Karen's blog: Writers' Centre Norwich newsletter

Here is the latest newsletter with information on events, jobs and competitions:

As the weather gets colder (and damper!) we've been taking bookings for our new suite of creative writing courses. Run online, in collaboration with the UEA, there's no need to leave the house to learn - you can snuggle up and keep warm whilst working on your writing. With the deadline looming, apply now to take your writing to the next level.

We've also been organising our next National Conversation events. With previous events involving Will Self, and Michael Rosen, we are now looking forward to discussing the value of literary translation with Ali Smith at the Southbank Centre on 3rd December, and are planning conversations further afield, too, including in Cartagena..!

Meanwhile, we are seeking three new members of staff. That's right, there are three juicy job vacancies here, so if you think you (or your friends/family) would be perfect as our next Director of Communications, Programme Manager, or programme Assistant, don't hesitate to apply.

So, to find out more, scroll down!

Sign up now, for our "Writing Poems" Online Courses

With the deadline for applications on the horizon (8th December), now is the time to apply for our Creative Writing Online Programme.
UEA and WCN's suite of online creative writing courses offer high quality teaching in poetry, from Bloodaxe published poet, Helen Ivory.

Starting to Write Poems (Online) with Helen Ivory
12 week course:12th Jan – 30th March 2015, £450 payable on being accepted onto the course.
Perfect for beginners to get to grips with key elements of writing poetry, including imagery, metaphor, and how the poem looks on the page and sounds on the ear. You will explore the power of language and begin to develop your own voice. Often a poem can be already in your head, this course will show you how to unlock it.

Writing Poems: Intermediate (Online) with Helen Ivory
24 week course: w/c 12th Jan – w/c 6th July 2015, £900 payable on being accepted onto the course.
Develop an understanding of your poetic abilities, and discover your voice.
This course will help you to think about your writing in a more detailed and ambitious way, and view yourself as a poet - with knowledge of contemporary poetry, and the confidence to edit your own work towards publication or performance.

Poetry Courses

Helen Ivory:

Starting to Write Poems (Online)

Writing Poems: Intermediate (Online)

Find out more about all the courses on offer.

Each course will give you: the opportunity to benefit from extensive one-to-one criticism and feedback; bespoke course materials written by the tutor and a Certificate of Completion from the UEA. You will be able to learn the craft of writing whilst fitting your education around everyday life.

These courses are proving popular, so don't delay – find out more and apply today.

More of a prose writer?

Led by respected author, and experienced tutor Anjali Joseph, our online courses in writing fiction cater for both beginners and those who are more advanced.

Starting to Write Fiction (Online) with Anjali Joseph
12 week course: 12th Jan – 30th March 2015, £450 payable on being accepted onto the course.
Learn the foundation skills of writing fiction by looking at how to craft a good short story. Including how to create credible, interesting characters, and develop a plot.

Writing Fiction: Intermediate (Online) with Anjali Joseph
24 week course: w/c 12th Jan – w/c 6th July 2015, £900 payable on being accepted onto the course.
Take the next step with your fiction writing - acquire and experiment with more techniques, broaden the possibilities you’re ready to explore in your writing, and rediscover a sense of play and adventure. Plus, gain the skills necessary to reach that final draft.

Join our National Conversation on Literature

Living Translation: A National Conversation Event with Ali Smith
3rd December, Southbank Centre, London. Find out more and book your tickets.

We're having a conversation with the nation - encompassing many of the topics that impact upon literature, readers and writers in today's literary climate. Taking place across the country (and further afield) at some of the leading literary events in the nation, and on twitter (#NatConv), Facebook and our website these are conversations for everyone interested in the future of literature.

Following two great National Conversation events - one with Will Self, and the other with Michael Rosen - we are now taking the conversation in the direction of the very words themselves and considering not only the English language, but also the multitudinous other languages that people use to create great writing.

We want to hear your thoughts: Do we in the West undervalue work in other languages, and turn our back on translated works? Do you believe that literary translation the lifeblood of literary creativity? Would creativity stagnate without it?

We'd love you to get involved with the debate, both online, using the hashtag #NatConv for twitter, and via the comments section on our website.

Find out more about the National Conversation, the coming events, and how you can get involved.

Job vacancies

We currently have three exciting job opportunities within the organisation, and with the deadline for applications on the 1st December, it's time to start thinking about applying.

We are currently seeking:

Director of Communications
£33,120 - £37,260 pa (permanent, full time)
An outstanding Director of Communications is crucial to our success, as Writers’ Centre Norwich moves to become the National Centre for Writing.
Over the next two years our remit is extending in terms of artistic programmes, geography, artists and audiences; our turnover is increasing substantially; and we are taking on a new building.
The Director of Communications is responsible for managing our brand throughout this period of change and developing and implementing a communications strategy that enables us to achieve our vision.
Find out more and download the application pack.

Programme Manager (Learning & Participation)
£25,039 - £27,732 (Full time. Permanent)
Responsible for leading on the development and delivery of an outstanding programme of activity for our local communities, which addresses WCN's priority for developing audiences for literature, creative writing and reading, with particular emphasis on young people.
Find out more and download the application pack.

Programme Assistant
£15,525 - £17,428 (Full time. Permanent)
The role is key to supporting the Programme Team, and an ideal opportunity for someone who is interested in pursuing a career in the arts and literature sector.
Find out more and download the application pack.

