About the course

Want to enter the Creative Future Writers’ Award in short fiction and get some feedback on your work first? Over these five online sessions, you’ll be reading each other’s work, getting and giving helpful, constructive feedback on how your story could be improved. We’ll also read some great stories and discuss what makes them work. You’ll hone your writing, reading and critique skills through the workshop and peer/facilitator support and discussion. The facilitator will also give you written feedback and make further reading suggestions.

• You must have a completed/draft short fiction piece of up to 2,000 words to sign up for this course. Please send it to [email protected] no later than 14 February.
• You must commit to reading and giving verbal (and written if you like) feedback on other participants’ work. You’ll need to read these before the session and come ready to discuss them.

Please do not sign up for this course if you don’t feel able to fulfil these requirements. We have other current or upcoming courses which might be more suitable.

We must receive the piece you want to work on by 14 February, or we will have to cancel your place and offer it to another writer on the waiting list. (Your booking fee will be refunded.)

Who is it for?

This course is for all underrepresented writers—those who face barriers to opportunities due to mental health issues, physical health/disability, sensory impairment, learning disabilities, neurodivergence, substance misuse, survivors, working class backgrounds, those from the LGBTQIA+ community, Black, Asian, traveller, mixed heritage or other global majority backgrounds.

Dates

Wednesdays, 21 & 28 February, 6, 13 & 20 March

Times

6:30-8pm

Cost

£40/£20 concessions

The more people who can book at full price, the more we’ll be able to offer—these fees subsidise our workshops. Lower price tickets are available for those on benefits, unemployed/underemployed or on low wages. We do not ask for proof that you qualify. We also have other workshops at lower fees—please subscribe to our newsletter to keep up to date.

About the tutor

Matt Freidson has taught writing at Birkbeck, City Lit, the University of Oregon and the Wisconsin Institute for Creative Writing, where he held a Carl Djerassi Fellowship. His work has appeared in the anthology Best New American Voices and in over twenty magazines and journals, and his novel This Side of the River came out in 2021. He has managed the Creative Future Writers’ Award since 2019, including long- and shortlist judging, and has read every entry to the competition for the past five years.