Tag: short courses (page 1 of 11)

City Writes Autumn 2024 – A Cracking way to Kick off the Festive Season

December 13, 2024 / / 0 Comments

By Rebekah Lattin-Rawstrone

You know you’re on the way to a great festive season when it begins with a night of stories, and the City Writes Autumn 2024 event on the 11th December was a storytelling extravaganza. We had six brilliant competition winning stories, read by their authors, and a reading and Q&A with the wonderfully funny, Novel Studio alumna and debut author, Jo Cunningham. You can enjoy the whole event here, but do read on for further details.

We kicked off with Joanna Bawa’s ominous story about a death prediction app, ‘DeathDefy’. Joanna is an alumna of the Writing the Memoir course. Her story is a powerful reminder of human greed and laziness in the face of climate change and began a theme around predictions and algorithms that Jo Cunningham’s novel, Death By Numbers, would complete.

Writers’ Workshop alumna, Aditi Parekh, was next, reading from her novel, with the working title The Sabbatical. We were transported to The Netherlands following one woman’s attempts to find friends through a very different app. What she found was not a friend exactly, but the meeting was one that provoked much response from the audience. I think we all know someone who thinks a conversation is great when they’ve done all the talking…

We travelled to Northern Ireland next as Short Story Writing alumnus, Robin Sheeran read his story, ‘Summer Job’. A beautifully observed story set in a cemetery, with some very creative grave-digging, ‘Summer Job’ was a treat to listen to.

From fiction to non-fiction, we were in for another very different treat next as Doug Kessler shared an extract from his book-length project, Adam in 20 Snapshots. An alumnus of Narrative Non-Fiction, Doug’s moving reading about an absent brother with Downs Syndrome really captured the audience. Told, as the title suggests, through descriptions of photographs, the extract moved several listeners to tears. This is a book that has an eager audience awaiting its completion.

We were swept back into the world of fiction next with the surprising, shocking and funny story, ‘To Crazy Shane’ written and read by Tunde Oyebode. Tunde is a Writers’ Workshop alumnus, and veteran City Writes competition winner. This story is a riot of observation and action with incisive social commentary spread throughout.

This brilliant story was followed by our last competition winner, Audrey Madden, another Writers’ Workshop alumna. Audrey read an extract from her novel, Matriarchal Lines, taking us right into the heart of a family reunion with a feisty grandmother winning at cards, and two little toddlers running off with a set of pretty knives. We were gripped. It was a fabulous reading to end a series of incredibly inspired and inspiring writing from the competition winners. They definitely were showcasing the talent of City’s short creative writing courses.

Luckily, we had Jo Cunningham as our published guest to follow these wonderful tales with two brilliant and hilarious readings from her cosy crime novel, Death By Numbers.

Author and guest alumna Jo Cunningham

 

Death By Numbers is a wonderfully funny book about actuary Una whose numbers on predicted deaths in seaside resorts are all wrong. There are some unusual deaths that don’t fit her predictions. Imagine her worry when she discovers they are happening in her mum’s home town and to friends of her mum and her mum’s new boyfriend, soon to be husband… This is a must read for the festive season.

If you haven’t read it already, this is the novel you need to escape into after all that food and drink. Jo generously answered questions from host and audience on her writing journey, how to write comedy, how to research and plan (if not in the way you might expect), and the challenges of writing a series. The next one is out in August of 2025 and is set around the Supreme Cat Show (crufts for cats). I for one, can’t wait!

Thanks to all the readers, our wonderful guest Jo Cunningham and the audience. Click here for a video of the event, here for an interview with Jo, and do look out for further information on next term’s City Writes. City Writes Spring 2025 is going to be special. An in-person event with competition winners, the supremely talented alumna, Han Smith as our author guest, and readings from tutors. Watch this space for more.

Announcing the City Writes Autumn 2024 Competition Winners!

December 3, 2024 / / 0 Comments

 By Rebekah Lattin-Rawstrone

Congratulations to Joanna Bawa, Doug Kessler, Audrey Madden, Tunde Oyebode, Aditi Parekh and Robin Sheeran, this term’s winners of the City Writes competition! From complex family histories, through childhood summer afternoons, airport queues, befriending apps and graveyards all the way to AI envisioned futures, this term’s selection of writing has it all. You can hear these fantastic stories being read by their authors alongside debut crime writer Jo Cunningham, at this term’s City Writes event on the 11th December at 7pm on Zoom. Register here to come along and read on for more information on our wonderful winners.

