutors: Mark Wheatley Julie Everton Natasha Langridge
Starts 9 October 2014 One year (weekly sessions) Thursday: 10.00am—12.30pm £700
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Creative Writing Programme
ADVANCED DRAMATIC WRITING WORKSHOPS This higher-level course is designed for experienced scriptwriters who are committed to their writing practice and who want to continue to develop their understanding of scriptwriting skills and dramatic technique in practical sessions. The course will focus on the discussion and review of work in progress though there will be opportunities for writers to suggest topics for discussion, ideas and practical exercises. You will have access to an interactive webpage to support the course and to distribute work. 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 and as they arise in their own writing practice.
www.newwritingsouth.com
Entry requirement: Writers who have taken the Dramatic Writing Programme or similar courses, or have studied drama or scriptwriting in higher education, who are working professionally, or have had work performed or published. Tutor: Mark Wheatley
Starts 9 October 2014 One year (monthly sessions) Thursday: 1.30pm—4.30pm £330
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CREATIVE LEARNING 28
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Creative Learning
WRITING WORKSHOPS AND RESIDENCIES
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.
For further information, please contact creativelearning@newwritingsouth.com or 01273 735353
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Š Josh Pulman
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.
Creative Learning
YOUNG WRITER SQUADS Our Young Writer Squads offer young people (13—17 year olds) the chance to be inspired by professional writers, meet new friends and explore their own writing outside of the classroom. The squads meet on a monthly basis at venues across the South East in collaboration with our partner organisations and come together to share their work as part of an All Squads Day each year. The selection workshops are an opportunity for you to find out more about how the squads work each month and for us to find out more about you and what you are interested in. There may be an opportunity to join the squad later in the year if there are places available. “I have learned many new writing techniques and have actually found that my English grades have gone up in school.” Oxford Squad participant
“Going to the Rye squad has really helped my confidence, and also my writing! It gives me a place where I can completely be myself, and my creative writing has improved so much.” Rye Squad Participant “Being in the Writers’ Squad has provided a friendly, productive environment, in which I feel confident in both writing and sharing my work. It has helped to develop my skills and ideas. Being surrounded by likeminded people whilst getting lost in your writing is invaluable to me.” Brighton Squad participant
Oxford Squad in partnership with The Story Museum Isle of Wight Squad in partnership with Quay Arts Centre Eastbourne Squad in partnership with Towner Gallery Brighton Squad at The Writers’ Place, New Writing South
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Creative Learning
Squad Ambassadors Network Squad Ambassadors are regional representatives for their squads and communities, who promote and encourage writing amongst their peers. Squad ambassadors have become New Writing South’s youth representatives, with opportunities to guest write, attend events and receive support, where possible, with either projects or ideas they wish to undertake. Creative Opportunities in your region This year the Squad Ambassadors will be working in their local regions to find out more about what young people want to see in the way of creative writing and other activities. If you are an arts organisation, artist or young person who would like to get involved please contact creativelearning@newwritingsouth.com
If you are interested in joining one of the Young Writer Squads please contact creativelearning@newwritingsouth.com
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Creative Learning
YOUNG WRITERS MANIFESTO Created by the young ambassadors network.
The manifesto highlights the importance of imagination, expression and
inspiration for young people across their lives and speaks to the young people’s key messages about education and youth voice. Write your own Manifesto If you would like to discuss working with a writer to create a manifesto with young people please contact creativelearning@newwritingsouth.com
Request a copy If you would like your own free copy of the Manifesto you can download it from our website at www.newwritingsouth.com/manifesto or to receive a copy in the post please contact creativelearning@newwritingsouth.com
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Š Josh Pulman
The Squad Network is the committee of all the ambassadors from each of the participating regions. Since its formation the network have worked together to produce the Young Writers Manifesto, to express their views on the importance of Creative Writing.
Creative Learning
YOUNG PLAYWRIGHTS Chichester Young Playwrights
Theatre Royal Young Writers
An exciting ten-week series of workshops for young playwrights in the south east.
A series of workshops for young writers who wish to develop their writing skills for, in and about theatre.
Young writers aged 16—25 will be selected to develop their knowledge and skills as playwrights, work with professionals from the field and have their work presented by actors as part of Playpod.
Young writers aged 16—25 have the chance to work with a professional playwright, meet other professionals to learn about theatre and have their work presented as part of Brighton Fringe Festival.
