Yorkshire Writers'
Newsletter
February 2015
Writing
Yorkshire News
A new series of masterclasses, a new writing group plus ongoing writing
opportunities, here's our diary of events.
Masterclass Series
We have a new series of creative writing
masterclasses running over the next few months, here are the details:
Crime Writing Masterclass with Helen
Cadbury - Sheffield - 14th February.
Come and spend Valentine’s Day writing crime. A practical workshop, for
those with some experience or none. We’ll look at irresistible openings,
building suspense, twists and turns and we’ll create some new, thrilling,
short fiction.
Helen Cadbury
is a British crime writer whose debut novel, To Catch a Rabbit, was joint
winner of the first Moth Northern Crime Competition.
For more info and to book a place click here
Song Writing MasterClass with Ray Hearne - Sheffield - 21st March
Our very own Ray
Hearne will be running this song-writing masterclass. For
beginners and experienced writers alike, this will be a masterclass set
to music. Anyone interested in trying to put their stories into song is
invited to come along and join in this practical session, during which we
will ALL write. We'll look at some of the key issues in songwriting
and agree together some impromptu themes/subjects before spending
some time on practical writing and sharing drafts with the group.
Don’t worry, you won’t have to sing unless you really want to!
Writer and performer of songs and poems at concerts, festivals,
conferences in UK and abroad, Ray
Hearne has been working with schools and community groups
across South Yorkshire and beyond for many years, helping them to find
and write their own poems, performance pieces, songs and anthems, and to
publish and perform, as well as record and broadcast.
For more info and to book a place click here
Delivering Writing Workshops Masterclass
with Beverley Ward - Sheffield - 25th April
Whether you're in a writers' group that's losing focus, wanting to start
a new one or thinking that you might like to turn writing into a career,
this masterclass is for you. We'll look at the nuts and bolts of running
writing workshops: how to inspire others, giving positive and
constructive feedback, managing group dynamics and promoting yourself as
a facilitator. You'll leave the masterclass with new tools, exercises and
confidence that you can take with you to share with children and adults
in a wide range of contexts.
Beverley Ward
is a writer, literature development consultant and trained teacher with
20 years experience of running workshops and creative projects in
schools, youth groups and community settings. She was the founder of the
Sheffield Young Writers' project and works as Writing Yorkshire's
Professional Development Manager.
For more info and to book a place click here
Details:
Venue:
All of the masterclasses take place at Bank Street Arts, 32-40 Bank
Street, Sheffield, S1 2DS.
Cost for each
masterclass: £13.50 / £18.00 (WYmembers/non-members) +
booking fee via Eventbrite
More info:
beverley@writingyorkshire.org
Well it's time to..... Get Writing with Writing
Yorkshire!
Whether you're an experienced writer who has hit a rut, a beginner
wanting to experiment with different forms of writing or someone who
wants to be inspired to get back to writing, this new writing group, organised
by Writing Yorkshire,
is for you.
Facilitated by experienced writer and teacher, Beverley Ward, the group
will offer writing prompts and exercises to generate new writing and
provide space for writers to share works in progress.
When:
Every Wednesday, 11.00am-1.00pm, beginning Feb 25th
Venue:
Bank Street Arts, 32-40 Bank Street, Sheffield. S1 2DS
Cost:
Pay what you can afford (recommended price £5 per session)
More info or to
register: Please email beverley@writingyorkshire.org
Derbyshire
Writing Retreat
There are still a few places left
on our Winter Writers’ Retreat in Buxton but you'll have to book as
soon as possible to be sure of a place.
Led by Writing Yorkshire’s Professional
Development Manager, Beverley Ward, the retreat will be an opportunity to
focus on your writing, distraction free.
For more information or to reserve a
place: Please contact: beverley@writingyorkshire.org as
soon as possible.
Dates:
Sunday 15th February – Wednesday 18th February
Cost: £140 per person
"Write
Through The Winter"
We have a couple of sessions left in our series of free writing workshops
at Experience Barnsley in Barnsley Town Hall. Make a date in your
diary and come along to the next one on Saturday 21st February.
Prize winning poet Suzannah
Evans will guide and support you through the sessions
which are for new writers, old writers and all of those in-between.
Whether you are interested in poetry, short stories, doodles or just
taking notes everyone is welcome.
When:
Saturday mornings 11.00am to 1.00pm
Dates: February
21st, March 21st
More
info: Phone: 07903 241947 / Email: evans.suzie@googlemail.com
Not sure, then just come along and give it a try.
Onwords & Upwords Group - Waiting for you!
The new series of the Onwords & Upwords writing group sessions is up
and running at the Civic Theatre in Barnsley and we still have places
reserved for anyone who would like give the group a try.
