Feb 10-14
Online
Online Writing Week: Writing Relationships in Poetry
Wild and wondrous ways of writing love



This Queer Arvon Writing Week invites you to a welcoming and supportive space, where you’ll explore how notions of gender, sexuality, race, class and ableism intersect in our lives and our writing.
With experienced tutors Mary Jean Chan and Kostya Tsolakis you’ll delve into the work of poets and thinkers such as Elizabeth Bishop, Adrienne Rich, Sara Ahmed, Chen Chen, Kei Miller, Jay Bernard, Yanyi, Amaan Hyder, Mícheál McCann and Eric Yip, examining how history, culture, and politics shape their unique queer voices.
You’ll explore poems in translation and those that blend languages, offering fresh perspectives on universal themes like longing, belonging, family, inheritance, love, and finding happiness on your own terms. Through writing exercises and discussions, you’ll challenge assumptions about identity and meaning, and explore how writing can contribute to a more just and equitable world. Whether you’re a seasoned poet or just starting out, this week offers a chance to connect with other queer writers, experiment with your craft, and discover new ways of expressing yourself.
Please note, due to the time difference in Hong Kong, where Mary Jean will be teaching from, this timetable has a different structure to other Arvon Writing Weeks. Please see detailed timetable below and email arvonathome@arvon.org with any questions.
Is this course for me?
These courses are often attended by writers who:
• Want to commit time to their writing but life keeps getting in the way
• Want to set aside five days to focus on their writing
• Need the flexibility and accessibility of attending from their own space
• Would love one-to-one feedback from two professional writers
• Want a live, fully interactive experience with a group of no more than 14 writers
What will I gain?
• Daily interactive mornings workshops to propel your writing forward
• Two 25 minute one-to-one tutorials with experienced tutors
• Free passes to any webinar events happening elsewhere at Arvon at Home during your week with us including masterclasses (each worth £40)
• A reading and Q&A with your tutors
• Daily check-ins
• A group of creative peers who you may decide to keep in contact with after the course
• Support at all times from friendly Arvon hosts
• An inclusive and supportive environment in which to open up creatively
How does it work?
The week starts with an introductory session to get to know you and your writing, and the chance to meet the other writers in the group. Then each day there will be morning workshops designed to move you and your writing forward, and check-ins at the end of each day. You will also be offered one-to-one tutorials with each tutor + a free pass to all readings and masterclasses happening elsewhere at Arvon at Home.
All sessions are delivered live via Zoom meetings, with the option of cameras off or on. Groups are limited to 14 writers so the experience has a bespoke feel.
A more detailed timetable can be found below.
Why Arvon?
Arvon is a not-for-profit charity that has been running since 1968.
At Arvon, everyone who crosses the door of one of our writing houses is a writer – no matter what their age or writing experience – and all are welcome.
Online: £450
Concessions: £315
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.
We are committed to making our Arvon at Home programme accessible to as many people as possible.
Across all of Arvon at Home
Online Writing Weeks
Subject to funding/permissions (please contact arvonathome@arvon.org for more details)
If you have any access issues that we have not covered here, please contact us on access@arvon.org
See here for more access information.
Nothing short of transformative! I can't believe how much we packed into just a few days and how much impact it has had. I'm writing in new styles, new forms, new images, new rhythms!— Writing Week Participant
I had the chance to speak with two well respected tutors about my work. Being able to do this in one-to-one tutorials was excellent and not reduced in any way by being on Zoom. A good chance for some very good advice. I am now determined to set to work on my writing.— Writing Week Participant
Arvon courses are always so inclusive, supportive, fun, and instructive. There is something really magical and intimate about what happens during the week.— Writing Week Participant
Monday
10.00–12.00 Everyone gathers online in Arvon’s Zoom Writing House. Your Arvon host will welcome you and the tutors. You’ll get to meet everyone, ask questions, and settle in. Your tutors will ask you to start thinking about your writing, perhaps setting an exercise.
