In partnership with the Kingston Writing School and Kingston University, we’re pleased to announce the courses that comprise our sixth annual International Creative Writing Summer School in Athens and Thessaloniki.
The Summer School provides opportunities for writers from across the world to develop their critical and analytical skills, enhance their writing abilities, and work intensely in an inspiring and creative workshop environment with experienced writers associated with the Kingston Writing School, Kingston University, London. Among the writers and professors who have taught at the Summer School in the past are: Ed Docx, Ahren Warner, Ann Fischer Wirth, Norma Clarke, Rachel Cusk, Adam Baron, Aimee Parkinson, KJ Orr and Maurice Walsh.
This year, the Summer School offers students the opportunity to enhance their writing skills through writing fiction, flash fiction and/or poetry, and to extend their knowledge of publishing, editing and writing for the web under the supervision and guidance of highly accomplished writers and academics.
Students can choose from seven one-week courses in Athens and a one-week course in Thessaloniki. Workshops in each course will be scheduled from Monday to Friday between 18.30 and 21.00, with extra-curricular activities such as readings and tutorials taking place throughout the week.
Courses will be held in English and are suitable for writers at all levels. See below for dates and course details.
Athens
Flash Fiction with Paul McVeigh
4–8 June 2018
- Designed for aspiring and accomplished writers alike who want to enhance their skills for writing flash fiction and short fiction
- Participants will explore and discuss flash fiction and micro literature from a variety of authors and consider their sources of inspiration, and will also have the opportunity to experiment with voice and style
- Workshops will centre on exercises, constructive feedback, experimentation and discussion in a supportive and friendly atmosphere
Non-Fiction with John Man
4–8 June 2018
- Suitable for aspiring and experienced non-fiction writers and journalists
- Students will examine strategies related to five key stages in the development of their writing, such as content (choosing your subject), sources (gathering the raw material), structure (turning facts into narrative), style (academic versus populist) and marketing (agents, contracts and public relations)
Fiction with Suzy Joinson
11–15 June 2018
- Designed for writers seeking to enhance their fiction writing skills, in particular novels and short stories
- Provides an accessible approach to creating a manageable shape from first drafts and first ideas, helping writers to take their work to the next level
- Explores technical approaches including: character, sense of time and place, narrative development, plotting and voice
Poetry with Siobhán Campbell
11–15 June 2018
- Designed for aspiring and continuing writers who want to develop and enhance their poetry writing skills
- Students will participate in poem-building and inspiring exercises to write from the natural world, from lived experience and speculatively
- Students will be encouraged to bring their poems to life via form, music and meaning, and during the week of workshops we will read striking examples of contemporary work
Writing for the Web (blogging) with Sinead Keegan
18–22 June 2018
- Designed for aspiring and accomplished writers looking to become more familiar with and confident using the internet for their writing
- Focuses on the opportunities offered by the internet for writers of all types, looks at examples of successful internet writing and considers the pros and cons of different platforms
- Examines the process of publishing online with specific reference to digital arts publications and the opportunities available to both emerging and established writers
Genre Fiction (SciFi/Children’s Literature) with N.M. Browne
18–22 June 2018
- Designed for aspiring and accomplished writers alike who want to develop and enhance their writing skills
- Explores the key elements involved in effective storytelling, in particular the techniques used in writing genre fiction: SF/Fantasy, historical, crime, children's and YA writing etc.
- Combines practical exercises with analytical feedback all based around the workshop plus individual tutorials to help participants work on developing their own writing practice
Publishing/Editing with Judith Watts
25–29 June 2018
- Presents tools and processes for editing work, sending out submissions, writing a synopsis, approaching agents and getting paid
- Explores the current publishing landscape across genres to help participants assess how to best share their writing
- Discussions will focus on issues such as types of publishers, the benefits of digital editions, the use of social media platforms and the global market place
Thessaloniki
Flash Fiction with Heidi James
18–22 June 2018
- Suitable for all writers who want to experiment with extraordinary storytelling
- Draws on exercises, workshops and individual feedback to develop confidence, skill and knowledge
- Explores the range and potential of the micro or flash fiction genre as a stand-alone genre and as a route to closely examining the ‘foundation’ of the story for longer works
Literary Saturday Mornings
On the occasion of our International Creative Writing Summer School and the presence of a group of distinguished British writers and creative writing experts in Athens, we’re delighted to invite you to a series of events on contemporary British literary output through readings and discussions taking place on the first three Saturdays in June.
The events will be held on 9, 16 and 23 June 2018 at the Numismatic Museum Café (12 Panepistimiou Street, 106 71 Athens) and are open to the public:
| Date/Time | Event | Topic |
| 9 June, 11.00 |
Paul McVeigh and John Man in discussion with Nikos Vatopoulos |
The place/the city/geography as a protagonist/hero in storytelling |
| 16 June, 11.00 |
Suzy Joinson and Siobhan Campbell in discussion with Amanda Michalopoulou |
Three women on a chair – Women empowerment and the writing life |
| 23 June, 11.00 |
Sinead Keagan and N.Μ. Browne in discussion with Eftychia Giannaki |
The future of the world words create – what is next for writers, readers and those between them? |
| www.facebook.com/events/250540375494807 | ||
Discussions will be moderated by writer Vangelis Provias.
Certificates
Certificates of achievement will be awarded upon completion.
Summer School Overview
Deadline for applications |
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Entry requirements |
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| Course fees |
€380
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| Course length | 12.5 workshop hours + individual/small group tutorials + reading |
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How do I apply?
Email the completed application form to Maria.Papaioannou@britishcouncil.gr.
Please note:
- The form must be accompanied by a sample of your work in English: either a selection of poems (up to six poems) or a prose piece of approximately 2,000 words, depending on the course you have chosen.
- In the case of non-native speakers of English, the level of English language competency required should be equivalent to a minimum IELTS score of 6.5 overall, with 7.0 in the writing module.
How do I pay the course fee?
Once we’ve confirmed your participation on the course(s) of your choice, we’ll ask you to pay the course fee.
- If you are resident in Greece, you can make the payment in cash or by credit card (VISA, DINERS and MASTERCARD) at our Athens office (17 Kolonaki Square, 106 73 Athens), Monday to Friday, 09.00–14.30.
- If you are resident in Greece but cannot visit our Athens office or you are an international applicant, you can make the payment by direct deposit to the British Council bank account:
Citibank account number: 0/444215/003
IBAN: GR51 0840 0010 0000 0044 4215 003
Please quote your name followed by ‘Creative Writing’ in the ‘Αιτιολογία’ field on the
deposit slip (e.g. Eleni Papanikolaou, Creative Writing).
Scan the bank deposit slip and send to Maria Papaioannou by email at
Maria.Papaioannou@britishcouncil.gr.
General Conditions
- We reserve the right to make changes to the course content and programme details.
- We reserve the right not to open a class with fewer than six students. Fees will be refunded.
- No refunds will be made after the course has started.
- Places cannot be guaranteed until course fees have been paid.
- Normally the maximum number of participants per course will not exceed 15.
Information
For further details of the Summer School and the application procedure, please contact Maria Papaioannou:
Maria Papaioannou
British Council
17 Kolonaki Square
106 73 Athens
Greece
Telephone +30 210 369 2336 / 333
Email Maria.Papaioannou@britishcouncil.gr