Joanna Bawa is a professional and creative writer, currently working as a ghostwriter. This complements her work as a cognitive behavioural therapist, combining an appreciation of the power of words and the complexity of human nature. She belongs to a local writing group where her fiction and poetry has won awards, and her first novel was longlisted in the 2019 Mslexia novel competition. She is working on a second novel, and her piece for City Writes, ‘DeathDefy’, may become a third. Joanna is an alumna of the Writing the Memoir course.

Doug Kessler is an expat Yank who’s lived and worked in London for the last 34 years.
He’s a marketing copywriter and agency founder but pretty new to narrative non-fiction, short stories, and poetry. Adam in 20 Snapshots is his first book-length project, of which he will be reading an extract. Doug is a Narrative Non-Fiction alumnus.

Audrey Madden is currently writing her first book while working in the not for profit arts and culture sector. She has a degree in English & Comparative Literature from Goldsmiths University. Her work is inspired by nature and the different environments that exist across the United States and the UK. A Writers’ Workshop alumna, Audrey will be reading an extract from her novel, Matriarchal Lines.

Aditi Parekh is an aspiring writer and student of Writers’ Workshop. She is interested in human psychology, particularly the dark triads and group dynamics. She is currently working on a novel, with the working title The Sabbatical, which describes a woman’s struggle with drug addiction and her descent into madness. She will be reading an extract from the novel.

Tunde Oyebode is a Nigerian-British architect and writer based in East London. Drawing inspiration from everyday life, his fiction explores human relationships and African diaspora experiences. His work has been featured in Stylist Magazine, Obsidian, and Solstice Literary Magazine. A finalist for the 2023 London Independent Story Prize and the 2024 Solstice Literary Magazine Prize, he was also nominated for Best of the Net. Tunde is currently looking to publish a collection of interconnected short stories. Outside writing, he enjoys cycling and photographing architecture. A Writers’ Workshop alumnus, Tunde will be reading ‘To Crazy Shane’.

Robin Sheeran is a native of Belfast. He studied Film and Literature at Warwick University and is a former BBC journalist. Robin is interested in producing stonking characters and crackling dialogue. His work uses dark humour to examine how we relate to each other. Robin is the current holder of the international Piazza Grande Religion Journalism Award for his writing for New Humanist. He ghostwrote Going the Distance, the autobiography of endurance cyclist Joe Barr, published by Gill Books in 2021. A Short Story Writing alumnus, Robin will be reading his story, ‘Summer Job’.

Just from reading their biographies you get a sense of the night of stories that awaits on Wednesday 11th December at 7pm over Zoom. Alongside these wonderful competition winners will be our cosy crime author and Novel Studio alumna, Jo Cunningham, whose novel Death By Numbers came out earlier this year. Register here to listen to all these authors on 11th December at 7pm. Can’t wait to see you there!

Guest alumna Jo Cunningham, author of Death by Numbers

The importance of Investing in Yourself: Benefits of Continuous Learning for your Brain

November 28, 2024 / / 0 Comments

 

In today’s rapidly changing world, the ability to adapt and grow is more crucial than ever before. One of the best ways to future-proof your career and personal development is through continuous learning. Embracing a mindset of lifelong learning has profound benefits for both your brain and your overall well-being.

Cognitive Abilities

Engaging in continuous learning exercises your brain and helps maintain cognitive sharpness as you age. Studies show that challenging your brain with new information and skills can increase grey matter, improve memory and information processing, and bolster problem-solving abilities. Whether you’re learning a new language, taking an online course, or exploring a hobby, keeping your brain active helps build neural pathways and preserve mental acuity.

Creativity and Innovation

Continuous learning exposes you to diverse perspectives, ideas, and ways of thinking. This cross-pollination of knowledge sparks new connections in your brain, enhancing your ability to think creatively and come up with innovative solutions. By stepping outside your comfort zone and exploring unfamiliar subjects, you can gain fresh insights that inspire you to approach challenges from novel angles.

