Writers' Services News

December 2009

In our last newsletter of the year we invite you to plan your writing schedule around our new spring workshop programme, which includes our first ever short courses. They are a taster of things to come as from now on we will be running workshops right through the year alongside a packed programme including some exciting events which we will launch shortly. May we take this opportunity to wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

IMPROVE YOUR WRITING SKILLS IN 2010

KEEPING IT SNAPPY

CHALLENGING WORK, BUT THE RIGHT KIND – ESCALATOR UPDATE

OTHER NEWS

CONTACTS

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Improve your Writing Skills in 2010
Poetry & Prose Workshops: Spring Programme
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Developing your writing skills has always been at the top of our agenda, and we’re pleased to announce new workshops led by poetry and prose heavyweights Alan Jenkins and Henry Sutton to keep you inspired throughout 2010. We’re also launching two short courses led by TS Eliot Prize shortlisted poet Michael Laskey and esteemed novelist Rachel Hore, so if you feel your writing could do with some weekly care and attention, these are for you!

Places will be snapped up quickly, so to avoid disappointment please don’t hesitate to get your workshop booked by calling: 01603 877177 or email: info@writerscentrenorwich.org.uk

Poetry Workshops
Click on the links to get the full information.

FACT INTO POETRY with HELEN IVORY
One day workshop: Sat 27 February 2010│10am – 5pm│£50 / £40 conc
Discover how to play with ‘truth’ in order to make poetry with Bloodaxe poet Helen Ivory.

WHAT DOES THE POEM NEED FROM THE POET with SEAN O’BRIEN
One day workshop: Sat 13 March 2010│10am – 4pm│£60 / £40 conc
TS Eliot prize winner Sean O’Brien will show you how to prevent habit or anxiety from obstructing the range and development of your work. * This workshop is full, but you can join the waiting list.

POETRY MASTERCLASS with ALAN JENKINS
One day workshop: Sat 24 April 2010│10am – 4pm│£60 / £40 conc
A chance to look at the principles of poetry and workshop your poems with TLS deputy editor and poet, Alan Jenkins.

POETRY SHORT COURSE with MICHAEL LASKEY
28 April – 2 June 2010│Wednesdays │6 Weekly sessions │7pm – 9pm│£110 / £95 conc
Tone up your work with close readings, exercises and work-shopping in a 6 week course with the poetic maestro Michael Laskey.

To book please email info@writerscentrenorwich.org.uk or call 01603 877177.

Prose Workshops
Click on the links to get the full information.

WRITING THE ZEITGEIST with HENRY SUTTON
Workshop and One-2-One: Sat 6 March 2010│10am – 1pm, then half hour 1-1 in pm│£50 / £40 conc.
Find out how to write about the great contemporary themes of our age, then see how you’re doing with one-two-one feedback from Henry.

NOVEL WRITING SHORT COURSE with RACHEL HORE
27 April – 1 June 2010│Tuesdays│6 Weekly sessions │7pm – 9pm│£110 / £95 conc
Gain motivation and feedback in a supportive creative environment led by three times published author Rachel Hore.

WRITING PEOPLE AND PLACES with VICKY GRUT
Saturday 8th May 2010 │10am – 5pm│Writers’ Centre Norwich, 14 Princes Street, Norwich│£60 / £50 conc.
Learn how to make your characters and settings come to life with an Asham Award winning writer who will lead a day full of writing exercises, readings and discussion.

To book please email info@writerscentrenorwich.org.uk or call 01603 877177.

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Keeping it Snappy
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Being truly succinct is harder than it sounds. No matter which genre you write in, practicing writing in the short form is always going to improve your work. So take a look at our resource: a guide to writing a true story in 140 characters or lessby Ross Sutherland. It’s written to aid a twitter project called 140 characters, however the skills involved apply to any writer.