If you have health issues or are feeling stressed then this may be the
group for you - Onwords and Upwords is a friendly and supportive writing
group, which meets up in Barnsley town centre. we explore ideas to help
you to start writing and look at various ways of developing creativity
and imagination. Drinks and biscuits provided.
Venue:
The Civic Theatre, Barnsley, Mondays 1.00 - 3.00pm
Dates: February
9th & 23rd; March 9th & 23rd.
Interested? Want to know more? Please contact Sue Shaw,
Writing Yorkshire, at s.shaw123shaw@btinternet.com
We welcome your
details of events, writing groups, courses, workshops, open mics, in fact
anything to do with creative writing. If you have anything that you would
like us to publicise then please send the details to us at this address: info@writingyorkshire.org - we'll be
happy to pass the details on via the newsletter or our website. If you
know of anyone that you think may be interested in the newsletter then
please do forward a copy on to them.
NEWS
Ilkley
Literature Festival Under Threat
Bradford Metropolitan District Council are proposing a 100% cut in the
annual grant they give to the Ilkley Festival - and the festival
organisers need your help to change their mind.
If Bradford’s funding is withdrawn they’ll have to look at cutting back
on the Festival programme; raising ticket prices and ending workshops in
inner city schools. On top of that, lack of support from Bradford Council
could threaten future support from Arts Council England, who are one of
their main funders.
At the moment this proposal is at the consultation document - and
Bradford Council is asking for your comments before a decision is made.
To supports the Festival click here and
take part in their survey, closing date 25th February.
BBC Opening Lines Opportunity
The BBC Radio Drama Readings Unit is looking for submissions from writers
new to radio for their annual series, Opening
Lines, which is broadcast on BBC Radio 4.
Three successful writers will have their stories broadcast on BBC Radio 4
and be invited to the BBC in London to see their stories being recorded.
As well as broadcasting the three strongest stories they will publish
transcripts of the best stories submitted within this period on the
Opening Lines Website
Deadline: 13th February 2015.
More info: Click Here
Love Libraries? - Another chance to show it!
While Central Goverment continues to shrink the library services out of
existence there is still much that you can do to support those that are
still with us and what better occasion than National Libraries Day
which takes place on Saturday
7th February 2015.
Saturday 7th February will round off a week of special celebrations held
in local, public, academic and workplace libraries up and down the
country. It is a chance for people to organise a local event or visit
their library and interact with the vital work carried out by their library
and information professionals, reminding decision-makers that our
libraries and
librarians are valued.
Click here to visit the National
Libraries Day website where you'll find lots of information, resources
and opportunities for you to get involved with your library services.
You'll also find an interactive map where you can find out what's
happening in your area. If there isn't anything happening near you
because your local library has already closed then you can still get
involved - make something happen by visiting these other sites:
Public Library News - the very
latest news about what's happening in and to your local library, compiled
by Ian Anstice,
it's THE site to visit to keep abreast of the latest threats to your
library services. There's a fantastic free newsletter which visitors can
subscribe to - if you think you know what's happening in your area then
read this - you'll soon know a lot more!
The Library Campaign - an
independent national organisation set up in support of Friends of Library
groups and to campaign for improved services in publicly funded
libraries.
Let's not forget the wonderful librarians who keep the library services
up and running, they also need to be valued and protected. They have a
voice here.
Get involved - Love
your Library - use it and protect it!
WORKSHOPS & COURSES
Getting Started on your Crime Novel - Course -
Doncaster
Ever wondered how you commit the perfect murder? How to dispose of a
body? What’s the best way of getting blood off the soles of your shoes?
These are the kind of questions crime writers Danuta Reah, Michael Fowler
and Alison Taft
grapple every day.
They invite you to join them for a three-day crime-writing feast at The
Stables, High Melton College, near Doncaster between 22nd April -
24th April 2015.
In addition to workshops and advice sessions the programme has been
designed to also allow you the time and space to write. The final day
will arm you with the information needed to best submit your work,
whether to agents, publishers or competitions. you will also be able to
book a twenty minute one-to-one session with an author to discuss your
work or a project you are working on.
More info:
Click here.
For further details of the course,
including costs, and a copy of the programme, contact Michael Fowler
- Email: mj.fowler@btinternet.com
New Arvon Programme
Make 2015 the year you put pen to paper
and set your imagination free. Arvon, renowned for its five day
residential creative writing courses and retreats, has released its new
programme. Leading writers are tutoring the weeks, including Monica Ali,
David Eldridge, Helen Macdonald and Paul Muldoon. Courses are held in
three beautiful rural writing houses in England, and are across a wide
range of genres, from Poetry and Fiction, to Screenwriting, Playwriting
and Writing for Young Adults.