Wild Words
with Jeanette Winterson & Helen Macdonald
20th March 2015, 7.30pm, Norwich Playhouse, £12/£10 concs
Book your ticket.

In March, we welcome two of Britain’s finest authors; Jeanette Winterson, and H is for Hawk’s Helen Macdonald, to discuss the art of nature writing.

Jeanette Winterson is a force of nature in herself. Don’t miss this rare opportunity to hear an original short story from the author of Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit and Why Be Happy When You Could Be Normal, as well as Winterson’s insights on nature, life and writing.

Macdonald’s journey from despair to hope whilst training her hawk Mabel has been the surprise hit of the winter, winning her the prestigious Samuel Johnson Prize. Come and find out why and hear Helen tell us more about her fascinating story.

Take this chance to hear two masters of the memoir, ask your questions and get your books signed.

Competition Winners have an Inspiring Weekend

On November 7th nine of the ten winners of the IdeasTap Inspires competition descended on Norwich for a weekend retreat. With readings, writing and time with their mentors, along with meetings with authors and agents on the menu, they had a packed two days.

Despite the busy schedule, all had a great time, and left Norwich with a creative spring in their step.
If you haven't yet read the work from our Inspires winners, you can read extracts from all of them on our website.

L - R Ed Cottrell, Lauren Van Shaick Smith, Pooja Puri, Natasha Sutton-Williams, Stephanie Scott, Michael Donkor, Alex Mullen, Jonnie Bayfield and Lindsey Fairweather.

Join us for UEA Live

The popular UEA Live events continue, with readers from UEA's new cohort of undergrad Creative Writing MA students, joined by published writers from the course's alumni sharing their work at free, live readings in Cafe Marzano.
This is a real celebration of the work of both UEA and it's students, past and present.

Events from this series to look forward to include readings from Tash Aw (11th Dec) and Eliza Robertson (22nd Jan 2015). See the full line-up of events.

East Anglian Book Awards Winners Announced

On Thursday 20th November writers, readers, judges and WCN staff gathered together for an evening celebrating the best of East Anglian literature, for the East Anglian Book Awards Ceremony.

Organised by EDP, Jarrold and Writers' Centre Norwich, with the support of UEA, the awards celebrate the pick of the region's literary talent.

But who won? Well,

Fiction - After Me Comes the Flood by Sarah Perry (Serpent's Tail)

Poetry - At The Time of Partition by Moniza Alvi (Bloodaxe Books)

Biography and Memoir - Two Turtle Doves by Alex Monroe (Bloomsbury)

History and Tradition - We Were Eagles (Vol 1, July 42 to November 43) by Martin Bowman (Amberley)

General Non-Fiction - Badgerlands by Patrick Barkham (Granta Books)

Children's Books - Everyone A Stranger by Victor Watson (Catnip Publishing) – age range 9-12

East Anglian Writers’ Book by the Cover Award for the best cover among the shortlisted titles. - Badgerlands by Patrick Barkham (Granta Books)

Overall prize, for East Anglian Book of the Year - After Me Comes the Flood by Sarah Perry

Other News

The Writers’ Toolkit National Writing Conference, Birmingham
Saturday 29 November 2014, 9.30am – 4pm Bramall Music Building, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT. £37/£31 (includes lunch)
An annual networking conference for emerging and established writers which offers writers the pick of sixteen sessions with industry professionals including agents, editors, publishers, authors, broadcasters, producers, academics and more. Find out more and book. Or call 0121 245 4455

Beauty and Revolution: The Poetry and Art of Ian Hamilton Finlay
6 December 2014 - 1 March 2015 Kettle’s Yard, Cambridge
Explore the vividly coloured and beautifully designed standing and folding poems, prints, cards, emblems and inscriptions of artist and poet Ian Hamilton Finlay, whose work ranges from the witty and whimsical to the dark and thought provoking. Find out more.

Northern Writers’ Awards Roadshows: December and January
Organising body New Writing North is visiting four northern cities to meet writers who are thinking of entering the Northern Writers’ Awards, or who just want more information about them. The awards are open to both new and experienced writers, and the deadline for submissions is 2nd February 2015. The events are free but booking is required. Find out more and book.

HighTide Young People's Writer Academy with Chichester Festival Theatre
High Tide are offering 15 young people (ages 16-25, school year 12 and above) the chance to attend their Young People's Writer Academy. Working for 5 packed days with a professional writer and director, and then writing their own 10 minute plays. Some of which will be selected to be performed as rehearsed readings at HighTide Festival 2015. Application Deadline: 9th January 2015 Find out more, and apply.

Front of House Training Opportunities at High Tide Festival
HighTide are offering 6 young people (ages 18-25) the chance to train with them at HighTide Festival 2015. Volunteers will receive travel and accommodation, as well as comprehensive training in Front of House and Box Office. They will also get unmissable opportunities to network, and to see how a Festival runs from behind-the-scenes. Plus, a free Festival Pass. Find out more.

HighTide Young Ambassadors Scheme
A great opportunity for anyone interested in the arts who is currently in education, HighTide is looking for Ambassadors to represent the Festival at their School, College, 6th Form or University. Each ambassador will receive training and mentoring, as well as a free Festival Pass. A good Young Ambassador will have an interest in Marketing and Theatre. Find out more.