Showing posts with label Write Now 2012. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Write Now 2012. Show all posts

Tuesday, 6 March 2012

Getting to Write Now 2012: Mitchell Library




(Photo, Directions Courtesy Of Glasgow City Council)

The Mitchell Library is located on 3 North Street in Glasgow (G3 7DN for those with sat nav), overlooking the M8 motorway. You can contact the library directly on 0141 287 2910.


(map Courtesy of Google)


Getting Here     

First Bus 9, 11, 16, 18, 42/a, 44/a, 57, 62, 118; see bus routes to Mitchell LIBRARY

Underground

St George’s Cross is the nearest Underground station to The Mitchell Library - about a 10 minute walk.

Train

Charing Cross Station is close by the Library.  Turn left at the Bath Street exit and the Library is directly on other side of bridge over M8 motorway.
Anderston Station is a 5 minute walk away. Take the entrance on to North Street and turn right.

Car

Travelling Westbound on M8, take the Charing Cross exit (Junction 17), cross over Sauchiehall Street and The Library is to the right. Travelling Eastbound on the M8, take the City Centre exit (Junction 19) and follow signs for Charing Cross or Mitchell Library. On-street metered parking is available outside the Library or there is a NCP Car Park on India Street next to Charing Cross Train Station.

Getting H


Monday, 5 March 2012

Last Day: Register Write Now

Last chance to register for Write Now 2012.  Booking closes today!

You can book by phone 0141 548 3511 during normal business hours or book online using this link http://onlineshop.strath.ac.uk/browse/extra_info.asp?compid=1&catid=19&modid=2&prodid=113&deptid=157&prodvarid=0

Don't miss out on two days of events for creative writers.

DAY 1 PROGRAMME OF EVENTS
9:00am – Registration
9:30am – Welcome and housekeeping
9: 40am – Publish and Be Damned
10:45am – Break for tea and coffee
11:00am – 1st SKILLS SESSION
12:30pm – Lunch
12:30 to 14:30 - The Marketplace, Lunchtime skills sessions and 13:00 to 14:15 – Write Now Showcase
2:30 pm – 2nd SKILLS SESSION
4:00pm – Break for tea and coffee
4: 30pm – Keynote Address Christopher Brookmyre
Close 5:30pm

Skills Session Day – Friday 9 March

Publish and be Damned?

09:40-10:45 (Full or Friday Pass Holders Event)

Publishing is in decline and the future is global domination by Amazon and Google.  Right?  Or Wrong?  Three publishers give their unique insights into the publishing world today looking at the impact of digital technology and social media before speculating on what the future may bring.



1st SKILLS SESSION



The Mechanics of Page Turning: Narrative Drive

11.00am – 12.30pm

Narrative drive is a vital element in getting your work published. Novelist Sara Sheridan provides key hints and tips to keep the pages turning.



Making the Pitch and not Striking Out

11:00-12:30 or 14:30-16:00

Novelist Helen FitzGerald and screenwriter Sergio Casci will look at the art of the verbal pitch.



Looking for an Agent? An Expert Guide to the Submissions Process

11:00-12:30

Now you’ve written – or are writing – your book, how will you get it accepted by an agent, publisher or editor? Nicola Morgan reveals the common traps for the unwary and offers tips for success.



www.WRITER

11.00am – 12.30pm Part 1 (requires advanced preparation by participants)

Don’t get left behind.  Writer and web designer Cat Dean will guide participants through setting up their own writer’s website-with-blog. By the end of the day, each participant will have a simple, but fully functioning website-with-blog.





LUNCH

The Marketplace

12.30am – 14.30pm FREE

Interested in the Scottish publishing scene?  If so ‘The Marketplace’ is the place to be.  This showcase will feature independent publishers and Scotland-based magazines that provide an outlet for new writers.  Pick up the latest and the best new writing along with ideas on how to get started writing or where to place your work.





Write Now Showcase- Performance Event

13.00 – 14.15

Come along and hear some great Scottish writing in bite sized pieces.  This event will feature new and upcoming writers of prose and poetry including the winners of the Keith Wright Memorial Literary Competition.



