We are excited to reveal information about the Dare to Write? Academy – a new series of writing events, flagship courses, and workshops available in 2020. The Dare to Write? Academy is one of our co-produced projects, led by TRACE at Bath Spa University.
The Paper Nations’ Writing for All programme will contribute to the The Dare to Write? Academy through the provision of three sponsored places on the Academy’s Flagship Course. Our aim in providing these places is to sustain long-term support for writers in the South West of England, especially in rural areas, coastal areas, and estates that are under represented. The sponsored places are both for low-income writers, and for writers facilitating initiatives within under-represented communities. If you are interested in getting one of these places then register an interest and we will let you know how and when to apply.
Paper Nations will also collaborate with the Dare to Write? Academy on several aspects of their events series, including their monthly meetups for writers in Bath and the annual international Writers’ Summit. Read on for more details about what’s on offer, and register an interest to be informed when bookings open.
The Dare to Write? Academy aims to grow an inclusive and empowered writing community in the South West. The Academy programme draws from our ongoing research and tackles things that writers of all types tell us they need. The focus is on providing writers with tactics that enable them to start and keep writing throughout the year alongside other commitments such as work or family. There is something for almost everyone – whether you’re looking to develop new writing habits, need support designing your next writing workshop or educational programme, are considering embarking on a PhD, want to network with other writers and researchers, or just want more long-term support and mentorship.
The Academy is led by our creative producer, Lucy Sweetman, who is also a Senior Creative Writing Lecturer at Bath Spa University.
A few highlights include:
- Meetups and Networking Events: monthly events with opportunities to meet other writers and talk about writing. Paper Nations will provide a venue for these events at our new home in Palace Yard Mews, Bath. To ensure that everyone can participate, we will issue event passports to low-income writers and writing facilitators working with under-represented communities. The passports will be made available via the Writing for All commissioning scheme.
- The Writer’s Cycle on Tour: book a sneak preview of the The Writer’s Cycle, a habit based guide to writing and exploration. The tour kicked off on September 18th at Newton Park Library, and our next event is on October 18th at StoryTown. We’ll continue to offer previews throughout 2019 at your event or library. In 2020, an abbreviated digital version of the Writer’s Cycle will be released online, and an expanded version will be made available via our Dare to Write? Academy workshops.
- Discover Your Writer Identity: A workshop introducing the The Writer’s Cycle, the resource underpinning the Dare to Write? Academy’s education programmes. This workshop allows participants to begin thinking about what kind of writer they are, what stage of their writing journey they are at, and to create a plan or proposal.
- Flagship Courses: For writers who want extra support and community interaction to develop their own creative practice or to establish new projects. Participants sign up for a 5 day workshop, delivered over three-months and inspired by the Writer’s Cycle.
- The Writers’ Summit: An annual event featuring masterclasses, award-winning authors, and publishing opportunities. It’s for people who want to be inspired, connect to others, chart a plan, and take a leap into the next phase of their writing journey. The first masterclass will be led by award winning author, Aminatta Forna.
- On-Demand Workshops: In an ideal world, if you see a dream course that will help you in your writing journey then you should be able to find the time to take part. But we know from our research that the life of a writer is far from ideal. That’s why we’ve decided to experiment with ‘on-demand’ workshops. We want to build a programme of events and workshops that adapts to meet your working life and family commitments. Get in touch to tell us what dates and times work best for you. We will factor this information into the programming of our fixed workshops and/or we can work with you to create a bespoke time that suits your lifestyle or organisation.
As we want to make the Academy as inclusive as possible, Writing for All is offering a series of free one-hour introductions to The Writers’ Cycle as part of our touring series. We are also offering paid commissions so that low-income creative writers and writing facilitators working with under-represented communities can attend the Academy. The commissions will include a voucher to attend some of the Academy sessions in return for making a commitment to share your aspects of your learning with others.
For those with sufficient incomes, the full price for each workshop is £150 per person, per day. The cost of a 5-day flagship course with mentoring is £950 per person. Networking and ad hoc events will be in the range of £10, depending on featured speakers and any other additional costs. If you have an income but still need support with costs, Paper Nations can provide advice on raising funds from your employer or from another source.
Interested? Here are a few actions that you can take now to ensure that you don’t miss out:
- Book onto our free taster workshop at StoryTown this year. At this event Lucy Sweetman will introduce the Writer’s Cycle and provide tips on writing proposals: https://daretowrite.org/event/writing-creative-project-proposals/. *Please note this workshop has now taken place.
- Book a free 1hr introduction to The Writer’s Cycle, or contact us now to arrange an on-demand event at your organisation: writers@papernations.org.
- Register your interest to be informed when bookings open for our fixed schedule of events.
- Register your interest in our sponsored commissions, and get on the waiting list for more news about how to apply.
The Dare to Write? Academy will fully open its doors in 2020.