Saturdays 11.00am—1.00pm at Chichester Festival Theatre
Saturdays 10.00am—12.30pm at Theatre Royal Brighton
Fortnightly from September 2014 —March 2015
Fortnightly from September 2014 —May 2015
For more information please contact creativelearning@newwritingsouth.com
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Creative Learning
ARTS AWARD We are proud to be an Arts Award Supporter with a variety of different activities on offer that young people can use towards their Arts Award such as: • workshops • arts and cultural events which they can review • opportunities to find out about artists and cultural opportunities • a chance to share skills or lead arts projects New Writing South welcomes young people to meet and participate in our events; for over 18s there are also volunteering or work placement opportunities. Arts Award Advisers Forum New Writing South is being supported by Artswork (SE Bridge) to coordinate an Arts Award adviser forum, which will meet three times during 2014-2015 at The Writers’ Place. The forum is useful for advisers of all levels of delivery, as well as a source of information and encouragement for those who would like to start working
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with Arts Award. The meetings provide a platform for discussion, an opportunity to share experience and good practice and be inspired by guest speakers. Details of speakers will be made available nearer the time. Please contact clare@newwritingsouth.com to confirm your attendance at any of the meetings. The dates for the forthcoming meetings are: October 2014 in partnership with Culture Shift (TBC) Tuesday 9 December 2014 2.30pm—5.30pm Tuesday 10 March 2015 2.30pm—5.30pm
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FOR WRITERS 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 fees help us to achieve everything we do. New Writing South 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 • Exclusive news in a fortnightly e-bulletin, featuring news, events and opportunities • Free entry to local Writers’ Hubs
• 10% discount on our highly recommended script reading and poetry critique services and mentoring schemes • Invitation to Christmas party and other networking events Full membership £45 Concessions £26 Students and young people £20
• Preferential use and discounted hire of The Writers’ Place • Profile page in our online directory of writers in the south east
Join online at www.newwritingsouth.com/become-a-member or call 01273 735353
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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 hubs offer the chance to meet informally with other writers and hear from guest speakers. Each hub curates its own events, supported by New Writing South. All writers are welcome to attend. Writers’ Hubs are currently held in these locations: Hastings and St Leonards Hub Various venues West Kent Hub Tonbridge Adult Education Centre In 2014 we will be re-launching our Portsmouth Hub and expanding our network to reach other locations within the south east. If you would like to know more about setting up a Writers’ Hub in your area, please contact georgia@newwritingsouth.com Free for New Writing South members, otherwise £5 per session. Visit www.newwritingsouth.com/writers-hubs for more information on hub meetings.
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For Writers
OPPORTUNITIES NWS10 The NWS10 scheme was launched in 2012 for talented writers in the early stages of their career. New Writing South supports a handpicked group of writers by responding to their particular needs over a minimum of one year. We are looking for talent, potential and enthusiasm, and this process is open to poets, playwrights, novelists or any other kind of creative writers. Applications for the 2015 scheme will open in December 2014.
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TLC Free Reads New Writing South works with The Literary Consultancy (TLC), the UK’s leading manuscript assessment service, to offer a small number of Arts Council-funded Free Reads for talented, low-income authors in the south east. The scheme is open to fiction and short story writers and the deadline for applications is 1 September 2014.
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For Writers
New Buds Award The New Buds Award is a bursary scheme that invites emerging and talented writers to apply for small grant of up to £1000 at early and crucial stages of their career. The focus of the 2015 scheme will be fiction and short story writers and the awards will be announced at our Publishing Industry Day on 25 April 2015. Best New Play Award This prestigious award, in partnership with Brighton Fringe, is presented to a playwright (rather than a company) in recognition of an outstanding, original theatre script premiered at the Brighton Fringe. We will be accepting entries for the fifth Best New Play Award in early 2015.
Good Blog Guide New Writing South champions good writing in all forms, and it’s no different when talking about the wonders of the ‘blogosphere’. Our Good Blog Guide brings together a regularly updated list of blogs – on any subject – that have received our stamp of approval for good writing. If you would like to nominate a blog (including your own) for our consideration or for information on our criteria please email goodblog@newwritingsouth.com
Visit www.newwritingsouth.com/forwriters for more information about all of these opportunities
www.newwritingsouth.com
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For Writers
MENTORING New Writing South provides bespoke professional development for writers, from impartial informal 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 their expertise and experience through professional development sessions. They will listen to your aims, consider what you want to achieve during your relationship and give you the focused support and guidance you need. Writer Guide or Mentoring? Writer Guide sessions lasts 90 minutes. It is a structured process which allows you to define your goals and ambitions with the help of an
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 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
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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 possible be. Our competitive non-profit making script reading service provides an opportunity to get a professional and objective report on your script and advice on the potential next step. Your script will be read by a professional independent reader, many of whom also read for companies such as Paines Plough, Royal Court, Theatre 503, Channel 4, ITV, UK Film Council and Arvon.
“Thanks very much to Jess for her report. (I feel like I didn’t pay her enough for such nice feedback!) It’s extremely useful.” Dan
Prices start at £45 for script, and are based on length.
“Thanks for forwarding Ben’s report which was excellent … It was a very thorough critique and provided many pointers for the further development of the screenplay.” John
“Many thanks to Sara for her detailed critique ... I have found her comments and evaluation very helpful. I think the service has been excellent and of great value.” Ruth
Visit www.newwritingsouth.com/for-writers for more information on these services.
www.newwritingsouth.com
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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 North Laine, within walking distance of shops, bars, restaurants as well as main transport links.
Looking for a rehearsal space? Somewhere to hold your book launch? Whether you need a venue for a creative workshop, meeting, rehearsal or informal training session, you will benefit from a flexible, private space to suit your requirements. The Writers’ Place holds up to 30 people theatre style / 16 people
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for workshops and is available for individuals, groups and organisations to hire. • Hourly prices from £15 + VAT • Free WiFi connection • Projector and screen • PA system available • Tea/coffee making facilities • Marketing and ticketing services • Fully accessible space
01273 735353
For Writers
www.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 Find us on Facebook @newwritingsouth New Writing South is a company registered by guarantee and a registered charity. Company No: 1092533 Registered Charity: 4318810
Illustration by Sarah Edmonds | Design by Hart Graphics
www.newwritingsouth.com