workshop program

A brand new year, a brand new program What four things would you say a writer needs most (besides a writing utensil)? 1. Inspiration 2. Time 3. Community 4. Publishing possibilities Our new program gives you all four — and at the lowest prices in town. Check it out: PROMPT!: The brand new workshop in town. Great for beginners, perfect for old-hats. Towards the Bookshelf: Seminars in next steps for your work, from building a collection to pitching a novel Touching Down: Poetry Masterclasses All prices exclude VAT.

PROMPT! Sunday, February 20 with Sarah Ream Sunday, March 6 with Amal Chatterjee Sunday, April 3 with Katherine Heiny 11:00-17:00 What: This workshop is all about giving you inspiration and time to write. You'll leave this one-day intensive with new drafts and new ideas, and pushed into new places with your writing. Who: For all writers at all levels. Requirements: Participants must have working knowledge of the English language. Materials: Bring pen and paper. Cost: Eur 60.00 members / Eur 75.00 non-members Workshop description PROMPT! is the brand new workshop in town. This spring, the team at Versal/wordsinhere is offering a unique workshop experience. Whether you're just starting out or have been writing for years, PROMPT! will kickstart new work, ideas, and inspiration. These Sunday sessions are a chance for you to give your writing practice that extra boost — without breaking the bank. And because PROMPT! is not an ongoing, multi-week course, you don't have to worry about missing out — take one or several, depending on your schedule and budget. In a PROMPT! session, you will be led through writing exercises that will jumpstart your own creative engines. Whether you're working in fiction, poetry, non-fiction, plays, or all of the above, you'll come away from PROMPT! with new ideas and even new drafts. Every session will be different, led by practicing writers from among our city's canals, who will also share their knowledge and experience with working with texts, from the beginning moments on the page to the grueling process of revision to the trepidation of the submission process. PROMPT! will get you writing and will keep you writing.		Back to Top

Towards the Bookshelf Seminar: Leaves of What? Getting Past the Mystery of Poetry Wednesday, March 9 6:30-9:00pm with Megan M. Garr and Sarah Ream What: This evening seminar will take you deep inside the workings of poetry and give you the tools to better read and discuss this often mysterious genre. Who: For anyone who wants to engage (more) in poetry. Requirements: Participants must have a working knowledge of the English language. Materials: Bring pen and paper if you like taking notes. Cost per seminar: Eur 20.00 members / 25.00 non-members Workshop description Poetry can seem like a mysterious hieroglyphics that only some can decode. But the tricks to reading and talking about poetry are easy tools that we can all master. This evening seminar, led by professional poetry editors Megan M. Garr and Sarah Ream, will take you deep inside the workings of two contemporary poems. You'll come away with the tools to explore poems on your own, a demystified sense of the genre, and an enhanced appreciation for the delicacy of the written word.		Back to Top

Towards the Bookshelf Seminar: A Guide to the Crazy World of Literary Competitions Wednesday, March 16 6:30-9:00pm with Megan M. Garr and Sarah Ream What: This evening seminar will unravel the web of competitions out there and give you insight into what to look for when submitting. Who: For all writers interested in literary contests. Requirements: Participants must have a working knowledge of the English language. Materials: Bring pen and paper if you like taking notes. Cost per seminar: Eur 20.00 members / 25.00 non-members Workshop description Literary contests are a great way to get recognition and even payment for your work. But there are so many, how do you know which are worth your time? This evening seminar will unravel the web of competitions out there and give you insight into what to look for when submitting. Topics will include: Both British and American literary contests How to identify scams The entry fee: what is too much? How to distinguish between "big name" contests that no one except established writers win and those that are actually open to everyone And more!		Back to Top

Touching Down: Poetry Masterclasses Wednesdays: March 23, 30, April 6, 13, 20 6:30-9:00pm with Kate Foley and Anna Arov What: This spring, join in on one or more of our exciting Touching Down workshops for poets or would-be poets, aimed at bringing your poetry practice down to earth and growing some sustainable writing habits. Who: For poets at any stage in their writing practice. Requirements: Participants must have working knowledge of the English language. Materials: Bring pen and paper. Cost per session: Eur 20.00 members / 25.00 non-members Price for all 5 (20% off!): Eur 80.00 members / 100.00 non-members Workshop description How can we refresh our sometimes flagging inspiration and find new stimulus in the extraordinary/ordinary world around us? Using all five senses as a springboard, we'll find ways to experience and write our worlds in fresh new ways. We'll also work on the craft that turns that inspiration into poetry. As well as writing exercises, poets will be encouraged to develop the skills of analysis needed to accomplish good writing. Each session will have as its central theme one of the senses — touch, smell, taste, hearing or sight — but be prepared to find them presented and cross-referenced in ways you might not expect. Poets will: practice their writing skills through fresh, innovative exercises in every session learn constructive ways of critiquing their own work and that of other’s look in depth at the work of other poets who’ve written about the role of the senses learn some formal aspects of the craft that turns inspiration into poetry gain insights from one to one time with tutors leave with new ideas and fresh work to develop further The Touching Down poetry masterclass is a five-part series. Sign up for all five at the discounted rate, or pick and choose from the dates to suit your schedule.		Back to Top