Short Course: Read like a Writer

How often have you heard a successful writer say that reading is the key to good writing? Reading as a writer is a skill. It’s active, interactive and gives a turbo-boost to your own craft. On this specially programmed course, Sam Jordison and Jo Bell will encourage you to produce new material based on reading together, writing together, and engaging in lively conversation about the writers who most inspire us.

Drawing from Sam’s knowledge as an editor and publisher of both fiction and non-fiction, and Jo’s experience as a poet and memoirist, you will dig into a selection of texts to discover the ways in which writers ensure their words have maximum impact and make their work sing. Join them both for carefully crafted, and sometimes playful, exercises, as well as focused feedback on your own work in progress.

Wherever you are on your writing journey, and whatever your chosen genre, there is always something to learn from diving deep into the work of other writers, and Totleigh Barton – a 16th-century manor house nestling in a peaceful Devon valley – has no shortage of comfortable reading nooks. Turn inspiration into practical creation as you discover how becoming a better reader can make you a better writer.

*Please use the expandable links below to reveal timings and further details of the course schedule.

Room with indoor shared bathroom: £640

Room with shared bathroom accessed via outdoor covered pathway: £590

Concessions: Room with indoor shared bathroom £448

Concessions: Room with shared bathroom accessed via outdoor covered pathway  £413

As part of our effort to increase participation in the arts, we offer limited concessionary places at a 30% reduction. You can select this option at checkout if available.

Physical Access at Totleigh Barton:

We do not currently recommend this house if you are a wheelchair user. Totleigh Barton is a sixteenth-Century manor house and has many steps and tight corners. In the future we hope to redevelop the property to provide level access. For additional detailed information on physical access in bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchen, dining, shared spaces and the grounds please visit our dedicated access page.

Please see our access page for general access information for residential courses.

Our grants scheme may be able to cover a portion of your course fees. Disability costs and additional living/support costs are taken into account when considering your grant application. You may also be entitled to concession pricing on selected courses.

If you have any questions or concerns and want to chat to a member of staff prior to booking please contact us on access@arvon.org

Totleigh Barton, the first ever Arvon centre, is a 16th-century manor house in one of the most peaceful and idyllic parts of Devon.

Totleigh Barton is a thatched manor house with single occupancy rooms and shared bathrooms. The house offers many comfortable lounge and spaces to relax and write throughout the house and a renovated barn offers a comfortable space for evening readings. Mobile and Wi-Fi signal is limited. We invite you to think of a retreat to this beautiful old house as a full ‘digital detox’ – a chance to make real progress with your writing with no distractions.

All your meals are provided, locally and sustainably sourced wherever possible. Help yourself to breakfast, our team will prepare lunch, and dinner is prepared in groups each evening using the delicious recipes and ingredients provided.

Totleigh Barton lies two miles from the village of Sheepwash, with walks along the River Torridge nearby. There is a beautiful and productive garden and quiet spaces on-site for writing.

See here for more information on Totleigh Barton.