This course is suitable for writers at any stage of their creative journey, whether just starting out, working on a novel or short stories, or in the process of developing an idea.
We will look at key elements of novel writing, including plot, structure, character, conflict, dialogue and setting. There will be writing exercises relating to different aspects of the novel writing process, as well as the chance to share work in progress. We’ll also discuss theme and ideas more broadly, and look at short extracts from novels and stories which exemplify some of the aspects of writing we are considering.
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Tutor: Sally O’Reilly – Writer/Novelist Sally O’Reilly was born in Stoke-on-Trent and now lives in Sheffield. Her short stories have been published in the UK, Australia and South Africa, and she has published two contemporary novels with Michael Joseph/Penguin (The Best Possible Taste, 2004, You Spin Me Round, 2007) and two historical novels Dark Aemilia, (Myriad Editions/Picador US, 2014)) and Hagtale (Scribe, 2025). Dark Aemilia was nominated for the Kirkus prize and the Italian translation was shortlisted for Premio Letteraria prize and was a finalist for the Premio Vino del Terriccio award. Hagtale was awarded a Society of Author work-in-progress grant and has been shortlisted for the World of Books Sustainable story award. Sally has an MA (with Distinction) and PhD in English and Creative writing from Brunel University. She has taught creative writing at the University of Portsmouth and the Open University and is now an Honorary Associate of the OU and a Royal Literary Fund Fellow. Her journalism has been published in the Guardian, The Conversation, New Scientist and the Sunday Times, and she is a former Cosmopolitan New Journalist of the Year. |
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Wednesday Evening Guest Reader: Hannah Vincent – Novelist/Playwright Hannah Vincent is a novelist, short story writer and playwright. Her first novel, Alarm Girl was published in 2014 and her second, The Weaning in 2018. Her 2020 short story collection, She-Clown and Other Stories was shortlisted for the Edge Hill Prize. Several of her stories have been broadcast as afternoon readings on Radio 4. Her stage plays have been produced by among others, The Royal Court Theatre and The Royal National Theatre Studio. Her radio play Come to Grief won the 2015 BBC Audio award for Best Adaptation. Hannah teaches Creative Writing on The Open University’s MA programme and on The Creative Writing Programme in Brighton. She holds a PhD in Creative and Critical writing from The University of Sussex. She is a Royal Literary Fund Fellow and a mentor for We Are Numbers, supporting young writers in Gaza. |
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| PRICES |
Fee includes all day and evening tutored workshop sessions, individual tutorials, tutor and guest readings, accommodation, inc. sheets and towels and all meals (not including alcohol). Single – En-suite room £1,205 |
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| TO BOOK |
£250 deposit payable on booking by bank transfer, PayPal, credit card or cheque, to secure place. Balance due six weeks before the start of the course. Please see Terms and Conditions. |
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| STRUCTURE OF THE WEEK | See Structure of the Week (tab above) | |||||
| WHAT TO BRING |
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| START TIME |
Please arrive between 3:00pm and 4:00pm on Monday 6th September 2027 Tea, cake and housekeeping information 4.30pm Introductory Workshop 5.30 – 6.30pm |
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| END TIME |
After breakfast, 10:00am on Saturday 11th September 2027 |
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| LOCATION | The Garsdale Retreat, Clough View, Garsdale Head, Sedbergh, Cumbria LA10 5PW Nearest railway station: Garsdale, on the Leeds – Carlisle line. For directions, see Find Us section on the Contact page. |
All courses start on Monday afternoon.
3.00 – 4.00pm: Arrival time
4.30pm: Housekeeping/Course information with tea and cake
5.30 – 6.30pm: Introductory workshop
7.00pm: Dinner
All courses end after breakfast on Saturday (10.00am).
Course Structure Tuesday – Friday
8.00 – 9.00am: Breakfast
9.30 – 11.00am: First workshop – Participants explore particular aspects of memoir/life writing and take part in writing exercises to further their understanding and expertise. All participants have opportunities to share their work with the tutor and fellow writers in a safe, supportive and nurturing environment in which individual work is respected and confidence developed.
11.00 – 11.30am: Coffee break
11.30am – 1.00pm: Second workshop
1.00pm Lunch.
After lunch, participants are free to do whatever they like, such as: relax, go for walks, read or work on individual writing projects.
4.30pm: Tea and cake
5.30 – 6.30pm: Third workshop
7.00pm: Dinner
All participants on a course have one individual tutorial of 30 minutes with the tutor during the week. These will take place in the afternoons.
Each evening, at 8.30pm – c.9.30pm, there is an after-dinner event:
Tuesday – the tutor will read from their work.
Wednesday – reading from a guest writer.
Thursday – poetry/music performance from Hamish and Rebecca.
Friday – a shared reading of ‘work-in-progress’ produced during the week.
