Category Archives: Workshops

Writers’ HQ 6 Week Online Short Fiction Course Starts 10th October

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Short stories aren’t just easier versions of the novel. They’re a broad, complex and rewarding art form in their own right. Writers’ HQ’s new online writing short story course will help you see the bigger picture and compress it into short fiction with real punch.

Try a FREE week of the course here!

Running for 6 weeks from 10th October, this online course is structured to work around busy lives and work schedules, and to support writers of all experiences. With the help of inspiring exercises, writing prompts, advice from award-winning short fiction writers, fantastic published examples, thought-provoking literary analysis, and a great little online community, you’ll come out the other side with plenty of ideas and at least one fully formed short story to call your very own.

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Writers’ HQ is an arse-kicking, procrastination-bust­ing writing organisation based in Sussex (with plans for global online domination). Their motto? Stop f**king about and start writing. With online courses, local writing retreats and workshops, Writers’ HQ is here to help writers get the words out of their heads and onto the page with as little angst as possible. 

Early morning writing classes

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Write & Shine morning creative writing workshops take place online and in peaceful London locations.

For our next online course…

…we’ll use the theme of ‘Colour’ to inspire new poems, stories and life writing. From the darkest cherry red to a soft pale blue, colour is everywhere! Join Write & Shine’s four-week self-study online course on the theme of ‘Colour’ to discover all kinds of ways to add brightness your morning. From 24 August to 14 September, you’ll receive a set of vivid writing prompts directly to your email inbox each Wednesday at 6am (BST), ready to complete that morning. Only £15 for the full four-week course.

Our face-to-face workshops…

… continue on Thursdays in central London, starting at 7.30am and 9.15am. In each session, you’ll be set writing tasks which might include discussing poems and short fiction, examining photographs, sniffing lavender, reading that morning’s Metro, or playing with vintage Cluedo cards! It’s £12 each time, with drinks & pastries included. Next workshop is on Thursday 11 August, at Waterstones Piccadilly.
All sessions are open to new and experienced poets, short story writers, novelists, artists and makers—or anyone wanting to incorporate creativity into their busy working lives. Write & Shine classes are facilitated by writer Gemma Seltzer, a morning enthusiast!

Find out more at: www.write-and-shine.com

—
Gemma Seltzer | Write & Shine | hello@write-and-shine.com
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NEW Six Week Online Short Fiction Course from Writers’ HQ

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Writers’ HQ are launching a brand new six-week online short fiction course for writers who are tight on time and money (so… all of us then!) – starting 26th September, 2016.

Short stories have been here since the dawn of frickin’ time. Based in the oral tradition (stop sniggering at the back), they’re the apocryphal family legends our grandmas/weird uncle used to tell us over Christmas dinner; they’re the school-yard urban myths; the sleepover ghost stories; the soliloquies in our diaries; the wine-soaked rants to that random person you cornered in the kitchen at that party after so-and-so dumped you. Short stories are all around us. <cue X-Files theme>

But super short stories are not super easy for writers. In fact, the shorter your story becomes, the harder it is to distill what really matters onto the page. I would have written a shorter letter, so the famous quote goes, but I didn’t have the time…

The energetic, irreverent, slightly bonkers team at Writers’ HQ will help you come up with ideas, hone them into perfectly formed nuggets of fiction and build the confidence to send them out into the world. Spend six weeks developing your short fiction skills with the support of a thriving online community, top tips from award winning authors, inspiring writing exercises, and procrastination-busting tools and techniques.

And, due to funding from the fantastic Arts Council England, Writers’ HQ are able to offer this great course at the low price of £130. Or, if you’re feeling lucky, why not enter their competition to win a fully-subsidised place on all five of their new online courses? Click here for more info.

And if that wasn’t enough, the first 25 people to book will also receive free membership to 750 Words – a fantastic productivity app that will get you writing every day! What more could you ask for (aside from someone to write the darn thing for you)?

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Oh wait, that’s not all.

If you’re based in Sussex and fancy spending a morning at the beautiful National Trust property Monk’s House (historic home of Virginia Woolf and haunt of the Bloomsbury Group) writing and reading flash fiction, come along to the Fiction in a Flash workshop on the 20th of August.

