9th - 14th August 2025
SHORT COURSES
​Our Short Courses - there are 12 in total - cover a wide range of subjects and genres. Each course is two hours in total. The short courses are taught as hour long sessions, normally separated by a break. You do not have to sign up in advance for any of our courses or workshops - just pop along to the ones that take your fancy!
MONDAY
Sharon Cook
WHEN LIFE HAPPENS - WRITE IT!
We all see life and challenge through our own eyes and, as writers, we have the ability to share our humanity - so why not explore memoir writing with best selling author Sharon Cook, and start writing YOUR story?
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Life happens … As writers we often try to make sense of the why, the what ifs and the how comes. But what if we could write it down, shape it into prose, even a book, help other people by sharing our own experiences?
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There are some incredible memoirs out there, and many of them are not written by celebrities, but by ordinary people like you and me.
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During this two-part course you will have the opportunity to explore the possibilities of your own memoir, learn some simple approaches to coax out your own story and gain inspiration from others as we share approaches to life writing.
This two-part course will include crafting a short piece of memoir to share, along with discussion about mainstream memoirs and moral dilemmas, how memory plays a part in shaping what we write. At the very least, by drilling down into our own experiences, we can help deepen character development in our fiction.
Your story has value. Are you brave enough to share it with others?
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MONDAY
Jennifer Page
WRITING ROMANCE
In this intensive two-hour workshop, we'll explore how to write romance that stands out in today's crowded market. We'll focus on creating genuine characters and emotional connections that resonate with readers. We'll explore different tropes, and discuss how to use them in fresh, original ways.
Through practical exercises and discussion, we'll discover how to create realistic obstacles that keep our couples apart whilst keeping our stories grounded in truth.
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We’ll learn to write sizzling chemistry that leaps off the page, craft meet-cutes that hook readers from the first scene, and develop character arcs that lead to deeply satisfying emotional payoffs. We'll explore how to balance internal and external conflicts, write dialogue that crackles with tension, and create those vital moments that tug at readers' heartstrings.
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By the end of this workshop, we'll have the tools to craft romance that feels both inventive and true-to-life, with characters readers can't help falling in love with and stories that linger in their hearts.
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Suitable for both aspiring and intermediate writers looking to take their romance writing to the next level.
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MONDAY
Emma Purshouse & Steve Pottinger
POETRY COMPETITIONS
Shortening the Odds - Making entering a poetry competition less of a lottery.
How should I approach a poetry competitions? What goes on behind the scenes? Why do we have to pay fees to enter? What does a judge actually do? These competitions, they make a fortune, don’t they!?
A workshop designed to answer some of your questions about the business of poetry competitions. We’ll also be honing our work to give it the best chance in a competition, considering some of the competitions currently open for entries, and having a go at a simulated judging activity with a view to considering how that experience might help us to see the potential for success in our own work.
First hour: a discussion about the nature of poetry competitions; considering rules and regulations; practical judging activity.
Second hour: a chance to prepare poems for entry into current competitions.
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MONDAY
Izzy Searle
writing for screen
Love TV and films but don’t know how to write them? This course by award-winning writer Izzy Searle will teach you all the screenwriting basics- from learning the strict scriptwriting format, to brainstorming what ideas make a hit short film, to finding out how a crew onset uses a script to create a film.
This short course will begin with an introduction to screenwriting, guiding you through slug lines, action lines, and dialogue. Izzy will workshop how to write natural dialogue that follows realistic imperfect idiolects. She will also discuss suggested structures and how exciting locations can bring a fresh energy to a scene. Next, the class will bounce around ideas for a 2-3 hander short film.
Participants will brainstorm characters and plots for their script. Everyone will leave with an idea they could develop further at home. Next, Izzy will discuss how scripts are broken down and used on set. A screenplay is a recipe and the director is the chef. Filmmaking is collaborative, ever-changing, creative yet technical.
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This short course will give you an insight into the filmmaking process from script to screen. Finally, Izzy will share some screenwriting opportunities: recommended competitions, upcoming submissions, and links to curated writing opportunity lists.
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TUESDAY
Dr Russell Wate
authentic CRIME FICTION
Russell will outline the fundamentals of a murder investigation and get the course delegates to participate in working through various investigation strategies, thinking about writing about a victim, offenders, interviews, court cases etc. This will allow delegates to walk in a homicide detective's shoes.
To support the learning, it will include a section on the high-profile cases Russell has been involved in and the investigation into the murders of Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman by Ian Huntley, which he played a lead role in.
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The second part will talk through Russell’s methodology for writing his crime fiction books and discuss the different crime investigations involved in the books that he has had published in the DCI Alexander McFarlane series (four books in the series).
Discussions through this section will also include any books delegates are working on and hopefully suggestions on how to write an authentic crime mystery will be discussed.
This will also apply to any author trying to write authentic fiction of whatever description.
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TUESDAY
Rob Gee
OWN THE STAGE
Hone your performance skills and deliver the performance your writing deserves.
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The session contains numerous practical exercises designed to improve confidence when talking to groups of people.
All styles of writing welcome.
Bring your material to life with an armoury of ideas and exercises designed to improve your confidence in all manner of public speaking. Includes handy hints for managing anxiety and channelling stage fright.
