Monday 9 March 2009

Faber Academy Crime Writing Course


Becky Fincham
from British publisher Faber and Faber sent us this press release about an interesting opportunity for budding crime writers in the UK. Be aware, though, that space is strictly limited, so if you’re interested, don’t wait around.

Learn to Write Crime Fiction with Mark Billingham and Laura Wilson
Thursday 2 April to Sunday 5 April 2009
Jaffé & Neale Bookshop 1 Middle Row Chipping NortonOxfordshire OX7 5NH England
In a unique collaboration with award-winning independent bookshop Jaffé & Neale, the Faber Academy presents an intense four-day writing workshop with bestselling crime-writers Mark Billingham and Laura Wilson. Set over four days in the upstairs gallery of Jaffé & Neale, a wonderful bookshop in the picturesque Cotswold town of Chipping Norton, Mark Billingham and Laura Wilson have devised a course that will suit beginners every bit as much as those with a good degree of experience. There will be sessions on character, plot, dialogue and of course those all-important twists that keep thriller readers turning the pages.Suspects can expect plenty of lively discussion, inspiring writing exercises and one-on-one tutorials. They can expect surprises. They can also expect to have plenty of fun ...
The course includes:
  • 4 days intensive tuition with Mark Billingham and Laura Wilson (10 a.m.-5 p.m.)
  • A complimentary Moleskine® Notebook
  • A daily artisan lunch
  • Regular coffee breaks
  • A Friday night reading in the bookshop by Mark Billingham and Laura Wilson, followed by a glass of wine
  • A handy course pack including local hotel recommendations
A special discount off Faber books purchased at www.faber.co.ukCourse cost: £500 / €630 (price inclusive of VAT)For more information and specifics about how to register, click here. There are openings for only 15 participants, so book soon.

About the Tutors
Lead tutor Mark Billingham is the bestselling author of the series of novels featuring Detective Inspector Tom Thorne and the recent standalone thriller In The Dark. He has won the Sherlock Award for Best British Detective, the Theakston's Old Peculiar Crime Novel of the Year Award and been nominated for five CWA Daggers. He has also written extensively for television and worked for many years as a stand-up comedian.
He is a regular reviewer on Radio 4's 'Front Row' as well as writing about crime fiction for The Independent, the Sunday Times and Time Out. He has led creative writing workshops at the Harrogate and Cheltenham Festivals and has been the judge for many short story competitions.
Guest tutor Laura Wilson is the acclaimed author of seven crime novels. These include The Lover, which won the Prix Polar Europeen and most recently Stratton's War which was awarded the Ellis Peter Dagger for historical crime fiction. Aside from being crime fiction critic for the Guardian, she has tutored two Arvon courses on crime fiction as well as teaching many courses at Winchester Writer's Conference. She is chair of the 2009 Harrogate Crime Writer's Festival.

Now, to me it seems strange that neither Mark nor Laura are Faber authors but were selected for their high profile. The publisher said that there will be Faber authors acting as tutors for 2010. It's a damn shame that Michael Dibdin isn't still around. I'd pay to attend that one.

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