From late summer onwards, acclaimed novelist John Murray is offering something unique in creative writing teaching. John, who has over twenty years of fiction teaching under his belt, will be offering novelists and short story writers intensive but enjoyable fiction courses based in his lovely North Cumbrian farmhouse.
Breakfast and lunch will be relaxed and flexible affairs, but gourmet vegetarian food will be served to students every evening. Other attractions will include guest authors giving readings and discussing their work with the group.
The courses, for very small groups (maximum of 3 students), are structured as follows:
Start 4pm-6pm Friday, depart 4pm-6pm Sunday.
Friday 4pm-6pm: gradual arrival of students.
Friday 6pm: welcome, introduction and dinner, followed by writing exercise.
Saturday morning: group work to develop editorial skills based on exercise above. Further writing exercise.
Saturday afternoon: one-to-one tutorials with tutor. Writing time for students not in tutorial.
Saturday evening: dinner followed by guest author and writing exercise.
Sunday morning: further one-to-one tutorials. Writing time for students not in tutorial.
Sunday afternoon: students read and discuss work produced over the weekend.
Sunday 4pm-6pm: gradual departure of students in accordance with travel arrangements.
Accommodation
The price for all weekend courses (see below) includes all tuition plus full board and accommodation.
Location and transport
Crooked Holme, Brampton, Cumbria CA8 2AT – 12 miles east of Carlisle and 4 miles west of Brampton. Those travelling by train can either take a taxi or by prior arrangement be picked up from Carlisle or Brampton station.
Arrival time
These weekend courses commence flexibly between 4pm and 6pm on the Friday, meaning students need to plan to arrive between those times. The teaching starts at 6pm so it is advisable to leave enough time to arrive by taxi, unpack, etc. As a rough guide it takes about half an hour by taxi from Carlisle station to Crooked Holme, and about 10 minutes from Brampton station. The same flexible arrangement applies to the finishing time on Sunday.
Prices
£350 all inclusive (all tuition, meals, accommodation).
Reservations
Places are allocated on a first come first served basis, and groups will never exceed three students. If you are keen to get on one of these challenging but enjoyable courses you should make your reservations as soon as possible.
Availability
To enquire about dates and availability email john@crookedholme.plus.com or telephone 01697 741087. For 2010 dates see below.
Bookings/deposits
To make a definite booking, cheques for half the total amount should be sent to: John Murray, Crooked Holme, Brampton, Cumbria CA8 2AT.
Cancellations/reimbursements
You may cancel up to one month before the course commences and your reservation fee will be returned.
Final payment
The remaining half of the total amount must be paid one month before the course commences, whereafter neither this nor the reservation fee can be reimbursed.
Special requirements
All food will be quality vegetarian, but people with special diets, vegans and those with allergies will gladly be catered for by special arrangement.
Dates for Weekend Courses in 2010 (Friday afternoon to Sunday afternoon in all cases):
July 23rd-25th
August 6th-8th
August 20th-22nd Fully booked
August 27th-29th
September 10th-12th
October 1st-3rd
October 8th-10th
October 29th -31st
November 12th-14th
November 26th-28th
December 10th-12th
John Murray’s fiction tutoring experience
John Murray has been a much acclaimed fiction teacher since 1987 and has worked for the Arvon Foundation, Madingley Hall (University of Cambridge), and taught degree level creative writing. He initiated the highly innovative Cumbrian Fiction Surgeries 2001-2006 which helped launch the novel writing careers of Clare Sambrook (Canongate) and Gareth Thompson (Random House).
‘My first novel will be published by Canongate as their lead spring title. Thanks again for your fantastic help’ – Clare Sambrook, author of Hide and Seek
He was also founder-editor of the legendary Panurge fiction magazine, which he co-edited with David Almond from 1984 to1996. Panurge specialised in seeking out bold new talent and amongst those who appeared there before they made their names were Patrick McCabe and the late Julia Darling.
John has published eight acclaimed novels and a book of stories, and is a winner of the Dylan Thomas Award. His novel Jazz Etc was longlisted for the Booker Prize in 2003. He has been Royal Literary Fellow at Lancaster University 2007-2010.
‘one of the best comic writer’s we’ve got’ – Jonathan Coe, The Observer
‘one of my favourite writers’ DJ Taylor, The Guardian.
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