Writing At The Castle is 5 days of professional tuition and private writing time in the inspiring surroundings of a magnificent medieval Château in South West France. THE DATES FOR 2016 ARE SATURDAY 2nd JULY TO FRIDAY 8th JULY. The programme is in the process of being finalised, but we are delighted that Amanda Hodgkinson will be back this year and we will welcome author and creative writing teach
er Lynne Barrett-Lee. In 2015, Award-winning authors Amanda Hodgkinson and Tracey Warr, literary agent Andrew Lownie and publishing professionals including Jill Marsh (author and co-publisher at Triskele Books) and Anselm Audley, were among the speakers who led practical workshops. What to expect:
Writing At The Castle is for writers who wish to learn from those who have achieved published success and to benefit from connecting with other writers. There will be opportunities for trying out new techniques and re-examining existing ones, as well as for gaining practical knowledge and insights from professionals on the process of selecting, commissioning and publishing work, through the traditional literary agent/publisher route and through self-publishing. Plenty of time too for self-directed work among the ancient stones of a semi-ruined castle or in the rolling hills that surround it. Starlit evenings under one of Europe’s few remaining dark skies will make for a genial environment in which to get to know other writers, to enjoy readings voiced by an actor and for informal discussions with speakers. There will be a maximum of seven writers on this residential week. Each morning one of the tutors or speakers will lead a session, tailored to the Writing at the Castle audience and with the aim of providing practical guidance on both the craft of writing and the process of achieving publication. The workshop leaders will be joining writers for meals, where there will be ample opportunity for informal discussion, readings and other activities related to literature. Anonymous readings from writers’ work (not obligatory) are planned inside the castle ruins on the last day, voiced by an actor. In free time, we will organise “Pull up the drawbridge! Books for a siege” our version of desert island books… Writers will be invited to join in by selecting a personal choice of three books...
Most afternoons will be free for self-directed work in the grounds of the château or for walks in the beautiful countryside, which stretches out from the castle gates, or for swimming in the pool. An evening with local theatre troop OBRA Company at the Au Brana Centre is also planned. The working language is English.