Lunch Time Skills Sessions

Book to Film, Film to Book – Adaptations

13:00-14:00

An inside look at adaptation with author Helen FitzGerald (The Devil's Staircase, Bloody Women, The Donor), screenwriter Sergio Casci (American Cousins, The Caller) and film producer Claire Mundell (Synchronicity Films – Crying with Laughter, Weekend).  Our established trio has funny anecdotes, lots of mistakes to confess, and advice to pass on.  The session will also look at new developments and opportunities for writers, such as digital publishers who are concentrating on book adaptations of films.



Is Blogging For You? – Blogging Your Way to Success

13:00-14:00

Whether it’s getting started or improving confidence in blogging newbies, experienced writer and blogger Cat Dean will provide practical tips on how to make the most of your blog.  This workshop will take you through the highs and lows encouraging you to keep going and blog your way to success.



Writing For Graphic Novels

13:00-14:00
Rodge Glass shares the secrets of writing for his award nominated graphic novel Dougie’s War, which was illustrated by Dave Turbitt.  Rodge will discuss the process of writing a graphic novel, talk about the challenges of collaboration between writer and artist in joint projects, and give tips and advice on how to make your graphic novel a success. Dougie's War was commissioned by Freight Books and Veteran Scotland as part of a drive to raise awareness about PTSD in Scottish soldiers.











2nd SKILLS SESSION
Your Book Needs You

14:30-16:00

Novelist Sara Sheridan debunks the myths of book promotion and publicity and gives expert advice on how to use all the communications tools available to sell yourself effectively.



What Are Publishers Looking For?

14:30-16:00

Nicola Morgan, author of 90 books, will share her knowledge of what makes agents and publishers say yes, giving you the best chance of success.

Making the Pitch and not Striking Out

14:30-16:00

Novelist Helen FitzGerald and screenwriter Sergio Casci will look at the art of the verbal pitch.



www.WRITER

14.30am – 16.00pm Part 2 (requires advanced preparation by participants)

Second half of this web design workshop.





The Making of a Bestseller - Christopher Brookmyre

16:30-17:30

Award-winning crime writer and author of 14 published novels, Christopher Brookmyre has plenty of experience to share with aspiring writers and interested readers.

Conference Day – Saturday 10 March

SATURDAY 10 MARCH 2012: CONFERENCE

Running from 9:30am to 6pm, we will have a series of panels and individual presentations from writers and researchers. More details of the conference programme can be found at http://flavors.me/writenow#72f/twitter



DAY 2 PROGRAMME OF EVENTS
9:00am – Registration
9:30am – Welcome and housekeeping
9: 40am – Panel 1
10:45am – Break for tea and coffee
11:00am – Panel 2A or 2B
3 papers (20mins each) plus 30mins at the end for Q & A discussion
12:30pm – Lunch
1:15pm – Panel 3A or 3B
3 papers (20mins each) plus 30mins at the end for Q & A discussion
2:45pm – Break for tea and coffee
3:00pm – Panel 4A or 4B
3 papers (20mins each) plus 30mins at the end for Q & A discussion
Break to relocate to Main Hall
5 pm – Keynote Address Alan Bissett, Ewan Morrison & Zoë Strachan
Close 6pm



Panel 1 - What Happens when Elephants Teach Zoology?
Lesley Glaister - St Andrews University
Elizabeth Reeder - University of Glasgow
Zoë Strachan - University of Glasgow
On Process and Teaching within a Community of Writers
Elizabeth Reeder, Zoë Strachan and Lesley Glaister will discuss their creative processes and how they influence their teaching. How does individual creative practice influence the choices we make when teaching others? Do we practice what we preach? Is there a place for the mentor in the teaching of creative writing? And what might the ideal creative writing programme look like?

Panel 2A – Poetry and The Landscape
Jen Cooper - University of Aberdeen
Creating ‘Imaginary States of Nature’: The Uses of Free Verse in Contemporary Nature Poetry
Ken Cockburn
The Road North: A Journey Through Scotland and Poetry
Shane Strachan - University of Aberdeen
Flinty Souls: Narrating the North-East

Panel 2B – Fact, Fiction and History
Gill James - University of Salford
Uncovering history: three tools, three strands and three fact-fiction relationships used in writing an historical novel.
Sally O’Reilly - Brunel University
Myth and monolith: tackling the Shakespeare legend.
Ursula Hurley - University of Salford
Writing in the dark? Carrying a torch for ancient historical fiction.