And if you are part of the LGBT community then we would like to hear your story. We’re looking for 140 people to tell us their Coming Out Story in 140 characters or less (a “tweet” on Twitter). Have a look at Ross’ guide above, and then tweet your tale at: www.twitter.com/OUT140, text on 07786351214 or email: shell@shellytelly.co.uk

Or if you would like to tell your coming out story and pick up some film-making techniques, then sign up for our free micro-moviemaking workshops in Norwich and Cromer.
10.40-1pm, Free
Thurs 10 Dec, The Cube in the Forum,
Thurs 17 Dec, Virginia Court Hotel, Cromer
To find out more or to sign up please contact Shelly Telly: shell@shellytelly.co.uk

140 stories will be displayed in an interactive show at FUSION in the Forum from 11-25 January 2010.

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Challenging work, but the right kind
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Writing can be a lonely business. So we’ve asked one of our Escalator winners, Martin Ungless, to keep us updated on his highs and lows throughout the year. No doubt you’ll be able to relate to some part of the experience, and if it inspires you to try out for Escalator Literature 2010 (coming up again in May) so much the better. Martin’s blog.

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Other News
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New Kid on the Block
We are pleased to introduce Andrew Burton as our new Creative Programme Manager, starting February 2010. Andrew comes to us from The New Wolsey Theatre where he was Head of Marketing and also programmed services for writers. He has programmed literature events for Ipswich’s annual arts festival Ip-art and runs the Ipswich Writers’ Café. Andrew is also a developing playwright himself and a passionate advocate of the power of words to transform lives. We are looking forward to working with him.

Opportunities to study Creative Writing around Norfolk

While The Gods Sleep – Debut novel by Johnny Fincham

Prelude by Katri Skala

Kate Pullinger wins the Governor General’s Literary Award

Ruth Dugdall: Publishing deals are like buses

Less is More: Being succinct

Don’t forget to join us on our social network sites where we can keep you up to date on the latest literature goings on in the region and beyond. You’ll find us onFacebook, Twitter, YouTube and Flickr.

Our mailing address is:

Writers' Centre Norwich
14 Princes Street
Norwich, Norfolk NR3 1AE

You Are Here

Dear Literature Lover

Colette Bryce, Daljit Nagra and Jo Shapcott, write emotional, complex, funny and engaging poems. Publishers, readers and prize judges alike love them. You Are Here is a new poetry show which brings the poets together on stage for a beautifully designed performance which asks Who are you? Where are you and where are you going? Poems pose the questions and whisper the answers. This is not just a poetry reading – it’s live literature!

You Are Here is touring the country from January to April, there are two dates in the East. I'd be delighted if you booked a ticket, passed the information on to other literature lovers in your circle or included the listings information on any websites or bulletins you have access to.

Wednesday 20th January, 8pm
Norwich Arts Centre
St Benedicts St, Norwich
Tickets: 01603 660352
www.norwichartscentre.co.uk
£7 (£5 concs)

If you can't make it to Norwich, the show will also be part of the Cambridge Wordfest - lunchtime on Sunday 11th April. Tickets are not on sale yet, but if you register your interest at http://www.cambridgewordfest.co.uk/ they will send you details when their box office opens.

Have a look at the You Are Here website, follow our progress on Facebook and Twitter ...

www.youareherepoetryshow.wordpress.com
Facebook group: You Are Here - a poetry show
Twitter: @YAH_poetry_show

One Page Synopsis Competition

What better way to start off 2010 than with the chance to win a
year's mentoring with me (worth £1500)... as well as £500
cash?

Well, I'm launching a ONE PAGE synopsis competition... to give
you the chance to do exactly that.

With publishing as tough as it is right now, I'd love to work
closely with you and give you a helping hand through the
minefield.

You may have a manuscript that needs redrafting, a book
half-written, or an idea that's just been niggling at you for years.

