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Writing for Young People - Writing Workshop

Short course

    Whether you’re starting a new writing project or finishing a manuscript, this ten week Writing Workshop supports you in refining your craft and strengthening your writing practice.

    • Develop your manuscript or start something new.
    • Find community and inspiration in a supportive workshop environment.
    • Improve your craft and finish your manuscript over ten weeks.

    In this Writing Workshop you’ll learn about different forms of writing for young people, from different ages and stages to a variety of styles, genres and forms.

    Over ten weeks you’ll learn alongside a small group of other writers as you develop and refine your craft within the supportive environment of the workshop. These workshops will comprise eight writers and one tutor per class. 

    With weekly writing prompts to refresh and inspire you, you’ll be supported to start a new project, experiment with voice/style/genre, or finish a manuscript you're already working on.

    This course is ideal for those who already have an MA in Creative Writing or are already experienced writers.

    “Writing can be a solitary activity. This new short course is designed to provide the structure, support and creative nourishment that keeps writers inspired, growing and most importantly writing."

    Lucy Cuthew, Lecturer, MA Writing for Young People

    Overview

    What you'll do

    You’ll take part in a series of two hour workshops, where you’ll be encouraged to experiment widely in writing for young people. This is the ideal time and space to ‘play’ and take risks with your work, recognising that success often comes only after practice and failure. 

    As well as engaging with writing exercises and homework prompts, you’ll have opportunities to work on a longer-term project. Throughout the course you’ll receive detailed input through close discussion of your work and the work of your peers.

    You should aim to write around 2,000 words per week for the course. Every other week you‘ll present 1,500 words to be workshopped at the next seminar. Each week, you’ll read, annotate and feed back on your peers’ work.

    At the end of the course, you'll submit 5,000 words to your tutor. This might be the first couple of chapters of your novel, some key scenes from your work-in-progress, or a portfolio containing a selection of pieces. This course is non-credit bearing; as such, this hand-in isn't mandatory. Work handed in won't be graded, but your tutor will provide you with a written feedback report.

    Location

    This course takes place online.

    Dates and times

    The next course starts:

    • 12 September for ten weeks, Thursdays 5pm-7pm. There will be a pause for October half term.
    Cost

    This short course costs £295 per person.

    What to bring

    You’ll need a laptop, pen and paper for this short course.

    Meet the team

    This course will be taught by Lucy Cuthew, who is the author of over thirty books for children. She has an MPhil in Children's Literature and worked in children's publishing as an editor for fifteen years.

    Her debut novel BLOOD MOON was nominated for the 2021 CILIP Carnegie Medal, won the 2021 Amazing Book Awards, and was shortlisted for the Bath Children's Novel Award in 2019. She speaks regularly on the BBC about children’s books.

    Terms and conditions

    Read the terms and conditions for taking part in this short course.

    Contact us

    If you'd like a bespoke course created for your company, would like to attend but can't make the dates listed above or have any queries, please contact us on shortcourses@bathspa.ac.uk .

    Website feedback to web@bathspa.ac.uk