A Writers Retreat

Literature and Writing Courses at Farncombe

Our long-distant views over the Vale of Evesham are certain to aid inspiration. You may be looking to learn to write humour, fiction, a poem or a novel. Or you may just be looking to find your writer's voice and unleash your writing power! Whatever your goal, Farncombe has a wide range of writing courses including day courses and residential weekends to choose from.  

For more details on our Literature and Writing Courses please visit our website www.farncombecourses.co.uk

Our 2013 courses are now ready to book!

It’s the moment you’ve all been waiting for: the new Farncombe brochures are here!   Our 2013 programme has been designed and printed and – if you subscribe to the printed version – should soon appear on a door mat near you.

In the interests of being green, we do, of course, encourage you to visit the website or download our virtual brochure instead.  All our 2013 courses are now available to see online, along with background on our tutors, photographs of the venue in action and information about what it’s like to come on a Farncombe weekend.   Just visit www.farncombecourses.co.uk

We are excited to offer an extended range of faculties in 2013, with more Art weekends, extra  Languages and more History tutors than ever before.  You’ll also find some amazing new subjects like Bee-keeping, Pyrography, Meditation and Poetry.

We can’t wait to welcome you (back?) to our beautiful Farncombe Estate.  Call us on 0333 456 8580.

Summer Discount at Farncombe

Our Early Bird offer may have flown but we are pleased to offer you a 10% discount on selected summer courses at Farncombe!   Please quote FC0612 to claim this special discount. Bookings need to be made by phone - 0333 456 8580.

The following courses qualify:

Drawing for theTerrified (2 nights) 13 – 15 July

Richard Box will guide you on your first steps in creative drawing

Botanical BasicsPainting (2 nights) 13 – 15 July

Learn to use gouache or watercolour to illustrate botanical subjects, with artist Simon Williams

Digital PhotographyWeekend – Learn to use your Compact Digital Camera (2 nights) 20-22 July

Ban the auto button and take better pictures with the help of photographer Nick Meers

Blocks Galore forQuilts and More (4 nights) 22 – 26 July

Textile tutor Jennie Rayment will teach you the delights of textured twiddling!

The High Renaissancein Italy (3 nights) 5 – 8 August

Discover the important artists and patrons of 16^th Century Italy, with art historian Alice Foster

Novel Outline andBeyond (3 nights) 12 – 15 August

Pick up professional tips on developing a story and creating believable characters – with author Sue Johnson

Creative Writing courses in the Cotswolds

In the inspiring environment of Farncombe Estate - bring written words to life!

Our Creative Writing courses will help you develop your skills, gain a deeper appreciation or put a work and its author into their historical context.

Some weekends also include performance or theatre visits.

Click here for the full list of our Literature & Writing Courses in 2011 or call 033 3456 8580 for more details.

Faster Novel Writing Techniques - One Day Writing Workshop Farncombe Estate

Have you tried to write a novel and given up by Chapter Two? Have you often wondered how other writers manage to complete theirs in record time? Would you like to be one of them?

Join Sue Johnson for this one day course on 14 November - Sue will give some professional tips that will keep you motivated, banish writer’s block and help you achieve your goal. Sue is published as a poet and short story writer. She has completed five novels – three of which are currently with an agent.

Faster Novel Writing Techniques - Literature & Writing

New Local Writing hot off the press

WHAT IF?...
Local writers go to press with their new booklet of stories and poetry.

Stimulated by the writing challenges they faced while attending Sue Johnson's writing workshops at Number 8 Community Arts Centre in Pershore, eight writers set about putting a collection of their work together.

There was a lot of head scratching about deciding a theme for the booklet, how to ensure a variety of contributions and meeting deadlines for publication.

Now the booklet is hot off the press and contains thirteen stories and fifteen poems. Lots of big questions are there: What if I'm made whole again? What if I tell your fortune? What if we find love again?...and more.

Kathleen Fitzmaurice, a local writer from Harvington, was the driving force behind the project, editing the collection and getting it in to print.

The booklet is available to purchase now for £3.75, from Kathleen's web site www.rhymebydesign.com. Her site also offers a personalised poetry writing service and the opportunity for all rhyming poets out there to enter a three monthly rhyming poetry competition.

Copies are also available from another one of the eight out of 8 writers, Lisa Kimberley if you email lkimberley@hotmail.com

Sue Johnson's inspirational Writer's Toolkit classes start again at Number 8 on 10th September.

The group is donating 25% of the profit from this booklet to St Richard's Hospice, Worcestershire.