12.00–13.00 Break
13.00–14.30 First workshop with both tutors: Everyone meets online for the workshop, which includes writing exercises, discussion and a comfort break
14.30–16.00 Break
16.00–17.00 Tutor readings: Both tutors read and speak about their work, followed by a Q&A hosted by your Arvon host.
19.00–19.30 Evening free write session with Kostya
Tuesday
8.00–8.30 Morning free write session with Mary Jean
8.30–10.00 Break
10.00–12.00 Tutorials or Writing Time: Please keep this time pencilled in your diary. Over the course of the week you will have 2 x one-to-one tutorials lasting 25 minutes (one with each of your tutors). These will be allocated for you and sent to you a week before the course starts. If you do not have a tutorial, we encourage you to use this time to write.
11.00–11.30 Optional coffee time social in the workshop room
12.00–13.00 Break
13.00–14.30 Workshop: Everyone meets online for the workshop, which includes writing exercises, discussion and a comfort break.
14.30–16.00 Break
16.00–17.00 Writing time – pre-recorded audio options. Your tutors will record some short clips for you to access in your own time, away from the screen, maybe while you are on a walk, commuting home from work, or lying down taking a rest. Transcripts will be provided.
17.00–19.00 Break
19.00–19.30 Evening free write session with Kostya
Wednesday
8.00–8.30 Morning free write session with Mary Jean
8.30–10.00 Break
10.00–12.00 Tutorials or Writing Time: Please keep this time pencilled in your diary. Over the course of the week you will have 2 x one-to-one tutorials lasting 25 minutes (one with each of your tutors). These will be allocated for you and sent to you a week before the course starts. If you do not have a tutorial, we encourage you to use this time to write.
11.00–11.30 Optional coffee time social in the workshop room
12.00–13.00 Break
13.00–14.30 Workshop: Everyone meets online for the workshop, which includes writing exercises, discussion and a comfort break.
14.30–16.00 Break
16.00–17.00 Writing time – pre-recorded audio options. Your tutors will record some short clips for you to access in your own time, away from the screen, maybe while you are on a walk, commuting home from work, or lying down taking a rest. Transcripts will be provided.
17.00–19.00 Break
19.00–19.30 Evening free write session with Kostya
Thursday
8.00–8.30 Morning free write session with Mary Jean
8.30–10.00 Break
10.00–12.00 Tutorials or Writing Time: Please keep this time pencilled in your diary. Over the course of the week you will have 2 x one-to-one tutorials lasting 25 minutes (one with each of your tutors). These will be allocated for you and sent to you a week before the course starts. If you do not have a tutorial, we encourage you to use this time to write.
11.00–11.30 Optional coffee time social in the workshop room
12.00–13.00 Break
13.00–14.30 Workshop: Everyone meets online for the workshop, which includes writing exercises, discussion and a comfort break.
14.30–16.00 Break
16.00–17.00 Writing time – pre-recorded audio options. Your tutors will record some short clips for you to access in your own time, away from the screen, maybe while you are on a walk, commuting home from work, or lying down taking a rest. Transcripts will be provided.
17.00–19.00 Break
19.00–19.30 Evening free write session with Kostya
Friday
8.00–8.30 Morning free write session with Mary Jean
8.30–10.00 Break
10.00–12.00 Tutorials or Writing Time: Please keep this time pencilled in your diary. Over the course of the week you will have 2 x one-to-one tutorials lasting 25 minutes (one with each of your tutors). These will be allocated for you and sent to you a week before the course starts. If you do not have a tutorial, we encourage you to use this time to write.
11.00–11.30 Optional coffee time social in the workshop room
12.00–13.00 Break
13.00–14.30 Workshop: Everyone meets online for the workshop, which includes writing exercises, discussion and a comfort break.
14.30–16.00 Break
16.00–17.00 A celebratory reading where you have the chance to share some of your new writing. Expect laughter, tears and a huge sense of pride for all you have learned, written and achieved this week. There’ll be plenty of virtual hugs.
And then...
Next steps: The week doesn’t stop here. You now have a writing community. Stay in touch. Share your work with each other, and take it forward!