Fiction in a Flashat Monk's House (1)

If you fancy streamlining your writing down into bite-size chunks, or have always wanted to write a short story but didn’t know where to start, flash fiction is your answer! This two hour workshop covers everything you need to know to get you flashing like a – err, no never mind – to get you writing confident, impactful flash. At the beautiful, inspiring Monk’s House, home to Virginia Woolf and the Bloomsbury Group, we’ll cover the basics of form and structure, show you how to make characters come to life in just a handful of words, and experiment with prompts to get your flashy juices flowing.

In this workshop we’ll look at the fundamentals of flash fiction and experiment with different ways of approach writing fantastic minimalist fiction. Learn how to wring every last drop of goodness from your words and tell a story in fewer than 1000 words.

Explore the world of short fiction, write your own flash, and if you’re feeling brave, share your work with the group. We can direct you towards a stiff drink afterwards…

 

 

 

 

 

The Literary Consultancy Self-editing workshop: Short Story

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Following the success of their recent Editing-related events The Literary Consultancy (TLC) will be running a short story self-editing workshop aimed at writers in November 2016. The workshop will run over two hours, with places strictly limited to 15 writers in each workshop. The workshop will provide practical guidance for writers wanting to develop their self-editing skills ahead of submission to an editorial service, or to an agent or publisher, and for those simply working on projects and wanting help with approaching the work objectively and afresh. It will look at the basic principles of short stories, with some practical examples, in order to form the basis for your self-editing. Narrative structure, characterisation, and voice are key, and this workshop will show you how to interrogate these principles when editing your story, to ensure it makes the impact the chosen subject demands.

The short story workshop will take place on 17th November 2016 with novelist and Peepal Tree Press Associate Editor Jacob Ross. Jacob will take writers through practical exercises and provide guidance on best practice in self-editing your own work.

 

This workshop will have a limited number of bursaried places, including travel costs (from outside of London), available for writers or aspiring editors on low income. Proof of income will be required as part of the application process for these tickets. To apply for a bursary, please email Aki Schilz on aki@literaryconsultancy.co.uk, including a short covering letter explaining your reasons for applying. Please also provide any proof of income as an email attachment and mark the email ‘TLC Self-Editing Workshop Bursary CONFIDENTIAL’, with the genre clearly indicated.

 

The event will be held at the Free Word Centre, Farringdon – and further ticket information and booking details can be found here: https://www.freewordcentre.com/whats-on/tlc-self-editing-ss

Early morning writing

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Hello! Write & Shine runs weekly bright and early morning writing sessions in peaceful places across London. Ideal for short story writers, and writers those keen to progress their craft. We aim to boost your mornings with a burst of creativity….and provide you with coffee and sweet pastries, too!

Upcoming dates are below:

***Leicester Square***
Westminster Quaker Meeting House, Hop Gardens
Thursdays – 7.15am arrival for 7.30am-9am workshop
5 and 19 May (£10 per session)

***Piccadilly***
Mezzanine Café, Waterstones Piccadilly, 203-206 Piccadilly
Thursdays – 9am arrival for 9.15am-10.45am workshop
12 and 26 May (£10 per session)

***Online***
Can’t get to the sessions but keen to write with us?

Light – an online writing course to brighten your mornings
Tuesdays, from 17 May to 9 June 2016
£15 for an unique four-week self-study course, sent by email once a week.

At 6am each Tuesday, you’ll receive unique light-themed writing prompts straight to your email inbox. Set aside 60 minutes that morning to try out the ideas and brighten your morning with words—all from the comfort of your own home. Visit the website for more information.

Sunlight & water, moonlight & fire, flashlights & glitterballs, mirrors & metals, light is essential to our lives. With Write & Shine’s four-week self-study online course, you’ll find ways to brighten your morning with all kinds of writing on the theme of light.

Write & Shine is run by Gemma Seltzer, writer, facilitator and morning enthusiast!

