Creative Writing Workshops - POSTPONED!

The School of Design

Starting to Write POSTPONED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE
This practical workshop is for anyone who wants to start writing fiction or autobiography or has recently started writing. Anyone who has a story or stories to tell, who wants to express their self creatively, but a busy life gets in the way, or self doubt or fear. Is there such a thing as a writer’s life? How can we turn daily lives into stories and characters? No experience is required. English doesn’t need to be your first language. 
 
Decolonising Creative Writing POSTOPNED UNTIL FUTHER NOTICE
This workshop is for more experienced writers. Those who have been writing in other forms for some time and want to move towards fiction, or those who have been writing fiction for some time and want to develop their writing; thinking about what it might mean to decolonise their practice. This workshop will question the assumptions that are often at the heart of creative writing courses; the absolute freedom of the writer, that you write for yourself or to express yourself, or that you should write for the market. 
 Through exercises and discussion the group will think together critically about the politics and craft of writing, asking questions such as who we write for and why this is important, what and how we read and how this influences our writing, how we represent those who are different from ourselves, writers’ responsibility, the eurocentricity of ‘craft’. How can we work through these questions while continuing to write, without becoming immobilized? Participants are expected to send a page of their writing by 23rd June. This can be done via email on this website, pasted in the main body of the message.
 
We are very excited to announce these workshops will be led by guest tutor Kavita Bhanot.
Kavita Bhanot’s fiction, non-fiction, reviews have been published and broadcast widely, including the landmark essay 'Decolonise, not Diversify' (Media Diversified/Lines of Dissent.) She is editor of the anthologies Too Asian, Not Asian Enough (Tindal Street Press 2011), the Book of Birmingham (Comma Press, 2018) and co-editor of the Bare Lit anthology (Brain Mill Press, 2017).  She is currently researching Punjabi literature as a Leverhulme Early Career Fellow at Leicester University, where she is also a Creative Writing Fellow. She was selected as a 2018 Room 204 writer by Writing West Midlands and for the National Centre for Writing's Emerging Translator Mentorship Programme 2018. Her novel won third prize in the SI Leeds Literary Prize 2018. Kavita worked as a literary agent in India and has been a reader and mentor with The Literary Consultancy for the last eight years – giving feedback on fiction manuscripts. She has taught Literature and Creative Writing at Manchester University, Fordham University and Ashoka University. She is especially interested, in all aspects of her work, in the politics of reading, writing and publishing. 
 
FAQs
 
Are there ID or minimum age requirements to enter the event?
Age 14+, no ID required. If you know a young person who is really keen and wants to attend, send us a message via Eventbrite and we'll see what we can do. 
 
What can I bring into the event?
Whatever you usually use to write; notebook and pen or laptop. 
 
How can I contact the organiser with any questions?
Via Eventbrite
 
Do I have to bring my printed ticket to the event?
No, please don't print tickets. 
 
Is it ok if the name on my ticket or registration doesn't match the person who attends?
Yes, just send a message via Eventbrite of the name of the person attending.

Impact Hub Birmingham

Our {communityGuidelinesLink} describe the sort of content we prohibit on Eventbrite. If you suspect an event may be in violation, you can report it to us so we can investigate.

To report other categories of prohibited or illegal content, submit {link}

Creative Writing Workshops - POSTPONED!

More events from The School of Design

Follow organisers to get events picked for you

Still looking for the right event?

Explore all events in Birmingham and filter by date, category, and more to find the perfect fit.

Creative Writing Workshops - POSTPONED!

More events from The School of Design

Follow organisers to get events picked for you

You might also like...

Sign in for personalised recommendations

Still looking for the right event?

Explore all events in Birmingham and filter by date, category, and more to find the perfect fit.