Introduction
This course will ask a central question: what does it mean to be a writer today, in light of the Climate and Ecological Emergency? It is for anyone interested in the future of creative writing. Both emerging and more established writers will benefit from intensive workshops, one-to-one tutoring, time to write and create ideas, as well as feedback from peers in small-group readings.
During the course you will review the essentials of both fiction and nonfiction – from the use of place, to editing techniques, narrative structure to the role played by character – and consider how these might reflect and explore this most important of issues. But it will also be a forum, an opportunity for participants to learn from one another, to share their fears, hopes and ideas, and to help advance a vital conversation.
‘Writing, Climate and the Living World’ will seek to inform and inspire, while embracing the landscape around Troed yr Harn. The creative response to the CEE remains in its infancy. The challenge is immense, but so is the imperative to meet that challenge, and so are the potential rewards.
What will I do and learn?
- Provide an overview of the essentials of creative writing.
- Consider the participants’ writing-in-progress (if any) to give a new sense of perspective and momentum to their work.
- Discuss the facts of the CEE and what role writing might play in response.
- Build a sense of common purpose and forge new, supportive relationships.
- Explore and develop a close appreciation of the landscape around Troed yr Harn.
Who will I learn from?
Jay Griffiths
Jay Griffiths is the award-winning author of many books including Wild: An Elemental Journey. She has broadcast and written widely, including for Radiohead and the Royal Shakespeare Company. Her work has received widespread accolades including from Gary Snyder, Barry Lopez, Don Paterson, John Berger, Philip Pullman, KT Tunstall and Nikolai Fraiture. Her latest book is Why Rebel and her forthcoming book is titled Nemesis, My Friend: Journeys Through the Turning Times.
Tom Bullough
Tom is the author of four novels – most recently Addlands, a story of seventy years on a Radnorshire hill farm, which, among other plaudits, was the subject of a sermon in Westminster Abbey. His fifth book, Sarn Helen – a study of Welsh history and the climate crisis, illustrated by Jackie Morris – is forthcoming from Granta Books.
Pascale Petit
Pascale is of French, Welsh, and Indian heritage. Her seventh collection, Mama Amazonica, won the inaugural Laurel Prize for eco-poetry, the Royal Society of Literature Ondaatje Prize 2018 – the first time a poetry book won this prize for a work of fiction, non-fiction or poetry best evoking the spirit of a place.
Key Information
Dates: 22nd – 26th September 2022
Time: Arrival at 4pm on Thursday 22nd. Departure at 9am on Monday 26th.
Location: Troed yr Harn Farm, Hospital Road, Talgarth, LD3 0EF
How much does it cost?
Stay in individual tent £600
Stay in shared tent £450
The fee covers activities, accommodation in one of our bell tents, and meals.
We would like our courses to be as accessible as possible. We therefore offer a limited number of full bursaries for those unable to contribute. To request a bursary, please complete this form: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/WJVG6S7
Thanks to Literature Wales who will be paying a bursary of £600 to one applicant on the course.
Application deadline is 5.00 pm on Wednesday 24 August.
Accessibility
This course is rated as 3 (least accessible) on our scale of accessibility. Read more about this on the Eventbrite page.
Please see our booking terms & conditions on our Eventbrite page for more information. When booking you confirm you agree to these terms.
We will follow the most recent COVID measures and protocols in order to keep everyone safe and healthy for the duration of the course.
CLICK HERE TO APPLY