—
Gemma Seltzer | Write & Shine | hello@write-and-shine.com
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London Lit Lab writing courses

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London Lit Lab Logo

London Lit Lab is offering two creative writing courses:

‘Beginning to Write: putting pen to paper‘ is a six-week course starting in June, on Thursday evenings at Leila’s Shop in Shoreditch. It’s designed for those who have just started writing fiction – either short stories or a novel – or those who want to develop their skills. In each session we’ll use writing exercises to explore one of the following aspects of fiction: plot, character, place, point of view, dialogue and description. The course is taught by writers, and we aim to provide a friendly, home-from-home experience, where you’ll feel comfortable putting pen to paper. You’ll leave the course with a toolbox of literary skills, a few new friends, and the confidence to keep on writing. Click here for more info.

‘Continuing to Write: developing your work’ is an eight-week course starting in September, also on Thursday evenings at Leila’s Shop in Shoreditch. This course is for writers with some experience (e.g. our Beginning to Write course) , or have a body of work, such as a short story collection or novel, that you would like to develop. The course is also ideal for students who have recently finished a BA or MA in creative writing, and want a bit of a refresher, or further support to complete work. Likewise, if you are considering applying for a Creative Writing MA, we can help you hone your portfolio. In each session we will discuss texts in relation to characterisation, place, plot and voice. We will be looking at openings, endings and everything in between. The second half of each session will be dedicated to critiquing work in progress. Click here for more info.

Feel free to get in touch at info@londonlitlab.co.uk or find us on Twitter @LondonLitLab!

That Killer First Page – Submitting to Journals and Competitions

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That Killer First Page – Lancaster, May 7, 10-4. Tickets and further details here.

You’ll find out what competition judges and journal editors look for in a short story and how to avoid the rejection pile. You’ll write a short piece and get feedback on that crucial story opening. In a form where every word counts, get tips on staying focused on your story and where to start the action. You’ll also look at submission opportunities; how to find them and where you should be sending your stories.

About Paul

Paul McVeigh’s debut novel ‘The Good Son’ is currently Brighton’s City Reads and was shortlisted for the Guardian’s ‘Not the Booker Prize’. His short fiction has been published in journals and anthologies and been commissioned by BBC Radio 4. He has read his work for BBC Radio 5, the International Conference on the Short Story in Vienna, Belfast Book Festival, Wroclaw Short Story Festival and Cork International Short Story Festival the last 2 years. He has represented short stories in the UK for The British Council in Mexico and Turkey.

Paul’s short story blog shares writing opportunities and advice has had over 1 1/4 million hits.

Paul is co-founder of London Short Story Festival and Associate Director at Word Factory, the UK’s leading short story literary salon. He is also been a reader and judge for national and international short story competitions. Completely Novel says that Paul is one of the 8 resources that will help you write a prize-winning short story.

Reviews for his writing:

“Heartbreaking..gripping” The Guardian

“A work of genius.” Pulizter Prize-winning short story writer Robert Olen Butler.

“Absolutely loved it.” Jackie Kay

“Incredibly moving; poignant but utterly real, funny and beautifully observant.” BBC Radio 4

“Paul McVeigh’s story stands out. Funny, moving, poignant. Brilliant.” Metro Newspaper

Comments for this class:

“Practical, insightful application of knowledge to writing.”
“Fantastic! Practical, targeted advice like this is wonderful!”
“This was my fav course yet! Informative, entertaining, and engaging. Hard to beat!”

This class has sold out in Bath, Belfast, Brighton, Cork, London and Melbourne.

PaulMcVeigh short story

FREE short story writing workshops for all

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White Rabbit’s Bernadette Russell is Deptford’s writer in residence, and as part of this post is holding a series of free short story writing workshops throughout April at various libraries in South East London, plus a storytelling tea party.

Old Deptford

Old Deptford

“If you live in Deptford and love it, if you have never been but would like to , if you’re a bit wary of it and think it might be somewhere near Kent (it’s not) .. come along and find out more about our urban myths including: the dog who spoke in a French accent, a poet whose day job involved international espionage, the man who sold songbirds on the market who disappeared one day: the toshers and mudlarks, dolly birds and dandies, revolutionaries and rebels that populate and haunt our SE8. If you’d like to start your own short story to add to ours, have some cake and tea, this is the workshop for you. “

“We Are Deptford”

Free writing workshops (and tea party) for all!

