Swanwick Writers' Summer School
7-13 August 2021
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‘How to’ raise funds for Swanwick!

29/7/2014

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Mannequin and books
© Dana Rothstein | Dreamstime.com
Do you have any 'How-To' books on writing that you no longer refer to as lovingly as before? Are they taking up space on your bookshelf that you could fill with brand new books from our Book Room this year?

If so, please would you be kind enough to donate them to Swanwick – as many as you can spare or have space to pack – so that we can sell them as a fundraiser for the School?
There will be a special table set aside in the Book Room for folk to browse and bag themselves a bargain, thanks to your generosity.

Swanwick is all about inspiration and sharing knowledge. With your help, we can do both – and raise some extra funds for the School – with the 'How To' books that have inspired you in the past.

Please hand your donated books to Lois or a member of her Book Room team (opening times are shown in your programme booklet). 

Thank you so much!
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Unleashing the ‘wild’ writer – A Twitter chat with Bridget Holding

28/7/2014

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On July 22nd, we chatted to a creative writing tutor, psychotherapist and 'wild' writer Bridget Holding. She is the founder of Wild Words and The Society of Writers-In-The-Wild. She is a writer, UKCP registered psychotherapist, and tutor of creative writing for The University of Exeter and The Open University in the UK.

There were a lot of questions around ‘Wild Writing’ and whether it was for everyone. Although it’s different for every writer, ‘Wild Writing’ is about connecting from an instinctual creative space. Bridget reassured us that the concept of the ‘wild’ writer has something for almost every writer, pre-published or professional. As she tweeted, “There's a misconception that writing 'wild words' is scary, big and extreme. Writing 'wild words' is about finding connection, being in tune, that's safe for everyone.”
Bridget Holding

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#AskSwanwick chat with Curtis Jobling

17/7/2014

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Curtis Jobling
Many of you will remember the wonderful talk, live drawing act and course Curtis Jobling gave us at Swanwick last year. The production designer of children's TV hit, Bob The Builder, where he visualised the programme's characters and sets, will be our next #AskSwanwick guest on 5th August
8pm (BST).

What better way to whet your appetite for Swanwick than have a pro like Curtis answer your questions on art, animation and writing for the YA market?

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Introducing the Swanwick 2014 e-brochure

9/7/2014

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Welcome to our first online e-brochure. Simply click on the link on the Programme page and you can download this year's Swanwick programme in advance of your printed copy. 

Everything is here, from the day-to-day schedule of courses, workshops, guest speakers and entertainment to the 'ins and outs' of the Swanwick week.

Naturally, you will also receive our traditional printed brochure on arrival at the School as part of your 'welcome pack'. If you prefer to receive it by post in advance, simply let the Secretary know by emailing secretary@swanwickwritersschool.org.uk with your details. Anyone who has already expressed a preference will automatically receive their copy by post.

The magic starts here...
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Don’t miss out on the opportunity to book a 1:1 with Guest Speaker and Course Leader Simon Hall

5/7/2014

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Simon Hall
Popular Swanwick Speaker and Course Leader, Simon Hall, is offering 1-to-1 sessions on Crime and Journalism this year. Vacancies are filling fast, so don’t miss out on the opportunity to gain valuable insight through Simon’s vast experience as BBC Crime Correspondent for the South West of England and his equally impressive career as a crime writer.

Even if crime isn’t your genre, Simon is happy to help with the mechanics of writing (and promoting) successful novels.
See Simon's website for readers’ reviews such as these:
  • “Hall’s characterisations are so good it’s hard to believe you are reading a work of fiction... another superb crime novel.”
  • “I read this book in less than 24 hours, I was so carried away with the story.”

Or professional critiques such as these:
  • Books Monthly - "Suicides and blackmail, races against time to solve the clues make this the best yet by Simon, and kept me guessing right to the end. I didn't identify the blackmailer, which I think is something of a triumph for the author. Absolutely riveting, a great read."
  • Random Jottings - "A brilliant crime/detection novel. The whole thing crackles with tension and pace and I thought it was excellent." 
  • Eurocrime - "A really enjoyable read... taut, well plotted and creates such a pace it became a personal race against time to finish it in one sitting."

For information on booking a session with Simon, or any of our other available 1:1 tutors, see Programme Extras: 1:1s.

Other 1:1 Tutor sessions currently available include:
  • Alison Chisholm – Autobiography/Memoir
  • Judy Hall – Fiction/Non-Fiction 
  • Rachel Contini – Setting/Achieving your writing goals 

For help or advice, please email Lesley on secretary@swanwickwritersschool.org.uk
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Unlocking the 'wild' writing power of your inner self: #AskSwanwick with Bridget Holding on 22 July

2/7/2014

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Pitch yourself up by the campfire for our next #AskSwanwick Twitter chat on 22nd July, 7.30pm (UK Time), when you can put questions to creative writing tutor, psychotherapist and 'wild' writer Bridget Holding.

We're delight to be talking to one of this year's short course leader Bridget Holding (check out her course). She is the founder of Wild Words and The Society of Writers-In-The-Wild. She is a writer, UKCP registered psychotherapist, and tutor of creative writing for The University of Exeter, and The Open University in the UK. She'll be answer questions about unlocking the 'wild' writer in you and how by changing our relationship with ourselves and our environment we can enhance our writing, from fiction and drama to writing from life.
Bridget Holding
Just search for the hashtag #AskSwanwick on Tuesday 22nd July at 7.30pm (UK Time) - if you're new to Twitter, make sure you follow 'all' not just 'top' search results. To ask a question, tweet using the #AskSwanwick hashtag followed by your question. Our team has put together a short guide to joining in and the chat etiquette.

Selected highlights of each session are available on the Swanwick website a few weeks after each chat.
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#AskSwanwick: Into the Future with Agent John Jarrold

1/7/2014

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On June 2nd, we chatted to agent John Jarrold about the latest trends in SF, Fantasy and Horror. A leading agent who represents only those genres, John's been a speaker and tutor at Swanwick. We’re sure many of you will remember his interview with the late Iain M. Banks.

Much of the Twitter chat focused on the power of ‘voice’. In every submission he sees, he’s looking for voice, story and characters that make him think ‘Wow’. And, it’s getting harder for writers as the standard of his submission pile, which he reads entirely himself, is getting higher. “As ever,” he said, “it’s a THRILL to see a wonderful new writer.”

Developing a voice, John said, was part of the learning experience of becoming a writer. Judging whether those voices worked was subjective. There were plenty of voices that he didn’t personally like, but that other agents or publishers did. Great voices came across from the very first page.

But how does a writer hone their ‘voice’? “Read, Read, Read, Write, Write, Write.” He suggested that it is vital that writers look at the books they read as more than just a story - it’s important to be aware of the book’s voice as well.

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Swanwick Writers' Summer School
Registered Charity No. 1168531 
Address:
The Hayes Conference Centre
Swanwick, Alfreton, Derbyshire, DE55 1AU
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