Clever ways to win over audiences and tips on how to read without stumbling, memorising your words and even handling unexpected events and hecklers.
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TUESDAY
Gerald Horsby & Anita Belli
WRITER BEWARE!
We all love writing, but writing with a purpose or goal can sometimes be difficult.
Thankfully, there is help available - through a plethora of devices, software programmes or services. But which of these can be trusted? You may think you can spot a scam at a hundred paces, but some organisations have developed clever ways to separate you from your money!
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Gerald Hornsby and Anita Belli, with decades of writing and publishing experience between them, will chart a course through this maze, highlighting the good and the not-so-good, and hopefully help you to protect yourselves from unscrupulous ne’er-do-wells!
We will discuss and explain some of the ways in which companies, and sometimes other writers, try to separate you from your money. What computer software / hardware do you need? Is an editor necessary? What’s the point of an agent? How much does it cost to be an author in 2025? How much should I invest in my writing?
And then we’ll move onto the thorny issue of publication. So many of us want a traditional publishing deal, but is it the best option for all of us? Is the publishing decision a simple trad / self-pub choice, but should we think of other, perhaps hybrid, options?
We will discuss openly and honestly the potential costs of getting a book published, and are they good value?
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TUESDAY
Eden Stokes
WRITE THE RAINBOW
Dedicated to introducing and expanding knowledge of diversity and inclusion in writing, this course will help you to navigate writing characters who fall within the LGBTQ+ community.
With key information about up-to-date terminology and a judgement free environment to explore writing queer characters, this course promises a deeper understanding of writing protected characteristics.
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WEDNESDAY
Dr. Erica Canela
MAGIC IN THE ARCHIVES
Magic in the Archives is a short course that will inspire you to explore the endless
possibilities that lie waiting in local archives, museums, and online repositories like The National Archives. This course is for fiction and non-fiction writers, across all genres
When we think about archives, we often think of dusty basements and dusty books.
Some may see these as places for academics and genealogists only. This could not
be further from the truth.
Archives are treasure troves of primary sources (documents and objects) and
untapped creative writing potential. Erica will share her own discoveries of wild and
wonderful stories she has accidentally discovered in her years as an academic
historian. She will show you how to make the most of these incredible resources and
how to approach the people behind the desks, the gatekeepers, otherwise known as
Archivists. She will show you how to start and which source materials will provide the most inspiration.
You can create a backstory for a defendant in a 17th century trial or write from the
perspective of a widow whose husband left their eldest son a failing farm and a nice
set of silver spoons. A collection of wartime photos can inspire a short story… when
she says the possibilities and inspiration are endless, she means it!
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WEDNESDAY
Lucy Felthouse
EROTIC SHORt STORIES
Are you looking to try your hand (or should that be pen?) at something different? Perhaps even risqué? Maybe you’ve written erotic short stories before, but haven’t been successful at getting any published. Whatever your circumstances, if you’re looking to make your erotic short stories stand out (in a good way) then this short course is for you.
The sessions will be led by long-time writer and editor, Lucy Felthouse. With well in excess of one hundred erotic short stories published, and countless others edited, Lucy has plenty of experience in this field. Pick up hints and tips, hear some examples, take part in some fun exercises to get your creative juices flowing, and have the opportunity to ask questions.
The first session will consist of an introduction, some hints and tips, an example and some time for working on your own piece. The second session will provide the opportunity for another exercise, group discussion and a Q&A section.
*Note: 18+ only. Expect bad language and sexual references. This course will be a safe space, nothing will be shared outside of it, and delegates will not be expected to read out their work unless they want to.
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WEDNESDAY
Morgen Bailey
EDITING your fiction
A fun way to learn some of the most common ‘mistakes’ writers and 'make your writing shine’
Over the course of editing 300+ manuscripts, Morgen Bailey quickly learned that many writers, especially early in their career, make similar ‘mistakes’. With the simple tools Morgen provides, you can make your writing shine.
This short course will focus on points of view, tenses and characters – clarification and improvement exercises and discussions, grabbing your reader (beginnings and pacing) –
How to write a gripping opening; making readers turn the page and writing techniques – showing not telling (discussion and highlighter pen exercise!) for creating dazzling description and dynamic dialogue.
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We'll also look at quick editing techniques; from a purpose-written piece, and discover what is vital to maintain the integrity of the story and what can be discarded.
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WEDNESDAY
Calvin Niles
through the sensory gates
Discover the untapped potential of your senses to elevate your storytelling. In these transformative sessions, you’ll be guided on a journey beyond sight and mind to the rich sensory landscape that shapes your narratives. Learn to deeply listen to the stories woven into the world around you and awaken a vibrant, creative connection to your work.
Part 1: For many, vision dominates—but storytelling thrives when all senses are
engaged. Together, we’ll embark on a playful, deliberate exploration of touch, sound,
smell, and taste to uncover hidden channels where fresh stories are waiting to
emerge.
Part 2: Transform your sensory discoveries into vibrant words. Whether creating new pieces or re-imagining existing work, you’ll share and workshop your narrative
developments with a supportive group.
The sessions will be novel for many, fun for most and engaging for all. Leave feeling
reinvigorated and ready to channel new energy into your projects.
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