About Writer's Summer School: Revitalise Your Writing
Do you have a writing project that needs some care and attention? On this five-day summer school, author Yvonne Battle-Felton, along with Library Curators, publishing industry experts and creative practitioners, will guide you through writing tasks, creative activities and one-to-one support designed to get your words flowing.
As well as time for writing, you’ll also experience special Library tours and collection show-and-tells to spark inspiration. Full programme details below.
Special guests to be announced.
A vegetarian sandwich lunch is provided each day.
Your support
The British Library is a charity. Your support helps us open up a world of knowledge and inspiration for everyone. Please consider adding a donation to your basket.
Yvonne Battle-Felton
Yvonne Battle-Felton is an author, academic, host, creative producer, and writer.
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Remembered (Dialogue Books/Blackstone) was longlisted for the Women’s Prize for Fiction (2019) and shortlisted for the Jhalak Prize (2020). Yvonne has nonfiction children’s titles in Penguin Random House’s Ladybird series. Yvonne's second novel, Curdle Creek (Henry Holt/Dialogue Books), is available now. Yvonne is the Academic Director of Creative Writing at Cambridge University Institute of Continuing Education and a Senior Commissioning Editor at John Murray.
Hannah Chukwu
Hannah Chukwu is a multi-award-winning Publishing Director at Dialogue Books.
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Hannah Chukwu is a multi-award-winning Publishing Director at Dialogue Books, where she leads the literary team publishing across fiction and non-fiction, with a focus on publishing underrepresented voices. Authors she publishes include bell hooks, Bora Chung and Yoko Tawada. Prior to joining Dialogue, she commissioned at Hamish Hamilton, PRH, where she also edited Five Dials magazine, founded the Black Britain: Writing Back series with Bernardine Evaristo, and was the Policy and Campaign Consultant for the curriculum change project Lit in Colour, in collaboration with the Runnymede Trust. She is a Trustee for the education charity The Brilliant Club.
Programme
Day 1: Monday 21 July
10.15 – 10.30: Morning refreshments
10.30 – 10.45: Welcome and overview of the week
10.45 – 11.15: Introducing your projects
11.15 – 12.30: Group activity
12.30 – 13.15: Lunch (provided in the lunchroom)
13.15 – 16.00: Individual writing task: developing character
16.00 – 16.30: Group reflections and intention setting for the week
16.30: Close
Day 2: Tuesday 22 July
10.15 – 10.30: Morning refreshments
10.30 – 11.15: Individual writing task
11.15 – 12.30: Discovering the British Library’s Research Services
12.30 – 13.15: Lunch (provided in the lunchroom)
13.15 – 14.15: Curator’s favourites – collections show-and-tell
14.15 – 14.45: Getting ready for research: making your research list
14.45 – 16.15: Group writing task
16.15 – 16.30: Day 2 reflections
16.30: Close
Day 3: Wednesday 23 July
10.15 – 10.30: Morning refreshments
10.30 – 11.00: Curator’s favourites – collections show-and-tell
11.00 – 12.30: Individual writing task
12.30 – 13.15: Lunch (provided in the lunchroom)
13.15 – 15.15: Curator tour and visit to Fairytales exhibition
15.15 – 16.30: Individual writing task OR personal study time
16.30: Close
Day 4: Thursday 24 July
10.15 – 10.30: Morning refreshments
10.30 – 11.00: Group writing task
11.00 – 12.30: Talk and Q&A with publisher, Hannah Chukwa, Hachette
12.30 – 13.15: Lunch (provided in the lunchroom)
13.15 – 14.15: Creative workshop: experimental storytelling
14.15 – 16.00: Individual writing task OR personal study time
16.00 – 16.30: Intention setting for final day
16.30: Close
Day 5: Friday 25 July
10.15 – 10.30: Morning refreshments
10.30 – 12.30: Individual writing task OR personal study time
12.30 – 13.15: Lunch (provided in the lunchroom)
13.15 – 15.30: Next steps for your writing
15.30 – 16.30: Group writing task and reflection on the week
16.30 – 17.30: Celebratory drinks reception
17.30: Close
All timings are approximate. Programme is subject to changes and these will be communicated to you as soon as possible.
Room information
- The week takes place in the Harry M Weinrebe Learning Centre on the lower ground floor of the British Library, 96 Euston Road, London
- Reading Rooms are located across multiple floors, you will need a free Readers card to enter. Please ensure you have one in advance of the summer school
- you will be guided by staff to any other Library rooms or spaces used during the week.
Prior Experience and preparation
No prior expereince is required. This summer school is suitable for all levels.
For preparation please ensure you have a free British Library Readers Pass.
Accessibility and dietary requirements
There is step-free access to all rooms the Summer School will take place within.
A vegetarian lunch will be provided on each day of the Summer School.
If you have accessibility or dietary requirements please email adultlearning@bl.uk as soon as possible.
Concessions
There are a range of concessions available. These include discounts for Members, Young Persons (16–25s) and visitors on Universal/Pension Credit. Press Book Now to see the full range of concessions for this event.
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