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Young writers can join Arvon 18-25 for half-price discounts on courses with late availability and signposting to young writers’ opportunities.

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TIPS & EXERCISES

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Someone Who’ll Write… To Me

A playwriting tip and exercise inspired by Frank McGuinness’ beautiful play, Someone Who’ll Watch Over Me.
We often…

Jessica Swale

Exercises

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Design a Retreat in a Day

I swear by solo writing retreats as a way of engaging more deeply with my writing. Once a year I go…

Emylia Hall

Tips

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Retreat in a Day

Solo retreats have become essential to my writing process. I book a cottage somewhere remote – coastal spots are my favourite…

Emylia Hall

Exercises

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Storyline

Write a synopsis of your story/book. But write it more like a storyline. Detail the series of events, over time. Make…

Kerry Young

More tips and exercises

The Stories We Tell

In our new blog series, The Stories We Tell, leading writers share with you some of the inspirations, challenges and discoveries that led to the writing of their own stories, novels and poems.

The Stories We Tell

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…

Covid-19 Update

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…

Stephen Thompson – The Stories We Tell

01 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. …

The Stories We Tell – Eley Williams

05 Feb 2020 / The Stories We Tell

On Jotting – Ten Postcards

Postcard 1
I once wrote a short story titled ‘Smote’. Actually,…

The Bridport Prize, Poetry Prize – closing 31 May

Eligible to published or unpublished authors for a previously unpublished poem of no more than 42 lines. The winner will receive £5000; a runner up receives £1000 and third place will win £500. Additionally, 10 highly commended poems will win £100. All of these will be featured in the Bridport Prize anthology. The entry fee is £10 per poem, and entries close on 31 May at 23:59.

The Bridport Prize, Flash Fiction Prize – closing 31 May

Eligible to published or unpublished authors for a previously unpublished story of no more than 250 words. The winner will receive £1000; a runner up receives £500 and third place will win £250. Additionally, 3 highly commended stories will win £100. All of these will be featured in the Bridport Prize anthology. The entry fee is £9 per story, and entries close on 31 May at 23:59.

The Bridport Prize, Short Story Prize – closing May 31

Eligible to published or unpublished authors for a previously unpublished story of no more than 5000 words. The winner will receive £5000; a runner up receives £1000 and third place will win £500. Additionally, 10 highly commended stories will win £100. All of these will be featured in the Bridport Prize anthology. The entry fee is £12 per story, and entries close on 31 May at 23:59.

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