Panel 3A – Teaching Creative Writing
Raymond Soltysek - University of Strathclyde
A Little often: changing the creative writing culture in secondary classrooms.
Dr. Maeve Tynan - University of Limerick
‘Mimicry is an act of imagination’: Strategic Imitation in the Creative Writing Classroom
Alicia Stubbersfield - Liverpool John Moores University
The Writer at Work: One Answer to the Question ‘What use is a degree in Creative Writing?’

Panel 3B – There’s Poetry in Everything (Even Aliens)
Mary McDonough - University of Strathclyde
Curation vs Creation: understanding and interpreting autobiographical material
Dorothy Alexander – Centre for Lifelong Learning
Adventures in technique: experiments in found – using restricted vocabularies to access creativity and cross media.
Russell Jones - Edinburgh University
Edwin Morgan and Science Fiction Poetry – Edwin Morgan: Scots Makar, respected academic, alien.

Panel 4A – Does Scotland Need Creative Writers?
Jacqueline Smith, Ron Butlin, Gerry Loose - Scottish Writers Centre
The Future of the Scottish Writers Centre

Panel 4B – Comics, Crime and more Comics
David Manderson – University of the West of Scotland
Lost Borders: A Paradigm Shift in Crime Fiction
Gordon Robertson
From the Dark Ages to the Renaissance - The New Wave of British Comics
Siân Bevan
Why So Serious? How Comedy Can Shape a Writer.


Keynote Address: Alan Bissett, Zoë Strachan and Ewan Morrison

17:00-18:00

In the conference round-up, three of Scotland’s hottest talents will give their unique take on the writing process and business.
Can anyone be an author and should universities be in the business of teaching creative writing?  Should writers?  What skills does a writer need in 2012 and how do you go about acquiring them?  Is Scotland a vibrant creative culture or a provincial backwater for writers?  Is the book dead and if not what does the future hold for books and their authors?  Answers to these questions plus an opportunity to ask your own.

Wednesday, 29 February 2012

Registration Ending For Write Now 2012

Just a few days left in which to register for the conference (or any portion thereof). Please see below.

You can book by phone 0141 548 3511 during normal business hours or book online using this linkhttp://onlineshop.strath.ac.uk/browse/extra_info.asp?compid=1&catid=19&modid=2&prodid=113&deptid=157&prodvarid=0

Check out our full programme below - we have an unmissable two days of events for creative writers!

Skills Session Day – Friday 9 March

Publish and be Damned?

09:40-10:45 (Full or Friday Pass Holders Event)

Publishing is in decline and the future is global domination by Amazon and Google.  Right?  Or Wrong?  Three publishers give their unique insights into the publishing world today looking at the impact of digital technology and social media before speculating on what the future may bring.



1st SKILLS SESSION



The Mechanics of Page Turning: Narrative Drive

11.00am – 12.30pm

Narrative drive is a vital element in getting your work published. Novelist Sara Sheridan provides key hints and tips to keep the pages turning.



Making the Pitch and not Striking Out

11:00-12:30 or 14:30-16:00

Novelist Helen FitzGerald and screenwriter Sergio Casci will look at the art of the verbal pitch.



Looking for an Agent? An Expert Guide to the Submissions Process

11:00-12:30

Now you’ve written – or are writing – your book, how will you get it accepted by an agent, publisher or editor? Nicola Morgan reveals the common traps for the unwary and offers tips for success.



www.WRITER

11.00am – 12.30pm Part 1 (requires advanced preparation by participants)

Don’t get left behind.  Writer and web designer Cat Dean will guide participants through setting up their own writer’s website-with-blog. By the end of the day, each participant will have a simple, but fully functioning website-with-blog.





LUNCH

The Marketplace

12.30am – 14.30pm FREE

Interested in the Scottish publishing scene?  If so ‘The Marketplace’ is the place to be.  This showcase will feature independent publishers and Scotland-based magazines that provide an outlet for new writers. Pick up the latest and the best new writing along with ideas on how to get started writing or where to place your work.





Strathclyde Showcase- Performance Event

13.00 – 14.15

Come along and hear some great Scottish writing in bite sized pieces. This event will feature new and upcoming writers of prose and poetry including the winners of the Keith Wright Memorial Literary Competition.



