Spring & Summer Courses and Workshops
Here are our courses and workshops for March, April, May and June. If you are on a computer, you can use the menu on the right-hand side to jump to the courses you want to look at. If you are on a phone or tablet, happy scrolling!
EXPLORING FICTION
EXPLORING FICTION is suitable for anyone who is already motivated to write, but keen to stretch their writing muscles. These workshop-format sessions aim to deepen your understanding of how fiction works through the traditional method of close reading– a.k.a. learning from the best. Using extracts, we focus on an aspect of writing technique such as point of view, voice, character etc. Kate guides you in the analysis of a relevant text which will be provided in advance and discuss how this writing can inform your own work.
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The class also provide regular feedback on your own work, as well as the encouragement, support and stimulation of a varied group of writers from around the world. Every other week, you submit 700-1,000 words over the weekend before a session. Kate then guides the non-submitting writers in giving their feedback on your work in the first part of the session.
DATES: Weekly starts 20th April
TIME: 6pm - 8pm
DURATION: 6 weeks
LOCATION: Online via ZOOM
COSTS: £150 discounted rate if full course fee paid in advance, or £30 per session. PLUS opt in at any point for written feedback from Kate (approx.150-200 words) on your response to a task (up to 700 words) for an additional £15. Keyworker 10% discount. One discounted place for disadvantaged writers, please contact Kate for details. 10% of any profit to be split between Carers UK and Women’s Aid.
TUTOR: Kate Worsley (Find out more about Kate here).
HOW TO BOOK: Contact Kate
"May I take this opportunity to say how very much I enjoyed the first course. Katie did this brilliantly making it interesting, fun to do, thought provoking, engaging the whole group excellently."
STEP-UP MICRO
For those who've previously attended Helen's courses and for experienced writers who'd like to experiment with short-form writing.
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We'll do writing exercises and games, write to a variety of prompts and encourage each other to develop and polish tiny pieces. Email feedback will be provided following each session.
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TIME: 4.30 pm - 5 pm
DURATION: Fridays 20th and 27th May, and then Fridays 10th and 17th June.
LOCATION: Online via ZOOM
COSTS: Pay per session £20. Paid in advance on a session-by-session basis.
TUTOR: Helen Chambers (Find out more about Helen here).
HOW TO BOOK: Contact Helen
"the sessions have been extremely enlightening"
MICRO-FICTION FOR BEGINNERS
This introductory four-week bite-sized course aims to teach the basic skills in constructing a tiny story - a whole world in 100 words or fewer! Learn how to make every single word work hard to earn its place in your pieces. Learn how to edit, streamline and improve your ideas and receive expert feedback and build community, skills and confidence by sharing your work with your peers. After four weeks you’ll have a neat selection of ‘little’ stories with big impact, which you can develop further.
DATES: Wednesdays 2nd, 9th, 16th and 23rd March 2022
TIME: 4.30 - 5pm
DURATION: 4 weeks
LOCATION: Online via ZOOM
COSTS: £50
TUTOR: Helen Chambers (Find out more about Helen here)
HOW TO BOOK: Contact Helen
The set up of the microfiction course was efficient, the timing prompt and well managed. Homework was potentially demanding but the comments that came back from Helen were invaluable. Her responses were considerate, thoughtful and instructive.
BOOK WRITERS GROUP
PLACES AVAILABLE. JOIN AT ANY TIME.
This is a rare opportunity to join one of Petra's focused book writing support groups. You must either be undertaking a long-term project or be working regularly on shorter fiction, creative nonfiction, or poetry.
Each week members of the class send each other up to 1000 words to be reviewed by each other and the tutor. The workshop then takes the form of positive feedback and areas for improvement. Occasionally Petra will run a skills workshop where she feels the group as a whole will benefit.
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We are looking for committed writers only as the work is time-intensive for students and the teacher. There will be a maximum of eight students.
DATES: Mondays throughout the year - please contact for more details.
TIME: 3pm - 5pm
DURATION: 6 weeks
LOCATION: Online via ZOOM
COSTS: £150
TUTOR: Petra McQueen (Find out more about Petra here).
HOW TO BOOK: Contact Petra
"Petra McQueen is an extremely capable and knowledgeable team leader."
CRAFTING SHORT-FORM WRITING
A new series of four short, snappy sessions to stimulate new flash and micro pieces. Each session we’ll begin by analysing ‘what’s worked’ in a published piece of writing, before writing from a range of prompts. An opportunity for those who’ve already taken some of Helen’s previous Micro courses to polish technical and editing skills and create some new flash and micro pieces.
DATES: Wednesday 4th May, Wednesday 18th May and then Wednesdays 8th and 15th June.