Adaptability In an era of rapid technological and social change, the ability to learn, grow, and adapt is paramount. Continuous learners are more resilient and better equipped to navigate uncertainty, pivot in their careers, and respond to emerging trends. The mental flexibility cultivated through lifelong learning allows you to continuously expand your skillset and thrive in the face of change.

Overall Well Being

Engaging in continuous learning doesn’t just benefit your brain – it can also enhance your overall well-being. The sense of accomplishment and confidence that comes from mastering new skills can boost self-esteem and mental health. Additionally, the social connections and intellectual stimulation gained through learning activities can reduce stress and loneliness, leading to greater happiness and life satisfaction.

The decision to invest in yourself through continuous learning is one of the most impactful choices you can make. By challenging your brain, sparking your creativity, and cultivating adaptability, the benefits of lifelong learning can transform both your professional and personal life.

At City St George’s we have a range of short courses to enhance your continuous learning. Why not try a new language? Or learn to code? Craft that children’s story you’ve always wanted to write? Or start a new side hustle with our Coaching courses?

Not sure what you want to study? Come along to our Free Virtual Open evening on December 12 at 6pm. You can choose from a range of taster sessions from  Japanese to Marketing. More information and how to register is available here.

Embrace the power of continuous growth and unlock your full potential.

Advancing your Career with Coding: Learn Programming with Python

October 30, 2024 / / 0 Comments

In today’s digital-first economy, programming skills have become increasingly valuable across virtually every industry. Whether you’re looking to switch careers, advance in your current role, or simply future-proof your skillset, learning Python could be your stepping stone to new opportunities.

Why Python?
Python has emerged as one of the most in-demand, high-level programming languages globally, and for good reason. Its clear, readable syntax makes it very easy to learn in comparison to other programming languages (like C/C++, JAVA, JavaScript, etc.) and therefore ideal for beginners, while its powerful capabilities support everything from automation and scripting to data analysis and artificial intelligence. Companies like the BBC, NASA, and Google rely on Python, and it’s the backbone of innovations in fields ranging from healthcare to financial services.

Python in the Age of AI
The rise of AI and developer copilots has transformed the programming landscape, making now an ideal time to learn Python. Far from replacing developers, AI tools are empowering them to be more productive and creative than ever.

AI-Enhanced Development
Modern Python developers work alongside AI tools that:
• Autocomplete code and suggest solutions
• Catch potential bugs before they occur
• Generate code snippets from natural language descriptions
• Explain complex code and suggest improvements
• Automate routine programming tasks

This means that even as a beginner, you can now have powerful AI assistants helping you learn and code more efficiently.

Future-Proof Skills
While AI tools can now handle routine coding tasks, they’ve increased demand for developers who are able to:
• Architect complex systems
• Review and validate AI-generated code
• Write precise prompts for AI tools
• Integrate AI capabilities into applications
• Understand the limitations of AI assistants

Transform Your Career Prospects
The UK tech sector is experiencing unprecedented growth, with programming skills commanding competitive salaries and offering flexible career paths. Recent studies show that Python developers in the UK earn an average of £57,000 per year.

But Python isn’t just for software developers. Knowledge of Python can enhance your value in roles such as:
• Data Analyst
• Business Intelligence Specialist
• Marketing Analyst
• Financial Modeller
• Research Scientist
• Project Manager

Hear from Our Alumni
“Philip is a fantastic tutor who has a dynamic approach to teaching the basics in Python programming. I really appreciated the way that we could always ask for help during exercises and also that we could send me him requests for materials to be treated during class.” Anne Marie Muller, former student

“This course is ideal for anyone wanting to start the thrilling journey of implementing AI. It effectively combines hands on practical skills with clear, fun explanations of the underlying theory – not easy with a subject that combines partial differentiation and a jumble of confusing terms and emerging ideas. I would strongly recommend you sign up.” Peter Bradley, former student

“Genuinely one of the best tutors I’ve ever had – both at undergraduate & post graduate level. I’ve tried to learn how to code dozens of times and it’s never stuck. Philip was excellent at judging the level of the class and guiding us through the slides carefully. He went above and beyond, and made me feel extremely well supported. 10/10 will be recommending to my colleagues! Thank you, Philip!” James Donovan, former student