Lunch Time Skills Sessions

Book to Film, Film to Book – Adaptations

13:00-14:00

An inside look at adaptation with author Helen FitzGerald (The Devil's Staircase, Bloody Women, The Donor), screenwriter Sergio Casci (American Cousins, The Caller) and film producer Claire Mundell (Synchronicity Films – Crying with Laughter, Weekend).  Our established trio has funny anecdotes, lots of mistakes to confess, and advice to pass on.  The session will also look at new developments and opportunities for writers, such as digital publishers who are concentrating on book adaptations of films.



Is Blogging For You? – Blogging Your Way to Success

13:00-14:00

Whether it’s getting started or improving confidence in blogging newbies, experienced writer and blogger Cat Dean will provide practical tips on how to make the most of your blog.  This workshop will take you through the highs and lows encouraging you to keep going and blog your way to success.



Writing For Graphic Novels

13:00-14:00
Rodge Glass shares the secrets of writing for his award nominated graphic novel Dougie’s War, which was illustrated by Dave Turbitt. Rodge will discuss the process of writing a graphic novel, talk about the challenges of collaboration between writer and artist in joint projects, and give tips and advice on how to make your graphic novel a success. Dougie's War was commissioned by Freight Books and Veteran Scotland as part of a drive to raise awareness about PTSD in Scottish soldiers.











2nd SKILLS SESSION
Your Book Needs You

14:30-16:00

Novelist Sara Sheridan debunks the myths of book promotion and publicity and gives expert advice on how to use all the communications tools available to sell yourself effectively.



What Are Publishers Looking For?

14:30-16:00

Nicola Morgan, author of 90 books, will share her knowledge of what makes agents and publishers say yes, giving you the best chance of success.

Making the Pitch and not Striking Out

14:30-16:00

Novelist Helen FitzGerald and screenwriter Sergio Casci will look at the art of the verbal pitch.



www.WRITER

14.30am – 16.00pm Part 2 (requires advanced preparation by participants)

Second half of this web design workshop.





The Making of a Bestseller - Christopher Brookmyre

16:30-17:30

Award-winning crime writer and author of 14 published novels, Christopher Brookmyre has plenty of experience to share with aspiring writers and interested readers.

Conference Day – Saturday 10 March

SATURDAY 10 MARCH 2012: CONFERENCE

Running from 9:30am to 6pm, we will have a series of panels and individual presentations from writers and researchers. More details of the conference programme can be found athttp://flavors.me/writenow#72f/twitter



DAY 2 PROGRAMME OF EVENTS
9:00am – Registration
9:30am – Welcome and housekeeping
9: 40am – Panel 1
10:45am – Break for tea and coffee
11:00am – Panel 2A or 2B
3 papers (20mins each) plus 30mins at the end for Q & A discussion
12:30pm – Lunch
1:15pm – Panel 3A or 3B
3 papers (20mins each) plus 30mins at the end for Q & A discussion
2:45pm – Break for tea and coffee
3:00pm – Panel 4A or 4B
3 papers (20mins each) plus 30mins at the end for Q & A discussion
Break to relocate to Main Hall
5 pm – Keynote Address Alan Bissett, Ewan Morrison & Zoë Strachan
Close 6pm



Panel 1 - What Happens when Elephants Teach Zoology?
Lesley Glaister - St Andrews University
Elizabeth Reeder - University of Glasgow
Zoë Strachan - University of Glasgow
On Process and Teaching within a Community of Writers
Elizabeth Reeder, Zoë Strachan and Lesley Glaister will discuss their creative processes and how they influence their teaching. How does individual creative practice influence the choices we make when teaching others? Do we practice what we preach? Is there a place for the mentor in the teaching of creative writing? And what might the ideal creative writing programme look like?

Panel 2A – Poetry and The Landscape
Jen Cooper - University of Aberdeen
Creating ‘Imaginary States of Nature’: The Uses of Free Verse in Contemporary Nature Poetry
Ken Cockburn
The Road North: A Journey Through Scotland and Poetry
Shane Strachan - University of Aberdeen
Flinty Souls: Narrating the North-East

Panel 2B – Fact, Fiction and History
Gill James - University of Salford
Uncovering history: three tools, three strands and three fact-fiction relationships used in writing an historical novel.
Sally O’Reilly - Brunel University
Myth and monolith: tackling the Shakespeare legend.
Ursula Hurley - University of Salford
Writing in the dark? Carrying a torch for ancient historical fiction.

