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NewBridge Writing Workshop
Deadline: Monday 13 January, 12 noon
This 10-week writing workshop is specifically for those who have not previously had a formal education or experience in writing (e.g. a university programme) but who are committed to developing their writing skills and also building an understanding of how to get published.
Led by the University of Sunderland’s Dr Alex Lockwood (author of the nonfiction book The Pig in Thin Air, and the 2019 novel The Chernobyl Privileges, shortlisted for The Rubery Prize) the programme will include a series of exercise-based workshops aimed at building confidence and a creative toolkit. Workshops will also look at the Working Class Writer’s Plan (developed by North East writer Carmen Marcus, in conjunction with the Bookseller magazine) to help those taking part build a community of contacts, fellow writers and performers in the North East and beyond. The aim is to give those who come from unconventional writing backgrounds the opportunities that those with formal educations often take for granted.
There are a maximum of 13 places available so please book in advance. A fully refundable deposit of £10 is asked for, as we expect a high demand for this FREE course.
An example of the kind of person this workshop is for:
“Hi I’m Mike, I left school at 14 to work in a butcher’s shop. I’ve spent my whole life as a boiler fitter. I never went to university. I live in Gateshead, and when I retired and all my kids had grown up, I found myself with lots of time and a passion for telling stories and writing music. I’ve never had training in writing but I care about climate change and wanted to say something about it. So I started writing, but didn’t know how to get published. Getting involved with New Bridge Project and working with Alex has allowed me to develop my skills, and I now have a book – Planet Breeders – published with New Bridge. This workshop can help you too.”
To apply for one of the workshop places, you’ll need:
- A good grasp of the English language
- A desire to learn not only how to write, but to identify as a writer
- A commitment to attending all or most of the sessions, every Monday at 5.30pm for 10 weeks
- A commitment to producing one piece of finished work for the celebration in April 2020
To apply please email us on applications@thenewbridgeproject.com with a paragraph or two about why you’d like to take part, and how many sessions you can attend. We will then be in touch for payment of the deposit.
Image: selection of publications from NewBridge Books, featuring work by Matthias Andersson, Iris Van Herpen and Richard Roberts