10.30-12 midday- short story writing workshop with tea and cake (16+)

 1pm-5pm- drop in sessions to create a guide book for Deptford- see your words and images in print (all ages)

 Dates and locations:

Sat 9th April

Pepys Community Library

Deptford Strand

SE8 3BA

020 8691 3146

Sat 16th April

Deptford Lounge

9 Giffin Street

SE8 4RJ

020 8314 7299

Sat 23rd April

New Cross Library

283 285 New Cross Road

SE14 6AS

020 8469 0532

Sat 21st May 4pm-7pm

Also at New Cross Library

FREE “We Are Deptford” tea party and storytelling cabaret.

This will be a chance to hear some of the stories written by adults and children about Deptford past, present and yet to come. Plus there’ll be delicious cakes, tea and other treats, a Deptford Quiz with prizes, beautiful visuals and many more surprises to be announced.

New Deptford

New Deptford

Want to submit a story about Deptford but can’t make the dates?

please email Bernadette here by 7th May with stories of around 1000 words for a chance to be part of the show

WeAreDeptford@hotmail.com

 Twitter @betterussell

 

 

Arvon Short Story Courses 2016

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Intense, challenging, funny, beautiful; despite their diminutive size, the best short stories linger long beyond the final line. Arvon, renowned for its residential creative writing courses in countryside locations, is offering a series of 5 day residential short story courses in both Devon and Shropshire. From unpacking the transporting nature of stories to understanding the literary history of this genre through to learning how to craft technically proficient yet imaginative narratives and collections, our short story programme offers opportunities and inspiration to both the new and the more experienced writer. Pioneering this year is also a Flash Fiction course. Tutors include Comma Press editor Jim Hinks, short story writers Tania Hershman, David Swann and Tod Wodicka. Grants are available to help with course fees. More info here

‘That Killer First Page’ Submitting to Journals and Competitions.

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‘That Killer First Page’ Submitting to Journals and Competitions in conjunction with Waterstones Piccadilly, London, November 7th 11am-5pm.  Get your tickets here.

This class has sold out in Bath, Belfast, Brighton, Cork, London and Melbourne.

 

Content

You’ll find out what competition judges and journal editors look for in a short story and how to avoid the rejection pile. You’ll write a short piece and get feedback on that crucial story opening. In a form where every word counts, get tips on staying focused on your story and where to start the action. You’ll also look at submission opportunities; how to find them and where you should be sending your stories.

 

About Paul

Paul McVeigh’s debut novel ‘The Good Son’ is currently shortlisted for The Guardian’s ‘Not the Booker Prize’. His short fiction has been published in journals and anthologies and been commissioned by BBC Radio 4. He has read his work for BBC Radio 5, the International Conference on the Short Story in Vienna, Belfast Book Festival, Wroclaw Short Story Festival and Cork International Short Story Festival the last 2 years.

Paul’s short story blog shares writing opportunities and advice and gets 40,000 hits a month internationally. He’s interviewed short story masters like Kevin Barry, Cate Kennedy and George Saunders. Paul is co-founder of London Short Story Festival and Associate Director at Word Factory, the UK’s leading short story literary salon. He is also been a reader and judge for national and international short story competitions. Completely Novel says that Paul is one of the 8 resources that will help you write a prize-winning short story.

Reviews for his writing:

“Heartbreaking… gripping” The Guardian

“A work of genius” Pulizter Prize-winning short story writer Robert Olen Butler.

“Absolutely loved it. The voice of that story so arresting.” Jackie Kay

“Beautiful and very moving.” Booker shortlisted Alison Moore
“Its such a clever story, gentle, poignant, emotionally straight as a dart.” Vanessa Gebbie
“(one of) Ireland’s most exciting and talented writers.  Incredibly moving; poignant but utterly real, funny and beautifully observant.” BBC Radio 4
“Paul McVeigh’s story stands out. Funny, moving, poignant. Brilliant.” Metro Newspaper

This event was first run in Melbourne for Writers Victoria and sold out in record time. Comments for this class:

“Practical, insightful application of knowledge to writing.”
“Fantastic! Practical, targeted advice like this is wonderful!”
“This was my fav course yet! Informative, entertaining, and engaging. Hard to beat!”

