Specialist Courses

Our selection of specialist courses form the backbone of the Summer School Programme. Here are the choices for 2025.

ANNE HAMILTON

A NOVEL in FOUR SESSIONS

‘The Skeleton Story’ technique helps the author create an outline comprising setting, character(s) and quest. This is the forerunner of a synopsis and a framework to build upon.

‘Writing The End’ (or a draft of it) at an early stage is a psychological boost. It offers the author a clear endpoint to work towards. Participants will write a good ending - and consider the importance of that good ending being also a beginning.

‘Pre-Empting Saggy Centres’ interrogates plot. The author will develop 4-6 key scenes that hold the story and in doing so ensure that character (development) is integral.

‘Beginning A Beginning’ deliberately comes last. Understanding the difference between The Beginning and A Beginning is essential, especially if the author is a perfector or a procrastinator. It will allow a participant to progress to becoming a ‘finisher’.

Participants will be encouraged to use their own material throughout, so that at the end of the four sessions they will have a clear body of work and a plan for going forward

Each session will be workshop-based with the opportunity to write and to share that writing within the group. ‘Homework’ will be set following each session. This is not obligatory but will enhance the course experience by allowing participants to seek feedback on their writing.

LEARNING FROM THE LAUREATES

This course will offer fresh ideas and techniques to new and experienced poets, linking them to the work of poets laureate from John Dryden to Simon Armitage.

This course is intended for anyone who enjoys poetry, regardless of their level of experience. Each session stands alone, so people who wish to attend just one or two sessions will benefit from them.

Everyone who attends will find their poetry skills enhanced by the points of technique being addressed, information about beginning and developing new poems, and consideration of putting a fresh spin onto their work, and a final polish.

Tuition includes talks, discussions, text study, group work and individual exercises.

The course will end with a final Q&A opportunity.

ALISON CHISHOLM

Tutor Bio

DELLA GALTON

Tutor Bio

WRITING SHORT STORIES to make money

This is a course of practical tips and hints to help you write your best stories and increase your chances of success. It’s an interactive course, workshop based. Be prepared to have fun.

Suitable for beginners or more experienced writers. Covering the following:

Where can I sell a short story these days?
Markets for fiction.
Good short story competitions, and how to improve your chances.
What’s the X Factor and how can I get it?

THE CRAFTY ART OF CREATIVE NON-FICTION

The Crafty Art of Creative Non-Fiction will explore how to bring true stories to life to make them more engaging, fun, and interesting to readers.

Whether you write memoir, travel, nature and landscape, food, true crime, or other non-fiction genres, drawing upon creative non-fiction techniques can make your writing zing!

This four-part course is suitable for those who are new to creative non-fiction, as well as those who want to explore the genre further.

There will be writing opportunities in each workshop to put into practice the lessons learned. We’ll explore what creative non-fiction is and isn’t, and focus on four key creative non-fiction writing blocks that will bring drama to your work.

Creative non-fiction is about true stories, told well.

SIMON WHALEY

Tutor Bio