Via Pulp Net, the "online home of new fiction":
Debate: Creative Writing courses - pain or gain? At the Guardian Newsroom (London) on Wed 21 May, 6.45 p.m. More details here. "How useful are writing courses to writers as they start out in the profession? The last decade or so has seen an explosion of courses in creative writing, and lots of aspiring writers seem to think it is the surest route to publication. But how many people does this really work for? And can creativity ever be 'taught'? Julia Bell and Marion Urch, both novelists as well as respectively a teacher and a writing mentor, are joined by author and University of East Anglia alumnus Toby Litt, and Drew Gummerson who has never done an MA but whose second novel is coming out with Cape." Debate chaired by Aoi Matsushima.
The new issue of Pulp Net also features new short fiction from Mark Piggott, Sarah Butler and Joseph Ridgwell; author Sarah Salway's top ten literary bests; reviews; and news of LitCamp, a writers' "unconference" (a currently very trendy format) to be held in London on 12-13 September: "a place for writers to meet, talk, and share ideas and experience. Over the course of two days you’ll meet publishers, agents and other writers in an informal setting. The focus is on participation. Sessions will be full of practical information and advice that will help you move your writing forward."
Debate: Creative Writing courses - pain or gain? At the Guardian Newsroom (London) on Wed 21 May, 6.45 p.m. More details here. "How useful are writing courses to writers as they start out in the profession? The last decade or so has seen an explosion of courses in creative writing, and lots of aspiring writers seem to think it is the surest route to publication. But how many people does this really work for? And can creativity ever be 'taught'? Julia Bell and Marion Urch, both novelists as well as respectively a teacher and a writing mentor, are joined by author and University of East Anglia alumnus Toby Litt, and Drew Gummerson who has never done an MA but whose second novel is coming out with Cape." Debate chaired by Aoi Matsushima.
The new issue of Pulp Net also features new short fiction from Mark Piggott, Sarah Butler and Joseph Ridgwell; author Sarah Salway's top ten literary bests; reviews; and news of LitCamp, a writers' "unconference" (a currently very trendy format) to be held in London on 12-13 September: "a place for writers to meet, talk, and share ideas and experience. Over the course of two days you’ll meet publishers, agents and other writers in an informal setting. The focus is on participation. Sessions will be full of practical information and advice that will help you move your writing forward."
I believe an already decent scribbler can learn a lot about the craft through coursework taught by productive writers - provided the budding creator is looking for genuine criticism and not just praise. Developing the skills seems to be only the first step if one seeks publication, however, and in many ways the most predictable. Getting the right opportunity and making good contacts with publishing professionals is perhaps the hardest part. Unless you already have an inside track, being noticed is all about perseverance combined with luck - - and having a marketable product (whether artistically satisfying or otherwise). So the LitCamp is perhaps the more important reference here.
Posted by: James Aach | 16 May 2008 at 19:00