TIME: 11.30am - midday
DURATION: 4 weeks
LOCATION: Online via ZOOM
COSTS: £50
TUTOR: Helen Chambers (Find out more about Helen here)
HOW TO BOOK: Contact Helen
"You certainly got my brain ticking"
STEP UP CREATIVE WRITING
This group is a follow-on from Beginners Creative writing and is open to anyone who feels they have started their journey but would like to reinforce their skills and have the support of a like-minded community.
This small, friendly class will give you the skills and confidence to tackle the blank page. We will be looking at techniques such as 'show not tell', plot, theme, dialogue, setting and character. You will be encouraged to share your work and will gain insights into what makes your writing unique and how to improve.
DATES: from Tuesday 19th April
TIME: 7pm - 8.30pm
DURATION: 10 weeks (with a break for half-term on 31st May)
LOCATION: Online via ZOOM
COSTS: £250
TUTOR: Petra McQueen (Find out more about Petra here).
HOW TO BOOK: Contact Petra
"I've learnt so much from coming to these classes; they never fail to inspire and excite me."
EXPLORE YOUR PRACTICE
These face-to-face workshops will allow you to explore your own practice by taking inspiration from other writers and artists. Each week we will take a new topic and explore it through close reading of other authors and then create our own pieces of writing. By the end of the session, you will have done at least two pieces of new writing and will have an optional task to complete before the following week. At least half an hour of each session will be dedicated to giving feedback.
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You will grow as a writer and be part of a new writing community.
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TIME: Tuesdays 10am - 12pm
DATES: 5 weeks 26th April - 24th May
LOCATION: Face-to-face Wivenhoe private house (exact ocation released on booking)
COSTS: £125
TUTOR: Petra McQueen. Find out more about Petra here.
HOW TO BOOK: email Petra
"This course has been very enjoyable and I have learned a great deal about how I write and how I think about writing. Petra's style is relaxed but the lessons are very focused and relevant."
SPRING SHOOTS, AND LEAVES – THE WRITING SESSIONS MARCH 2022
Liz Ferretti’s Writing Sessions are a tried-and-tested format – to get you motivated and writing. During March, the focus is on growth.
What’s it all about?
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15 minutes of warm-up exercises
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40 minutes of writing time, for guaranteed productivity
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15 minutes of consolidation exercises
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Maximum 6 participants. This is time for you, so we share ideas not our writing
What else do you get?
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2 x critical feedback (submissions of up to 1000 words each – the first after week 1, second after week 4)
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FREE! workbook after each class
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A short guide to keeping a reflective journal
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Writer’s surgery – focussed problem solving
DAY AND TIME OF CLASSES: Tuesdays 19.00–20.15
DURATION: MARCH 2022 1 month = 4 classes
DATES: 8 March, 15 March, 22 March, 29 March
LOCATION: online (via Google Meet, you will be sent a link. Google Meet is free but you need to log in if you don’t have a Google account)
TUTOR: Liz Ferretti
HOW TO BOOK: www.writerrevealed.co.uk, for more detailed course info, email Liz at info@writerrevealed.co.uk
‘Practical and Inspiring’
SETTING YOURSELF UP FOR SUCCESS – THE WRITING SESSIONS APRIL 2022
Liz Ferretti’s Writing Sessions are a tried-and-tested format – to get you motivated and writing. During April, the focus is on strong foundations.
What’s it all about?
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15 minutes of warm-up exercises
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40 minutes of writing time, for guaranteed productivity
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15 minutes of consolidation exercises
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Maximum 6 participants. This is time for you, so we share ideas not our writing
What else do you get?
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2 x critical feedback (submissions of up to 1000 words each – the first after week 1, second after week 4)
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FREE! workbook after each class
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A short guide to keeping a reflective journal
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Writer’s surgery – focussed problem solving
DAY AND TIME OF CLASSES: Tuesdays 19.00–20.15
DURATION: APRIL 2022 1 month = 4 classes
DATES: 5 April, 12 April, 19 April, 26 April
LOCATION: online (via Google Meet, you will be sent a link. Google Meet is free but you need to log in if you don’t have a Google account)
TUTOR: Liz Ferretti
HOW TO BOOK: www.writerrevealed.co.uk, for more detailed course info email Liz at info@writerrevealed.co.uk
‘Lots of motivation to get writing’
BUILDING RESILIENCE – THE WRITING SESSIONS MAY 2022
Liz Ferretti’s Writing Sessions are a tried-and-tested format – to get you motivated and writing. During May, the focus is on strength and resilience.
What’s it all about?
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15 minutes of warm-up exercises
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40 minutes of writing time, for guaranteed productivity
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15 minutes of consolidation exercises
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Maximum 6 participants. This is time for you, so we share ideas not our writing
What else do you get?
