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Writers Workshops

We're pleased to offer three types of writers workshop starting this September. All take place at our bright and airy workshop space in the heart of the Trinity Triangle (two doors down from the brilliant The Hastings Bookshop), and a welcoming and supportive atmosphere is guaranteed. You can read some of the very nice things previous and existing members have said about the workshops here.

We offer two reduced price spaces per workshop group to those who are unwaged or on a low income. To enquire about these places, or with any other questions, please get in touch via the contact page, or at james@hastingswritersworkshop.com.

Additionally, as part of our partnership with our friends and neighbours at The Hastings Bookshop, workshop members are entitled to a 15% discount on books bought in the shop, during their programme and for one month afterwards.

James Young.jpg

James Young

A note on our workshops: if you haven't studied with us before, we recommend you join one of our Writers Workshop - Developing Your Craft groups - ideal for both beginning and more experienced writers - unless you're specifically seeking the more feedback-focused structure of our Intensive group. Our Continuing Study group, meanwhile, is aimed at those who've already completed one of our writers workshop courses, and want to further their knowledge of writing craft and technique. If you aren't sure which workshop is right for you, get in touch via the contact page or at james@hastingswritersworkshop.com. Thanks!

Writers Workshop - Developing Your Craft

On this ten-week course you will study elements of writing craft and technique by responding to articles and essays on writing and through the close reading of short stories and extracts from longer works, while weekly writing exercises will inspire your creativity. You will submit your own work, and receive feedback – from your fellow workshop members and the course tutor, in the form of an extended feedback/editorial report – twice per term. Our Writers Workshop - Developing Your Craft programme is suitable for both experienced writers and those just beginning their writing journey, although it is recommended that participants are able to dedicate at least two hours a week – outside the sessions themselves and their own writing practice – to reading, writing exercises and other preparation.

Tuesdays, 10 to 11.30am, from 24/9/24 to 3/12/24 (ten workshop sessions, with a mid-term reading week (no session) on Tuesday 29/10/24). £200.

Wednesdays, 6.30 to 8pm, from 25/9/24 to 4/12/24 (ten workshop sessions, with a mid-term reading week (no session) on Wednesday 30/10/24). £200.

​Please note our Developing Your Craft workshops are now fully booked - please get in touch via the contact page or at james@hastingswritersworkshop.com to join our waiting list, or to add your name to our mailing list.

Writers Workshop – Continuing Study

 

Suitable for those who have completed one or more previous terms at The Hastings Writers Workshop, on this ten-session course you will continue to study elements of writing craft and technique through the close reading of texts to inform and inspire. You will again receive weekly writing exercises to stimulate your creative expression, develop your own writing projects by submitting work twice a term, and hone your skill at providing feedback by responding to the work of others.

Mondays, 6.30 to 8pm, from 30/9/24 to 9/12/24 (ten workshop sessions, with a mid-term reading week (no session) on Monday 4/11/24). £200. (The dates of this course have recently changed - please note new dates.) 

 

Writers Workshop - Intensive

While our intensive writers workshop group will continue to respond to and discuss elements of writing craft and technique, members will dedicate significantly more time to their own writing practice, submitting, and receiving supportive and constructive feedback on, three pieces of work per term. You will be committed to a regular writing practice (you may be working on a novel or memoir, a series of short stories, or another longform project, for example) and will have developed your feedback and critiquing skills to an advanced level over at least two terms at The Hastings Writers Workshop, by undertaking similar courses of study elsewhere, or though your own extensive writing experience and critical reflection. Please note that places on the intensive workshop group are by application only. Please contact james@hastingswritersworkshop.com for further information.

Thursdays, 6.30 to 8pm, from 26/9/24 to 5/12/24 (ten workshop sessions, with a mid-term reading week (no session) on Thursday 31/10/24). £200.

About The Tutor

James Young is a writer from Belfast. His short stories have appeared in a wide range of publications, and been shortlisted for the Sean O'Faolain, Wasafiri, Fish, and Bath prizes. He is the editor of Short Fiction literary journal, and has an MA with distinction in Creative Writing from Birkbeck College, University of London. He is also a translator, and the winner of the 2022 Peirene Stevns Translation Prize. His translation of The Love of Singular Men, a novel by the Brazilian author Victor Heringer, was a finalist for the 2024 National Book Critics Circle Awards John Leonard Prize.  Previously a journalist, he has written for Rolling Stone, The Observer, The Independent, Sports Illustrated and many other publications and sites. He is the founder and director of The Hastings Writers Workshop.

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