Places are limited to 20.

PaulMcVeigh short story

 

 

Ethel Rohan’s Brilliance of Brevity Workshop

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Photo by Eva Stoyanov

Photo by Eva Stoyanov

San Francisco-based Irish writer, Ethel Rohan, with teach a “Brilliance of Brevity” writing workshop in both fiction and non-fiction as part of the upcoming Abroad Writers’ Conference. Three afternoons, December 14-16, 2015, at Butler’s Townhouse, Ballsbridge, Dublin. All levels welcome.

Conference participants also include luminaries John Banville, Kevin Barry, John Boyne, Mary Costello, Medbh McGuckian, and many more. Jeff Kleinman, literary agent, Folio Literary Management, Declan Meade, Founder, The Stinging Fly Magazine and Press, and Leah Maines, Director, Finishing Line Press, will also be in attendance.

To register for Ethel Rohan’s workshop please contact Conference Director, Nancy Gerbault: nancygerbault at gmail.com or contact Ethel directly: ethelrohan at gmail.com.

StorySLAM:Live – Performance Skills with Nick Field, Thursday 17 September

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Delivering a story to a live audience isn’t simply about reading words from a page.

Spread the Word writer development agency teams up with London StorySLAM:Live to offer a new series of flash fiction and performance classes, aimed at helping you create a fantastic story for our regular StorySLAM:Live events.

Gain a greater awareness of your physicality on stage, develop performance skills and improve the live delivery of your work at this workshop.

Prepare your story for a reading at the next London StorySLAM:Live event on Thursday 1 October, Sunley Pavilion at Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre @ 7pm.  The theme is ‘Shining’.

For ages 16+

Book Tickets Now For The StorySLAM:Live Writer’s Workshop (17 September)

Book Tickets Now For The StorySLAM:Live Event – Theme ‘Shining’  (01 October)

 

Focus on Fiction short course starts in London SE16 Sept 28th

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The new Focus on Fiction Course starts at the Brunel Museum, Rotherhithe (near the station) London Se16 on September 28th. Booking deadline Sept 21st. This is an established fortnightly six session course on Monday evenings giving a good grounding in fiction skills. Small group with an emphasis on feedback and support. Suits both newcomers and those with some experience. Cost £95, concessions negotiable. Many happy graduates working on new projects! If you’d like full information just email alisonboydclayburn@hotmail.co.uk

That Killer First Page

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Paul McVeigh’s coming to Bath on Saturday afternoon, October 17th, to run his popular That Killer First Page workshop. Bath Short Story Award is hosting the three-hour event which will take place in Bath Central Library from 1.45 pm – 4.45 pm.  Cost:  £40.  Only 5 places left. Book  via paypal or card on bathshortstoryaward.co.uk

Paul McVeigh’s short fiction has been published in journals and anthologies and been commissioned by BBC Radio 4. He is co-founder of the London Short Story Festival, Associate Director at the Word Factory and judge for national and international short story competitions. His debut novel, The Good Son is shortlisted for the Guardian Not the Booker Prize.

So why not get ready for the next round of big short story competitions and magazine submission windows and find out what competition judges and journal editors look for in a short story? You’ll get tips on staying focused, where to start the action and how to write with emotional impact. Then you’ll have a go at writing an opening and get brief feedback from Paul. You’ll also look at submission opportunities; how to find them and where you should be sending your short stories.

Bath Short Story Award is also hosting an evening of readings the same day, Saturday October 17th, 7.30pm -10.00 pm at St James Wine Vaults Bath, with Paul and thriller writer Sarah Hilary reading extracts from their novels and short story writer and poet Tania Hershman, who will give us a first look inside the new anthology she co-edited with Pippa Goldschmidt of short stories inspired by Einstein’s Theory of General Relativity, ‘I am because you are’, to be published in September by Freight Books.

Only £3. Numbers limited so book in advance on bathshortstoryaward.co.uk via paypal

Short Story Workshop with Sean Preston, Editor of Open Pen Magazine, Mon Aug 10th, London.

