It’s been an absolutely crazy busy start to the academic year and I’ve been all over the country, mostly teaching. I was down at Cambridge University for First Story’s Young Writers’ Festival, and then I was at the BBC National Short Story and Young Writer of the Year Awards (it was broadcast on Radio 3’s Front Row, and I was actually sat on the front row, so lots of meta things to amuse me), and there’s been lots of writing of my own which I’m pretty excited about and lots more teaching and even more trains (1800 miles after three weeks, and then I lost count) not enough shaving, and, suddenly, it’s autumn – my favourite time of the year – the trees’ leaves are golden and the air’s chill and the ghosts are getting ready to come out and… and I’m out of breath just typing this.
But there is more news! And an opportunity for Yorkshire prose writers (up to 30) to work closely with me on a brand new fiction programme. I should have mentioned this much, much earlier (sorry!) and most of the places have already been snapped up, but there are a couple left. I’ll paste the detail’s from Hive South Yorkshire’s website below – any questions, give me a shout. Deadline’s OCTOBER 31st.
Hive Fiction programme for writers (18-30) – take your writing to the next level
Writing can be a lonely and a tricky business to navigate, even for those who’ve been doing it for some time. It’s difficult to know where to get feedback, or if what you’re writing makes the grade. And then there’s what to do with a story or novel once you’ve finished.
If you’re an aspiring short story writer, or novelist, keen to take your craft to the next level, Hive is running the Hive Fiction programme offering an immersive set of workshops over several months providing the help and guidance to get to where you want to be. Join prize-winning author, editor, and short story writer, Nik Perring, for all things fiction, and:
- identify and work towards your writing goals
- generate great ideas and turn them into brilliant stories
- focus on the mechanics of fiction writing such as creating compelling and believable characters, convincing dialogue and description, and strong plots
- learn how to edit your work to make it publication-ready. Even down to identifying the small changes that can turn something good into something brilliant
- receive one-to-one feedback on work and tips and insights into publishing routes and opportunities
Who’s the Hive Fiction programme for?
The programme is for fiction writers, aged 18 to 30 in South Yorkshire, at any stage of their writing journey who would like to get more serious. You might lack direction, sticking power, or confidence. You might have a project you want to get stuck into, or want to sharpen your skills, or focus on honing your work.
All levels, genres and interests welcome | Meet like-minded people | Refreshments | Where: central Sheffield near trains/buses
Intro session TBC – Regular fortnightly sessions – day and time subject to majority interest in the first meeting (likely a weekday evening or Saturday afternoon)
Cost: The programme is subsidised by Hive South Yorkshire meaning a cost of just £55 for 12 sessions, and one to one tutorials and support at key stages. If cost is a barrier, please let us know in your application. Places are limited.
To Apply: Send up to 4 A4 pages of work (Times/font size 12), and up to 600 words saying what your interests are, where you are with your writing, and how you’d like the programme to help you to fiction@hivesouthyorkshire.com (also include your age, date of birth, town you live in and postcode)– by midnight 31st Oct (deadline extended)
And here are some photos of my face in different places. (Actually, you’ll have to make do with just the two because technology is not being kind to me.)