Panel 3A – Teaching and Judging Creative Writing
Raymond Soltysek - University of Strathclyde
A Little often: changing the creative writing culture in secondary classrooms.
Dr. Maeve Tynan - University of Limerick
‘Mimicry is an act of imagination’: Strategic Imitation in the Creative Writing Classroom
Mary Aherne - University of Hull
The Booker Prize: Who are the winners and losers in a cultural field dominated by the marketplace?

Panel 3B – There’s Poetry in Everything (Even Aliens)
Mary McDonough - University of Strathclyde
Curation vs Creation: understanding and interpreting autobiographical material
Dorothy Alexander – Centre for Lifelong Learning
Adventures in technique: experiments in found – using restricted vocabularies to access creativity and cross media.
Russell Jones - Edinburgh University
Edwin Morgan and Science Fiction Poetry – Edwin Morgan: Scots Makar, respected academic, alien.

Panel 4A – Does Scotland Need Creative Writers?
Alicia Stubbersfield - Liverpool John Moores University
The Writer at Work: One Answer to the Question ‘What use is a degree in Creative Writing?’
Jacqueline Smith, Ron Butlin, Gerry Loose - Scottish Writers Centre
The Future of the Scottish Writers Centre

Panel 4B – Comics, Crime and more Comics
David Manderson – University of the West of Scotland
Lost Borders: A Paradigm Shift in Crime Fiction
Gordon Robertson
From the Dark Ages to the Renaissance - The New Wave of British Comics
Siân Bevan
Why So Serious? How Comedy Can Shape a Writer.


Keynote Address: Alan Bissett, Zoë Strachan and Ewan Morrison

17:00-18:00

In the conference round-up, three of Scotland’s hottest talents will give their unique take on the writing process and business.
Can anyone be an author and should universities be in the business of teaching creative writing?  Should writers?  What skills does a writer need in 2012 and how do you go about acquiring them?  Is Scotland a vibrant creative culture or a provincial backwater for writers?  Is the book dead and if not what does the future hold for books and their authors?  Answers to these questions plus an opportunity to ask your own.

Sunday, 26 February 2012

Marketplace at Write Now

From 12:30-14:30 on Friday the 9th of March, there is a free/non-ticketed event open to all in the Main Hall at the Mitchell Library, the 'home' of the Aye, Write! Glasgow's Book Festival.


There will be 14 exhibitors: 
The Centre For Life-long Learning - The University of Strathclyde
Cargo Publishing
Magma Poetry
Octavius Magazine
Wild Wolf Publishing
The Edinburgh Review
Causeway/Cabshair: A Magazine of Irish and Scottish Writing
Valve Journal
Freight Books/Gutter Magazine
Edwin Morgan International Poetry Competition
The University of Stirling
Mariscat Press
Unbound Books
The Scottish Writers' Centre



The Strathclyde Showcase runs from 13:00 - 14:15 during the Marketplace, and features writers who took part in the Keith Wright Memorial Literary Competition, as well as other writers.

The full lineup is a work in progress, but readers include:

Bryony Stocker
Craig Lamont
Allan Wilson
Ginna Wilkerson
Michelle Smith
Iain Ferguson
Mary McDonough-Clark




Thursday, 23 February 2012

Sarah Sheridan at Write Now 2012

Another guest post from Jacob McLean, this one about Sara Sheridan and her quest to cure writers everywhere of Technophobia. Sara is running her workshop on the 9th of March; this session can be booked as part of the conference package or as an individual session for 15 pounds (12 for concessions). 



Sara Sheridan: Your Book Needs You

Many writers are afraid of technology. (Science fiction is pretty much a genre dedicated to that fear.) Bestselling Sara Sheridan was no different. That is, until the “Great Geek” taught her some virtual tricks. A GoogleSite, a Twitter account, a Facebook page, and a LinkedIn account later, Ms. Sheridan was converted. The importance of adapting to these new technologies goes beyond self-promotion, she says. “Net neutrality is probably the most vital issue for freedom of speech online and should be at the top of any writer's agenda. Most don't even know what that means (it's that the fastest broadband speeds might be chargeable at a rate well beyond small scale bloggers or individuals). If net neutrality is abandoned, individual voices will download so slowly that they would be unheard. This has huge implications for writers, yet in the writing community net neutrality is largely unspoken.” Sara will look to orient us within this new, exciting digital landscape. Whether it’s self-publicity or the protection of our rights, these battles are, increasingly, taking place online. Let Sara get you up to speed with what is required of writers in the 21st century. For more information about Sara Sheridan, follow this link. 