Aesthetica Annual Creative Works Competition now open for entries

Aesthetica Creative Works Competition 2010

Call for entries
Artwork l Poetry l Fiction
Win £500
plus other prizes

Art and culture magazine, Aesthetica, is inviting all artists, writers and poets to submit their work for the Aesthetica Creative Works Competition 2010.

Now in its third year, the Creative Works Competition is dedicated to celebrating and championing creative talent across three disciplines: 'Artwork & Photography', 'Poetry' and 'Fiction'.

Three winners, one from each category, will each receive £500 prize money and the winners and finalists will be published in the Creative Works Annual. Other prizes will also be available. Closing date: 31 August 2010.

For more information, visit
http://www.aestheticamagazine.com/submission_guide.htm

The Telegraph Ways with Words Festival of Words programme now available

The Programme for The Telegraph Ways With Words Festival of Words and Ideas is now available to download from the Ways With Words website. Dates: 9 - 19 July 2010

Free writing critique by Sue Johnson

Interesting settings sell stories! Sign up for the "Travellers Tales" writing course on 28 March and tutor/writer Sue will give you a free critique on a piece of work.


Travellers Tales: Write from Your Experience - Literature & Writing

Writing Competitions Calendar

The new site for Sally Quilford's popular competition calendar. Also features calendar of events, including festivals, workshops and other writing related events. All competitions are listed by closing date unless stated otherwise.

Visit http://www.writingcalendar.com.

The Writers' Clinic Short Story Competition 2010

Write a story in 1500 words on any theme

1st prize £100
2nd prize £50
3rd prize £25

Closing date: 31st May 2010

Entry fee, per story: £5.00

All entries should be double line spaced with just the title of your story on the top right of every page (stories will be judged anonymously). Also, pages should be numbered. Please include a cover page with your name, contact number/e-mail address, title of your story and word count. All entries will be returned if accompanied by a SAE.

Judges: Anita Andrews and Farncombe tutor Sue Johnson

Please send your entry to: Sue Johnson, 10 Woodward Close, Pershore, Worcs. WR10 1LP Enclose your full postal address and make cheques payable to Sue Johnson.

Sue offers a critique on entries- not a tick sheet - for an additional £5.00.

You can enter as many times as you wish at £5.00 per story. Good luck!

Details on the Competitions Page www.writers-clinic.webs.com

Magazine seeks new performance writers

The Welsh magazine “Blown”, based in South Wales, needs new performance writers for its arts and culture publication

"Blown Magazine", an arts and culture magazine based in Wales with an international outlook, is seeking writers to contribute to its coverage of ‘Performance’. Under the guidance of Performance Director, Richard Huw Morgan and Performance Editor, Sam Hasler, "Blown" will seek to investigate and interrogate the nature of, and representation of, ‘Performance’ in relation to the media and the general public/audiences. They are interested in developing an understanding of ‘Performance’ that incorporates the artistic, social and political practices of cultures in an inclusive and holistic way, rather than as a narrowly defined specialism.

They are currently establishing a pool of potential contributors, artists, writers and scholars to write for the bi-annual magazine and to establish an on-going relationship with our embryonic website, http://www.blownmag.com. If you are interested in contributing, please send examples of your work/writings and some information about yourself to performance@blownmag.com . Should you have any queries please contact Richard Huw Morgan at the above email link.

Over 60s urged to get creative

Booktrust believes that you’re never too old to get creative. It has just launched a new project, which aims to encourage the over 60s to engage in reading and creative writing. Named Bookbite, it will see pensioners experience the positive affects that creative writing can offer for emotional health and wellbeing.It is also hoped that older people, who rarely or never read books to engage more in reading and writing for pleasure, will start using the internet to access additional resources where and when possible. Well-known authors, poets and well known faces including Andrew Motion, Pam Ayres, Val McDermid, Sherrie Hewson and Mihir Bose have all contributed stories, poems and support to the project.Whatever your age, attending a creative writing course can be a fantastic way to meet new people and develop vital skills. Whether its poetry, novels or prose you’re into, get those creative juices flowing today!

www.booktrust.org.uk

Festival of Writing 2010

The Festival of Writing York 2010 will be Britain's biggest and best festival for the new writer. There'll be lots of bestselling authors there to spill their secrets - and loads of big name agents and publishers scouting for talent.

This is an amazing chance to meet top industry professionals face to face:
you can share a drink, pitch your work, and pick their brains.
Open for bookings now ...

but it's first come, first served, so please don't leave it too long.