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How you begin your short story goes a long way when submitting work to journals/magazines and entering competitions, so we’ve invited in Sean Preston, editor and publisher of Open Pen Magazine, to offer us his tips and guidance.

You don’t need to submit to attend this workshop, but if you send us your first 500 words of a short story by 7th August, your submission is guaranteed a review by Sean!

After individually reading your submission, Sean will then present notes on each one and tell us why they really work for him, but also how they might be improved. Feedback, folks! How novel.

If you miss the submission deadline to Sean, don’t despair, this session will still deliver plenty of general advice on how to open your next story (or edit a previous!).

Buy tickets and submission details.

This is a great opportunity to get pro feedback, so don’t be shy!

Write & Shine – early morning writing classes

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Start your day with a burst of creativity! Write & Shine are new morning writing workshops that fits around your busy lifestyle and meditates on the inspirational power of the morning. Writer and lover of short stories Gemma Seltzer will guide you through morning-themed exercises to create new pieces of poetry, flash fiction or life writing.
This class is open to everyone; whether you’re new to writing or have some experience.Next sessions:

JW3, Finchley Road, London.
7.30-9am on 7 July, 11 August, 3 September 2015.
£18 per session. Book here.
More dates and venues coming soon. Further information available on http://write-and-shine.com and Facebook, too.

Live, laugh and learn with fellow writers at this year’s Swanwick Writers’ Summer School

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Eight years ago, having finally taken steps to fulfil my ambition of writing (creatively – rather than for articles about tax!) by joining my local writers’ group, I was persuaded to attend The Writers’ Summer School. What an amazing experience! To be surrounded by fellow writers and immerse myself in writing and learning about writing – from putting words on paper to publishing the finished work – was  life-changing. I’ve been back every year since – and have seen my own short stories published and achieve success in competitions. I’m so impressed by Swanwick and what it does for writers that I’ve also volunteered for the committee which organises the school (a charitable, not commercial, organisation)!

Now in its 67th year, Swanwick (as we call it for short) is a week-long programme for writers of all ages, abilities and genres featuring courses, workshops, panels and one-to-one sessions. This year’s school will be held between 8 and 14 August 2015, as always in the beautiful Derbyshire countryside at The Hayes Conference Centre at Swanwick. All courses, lectures, talks, workshops, entertainment  and full board accommodation are included from just £440 plus day and part-time attendance is available (credit card booking is available). This year’s inspirational guest speakers include Simon Brett, winner of the 2014 Crime Writers’ Association Diamond Dagger, and Della Galton, novelist, short-story expert and writers’ agony aunt.

Short story courses for 2015 include A Twist In The Tale by Linda Lewis and Writing For Magazines by Della Galton but there are plenty of courses for other aspects of writing too (novel writing, poetry, writing for children, scriptwriting etc).

For programme information and a booking form visit the website at  www.swanwickwritersschool.org.uk. Booking forms can also be obtained by emailing ‘secretary@swanwickwritersschool.org.uk’ or calling 07765 890 733.

I hope to see you there!

Cathy Grimmer

Focus On Fiction course at Brunel Museum starts April 13th

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From Alison Clayburn, writing tutor: The summer run of the successful Focus on Fiction course at the Brunel Museum (near Rotherhithe Station SE16) will be starting on Monday April 13th. Sessions are fortnightly (more or less, May bank holidays make a blip) in a run of six. Booking deadline is April 9th.  Sessions are fortnightly 7-9.30pm and the cost is £95.00…

I’ve been running local courses in this fascinating area of London for five years now. I specialise in short fiction, poetry and Writing for Self Discovery, with a small group, holistic approach. You’ll find more information on all my Rotherhithe courses on Facebook.

Social Media for Writers & That Killer First Page – Submitting to Competitions and Journals, London & Belfast

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Social Media Masterclass for Writers with Paul McVeigh – 1st March

750,000 PEOPLE CAN’T BE WRONG A SOCIAL MEDIA MASTERCLASS FOR WRITERS

Led by Paul McVeigh, The Society Club, London, is pleased to host 750,000 PEOPLE CAN’T BE WRONG: A Social Media Masterclass for Writers.