Rules for my One Page Synopsis Competition are as follows:

- Entrants MUST be subscribers of the 'Rich Writer Poor
Writer' Newsletter.
- Your must submit a hard copy of your one-page synopsis (pitch)
for
your fiction or non-fiction book. (One page A4 only)
- Include the opening page of your book (One A4 page only).
- One entry per person.
- Entries accepted by post only to Oxford Literary Consultancy.
(Address at www.oxfordwriters.com).- The judges' decision is final.
- Deadline: 1 February 2010.
- Winner notified by 1 March 2010.

Good luck - I look forward to receiving your entry shortly.

Wishing you every success and happiness in 2010.

Warm wishes

Stephanie


PS. I have a few slots left for phone consultations in January
if you'd like advice with writing, selling or marketing your book.
Fees at: www.oxfordwriters.com.
Book an appointment at: oxfordwriters@mac.com.

Poetry Register

Poetry Register Dec 21, 2009
Free to All
www.MoonTownCafe.com - "2008 & 2009 Best Website for Poets & Writers"

This Issue has some important: Christmas Poem, Best Book Publishing Deal, Award, Thanks, Facebook Poetry Area, Our Book, a Short Tease, an Easy Way to Earn Points, About our Points, Video Poetry & more.

Advanced Poetry Seminar, 15 – 19 March 2010

The Poetry Trust invites expressions of interest for the fourth Advanced Poetry Seminar which will take place at the stunning Bruisyard Hall in Suffolk from 15 – 19 March 2010. Co-tutored for a fourth successive year by Michael Laskey and Peter Sansom, this intensive residential retreat is designed to offer accelerated professional and creative development to a small group of carefully selected poets early in their publishing careers. Previous attenders – and subsequent prize-winning and first book ‘successes’ – include Allison McVety, Helen Mort, Katrina Naomi, Ed Reiss, Philip Rush, Kathryn Simmonds and Saradha Soobrayen.

Successful applicants will either be at or genuinely close to their first collection stage. We will also consider applicants who are in the transitional period between first and second books. For further details see: www.thepoetrytrust.org To register your interest please contact: admin@thepoetrytrust.org or call 01986 835950.

Biography Conference

I'm writing to invite you to join us in Boston on May 15th to launch the first international organization dedicate to practicing biographers and attend the first ever "Compleat Biographer" Conference. Put together by Biographers International Organization (BIO), a new group dedicated to advancing the art and craft of biography, the daylong conference will be held in the stunning new campus center of the university of Massachusetts, next door to the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library, overlooking Boston Harbor.

The Compleat Biographer Conference will feature an assortment of workshops on topics such as working with primary documents, selecting a subject, marketing your biography, trends in biography, and dealing with the family. A breakfast, lunch, and reception will provide lots of opportunity to network with other biographers. This is an event not to be missed.

To learn more about BIO and its conference go to http://www.biographersinternational.org

Short Cuts Cabaret

Short Cuts Cabaret & Open Mic Night, The Cut, Halesworth, Friday 22 January 2010 , 7.30pm

Join us for Suffolk’s cult status variety show and find out what all the fuss is about. In January, Short Cuts welcomes special guest ‘- a burly Welsh bloke in a tutu - 'Madame Galina New Forces Sweetheart' whose fans include Madonna, Jude Law and Kate Moss. Yes, seriously! Clearly not a night to miss! The evening will also feature the dazzling array of strange or stupendous Open Mic talent with its heady mix of comedy, music, spoken word, live poetry and audience participation. Hosted by Dean Parkin (think Eric Morecambe crossed with Philip Larkin), with jazz and boogie-woogie maestro Maurice Horhut at the piano. Food and drink will also be available at The Cut, contemporary arts venue, café & bar.

Further info: www.thepoetrytrust.org

To apply for an open mic slot, contact Dean on 01986 835950 or dparkin@thepoetrytrust.org
Tickets cost £5, Call The Cut Box office on 0845 6732123

Supported by The Co-op Community Fund