Short Story Competition

Graffiti Magazine Short Story Competition Rules

1. Closing date 7th February 2010
2. Entries must be in English and be the writer’s own unpublished work. They must not be on offer for publication or entered in any other current competition..
3. Maximum length 1,000 words.
4. Each piece of work, with its title, must be in clear type on one side of A4 sheet(s). Details of the writer must not appear on this sheet.
5. The name and address of the writer and the titles of all entries should be typed on a separate sheet of A4 paper.
6. The prizewinner will be notified by post.
7. Entries are only accepted by post. Please keep a copy of your work, as entries will not be returned.
8. The fee is £2 per story. Cheques in sterling only, should be made payable to:
Catchword Writing Group
9. All entries that arrive on time will be considered by the adjudicator, whose decision is final. No correspondence will be entered into concerning the result.
10. Competitors wishing to be informed of the results should enclose an SAE marked ‘Results’ or provide an email address.

Writing East Midlands has a new look home page

Writing East Midlands supports, promotes and champions writing from the East Midlands to create opportunities for practicing writers and to discover new writers of quality.

Visit http://www.writingeastmidlands.co.uk for more details.

Writing Events Bath

Would any of your writers like to subscribe to our Writing Events Bath?

Next workshop is on Tuesday 2nd February at Mr. B's.

A workshop with novelist and short story writer DEBBY HOLT - so come and be Inspired, meet other writers and enjoy a glass of wine.

Debby Holt is the mother of five grown-up children, yes that’s right five!! and lives with her husband in Bath.

She has had over fifty short stories published in women's magazines and her fifth novel is coming out in January… Her novels are witty romantic and engaging and she inspired us, so we hope she inspires you…

For more details contact writingeventsbath@googlemail.com

Crysse Morrison's blog - Farncombe November 2009

my blog

Submit your script - an event for all writers

Come along to Open Page at One Alfred Place to hear early draft scripts in any media: Theatre, Film, TV, Radio- performed by actors cast on the spot. Guest chair and script authority Val Taylor will be guiding the feedback. Val is a director/ dramaturg/ writer/ development consultant for theatre, film, television and radio. This is the event for everyone. Writers can hear their script off the page and get informed feedback, producers and directors can meet promising writing and acting talent, and actors can perform at the cold reads and get involved with new projects at their inception.

If you’d like to submit your script:
Here’s the chance to test out your work before an informal crowd. We're looking for a good voice and great story, but the draft should still be in development and you should have an idea of what you want to work on. Send us a single Word file containing: your name and contact details, details of what you want to achieve from the workshop, a 20 minute excerpt, and a list of characters. Please title the file yournamedate.doc; eg arthurmiller091127.doc and send to http://www.stellarnetwork.com/webmail/src/compose.php?send_to=openpage%40stellarnetwork.com The deadline for entries is extended to New Year's day. We’ll let you know if you've been chosen by 10th January.

If you’d like to attend: Book at www.stellarnetwork.com/events/. Space is limited as we like to keep the sessions small and the debate lively! If you’re an actor email your spotlight/casting call pro number to us direct at http://www.stellarnetwork.com/webmail/src/compose.php?send_to=openpage%40stellarnetwork.com before registering as above.

When: 28th January 2010
Where: One Alfred Place, W1S 1HP
Cost: £10
Book: www.stellarnetwork.com/events/

Graffiti Short Story Competition - win £25

1. Closing date 7th February 2010.
2. Entries must be in English and be the writer’s own unpublished work.
They should not be on offer for publication, nor entered in any other
current competition.
3. The maximum length of your story should be 1,000 words.
4. Each piece of work, with its title, must be in clear type on one side of A4
sheet(s). Details of the writer must not appear on this sheet.
5. The name and address of the writer and the titles of all entries should
be typed on a separate sheet of A4 paper.
6. The prize-winner will be notified by post..
7. Entries are only accepted by post. Please keep a copy of your work, as
entries will not be returned.
8. The fee is £2 per story. Cheques in sterling only, should be made
payable to:
Catchword Writing Group
9. All entries that arrive on time will be considered by the adjudicator
whose decision is final. No correspondence will be entered into
concerning the result.
10. Competitors wishing to be informed of the results should enclose an
SAE marked ‘Results’ or an email address.
Send entries to:
Graffiti Magazine Writing competition
C/o 33 Sandford Leaze
Avening
Glos
GL8 8PB
Prize: £25 The winning entry will also be published in Graffiti.
Copies of the Issue 3 of Graffiti may be purchased for £2.50 each (which includes postage) from the above address. Previous issues available at £1.50 (which includes postage)
Cheques should be made out to Catchword Writing Group..