11 June 2009

Writing workshops to take place at Literary Festival

Would-be JK Rowlings will have the opportunity to hone their skills and learn how to get their work published at a series of workshops to be held as part of Dundee Literary Festival.

A series of events aimed at helping budding writers develop will be held across the four day, University of Dundee-organised celebration of literature that takes place later this month.

Festival director Anna Day said she was thrilled to unveil such an exciting line-up of workshops, which form an integral part of the Festival, now in its third year.

'Workshops are hugely important to the Literary Festival,' she said. 'They allow budding writers to develop their potential, meet other writers, talk to experts and grow in confidence.'

The workshop series will be kicked off by a seminar entitled 'Writing Fiction For Magazines', which takes place between 9am-11am on Friday, June 26th. Entry costs £5.

Anyone looking to acquire the skills required for this particular type of writing can hear from experts from People's Friend and My Weekly, who will guide the class through topics such as style, language and how to give your work the best possible chance of being published.

Expert tuition in the intricacies of creative writing will be provided at the same venue the following day when Dr Jim Stewart and Rachel Marsh host a creative writing workshop.

Rachel edits the New Writing Dundee anthology, has been teaching creative writing for the last ten years, has had numerous short stories published, and is currently putting the finishing touches to her debut novel.

Dr Stewart is a poet whose work has appeared in many collections of poetry, and has taught in the University’s English Department for over 20 years. The event takes place between 9am-11am, and entry costs £5.

The various ways that writers have of getting their book published will be discussed later that day when The Publishing Panel meets. Comprising influential figures from publishing industry, the Panel will share secrets of the world of books before taking questions from the audience.

Tickets for this event, which offers the chance to take a step towards becoming a published writer, are priced £5 and £3 (concessions).

The focus then shifts to graphic novels as part of the Festival’s Comics Day, which takes place on Sunday, June 28th. David Bishop will host a Writing for Graphic Novels Workshop from 11am-12pm, with tickets costing £3.

All events take place at the University’s Dalhousie Building, Old Hawkhill and the full Festival programme can be viewed at www.literarydundee.co.uk. Tickets are available from Literary Dundee, 5th floor, Tower Building, Perth Road (tel: 01382 384413) or at Borders, Gallagher Retail Park.

The Dundee Literary Festival is now in its third year, and is bigger than ever, with star authors from the fields of philosophy, fiction, politics and poetry set to appear in Dundee. They include David Peace, renowned author of The Damned United and the Red-Riding Quartet and Straw Dogs writer John Gray.

For media enquiries contact:
Grant Hill
Press Officer
University of Dundee
Nethergate Dundee, DD1 4HN
TEL: 01382 384768
E-MAIL: g.hill@dundee.ac.uk