2020 One-to-One Specialist Sessions
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Simon Hall – Cracking Crime Limited Availability Simon Hall is a crime and mystery author with eight novels published, a lecturer in communications at the University of Cambridge, and a writing tutor with a track record of helping aspiring authors into publication. For more information, visit www.thetvdetective.com or @SimonHallNews. |
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Kate Bendelow – Crime Scene Investigation & Forensic Advice
As a serving CSI with 18 years’ experience and the author of The Real CSI: A Forensic Handbook for Crime Writers, Kate can advise you on how to ensure your crime scene is written with veracity and authenticity. She can advise you on the best evidence types and methods to enhance your writing while maintaining tension and plot. |
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Alexandra McDermott – Getting Ready to Submit: The Synopsis and Opening Chapter
Alexandra started her writing journey after winning her way to Swanwick in 2017. She is a graduate of City University’s Novel Studio course, where she spent much of her time workshopping colleagues’ novel extracts and synopses. She has a particular interest in crime and historical fiction and is working on a series of crime novels set across Cold War–era Europe. |
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Simon Whaley – Magazine Articles
In addition to the Business of Writing column in Writing Magazine, some of Simon’s 800+ published articles have appeared in magazines such as The People’s Friend, BBC Countryfile, Country Walking, Coast, Discover Britain, Outdoor Photography and The Simple Things. His features have also appeared in magazines in the USA, Canada and Australia. For more information about Simon visit www.simonwhaley.co.uk. |
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Jennifer Wilson – Building an Online Presence
Limited Availability Jennifer C. Wilson writes “historical fiction with spirit”, including romances The Last Plantagenet? and The Raided Heart, both awarded prizes in The Coffee Pot Book Club Book of the Year Awards, 2020, with The Raided Heart taking the Bronze award for historical romance. Jennifer will be happy to talk about all aspects of online presence, and, in particular related to building a following and getting you (and your work) noticed. |
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Della Galton – Fiction & Non-Fiction Della is a commercial novelist and short fiction writer (includes serials) and will look at any area of writing in which she is published, which includes the following: Short stories and serials; Novel openings or synopsis; Non-fiction or narrative non-fiction; Memoir/autobiography; Flash Fiction. See www.dellagalton.co.uk for more information. |
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Julian Unthank – Screenwriting
Limited Availability Julian Unthank is the writer of the multi-award-winning Oscar™ short-listed live action short Love at First Sight and has written on shows such as New Tricks, Robin Hood and The Bill. He currently writes on ITV’s worldwide hit Doc Martin and is the Creator/Writer of his own Emmy™ nominated television series Queens of Mystery currently on air in America |
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Gerald Hornsby – Avoiding the Saggy Middle: Story Openings & Structure in Crime & Thriller Fiction
Gerald Hornsby is an author of dark short fiction, political and apocalyptic thrillers, and dark crime novels. He has self-published two collections of flash fiction; several books on writing craft; and is currently engaged on a challenge to publish one full-length novel each month for the year of 2020. You can find him online at gerald-hornsby.com. |
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Anita Belli – First Chapters & Characterisation in Historical & Contemporary Romance
Anita Belli is both a traditionally and independently published novelist. She writes 20th Century Historical Novels and Contemporary Romance and has published a craft book to accompany her workshop series. She works in schools, libraries and communities to inspire as many people as possible to tell their own story and publish their work. You can find her online at www.anitabelli.com. |
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William Gallagher – Dialogue & Plot
William is Deputy Chair of the Writers’ Guild and writes short stories, theatre and Doctor Who radio scripts alongside some millions of words now about drama, media and technology for websites such as BBC News. If your story isn’t working or your characters just don’t sound right, talk to him about dialogue and plotting. |
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Fran Tracey – Magazine Short Stories & Erotic Fiction
Fran writes fiction for the woman’s magazine market and has had several hundred stories published in the UK and overseas with magazines such as Woman’s Weekly and The People’s Friend. She has also written several serials for My Weekly. She has also had short erotic fiction published in anthologies with Black Lace and Xcite books. She has won short story competitions and has an erotic romance novella published by Tirgearr. |
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Michael Jecks - Work in Progress
Mike became a professional author in 1994, and since then has published some forty-five novels. He was the Organiser for the CWA’s Debut Dagger, launching the careers of six authors, and has tutored students at Exeter University. He will be happy to read through synopses and sections of works in progress and give advice on plotting, characterisation, or simple use of language. |
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Bettina von Cossel - All Genres
Limited Availability Bettina is a professional writer and gives talks about creative writing in local libraries. She has written seven novels and hundreds of short stories and is happy to review fiction prose and memoirs. She can help with plotting problems and storyline, too. Bettina has a small publishing house for romance novels, Mezzanotte. See www.mezzanotte-publishing.co.uk for more information. |
