Arvon runs an annual programme of creative writing courses and retreats for schools, groups and individuals. Our courses, tutored by leading authors, are held at three rural centres and include a powerful mix of workshops and individual tutorials, with time and space to write, free from distractions of everyday life. Arvon courses are in a range of genres and we have different styles of courses. Grants are available to help with course fees.
How will Covid-19 affect Arvon courses?
Following government advice, and with the safety and wellbeing of our staff and course participants in mind, we have made the difficult decision to close all three Arvon centres until the end of June 2020. We will be in touch with all writers who have booked places on our imminent courses outlining your options.
Do you believe that everyone should have the opportunity to unlock their creative potential?
We believe that everyone deserves the freedom to imagine, write and explore ideas regardless of their age or financial background.
Apr 8
Online
Fiction
,Non-Fiction
Reading and Q&A from Cathy Rentzenbrink via Zoom
Apr 9
Online 14.00am
Non-Fiction
In-depth feedback on your non-fiction work-in-progress
May 18
Online 11.00am
Fiction
In-depth feedback on your fiction work-in-progress
May 25
Online 11.00am
Fiction
In-depth feedback on your fiction work-in-progress
Jul 6-11
Lumb Bank
Fiction
Make your writing sing
Jul 6-11
Totleigh Barton
Retreat
Centre, stretch and engage yourself in the present
Jul 13-18
Totleigh Barton
Fiction
Freedom and structure
Jul 27-Aug 1
The Hurst
Non-Fiction
Bringing what's in your head and heart onto the page
Every time I’ve taught at Arvon - going back over fifteen years now - I’ve seen how much difference just a handful of days can make in the life of writers. There’s a perfect mix of tutorials, writing time, socializing, and discussion - all those elements come together to create an atmosphere in which writing projects move in that longed-for but often unattainable direction: forward.
— Kamila Shamsie
Exercises
Fiction
Whenever you write a scene it’s a good idea to rewrite it – perhaps in note form – using a different…
Tips
Poetry
Each line must carry at least one unit of sense either in the line itself or across several lines.
To make…
Tips
Non-Fiction & Life Writing
Objects have immense power to help us to tell stories.
I have found that an entire storyline can be found in…
Exercises
Film & TV
PART ONE: Documentary or Research Exercise for Screenwriters
Using a still camera and or a tape recorder (or video recorder), follow…
Tips
Writing for Children & YA
After the giddy rush of a first draft, how you edit and refine your work is of equal, if not more…
Exercises
All
,Writing for Children & YA
Start with a scenario – this might be a random picture, a very short scene from a novel, a few lines…
Tips
Fiction
Before you begin to write your story ask yourself what is it about, what do you want it to say, what…
Exercises
Fiction
Think about your favourite novel or short story, or if not your favourite, then the novel or short story you are…
19 Mar 2020 / The Stories We Tell
The Haunted Library
The inspiration to write historical fiction arrives with a strange and wonderful sensation. A subject that…
18 Mar 2020 / News
Following government advice, and with the safety and wellbeing of our staff and course participants in mind, we have made the…
Read more01 Mar 2020 / The Stories We Tell
Speaky-Spokey
I decided to become a writer after reading A House For Mr. Biswas by V.S. Naipaul. …
05 Feb 2020 / The Stories We Tell
On Jotting – Ten Postcards
Postcard 1
I once wrote a short story titled ‘Smote’. Actually,…
We offer residential weeks for schools, young people and adult groups.
Our weeks for schools and groups follow the same pattern as our adult course programme – led by two professional writers, with tutorials, group workshops, and time and space to write.
