This workshop is for writers interested in or beginning to be involved in writing to commission. We will explore the forms a writing commission might take, ways in which the resulting work might be showcased and different ways you might engage participants from the community to work alongside you. We will consider how to budget your commission project, set its parameters and timeline and form shared goals and successful working relationships with project partners.

Preparation for attending.

To participate in this workshop you will be asked to imagine a writing commission if you do not currently have one in place.

Imagine your ideal commission taking place exactly as you want it and you feeling comfortable doing it, while following these particular rules:

• Plan to write something inspired by a particular place
• Involve some other members of the community around that place in some way
• Share the final piece you write with the public in some way

Where, what and how would you choose to fulfil it?

For the purposes of the workshop you don't have go with what with what anyone else wants, you can please yourself.. Please note you only need to imagine the scenario of your workshop as Cathy descibes above you do not need to do the actual writing and performance unless you you wish to!

Cathy Grindrod is a Derbyshire writer and former Derbyshire Poet Laureate. She is the author of five poetry collections and a number of her plays have been performed in the region. She has undertaken writer residencies and commissions for a number of years and will use some of her own experiences as examples during the workshop. She is an experienced tutor, mentor and coach for writers, and directs a programme of support for writers – The Writer Highway. She specialises in writing for wellbeing.

http://www.cathygrindrod.co.uk/

Please note that refreshments and kitchen facilities are not provided. You are welcome to bring along a flask/drink and a packed lunch. There are also sandwich shops and cafes close to the venue.

For more information about Alfreton Library please visit https://www.derbyshire.gov.uk/leisure/libraries/find-your-local-library/alfreton-library.aspx

Alfreton Bus Station and the Severn Square Car Park are directly in front of Alfreton Library. For further information about parking please visit https://www.ambervalley.gov.uk/roads-and-parking/parking/car-park-locations/ Information about Alfreton Railway Station can be found here https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/stations_destinations/alf.aspx

We thank Derbyshire Libraries for the use of Alfreton Library for this event.

The writing ambitions: Derbyshire Commissions Project is managed by Derbyshire County Council and supported using public funding from the National Lottery through Arts Council England.