Fast-Track Fiction
With Debbie Taylor
Fast-Track Fiction is a new six-month intensive programme for talented and serious writers who have completed a first draft of a novel and need critical feedback and motivational support to develop a final draft. The programme forms part of New Writing North’s new portfolio of writer development programmes, Advance, and has been carefully devised for novelists who want efficient and high-quality guidance at a crucial stage in their careers to help prepare a publishable manuscript for submission.
Key facts about Fast-Track Fiction
The programme will have only six participants to ensure the quality of the experience. The six participants will be selected by competitive application and will be chosen on literary merit.
The programme will consist of three one-to-one coaching sessions, eight masterclasses and two practical advice and networking events, including a hosted meeting with literary agents in London in the summer and a lunch in Newcastle with professional novelists in November.
The programme will run during the day on 13 Saturdays, from 15 May to 27 November, with a summer writing period in the middle of the year.
The eight masterclasses will guide participants from synopsis to final revision. In between, they will meet three times for individual coaching sessions with the course leader to keep their work on track.
To benefit fully from the programme, participants must be able to set aside time to work on their novels between course sessions and be willing to work hard over the summer writing period.
This is a unique opportunity to take part in a series of intimate masterclasses, individual consultations and industry events with one of the region’s most knowledgeable and motivational writing tutors, Debbie Taylor.
About Debbie Taylor
Debbie Taylor is a novelist who has also worked as an editor, columnist, journalist, travel writer, TV researcher and communications consultant, and has published hundreds of reviews, interviews and features, as well as six books of non-fiction and fiction. She was founder editor of
Mslexia magazine and has been touring literary festivals, arts theatres and universities with her acclaimed ‘getting published’ masterclasses for ten years.
Dates
The programme runs from 2pm-4pm on Saturday afternoons on the following dates: 15, 22 & 29 May; 2, 12, 19 & 26 June; 1 July; 11 & 25 September; 9 & 23 October and 20 & 27 November. The trip to London is on Thursday 1 July.
Cost
The fee for the 2010 Fast Track Fiction course is £1,400. The fee is payable by direct debit in seven instalments of £200 from May to November 2010.
Bursaries
We may be able to consider support bursaries for particularly talented writers who lack the funds to pay for the programme. If you would like to apply for a bursary, please in the first instance write a letter detailing why you need a bursary and include this with your application. If you are offered a bursary, you will need to provide evidence of your financial circumstances.
More information
If you require more information on the programme please contact the office on the email address below.
How to apply
To apply, please send the following:
• A synopsis of your novel
• The first three chapters of your novel
• A personal biography detailing your record of publication, if any, and any other awards or notices that your work has received
• A statement explaining the current status of your work: Is this a first or second draft? Do you have an agent? To whom has it been submitted? What mentoring, if any, have your received? (No more than one side of A4)
Closing date for applications
Please send applications by email by 23 April 2010 to
applications@newwritingnorth.com. Queries about the programme can also be sent to this address. If you would like to discuss your application, please contact the New Writing North office on 0191 233 3850.
