What does it mean to write about the North? Does the North have its own literary identity? How have writers captured Northern England on the page? And how might you use aspects of Northern culture to inspire and enhance your fiction?
Through a series of collaborative, craft-based writing workshops, acclaimed novelists and experienced tutors Andrew Michael Hurley and Katherine Clements will help you explore these questions. You’ll discover the techniques that writers have used to evoke places and landscapes, embody Northern voices, and bring regional history and folklore to life. Together, we’ll consider what the North means to us as authors and how we might write about its diverse and fluid identities.
This is a course for anyone writing – or thinking about writing – short or long-form fiction set in the North of England, or for anyone with an interest in writing about place. Suitable for writers at all stages of their journey, the course will provide you with one-to-one sessions with each tutor together with workshops and discussions in a supportive group.
Note: the guest for this week is the brilliant poet and novelist Andrew McMillan!
As part of our exciting new Arvon North programme, we are offering Arvon retreats and live events in Hebden Bridge as we prepare for the redevelopment of Lumb Bank. Working with our partners at IOU Hostel in Hebden Bridge we will be offering the Arvon experience in a brand new setting. Our Arvon takeover will include exclusive use of the 14 bedroom hostel with workshop, tutorial and quiet writing space (inside and out) in a magical woodland setting at the heart of the one of Yorkshire’s most creative and inspiring towns.
The course will be hosted by the team from Arvon’s Lumb Bank and is fully catered (no group cooking), all food is vegetarian. All rooms are single occupancy with an en-suite, and the hostel is located within Hebden Bridge.
Single en-suite room, fully catered: £895
Limited concessions: £626.50
If concessions are available, they will show at checkout.
The Hostel is fully accessible with a disabled car park and step free access to the Hostel door. On the ground floor is an accessible toilet as well as a double accessible bedroom with full ensuite facilities. If you have any questions or concerns before booking, please contact lumbbank@arvon.org.
General Access Information for Residential Writing Weeks:
Available on all courses for those who are Deaf, Partially Deaf or who have significant hearing loss
We provide BSL interpreters on some courses. If you require this please check whether the course you are interested in offers this facility. Or get in touch on our dedicated access email: access@arvon.org
- We have a portable hearing loop system.
- We have a vibrating pillow pad linked to our fire alarm system.
Available on all courses for those who are blind, partially sighted or who have significant sight loss
- We welcome guide dogs
- We can provide information in large print and other formats, such as word documents or PDFs.
- We can provide large print handouts for workshops
- We can provide additional desk lamps
- There is external lighting for navigating around the property, fixed to the external elevations of the main house, front and back, as well as external buildings. Lighting is switched on and off manually by staff each day.
Available on all courses for those who have Dyslexia
There’s no need to worry about spelling, grammar or handwriting on our courses, the focus is on creativity.
- We can provide information on coloured paper
- We may be able to make arrangements such as sourcing audio of suggested reading.
- You are welcome to use any supportive technology during the sessions, such as a dictaphone or laptop.
Available on all courses to those who identify as Neuro Divergent
Arvon is committed to providing a supportive and welcoming environment to all.
- We can provide information on coloured paper
- We may be able to make arrangements such as sourcing audio of suggested reading.
- You are welcome to use any supportive technology during the sessions, such as a dictaphone or laptop.
If you need to take some time out to rest, or be alone, you’re welcome to do so. Participation in any activity is entirely at your discretion.
Andrew Michael Hurley
Katherine Clements
Andrew McMillan
