Runaway Writers, with funding from East Staffordshire Borough Council, are hosting two performance poetry writing workshops followed by a spoken word night.

James Nash, who will be leading the workshops, is a writer, performs his own work around the country, hosts literature events and runs writing workshops for adults, including workshops for NAWG (National Association of Writers' Groups).

Saturday 12th September 2009
1-4pm, Burton upon Trent Library (Room 2, Trent Suite)
Tickets: £5

This workshop will teach participants how to write poetry that is particularly suited to performance. There will be exercises to encourage participants to create their own pieces, which they can take away and develop.

How To Perform Poetry
Saturday 19th September 2009
1-4pm, Burton upon Trent Library (Room2, Trent Suite)
Tickets: £5

This workshop will focus on how to perform poetry at a spoken word event, using participants' own work. There will be opportunities during the afternoon to practise performance skills.
Please note: Participants must bring along a poem they have written to this workshop.

Spoken Word Night with Runaway Writers

Saturday 19th September 2009
7:30pm, Meadowside Leisure Centre (bar), Burton upon Trent
Tickets: FREE

Compered by James Nash who will also perform some of his own work, this spoken word night provides a valuable opportunity for workshop participants to perform their own work to an audience. There will also be an open mic slot available to anyone who wishes to perform but is unable to attend the workshops.

Places on the workshops are limited and must be booked in advance. To reserve your place, please email catherineroth@hotmail.co.uk or phone 07906 362733.

Saturday, 28th November, 2009,

10.00. am until 4.00. pm

At Thringstone Members’ Club

Cost: £25 (including buffet lunch and refreshments)

Join us on Saturday, 28th November for a workshop with Stephen Loveless on Scriptwriting for TV and Film. During the day, Stephen’s workshop will include:

Script layout

Creating characters

Visual story telling

Treatments(synopsis for film)

Approaches to submitting work

Scriptwriting exercises

Stephen’s Biog: Winner of Daphne Du Maurier Literary Prize 2000 (then the largest short story prize in the world), and Central TV First Cut Award for film script writing.  His film Washing Strangers was broadcast on TV and shown at various film festivals in the UK and abroad.  Winner of Netherlands Worldwide Audio Books Competition 2008.  Many published short stories, articles and cartoon strips.

To book your place, contact Tony Gutteridge on 01455-273591 or at tonygutteridge@live.com.

Places are limited so please book early

The Dream Quest One Poetry & Writing Contest is open to anyone who loves arranging words into the beautiful art of poetry or writing a short story that is worth telling everyone! And to all who have the ability to dream... Write a poem or short story for a chance to win cash prizes. All works must be original. http://www.dreamquestone.com

Guidelines:

Write a poem, thirty lines or fewer on any subject, style, or form, typed or neatly hand printed.

And/or write a short story, five pages maximum length, on any subject or theme, creative writing fiction or non-fiction (including essay compositions, diary, journal entries and screenwriting). Also, must be typed or neatly hand printed.

Multiple poetry and short story entries are accepted.

Postmark deadline: July 31, 2010

All contest winners will be announced on August 31, 2010

Prizes:

Writing Contest First Prize is $500. Second Prize: $250. Third Prize: $100.

Poetry Contest First Prize is $250. Second Prize: $125. Third Prize: $50.

Entry fees: $10 per short story. Poetry Contest: $5 per poem.

To send entries: Include title(s) with your story (ies) or poem(s), along with your name, address, phone#, email, brief biographical info. (Tell us a little about yourself), on the coversheet. Add a self-addressed stamped envelope for entry confirmation. Fees payable to: DREAMQUESTONE.COM

Mail to:

Dream Quest One

Poetry & Writing Contest

P.O. Box 3141

Chicago, IL 60654

Visit http://www.dreamquestone.com for further details!

No one who achieves success does so without acknowledging the help of others. The wise and confident acknowledge this help with gratitude. "And remember in whatever you do, it's okay to dream, for dreams do come true." -Dream Quest One

Writing Magazine columnist, Lorraine Mace and co-author of The Writer's ABC Checklist, Maureen Vincent-Northam, will be leading a weekend workshop at the beautiful Baskerville Hall Hotel near the book town of Hay on Wye in May 2012.

Arthur Conan Doyle was a regular visitor to Baskerville Hall and, although the final story was set in Devon, the idea for one of his best-loved works, The Hounds of the Baskervilles, was born after hearing of the local legend.

The two workshops, which cover non-fiction writing and flash fiction, will be held on Saturday 19 May 2012 with an overnight stay for attendees at the historic hotel. Topics covered include finding ideas, developing characters, plots, interviewing, the value of photographs and writing winning query letters.