Paul McVeigh will be discussing how social media is transforming the way writers communicate with each other, the industry and readers. From Facebook to Twitter, blogs to websites, having a social media presence is becoming more and more essential for writers at all levels. Paul’s blog has reached more than 750,000 people and through his efforts in social media, has led directly to becoming Associate Director at Word Factory, Director of the London Short Story Festival and his reading on Radio 5. His debut novel, The Good Son, will be published by Salt Publishing in April 2015

Paul McVeigh will explore how to improve your social media profile, plan more effective strategies and better connect with your audience and readers.

This is the class if you are looking to improve your social media profile, enhance the effectiveness of your current activity, grow your online audience or are new to social media and looking to get started.

WHEN: Sunday, March 1st, 2015
TIME: 1pm-6pm
COST: £95+VAT
WHERE: The Society Club, 12 Ingestre Place, Soho, London W1F0JF

Space is limited, please reserve your place now. Email george@thesocietyclub.com

 

That Killer First Page – Submitting to Competitions and Journals March 8th

Crescent Arts Centre, 2-4 University Road, Belfast. BT7 1NH.

March 8th. 11am-4pm. Tickets http://bit.ly/1DL7WcX

You’ll find out what competition judges and journal editors look for in a short story and how to avoid the rejection pile. You’ll write a short piece and get feedback on that crucial story opening. In a form where every word counts, get tips on staying focused on your story and where to start the action. You’ll also look at submission opportunities; how to find them and where you should be sending your stories.

Focus:
How to get the attention of competition judges and editors
Writing fiction with emotional impact
Writing that killer first page
How to edit your story
Where to send your work

Paul McVeigh’s short fiction has been published in journals and anthologies and been commissioned by BBC Radio 4. He has read his work for BBC Radio 5, at the International Conference on the Short Story in Vienna, Belfast Book Festival and the Cork International Short Story Festival.

Reviews for his writing:
“Absolutely loved it. The voice of that story is so arresting.” Jackie Kay
“Beautiful and very moving.” Booker shortlisted Alison Moore
“How moving and stunning that story is. It’s so raw and incredibly human.” Costa shortlisted Jess Richards
“Its such a clever story, gentle, poignant, emotionally straight as a dart.” Vanessa Gebbie
“(one of) Ireland’s most exciting and talented writers.  Incredibly moving; poignant but utterly real, funny and beautifully observant.” BBC Radio 4
“Paul McVeigh’s story stands out. Funny, moving, poignant. Brilliant.” Metro Newspaper

Paul’s short story blog shares writing opportunities and advice and gets 40,000 hits a month internationally. He’s interviewed short story masters like Kevin Barry, Cate Kennedy and George Saunders and upcoming Laura van den Berg and Elizabeth McCrackin.

Paul is Director of London Short Story Festival and Creative Director at Word Factory, the UK’s leading short story literary salon. He is a reader and judge for national and international short story competitions.

This event sold out in Melbourne at Writers Victoria and Waterstones Piccadilly, London.

Comments on this class:

“Fantastic! Practical, targeted advice like this is wonderful!”
“This was my fav course yet! Informative, entertaining, and engaging. Hard to beat.”

“I emerged from the sleepy hamlet of my writing infancy last Saturday and was sky-rocketed, hurricaned, tsunamied, autobahned and g-forced out of my head by Paul McVeigh’s “That Killer First Page” Masterclass at Waterstones, Piccadilly. He’s on top of his game, gives instinctive, constructive criticism and in a few short hours, had conveyed the essence of how to make a story compelling and unputdownable from the first few lines. Not for the faint hearted – the pace is relentless – but get on one of his courses if you can.”

Paul’s debut novel ‘The Good Son’ is out with Salt Publishing in April.

‘A work of genius…’ Pulitzer Prize-winning Robert Olen Butler

‘Outstanding.’ Granta Best Young Novelist Toby Litt

‘I was blown away… A wildly important new talent.’ Laura van den Berg

‘One of those characters you believe in with all your heart.’ Booker shortlisted Alison Moore

‘Establishes McVeigh as an important new Irish voice.’ Lucy Caldwell

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