In partnership with the Kingston Writing School and Kingston University, we’re pleased to announce the courses that comprise our fifth annual International Creative Writing Summer School in Athens and Thessaloniki.
The Summer School provides opportunities for writers from across the world to develop their critical and analytical skills, enhance their writing abilities, and work intensely in an inspiring and creative environment with experienced writers associated with the Kingston Writing School, Kingston University, London. Among the writers and professors who have taught at the Summer School in the past are: Ed Docx, Ahren Warner, Jane Yeh, Norma Clarke, Paul Bailey, Adam Baron and Maurice Walsh.
This year, the Summer School offers students the opportunity to hone their writing skills, practise writing fiction, flash fiction and poetry, and extend their knowledge of publishing, editing and writing for the web under the supervision and guidance of highly accomplished writers and academics.
Students may choose from six one-week courses in Athens, or a one-week course and a three-day workshop in Thessaloniki. Workshops in each course will be scheduled from Monday to Friday between 18.30 and 21.00, with extra-curricular activities such as readings and tutorials taking place throughout the week.
Courses will be held in English and are suitable for writers at all levels. See below for dates and course details.
Athens: one-week courses
Flash Fiction with Heidi James
5–9 June 2017
- Designed for aspiring and accomplished writers alike who want to enhance their fiction writing skills.
- Participants will explore and discuss micro-literature from a variety of authors, and experiment with language, plot and structure.
- Workshops will centre on exercises, constructive feedback, experimentation and discussion in a supportive and friendly atmosphere.
Poetry with Mona Arshi
5–9 June 2017
- Designed for aspiring writers who want to develop and enhance their poetry writing skills.
- Participants will capture a poem and bring it to life via shape, lineation, music and meaning.
- Participants will be encouraged to explore and experiment with form via close reading of poems and writing exercises in class.
Fiction with Martin Ouvry
12–16 June 2017
- Designed for writers seeking to enhance their fiction writing skills.
- Concentrates on the participants’ own writing and includes a series of in-class writing exercises.
- Helps participants explore and develop various elements of the craft: generating ideas, character, sense of time and place, narrative development, plotting, voice.
Creative non-fiction with Alexander Masters
12–16 June 2017
- Designed for writers working in all types of non-fiction, including life writing (memoir and autobiography), biography, journalism, diaries and personal essay.
- Looks at different ways to write interesting, well-structured stories that may be based on real characters and events.
- Helps participants write stories that capture and maintain the reader’s curiosity, develop intriguing characters and write lively dialogue and descriptive passages.
Writing for the Web with Sinead Keegan
19–23 June 2017
- Designed for aspiring and accomplished writers looking to become more familiar with and confident using the internet for their writing.
- Focuses on the opportunities offered by the internet for writers of all types, looks at examples of successful internet writing and considers the pros and cons of different platforms.
- Examines the process of publishing online with specific reference to digital arts publications and the opportunities available to both emerging and established writers.
Publishing/Editing with Judith Watts
26–30 June 2017
- Presents tools and processes for editing work, sending out submissions, writing a synopsis, approaching agents and getting paid.
- Explores the current publishing landscape across genres to help participants assess how to best share their writing.
- Discussions will focus on issues such as types of publishers, the benefits of digital editions, the use of social media platforms and the global market place.
Thessaloniki: one-week course
Fiction with Julia Stuart
26–30 June 2017
- Designed for aspiring and accomplished writers alike who want to develop and enhance their writing skills.
- Looks at a number of writing techniques leading novelists use to their best effect.
- Combines precise comments in peer-led workshops with individual feedback to help participants develop their own voice more confidently.
Thessaloniki: three-day workshop
Publishing/Editing with Judith Watts
21–23 June 2017
- Designed for anyone interested in editing and publishing.
- Introduces participants to current opportunities in publishing and helps them assess how to share and get paid for their writing in a global market place.
- Answers the questions participants really want to know about publishing and how to get their work out into the world and reach a wide audience.
Literary Saturday Mornings
On the occasion of our International Creative Writing Summer School and the presence of a group of distinguished British writers and creative writing experts in Athens, we’re delighted to invite you to a series of events on contemporary British literary output through readings and discussions taking place on the first three Saturdays in June.
The events will be held on 10, 17 and 24 June 2017 at Lexikopoleio (13 Stasinou Street, 116 35 Athens) and are open to the public:
| Date/Time | Event |
| 10 June 2017, 11.00 | Meet authors Heidi James and Mona Arshi |
| 17 June 2017, 11.00 | Meet authors Martin Ouvry and Alexander Masters |
| 24 June 2017, 11.00 | Meet author Sinead Keagan |
| www.facebook.com/events/1975581362671754 |
Certificates
Certificates of achievement will be awarded upon completion.
Summer School Overview
Deadline for applications |
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Entry requirements |
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| Course fees |
One-week courses: €340
Holders of the European Youth Card will be given a 25% discount on all our one-week creative writing courses throughout the registration period. Three-day workshop: €200
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How do I apply?
Email the completed application form to Maria.Papaioannou@britishcouncil.gr.
Please note:
- The form must be accompanied by a sample of your work in English: either a selection of poems or a prose piece of approximately 2,000 words, depending on the course you have chosen.
- In the case of non-native speakers of English, the level of English language competency required should be equivalent to a minimum IELTS score of 6.5 overall, with 7.0 in the writing module.
How do I pay the course fee?
Once we’ve confirmed your participation on the course(s) of your choice, we’ll ask you to pay the course fee.
- If you are resident in Greece, you can make the payment in cash or by credit card (VISA, DINERS and MASTERCARD) at our Athens office (17 Kolonaki Square, 106 73 Athens), Monday to Friday, 09.00–14.30.
- If you are resident in Greece but cannot visit our Athens office or you are an international applicant, you can make the payment by direct deposit to the British Council bank account:
ATHENS COURSES
Citibank account number: 0/444215/003
IBAN: GR51 0840 0010 0000 0044 4215 003THESSALONIKI COURSES
Alpha Bank account number: 7140 0200 2002 275
IBAN: GR85 0140 7140 7140 0200 2002 275Please quote your name followed by ‘Creative Writing’ in the ‘Αιτιολογία’ field on the deposit slip (e.g. Eleni Papanikolaou, Creative Writing).
Scan the bank deposit slip and send to Maria Papaioannou by email at Maria.Papaioannou@britishcouncil.gr.
General Conditions
- We reserve the right to make changes to the course content and programme details.
- We reserve the right not to open a class with fewer than six students. Fees will be refunded.
- No refunds will be made after the course has started.
- Places cannot be guaranteed until course fees have been paid.
- Normally the maximum number of participants per course will not exceed 15.
Information
For further details of the Summer School, the application procedure and accommodation advice, please contact Maria Papaioannou:
Maria Papaioannou
British Council
17 Kolonaki Square
106 73 Athens
Greece
Telephone +30 210 369 2336 / 333
Email Maria.Papaioannou@britishcouncil.gr