More info: www.arvon.org/
* Arvon are on the
lookout for a Centre Director, see below under Opportunities & Vacancies for further details.
The Ultimate Winning Writers Workshop - Leeds
Do you dream of being a winning writer? Well, 2015 is the time to
stop dreaming and start acting on that dream! Winning writing
competitions is hard work but some people, apart from being talented,
have the knack of winning more than one in a life time! We are bringing
you one such person to share her tips and knowledge of how you can help
yourself become a winning writer.
We can't guarantee that you will win, but we are sure that after
attending this Masterclass that you will feel more confident and better
armed with experience tips and know-how after listening and working with
the amazingly multi-talented Char March.
When:
Saturday, 28th February 2015 11:00 to 16:00
When:
UNION 105 (East St. Arts), Chapeltown, Leeds
Cost:
£15.00/£12.00 [Inscribe members]
To book:
Click Here
More info:
inscribewriters@gmail.com
1-Day Creative Writing Workshops
with Susan Elliot
Wright - Sheffield
Suitable for all levels, these one-day workshops are inspiring and
productive – packed with writing exercises, readings and writerly chat –
you'll meet like-minded people and have the time and space to explore
your writing self.
When:
Saturday 28th February 2015 & Saturday 28th March 2015
Time:
10.30am to 4.30pm
Venue:
Wesley Hall, Crookes, Sheffield S10 1UD
Cost:
£45 for either day, or £80 if you book for both
More info:
Click Here
Igniting The Spark Workshops - Halifax
Join Gaia Holmes
for a series of informal weekly writing workshops at Dean Clough,
Halifax.
The series of workshops are suitable for writers of all abilities and
will involve a selection of practical and inspiring writing exercises to
generate poetry or prose as well as gentle discussions of craft and
technique.
When:
Tuesdays 5.30 - 7.00 pm
Cost:
£5.00, £3.50 concessions
More info:
Tel - 01422 369575/email - gaiaholmes@hotmail.co.uk
SPOKEN WORD
Fictions of Every Kind - Leeds
Live session
- Monday February 9th: Fictions of Every Kind: Hearts, at Wharf Chambers
social club, Leeds. Entry 19.30, £3 entry.
Guest speakers: Nasser
Hussain, reading from his new collection Boldface, and Suzannah Evans,
award winning poet & the author of Confusion
Species. There will be a writers' open mic and music from the
band Red Trees.
More info HERE
Pies, Peas and Poetry for Pudding with Ian McMillan - Eckington
A rare opportunity to see and hear one of the funniest men in British
poetry is being organised in Eckington by the town’s writing group, We’re All Write.
Poet, broadcaster, commentator and programme maker Ian McMillan
will be performing a hilarious blend of memories and acute
observations from his book “Talking
Myself Home”.
Where:
The event is at Eckington Civic Centre,
When:
Tuesday 3rd March, from 6.30pm to 9.30pm.
Cost:
Tickets cost £15, which includes homemade pie and peas. The poetry is for
pudding!
Details:
Tickets are being sold in advance only, available from Eckington Library
(01629 533748) or, for more
info:
Phone:
07870910837 / email:
riley777alison@gmail.com / www.ian-mcmillan.co.uk
WRITING
GROUP NEWS
Have you been thinking about joining a local writers group? Not sure
where to look to find out what's happening in your area? There are lots
of groups out there, all waiting to welcome you and to find out the
details just click - here - this will take you straight to
our group listings on the Writing
Yorkshire website where you'll find all of the
information that you'll need.
If you run a group which isn't included then just send the details
to us at: info@writingyorkshire.org and we'll
be happy to add them to our listings (thanks to those who have already
sent details on to us).
YOUNG
WRITERS
Sheffield,
Rotherham and Doncaster Young Writers Groups are always open and
welcoming to new members (13s to 19s), here are some details.
Writing Workshops
for young people aged 13-18 in Doncaster.
Interested in creativity, imagination, words, images and objects? Want to
explore new starting points, develop ideas, tell stories, create
characters and meet other young writers? Then come to The Point Community
Arts Centre (16 South Parade, Doncaster), on Thursdays:
We Meet up in the café area at 4.45. and share our writing between
5.00 - 7.00 pm. Workshops are free and refreshments are provided.
More info: Sue Shaw: s.shaw123shaw@btinternet.com
And if you're in
Sheffield or Rotherham ............
Are you aged 14 to 19? Then we have groups for you as well! You don't
have to think you're an amazing writer to join, you just need an interest
in creative writing and having a go. The groups are very supportive,
relaxed and informal and everyone is welcome. Workshops are generally
once a fortnight, 5 to 7 or 5.30 to 7.30 with a munchies break in between
As well as writing workshops, we let groups know about other
writing happenings like competitions, events and festivals. If you're
interested or you know someone who is, say hello to Vicky: vicky@writingyorkshire.org
If you're too old
for a group but want to know what's happening in Yorkshire for under 25s,
drop Vicky a line too.