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2 x critical feedback (submissions of up to 1000 words each – the first after week 1, second after week 4)
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FREE! workbook after each class
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A short guide to keeping a reflective journal
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Writer’s surgery – focussed problem solving
DAY AND TIME OF CLASSES: Tuesdays 19.00–20.15
DURATION: MAY 2022 1 month = 4 classes
DATES: 3 May, 10 May, 17 May, 24 May
LOCATION: online (via Google Meet, you will be sent a link. Google Meet is free but you need to log in if you don’t have a Google account)
TUTOR: Liz Ferretti
HOW TO BOOK: www.writerrevealed.co.uk, for more detailed course info, email Liz at info@writerrevealed.co.uk
‘Making real progress!’
MONTHLY MONDAY MORNING POETRY WORKSHOP
Through monthly study/set homework on a new theme each session, and writing exercises aimed at developing your inner voice and observational artistry, you will gain skills in crafting your poetry, and editing your material with like-minded others.
By the end of this practical course, you will have written and edited a small collection of your own material, and you will have had the opportunity to explore a broad range of poetic themes and styles.
Feel free to drop in each month, or book a block of six.
The theme of the first workshop on January 17th is 'New Beginnings'. Poems for discussion are set for reading ahead of the workshop. Please feel free to bring any new beginnings related poems of your own!
DATES: 21st March,18th April,16th May, 20th June
TIME: 9:30am - 12:30pm
LOCATION: The Rose and Crown Pub, Wivenhoe Quay
COSTS: £18 per session/drop in, £100 for block of 6
TUTOR: Lelia Ferro
HOW TO BOOK: contact Lelia here.
"I totally enjoyed the course, such a different experience, different people and different craft to my norm. You have such a beautiful warmth and authenticity about you which comes through in the way you shared with, and lead, the group."
COACHING CIRCLE
Ready to take your writing of the ‘someday’ pile and make it happen?
Do you have a writing project that you would love to progress this spring/summer?
Are you struggling to prioritise it? Maybe it all feels a bit overwhelming? Or perhaps you’re a professional procrastinator?
What if you could have,
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a dedicated space each week to keep you motivated and on track.
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an experienced coach to help you move beyond your specific blocks.
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a community of like-minded women rooting for you.
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access to a new, GENTLE way of managing your time.
Arlene is running an online coaching programme for a small group of 5 women writers. You’ll create your own overall goal for the 3 months and break it down into stepping stone goals. Each session we’ll recap on progress and set realistic actions for the next two weeks. Along the way we’ll cover prioritisation, setting your day up to honour your writing, motivation, and dealing with limiting beliefs.
We’ll meet every two weeks for group coaching sessions. On the in-between week there is a check-in hour to help you stay motivated and on track. You also benefit from two 45 minutes one-to-one calls – one prior to the start of the programme (in April) and one during the programme.
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You can be at any stage of your writing journey, with any level of experience and working on any project. This is for you if you’re ready to take action, start knowing yourself as a writer who can and does, and believe it would be more fun doing so with others!
DATES: Mondays bi-weekly for 6 sessions: 9th May, 23rd May, 6th June, 20th June, 4th July, 18th July
TIME: 10am - 12pm
LOCATION: Online via ZOOM
COSTS: £450. You can pay in 4 instalments.
TUTOR: Arlene Francey Lyne
HOW TO BOOK: Email Arlene
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“If you have to choose one thing in 2022 to make your dream of being a writer real, choose this. Arlene will motivate and empower you beyond your wildest dreams. Writer’s block will become a distant memory and your fears and insecurities will take a back seat to make way for mind blowing action. I cannot recommend it highly enough.”
WRITING OUT INTO THE OPEN
During this writers retreat, we provide a reading to inspire you, a prompt to direct you, or you can share your own writing goal. Then we will write together, with some social time at the end to debrief, and, if we wish, share our work.
This course is suitable for anyone looking for regular, dedicated, quality, no-pressure time to write with optional prompts. For writers at all levels, from all backgrounds, anywhere in the world.
DATES: 19th March, 222nd April, 21st May, !8th June
TIME: 11 - 12.30pm
LOCATION: Online via ZOOM
COSTS: DROP IN £19 when you pay per session you attend (session payments cannot be carried over) or COMMIT Sign up for all 3 sessions and you access a further discount on the full fee if you play in advance: £45 Keyworker 10% discount. One discounted place for disadvantaged writers (if you think this could be you, please email us). 10% of any profit to be split between Carers UK and Refuge.
TUTOR: Kate Worsley (Find out more about Kate here).
HOW TO BOOK: Contact Kate
Kate is an excellent teacher and has facilitated some fascinating discussions. She is clearly very knowledgeable but also allows the students to discuss their own understanding, interpretations and opinions, before sharing the conventional wisdom. This has made for some really enjoyable classes.
That's all for now but don't forget to check back as we add courses all the time! Our Summer page is coming soon for our next set of courses, followed swiftly by our Winter page. Also, don't forget about our one-to-ones and manuscript assessment. We are here for every stage of your writing journey.