Places on the course are limited and the cost is £135 per person, which includes both workshops, hotel accommodation and all meals.

Visit our WEBSITE for full details. 

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Guest Speakers:
George Mann - author of the Newbury and Hobbes novels & Ghosts of Manhattan
Sarah Pinborough - horror, thriller and young adult novelist, author of A Matter of Blood and The Language of Dying

Venue: Diamond House, South Leverton (near Retford), DN22 0BX

Located close to both Lincoln and Sheffield, Diamond House is a Grade II listed country house in the heart of the Nottinghamshire countryside.

www.diamondhouse.org.uk

The Winter Writing Weekend costs just £180, including two nights' accommodation, all meals and soft drinks, plus a full programme of writing activities throughout Saturday and Sunday featuring two guest authors.

For further information, visit http://altfiction.co.uk/the-programme

To book your place, or for any enquiries, email alt.fiction@writingeastmidlands.co.uk

or call Alex on 07896 228367

"I've always wanted to write, but..." There's always something to stop you from writing: time, space, or simply not knowing where to start.

Do you want to 'get rid of the buts'? If so, this inspirational workshop is for you - whether you are a complete beginner, wish to take your existing writing further, or are an experienced writer in need of fresh enthusiasm. Learn how to release those blocks and start to plan your story.

In a small group setting, novelist and journalist Jessica Duchen helps you explore ways into writing through discussions, exercises and practical pointers. Her engaging sessions with their focus on positive group dynamic cover such subjects as 'Why we want to write'; 'Why we stop ourselves from writing'; 'Finding the best stimuli'; and 'The concept of flow'. By the end of your stay, you will go home with the tools you need to start creating YOUR novel.

The backdrop to this event is the beautiful rolling hills of Southern Burgundy. A tranquil landscape where you can take time to think, breathe and create. This is a great area for walking with wonderful views round every corner.

Jessica Duchen, novelist, music journalist and biographer, started trying to write novels at the age of 12, but thought for a while that she wanted to become a pianist. Since realising that she didn't, she's been concentrating on the music of words and words about music. She writes regularly for The Independent as well as BBC Music Magazine and Classic FM Magazine, and has published four novels to date, most recently 'Songs of Triumphant Love' (Hodder), which was praised by Joanna Lumley for its 'dazzling perceptiveness'. She has also written biographies of Faure and Korngold (both Phaidon Press), and her celebrated blog is now hosted by Standpoint magazine. When she's not writing she's either holding workshops to help others to 'Kickstart Your Writing' or rather creakily attending ballet classes. She lives in London with her violinist husband, who shares her enthusiasms for cooking and travel. www.jessicaduchen.co.uk

The event takes place in our beautifully renovated barn and accommodation is either at the house on site or at our neighbouring accommodation with all meals taken at the workshop venue. Food is home grown, home made or locally sourced and we offer a local wine tasting on your first evening.

As our house guests we would like you to get the most from your stay. The atmosphere is friendly and informal and the number of writers is kept to 10 to ensure you receive the individual attention you desire.

As places are restricted to 10 writers, early booking is advised to avoid disappointment.

Price

All costs are per person. Non-writing partners are welcomed. If you wish to bring a partner who is not attending the event please email us for costs. We are happy to arrange transfers from Lyon or Geneva airports and from Macon Loche TGV station

• Tuition
• Accommodation
• Continental breakfasts
• Buffet lunches
• Suppers including a choice of wine or beer or soft drinks
• Refreshments throughout the day
• Wine tasting event (where you can stock up on additional wine of your own choosing)

For more information or to reserve a place please contact Janice Barnett
By email info@thereallybigdreamcompany.com
By post Les Cerisiers, Lieu dit Nurux, 71520 Montmelard, France
By phone 00 33 (0) 345 47 95 02

Alt.Fiction Writing Weekends

Alt.Fiction is proud to present its first residential writing weekends - an ideal opportunity for writers of science fiction, fantasy and horror to get away from it all, meet and work with like-minded people and enjoy workshops and talks with established authors in the field. Offering workshops, feedback sessions and expert advice, these weekends are sure to both inform and inspire.

Winter Writing Weekend - Friday 25 - Sunday 27 February. Diamond House, South Leverton (near Retford), DN22 0BX. Guest Speakers: George Mann and Sarah Pinbrough

Spring Winter Weekend - Friday 20 - Sunday 22 May. Legacy Chesterfield Hotel, Malkin Street, Chesterfield, S41 7UA. Guest Speakers: Simon Clark and Tony Ballantyne

To book your place, or for any enquiries, email alt.fiction@writingeastmidlands.co.uk or call Alex on 07896 228367. Cost £180 per weekend, including accommodation, meals and programme of activities

http://altfiction.co.uk/