Why Choose Our Python Programming Courses?
At City St George’s we run a range of python courses from an Introduction to Python Programming to Data Analytics and Machine Learning. Our intensive short computing courses are designed for busy professionals looking to acquire practical programming skills. Over five-ten weekly evenings, you’ll progress from basic concepts to creating real-world applications. Here’s what makes our python courses unique:

Practical, Industry-Focused Learning
• Taught by Industry Professionals
• Industry-standard tools and best practices
• Flexible evening and weekend schedules

  • Comprehensive Curriculum – subjects covered include:
  •  Python fundamentals and programming concepts
  •  Working with databases
  • Data analysis and visualisation
  • Building basic applications
  • Working with HTML pages
  • File manipulation: Reading and Writing Files
  • Conversational AI Use

Expert Instruction
Our instructors bring years of industry experience, combining theoretical knowledge with practical insights from their work at leading tech companies.

Your Learning Journey
The courses are structured to ensure steady progression while accommodating work commitments. Each week builds on previous knowledge through:
• Interactive live sessions
• Guided practical exercises
• Real-world project work
• Peer learning opportunities

Next Steps
Join the thousands of professionals who have transformed their careers through coding. Our next introductory python programming course begins in January online.

Ready to take your career to the next level? Why not attend our free online open evening session on December 12 to learn more about how Python programming could transform your career prospects.

Writing Short Course News Roundup 2024

October 8, 2024 / / 0 Comments

Whether you’re taking a course with us this term or were a student in the past, we want to inspire your writing with the latest news from our short course alumni and tutors.

The Novel Studio 

Alan Gray (also alumnus of WW and SS) has been awarded the Sonny and Gita UK Scholarship to complete his MA in creative writing at UEA.

Kathrine Bancroft has had one of her poems longlisted for the 2024 Aurora Prize. She is also a London Independent Story Prize Poetry Finalist.

Katy Darby’s Writers’ Workshop and Short Story Writing alumna Isabel Blake has been accepted on the Creative Writing MA at UEA, while Erica Buist has just completed her Cambridge MSt in Creative Writing, has been longlisted for the BBC’s annual callout for scripts and is now teaching Creative Writing at City Lit.

Peter Forbes’ Narrative Non Fiction alumna Melissa Cornet has had her firstEnglish piece published in July in the London Review of Books, about her work in Afghanistan on Gender apartheid. She is also confirmed to publish a piece in the Guardian this month.

Tutor News

Anna Wilson has two books out this autumn: Be Back Soon is a picture book about swallow migration, illustrated by Jenny Bloomfield and published by Andersen Press and A Story of the Seasons, a large-format non-fiction picture book about seven habitats throughout the seasons, illustrated by Carolina Rabei and published by Nosy Crow and the National Trust. Both books have been translated into other European languages including French, German and Danish.

One-day Courses

There are plenty of options for anyone keen on one-day writing courses: our ever-popular Introduction to Copywriting with Maggie Richards is available monthly; while our Writing the Memoir course is now taught by the brilliant Anna Wilson (see above). And the dynamic duo of Anna Tsekouras and Pete Austin, aka Anon Agency, run our Intro to Branding course. This term we are also introducing a brand new course, Content Writing, taught by the fabulous Tamsin Mackay.

Opportunities

City Writes

City Writes is City, University of London’s termly writing event, showcasing the best of City Short Courses writing talent.

Hosted by longstanding short courses tutor, Rebekah Lattin-Rawstrone, and into its seventh year, City Writes provides an opportunity for the best new writers from the City Short Courses community to read an extract of their work, sharing the stage with one of our published alumni or tutors reading from their new or award-winning publication.

This term’s guest alumna will be debut cosy crime author and Novel Studio alumna, Jo Cunningham. Jo’s novel, Death by Numbers, was published by Constable in August this year. This delicious crime has had rave reviews and who could resist a novel about an actuary investigating a spate of deaths in Eastbourne? Hilarious and gripping, this is the perfect novel to see you through the cold winter nights. Buy your copy ahead of the event here.

