Thursday, 5 January 2023

Curtis Brown Creative courses

With details of upcoming courses and more:

'The more I write, the better I get at it. The more I submit, the less I fear rejection.'

Award-winning author Chibundu Onuzo on her path to becoming a writer and what she's looking for in entries to the 2023 Discoveries programme for unpublished women novelists.

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'Ask a question that the reader will want answered through the unfolding of your story'

Join us for the first #WriteCBC competition of the year. Our founder Anna Davis has set a writing task all about crafting a compelling jumping off point for a story. She has challenged you to write a scene in response to a photo prompt. Take part in the challenge on Twitter @cbcreative, and you might win a free place on the six-week online course of your choice. We are also giving five lucky runners-up free places on our new 30-Day Writing Bootcamp (worth £30). This online bootcamp created by Anna will provide the perfect motivation to help you start 2023 with energy and enthusiasm for your writing. Competition is open until 10am Fri 6 Jan (UK time).

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How to reach your New Year's writing goals

The new year is a great time to look at where you're at on your writing journey – and think about where you’d like to be. Perhaps you want to dust off a long-forgotten project, start something new, or maybe even give writing daily pages a go? The key to sticking with any resolution is to make sure the goals you set are attainable and sustainable. Start small and work your way towards your ‘big’ goal. If you’re looking for inspiration, check out our five-step guide designed to kick-start your creativity and energise you for the year ahead.

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Our current courses

Save £20 with our New Year discount

Get ready to take the next step on your writing journey. For a limited time only, we're offering you £20 off selected four-, five- and six-week online courses. Use code NY2023 at checkout to redeem your discount.*

Redeem offer

Writing YA & Children's Fiction – Three Months

Work on your novel for young readers with tuition and feedback from award-winning author Catherine Johnson. This online course features a live Zoom Q&A with a literary agent. Course begins 13 Feb. Scholarship available.

Apply by 15 Jan

The Rewrite Doctor – One Day

Join Anna Davis for a day of interactive Zoom lessons on 24 Jan. Discover her tried-and-tested rewriting method – it will take the pain out of editing and help make your prose shine. Don't miss out – there are just six places left.

Apply by 19 Jan

*NY2023 discount not to be used in conjunction with any other offer. Discount is not valid for use on our 30-Day Writing Bootcamp. Expires midnight, end of day 31 Jan.

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Curtis Brown Creative Cunard House 15 Regent Street London, Greater London SW1Y 4LR

Wednesday, 4 January 2023

Writing Retreats and Writing Groups

I thought I would share this information with my followers as I can highly recommend these writing retreats and classes:

Hello writers,

Happy New Year! We hope that 2023 will be a creative and enjoyable year for you. We just wanted to get in touch about a couple of writing opportunities coming up, including our summer retreat - Writing by the Sea - in Scarborough.

Writing Days in Hebden Bridge

Every other month, Anna runs a writing day in Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire. The next two are Saturday 14 January and Saturday 18 March. The day consists of a morning workshop and afternoon writing session, ending with a sharing session at the end of the day. The cost is £30. If you would like to book a place, please email Anna at annaruthchilvers@gmail.com .

Online Writing Groups

Anna also runs two online writing groups, both of which have a couple of spaces at the moment. The Tuesday group meets from 3pm-4.30pm and the Thursday group from 7.30pm-9pm. They are feedback groups, where each week we look at work from two group members. There is also a short writing exercise each week. They run for 12 week blocks and the next one starts the week commencing 9 January. The cost is £60/£42. Contact Anna at annaruthchilvers@gmail.com if you are interested.

Writing by the Sea - Writing Retreat

There are still places available on our writing retreat at Cober Hill, Scarborough. This is a week of workshops, discussion, writing time and plenty of time to relax with other writers, or to go for walks by the sea.

This year the theme will be Writing Sustainably. The dates are 24-29 July 2023, and the cost is £695 all inclusive, full board.

To book a place please contact either Ali or Anna on their email, and pay a deposit of £100. The balance of the fee will be due in March.

Previous attendees have said : I’ve absolutely loved it! The workshops were well thought through and well led. The dynamic between the two leaders, their different styles and energy, complement each other making an exciting and stimulating space in which to create.

Great company – supportive and inspiring facilitators

I loved the fun activities too, away from writing, the croquet, silent walk and jar in the bar

Location was peaceful and visually very pleasing. Being by the sea was wonderful.

Please get in touch if you would like to book a place.

Best wishes

Anna and Ali

Ali Harper Anna Chilvers

The Runaway East Coast Road

The Disappeared Tainted Love

Falling Through Clouds