Next month I start my month long ‘writing retreat’ using a bursary given to me by the Stephen Joseph Theatre in Scarborough, which will help me focus on writing my novel. I’m adding a chunk of my savings to the bursary and taking the month away from all work except Spelt magazine, to concentrate solely on my own creative practice. I am ridiculously excited about it.

While I’ve been getting the next lot of online courses outlined and opened for bookings in advance of my retreat (find out all about October and November courses here)I’ve decided to take the next step with the online courses and launch my very first online writing retreat!

Online Winter Writing Retreat

An online, five day, poetry writing retreat

6th December 2021 to 10th December 2021 Inclusive

Brand new for 2021 this online poetry writing retreat features workshops, hosted writing challenges, prompted group writing time, evening guest readings and open mics. All from the comfort of your own home. The week is carefully scheduled to provide space away from the computer to write, as well as having plenty of stimulating events to inspire and encourage. Each day includes morning and afternoon activities, with evening events three times (Wednesday, Thursday and Friday) over the course of the week. I’m delighted to include guest readings from Gill McEvoy and Jonathan Davidson who will both be running workshops as well, as part of the retreat’s activities. 

Price: £125

Guest Readers

Jonathan Davidson

Jonathan Davidson is a poet, writer and literature activist. He lives in the English Midlands but works internationally. His poetry has been widely published and he has also written memoir and criticism. His radio dramas and adaptations have been broadcast by BBC Radios 3 and 4. Much of his work is focussed on how writing – especially poetry – is experienced by readers and listeners. His most recent collection is A Commonplace (Smith|Doorstop, 2020) and was included in The Morning Star’s best poetry books of 2020 and has been widely reviewed, including in Under the Radar, TLS and Racine. His previous book, On Poetry (Smith|Doorstop, 2018), a combination of memoir and manual, was included in The Guardian’s Top 10 Books About Creative Writing 2020. His blogposts about poetry and the poetry sector are at www.jonathandavidson.net.

Gill McEvoy

Gill McEvoy lives in Chester where she runs a poetry reading group (The Golden Pear) and a workshop for practising poets (The Poem Shed). Her first HappenStance pamphlet (Uncertain Days, 2006) dealt with difficult territory: her own diagnosis of cancer, and the disabling illness and death of her husband. Her second, The First Telling, won the 2015 Michael Marks Award for Poetry Pamphlets.

Wendy Pratt

As well as organising the course and facilitating the schedule, I’ll also be giving a reading of my own work.

Wendy Pratt is a poet, author, mentor and workshop facilitator living and working on the glorious North Yorkshire coast. Her latest full collection, When I Think of My Body as a Horse, was one of the winners of the Poetry Business Book and Pamphlet Competition 2020. Wendy is also founder and editor of Spelt magazine, a magazine dedicated to celebrating and validating the rural experience through poetry and creative non fiction.

Further Details

Who is the Retreat Aimed At?

Anyone interested in writing poetry, from beginners to the more advanced will enjoy this week of wintry writing.

What Do I need to Take Part?

• You need access to a computer, laptop or iPad (you should be able to take part using a mobile phone, but the quality may not be as good).
• A desire to enjoy a week of writing and stimulation

Payments and Refunds

• Payment is in full. Refunds will be given up to 30 days before the event, if requested. 
• I am able to offer one fully funded place on the retreat for a writer in financial difficulties. Please message me if you are in receipt of benefits and unable to otherwise afford to take part in the retreat. wendyprattfreelancewriter@gmail.com
• I am also able to offer two reduced price places for writers in financial difficulty. Please message me to enquire about this. wendyprattfreelancewriter@gmail.com
• If Paypal is not possible, please get in touch for bank transfer details. Wendyprattfreelancewriter@gmail.com
• Please let me know if your PayPal email address differs from the email address you would like links and information sent to.
• Places are very limited due to this being a zoom retreat. Book early to avoid disappointment.
• If you’d like more details please get in touch wendyprattfrelancewriter@gmail.com
• Please let me know if you have any disabilities which may effect your enjoyment of the course, and we will do our best to support you.

Payment:

This is a completely new venture for me, and one that I am very excited about. I hope you will join me for a wintery writing week in December. It’s gong to be great fun.

until next time

Wendy

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