You can book by phone 0141 548 3511 during normal business hours, or via this link: http://onlineshop.strath.ac.uk/browse/extra_info.asp?compid=1&catid=19&modid=2&prodid=113&deptid=157&prodvarid=0.

You can follow Sara Sheridan on Twitter: @sarasheridan




Tuesday, 21 February 2012

Writing For Graphic Novels

A guest post from Jacob McLean (a spectacularly driven 3rd year undergraduate - just check out the PROSE, people!) about Rodge Glass' graphic novel, which highlights some of the challenges of writing a graphic novel that works.


Rodge Glass: Writing For Graphic Novels
13:00-14:00 £15/£12
In between his acclaimed biography of national treasure Alasdair Gray, Alasdair Gray: A Secretary’s Biography, and his highly anticipated forthcoming novel, Bring Me the Head of Ryan Giggs, Rodge Glass somehow found time to collaborate with London-based artist Dave Turbitt to release a critically-acclaimed graphic novel. Dougie’s War focusses on Dougie Campbell, a Scottish soldier recently returned from Afghanistan suffering from post-traumatic-stress-disorder - what Rodge likes to call “the war after the war”. The novel was (and continues to be) a success, fulfilling its commissioned goal to raise awareness of PTSD, and earning a significant collection of critical praise, including a nomination for Graphic Novel of the Year at the Scottish Independent Comic Book Awards. As Rodge’s first and (so far) only graphic novel, Dougie’s War was a project for which Rodge had to adapt. Graphic novels call for fast-paced, concise prose, Rodge told the Edinburgh League of Comics. He also had to, for the first time in his literary career, learn how to collaborate. Having been through the pains and pleasures of the process, Rodge is in a perfect position to now pass along tips and advice for writing your own graphic novel. Follow this link to learn more about Rodge.  http://edinburghleagueofcomics.wordpress.com/2011/08/12/war-comics-an-interview-with-rodge-glass/#


There are still places available on Rodge's 'Writing For Graphic Novels' workshop at Write Now; these can be booked via the Aye, Write! website, by phoning 0141 548 3511 during normal business hours, or via this link: http://onlineshop.strath.ac.uk/browse/extra_info.asp?compid=1&catid=19&modid=2&prodid=113&deptid=157&prodvarid=0



You can follow Rodge Glass on Twitter: 

@rodgeglass

Monday, 20 February 2012

Thursday, 16 February 2012

Write Now: Complete Schedule of Events

The Day 1 Lineup:



Come along and learn how to improve your writing and market your work effectively in our series of workshops delivered by professional authors.  Meet independent publishers and representatives from Scotland-based magazines at our lunchtime networking zone ‘The Marketplace’.



http://writenowglasgow.blogspot.com/2012/02/write-now-day-1-summary-listings.html


Day 2's lineup can be seen here:


http://writenowglasgow.blogspot.com/2012/01/speakers-for-second-day-of-write-now.html

Wednesday, 15 February 2012

Helen FitzGerald at Write Now

Helen FitzGerald, another of the Write Now tutors, is going to be very, very busy over the next few weeks. Please take a look at her blog: http://www.helenfitzgerald.net/ and follow her on Twitter: @fitzhelen. She and Sergio Casci will be helping all of us perfect our verbal pitches; both have a lot of experience selling what they do to diverse audiences. Helen also has a film coming out, based on her third novel, The Devil's Staircase: http://www.screendaily.com/news/production/-levelk-climbs-devils-staircase/5037840.article.
As if that were not quite enough already, Helen has a novella, The Duplicate, coming out soon with Snubnose Press. I am glad she managed to shoehorn us in. Because I am feeling helpful this morning, I am giving you a photo so that you can come prepared to track her down and ask lists upon lists of questions. She is *slightly* larger than this in real life.