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Helen Mort – Where do poems come from? Poetic Authenticity
Helen Mort has published two poetry collections with Chatto & Windus, ‘Division Street’ (2013) and ‘No Map Could Show Them’ (2015). She won the Fenton Aldeburgh Prize for best first collection. Her novel ‘Black Car Burning’ was published in 2019. She teaches creative writing at Manchester Metropolitan University and she is also the author of ‘Lake District Trail Running’ (Vertebrate). |
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Roy McFarlane - Getting to the Heart of Poetry: Writing your own emotional truth Roy has an MA in Writing Poetry with Newcastle University and is a Jerwood Bursary recipient. He has held the role of Birmingham’s Poet Laureate and is presently the Birmingham & Midland Institute Poet in Residence. He can help you get to the heart of your poetry and write your own emotional truth to ignite the reader’s interest. |
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Ingrid Jendrzejewski – Competitions, Flash Fiction, Poetry & Hybrid Work
Ingrid primarily writes short stories and flash fiction and has published over 100 pieces since she started submitting in 2014. She has won 15 writing competitions, judged 5, and has placed or been shortlisted in over 50 more. She is currently Co-Director of National Flash Fiction Day, editor-in-chief at FlashBack Fiction and a flash fiction editor at JMWW. You can find her online at www.ingridj.com. |
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Rob Gee – Cutting Edge Comedy
Limited Availability Comic, stand-up poet and reformed psychiatric nurse, Rob has shared stages with Sue Townsend, Jo Brand, Russell Howard, Sarah Millican and Frankie Boyle. He’s written numerous comedy songs, sketches and shows for commission and won over twenty awards for his solo shows, including Best Solo Comedy at the Orlando and Buxton Fringe Festivals. See www.robgee.co.uk. |
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Calvin Niles – Getting to the Heart of Your Story
Limited Availability Calvin specialises in helping people get to the heart of their message which sits at the centre of their story. When self-doubt and vulnerability creep in, he helps people overcome their fear of failure and work with their inner critic to see their projects through. You can find out more about Calvin here: www.calvinniles.com. |
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Neil Zoladkiewicz – Plays in Progress
Neil has taught Drama for 34 years at Richard Challoner School in New Malden where he directed over 50 productions, including his own adaptations of classic novels and original plays. Several of his short plays for young people have been published. Neil has also given Drama courses for teachers, is currently working on a novel, ‘Driftwood’ and is a regular blogger: ‘Meditations of Neilus Aurelius’ meditationsofneilusaurelius.home.blog. |
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S.E. Fleenor – Writing the Rainbow
As a writer and editor, Fleenor brings a compassionate lens tor editorial work, helping writers create the best version of their stories in their voices. With a keen eye for storytelling, scene building and establishing narrative voice, she is the ideal editor for anyone working in memoir or fiction (including science fiction, fantasy, speculative, and literary genres). Fleenor loves working with LGBTQI+ writers and those creating LGBTQI+ characters. For more information see ‘Writing the Rainbow’ and SEFleenor.com. |
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Fiona Samuel - Don’t let them judge your book by its cover
Currently teaching in secondary education in South East Cornwall, Fiona has worked in education for fourteen years, teaching English and Creative Writing, and Media Studies up to and including diploma level. Highly experienced and successful in teaching design and layout in audio-visual and print platforms, how best to reach the target audience, and with qualifications in Photography and photo editing from Plymouth College of Art, Fiona will be happy to offer constructive feedback and advice on your book cover design. |
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Diana Kimpton – Series proposals and children’s books
Diana has written over 40 books for children, including two successful series. She is happy to look at a series proposal, a full picture book text or the first chapter of a children’s novel. You can find out more about her at www.dianakimpton.co.uk |
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Esther Chilton – Creating strong characters and a sense of place – bringing characters & stories to life.
With regular articles and short stories published in a wide variety of newspapers and magazines the world over, Esther has also won several writing competitions, has two short story books and a how-to, and is currently a tutor for the Writers’ Bureau distance learning college. She also runs her own copyediting business and loves helping others achieve their dreams. Esther is happy to see work for competition or publication. Esther’s Blog: esthernewtonblog.wordpress.com |
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Please note that due to their popularity these sessions are often oversubscribed so you are advised to book early. The closing date for one to one bookings is 30th June 2020.
(See the Booking Page for how to book. You can also pay for your one-to-one session online when you book and pay for your place at Swanwick).
After the closing date, details of submission requirements and how to submit your work will be sent to you individually. To give sufficient time for review you should send your work to your chosen specialist before 22nd July 2020. Your individual time slot will then be allocated once at Swanwick.
"Amazing to feel so welcome and thank you to all the 'experts' for being so available."
