We'll be blurring crime-busting fact and fiction with Simon Hall on

Tuesday 11th March, 8pm (GMT)

Well-known crime author of The TV Detective series and popular Swanwick course leader Simon will be joining us for the next #askswanwick Twitter chat. 

Our questions-and-answers sessions, with experienced writers and industry professionals, is a great chance to learn from people in the know and raise questions you might not get the chance to ask.

The guest star of our debut #askswanwick Twitter chat was children's and teen author and editor, Sara Grant. She discussed "Dark Parties", her first young adult novel, which won the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) Crystal Kite Award for Europe. And also answered questions about her funny magical series for young readers, titled MagicTrix.

Sara posted some pre-chat tips to put prospective participants in the right mood and then answered questions put to her by the Twitter team and by tweeters participating in the chat. Here are some the gems of advice she shared on 3rd February that are invaluable for anyone trying to write for children and teens.

If you missed Diana's and Aileen's Radio Derby interview about Swanwick and our Deric Longden Prize Comp ... here it is again via BBC iPlayer:
 
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p01qf6ly (This link will be available until Tuesday 25th February.)
 
Just scroll across about two thirds of the way through the excellent Charles Nove programme (who was standing in for Sally Pepper) and click on to 'Listen Now' at the 02.12 hours transmission point.
 
But it doesn't necessarily end there... because Radio Derby is planning to join us at Swanwick this August! More news to come nearer the time.

The popular and long-running BBC serial drama, 'Doctors', will be featuring an episode called 'The Invisible Man' written by our very own Swanwick friend and tutor, Angela Churm.

Due to air on BBC1 at 1.45 on Thursday, 6th March, this is one of her many storylines for the series. Said Angela: “I’m really chuffed with this one - enjoyed it tremendously.”

We are even more chuffed that Angela has agreed to return to Swanwick this August as a 4-part Specialist Course leader on the subject of TV screenwriting - so if you want to share the secrets of her success, you know where to come!

See the Specialist courses page for more details of Angela’s course

They will be sharing their own memories of Deric and his long-standing affection for Swanwick, which is where he and Aileen first met. Diana and Aileen will also be talking about the very special nature of the competition launched in Deric's name for a writer/carer to win their way to this year's Summer School with a prizewinning week worth over £500.