Wicked Young Writers' Award
The Wicked Young Writers' Award was established by the long-running
musical Wicked in order to link the important
messages of the production with a competition that would inspire young
people to use their writing to look at life a
little differently. Since its launch in 2010, they have received 17,000
entries to the award.
Now in its 5th year, the Award recognises excellence in writing,
encourages creativity, and helps develop writing
talent in young people between 5-25 years old from all backgrounds and
areas of the UK & Ireland.
A shortlist of 100 entrants will be invited to a very special prize event
at the Apollo Victoria Theatre in July 2015
and each will receive a published copy of their entry as part of the
annual Wicked Young Writers' Award Anthology.
Entrants aged 18-25 will have their entries published on the Wicked Young
Writers’ Award website.
More info: Click Here
OPPORTUNITIES AND VACANCIES
Arvon are
looking for a new Centre Director at Lumb Bank.
Would you like to work for Arvon,
the home of creative writing, running one of our residential centres?
Arvon is now recruiting for a Centre Director to lead Lumb Bank, our
much loved Yorkshire house, formerly the home of Ted Hughes.
If you are passionate about creative writing, and have a range of
programming, management, practical and interpersonal skills, this
job could be for you. See www.arvon.org/jobs for details.
Closing date: 1.00
pm, 9th March 2015.
The Submission Process: Literary Agents in Discussion (York)
Sat 28 Mar 2015
(Booking places now)
Join us at the York
Literature Festival where we present a two-hour session
solely dedicated to the process of submitting to a literary
agent. Literary agents receive hundreds of submissions from writers
each week. To help make yours stand out from the crowd and give your
novel the best possible start on its journey to publication, join us
at the York Literature Festival where we present a two-hour session
solely dedicated to the process of submitting to a literary agent.
This exciting event sees Writers & Artists in collaboration with York
Literature Festival for the first time and brings together leading
UK literary agents Julia Churchill, Oliver Munson and Jo Unwin who,
in turn, will cover everything you need to know about how to put together
a well-crafted submission package.
More info & to
book a place: Click here
COMPETITIONS
Post
Card Poetry
A short poetry competition from Bank Street Arts, in conjunction with The
Poetry Business and South Yorkshire Poetry Festival.
In 2013, Bank Street Arts invited a number of poets to participate in an
exhibition of new writing as part of the 2nd Sheffield Poetry
Festival. Their task was simple; to send a picture postcard – be it from
home, work, or somewhere they happened to be visiting – featuring an
original, handwritten poem on the reverse ‘that relates in some way to
the location of the postcard’. These were then exhibited as part of
the festival. The following year, the exhibit was expanded as part
of Bank Street Arts’ own Poetry Festival, featuring work from almost 40
poets.
In 2015, it’s your turn. Bank Street Arts will be hosting a Postcard
Poems competition; as in previous years, your task will be to hand
write an original poem on a postcard and send it to us here at Bank
Street Arts.
More info: Click Here
BITS
- We've run out of space
but these "bits" are too good to miss.
Leeds Indie
Writers' Festival - Saturday 21st February 2015.
More info HERE.
Leeds Trinity
University Writers' Festival - Wednesday, 25th March
2015. More info HERE.
Healing Words
Writing Workshop - Scarborough - Saturday, 7th March.
More info HERE.
Writing
Yorkshire Website
If you'd like to
find out more about the full range of services that Writing Yorkshire offer,
including mentoring, writers advice sessions, and membership then click here.
If you want to
send us an item for inclusion please email it to: info@writingyorkshire.org
with "Newsletter" in the subject line.
Writing Yorkshire
provide information about writing events in the region, and run a variety
of writing activities throughout the Yorkshire area. If you would like
more information please email or ring Geoff on 0114 3830456 (answerphone,
but we will ring you back).
Thanks to all who provided information posted here. We will always
endeavour to make sure that the information included is accurate but
apologies in advance for any errors or omissions which may occur, any
corrections or suggestions will be welcomed.
We hope that you enjoy the newsletter.
Writing Yorkshire
is a limited company incorporated in England and Wales under company no:
7475298.
For more information
about all of our work, visit our website: www.writingyorkshire.org
Tweet us @Writingyorks or
find us on Facebook
To be kept abreast of writing events and activities in the region or to
let us know about events that you're running, please subscribe to our
mailing list via the website, by emailing info@writingyorkshire.org or phone us on
0114 3830456 and leave a message.
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