To join Jo on the virtual stage, all you need to do is submit your best 1,000 words of creative fiction or non-fiction (we do accept young adult fiction but don’t currently accept children’s fiction) on any subject to rebekah.lattin-rawstrone.2@city.ac.uk with details of the City short course you are taking or have taken by midnight on Friday 15th November. Competition and submission guidelines can be found here. 

We can’t wait to read your submissions and if you are keen to secure your place for the night, you can register for the event here. Good luck!

Key Dates:

Our Writing for Social Impact course continues to offer a scholarship for one young student (18-25) from an underrepresented background and/or facing financial difficulty. Please contact the tutor, Ciaran Thapar, for more information on this opportunity.

All current students of Introduction to Copywriting, Writing for Business and Narrative Non-Fiction courses are eligible to submit an idea for a blog post for short courses. If the idea is accepted, and the written piece meets our standards, it will be professionally edited and published on our blog.

The annual Book Edit Writers’ Prize is open for submissions until 15 October 2024. Judged this year by Novel Studio alumna Lara Haworth and run in association with Legend Press, this is a fantastic (and free) opportunity for any unpublished novelist from a community currently underrepresented in UK publishing. What’s up for grabs? Chance to share your work with top agents. A mentoring session with a Legend Press Commissioning Editor. A supportive community of talented writers and tailored advice from industry experts. For more details please click HERE.

Open Evening

And finally, we are running an open evening with taster sessions on 11th December. Details will be available soon but watch this space or check the website for links to registration.

That’s all for now. Keep on writing and keep your stories coming into us. And huge congratulations to all our alumni and tutors.

Beyond Borders: Cultural Insights and Business Opportunities in Learning a New Language

August 31, 2024 / / 0 Comments

The Power of Language Learning in Global Business Success

In today’s interconnected world, the ability to communicate across cultures is more than just a valuable skill—it’s a crucial asset for business success. Learning a foreign language goes beyond mere translation; it opens doors to new markets, fosters deeper relationships with international partners, and provides invaluable cultural insights. In this blog post we explore the importance of language learning for business professionals aiming to thrive in the global marketplace.

The Cultural Competence Advantage

Cultural competence—the ability to understand, communicate with, and effectively interact with people across cultures—is at the heart of successful international business. Language is the key that unlocks this competence. When you learn a new language, you’re not just memorising words and grammar; you’re gaining insight into the values, beliefs, and customs of another culture.

A study by the Economist Intelligence Unit found that 47% of companies surveyed “do not offer enough training to hone their employees’ language and communication skills, and 40% believe there is not enough emphasis placed on recruiting or selecting people who are suited to cross-cultural environments.” Respondents also reported that “differences in cultural traditions” (51%) and “different workplace norms” (49%) were “the greatest threats to the smooth functioning of cross-border relationships.”

Enhancing Business Prospects Through Language

Learning a new language can significantly boost your business prospects:

  1. Building trust: speaking a client’s language shows respect and commitment, fostering stronger business relationships.
  2. Negotiating effectively: understanding cultural nuances can give you an edge in negotiations.
  3. Expanding market reach: language skills allow you to tap into new markets more efficiently.
  4. Improving decision-making: multilingual individuals often demonstrate enhanced cognitive abilities, including better decision-making skills.

Success Stories: Companies Benefiting from Localisation and Multilingualism

With an increasing shift towards personalisation in marketing, understanding a local market and the values, aspirations and language of its customers has become key to improving customer experience and expanding globally.

  • Airbnb: by supporting over 60 languages on their platform, and encouraging hosts to be multilingual, Airbnb has successfully expanded into multiple international markets.
  • Coca-Cola: the company’s “Think Local, Act Local” strategy, which includes adapting marketing and product names to local languages, has helped maintain its global market leadership.
  • HSBC: after a costly mistranslation of its “Assume Nothing” campaign, HSBC invested heavily in cultural and linguistic training, leading to more successful international operations.

Strategies for Incorporating Language Learning into Business Development

  1. Encourage employee language learning: offer incentives or discounts for in-house or external language courses.
  2. Create language exchange programs: partner with international branches or clients for mutual language learning.
  3. Use language learning apps: incorporate daily practice with apps like Duolingo into your routine.
  4. Immerse yourself: attend international conferences or arrange business trips to countries where the target language is spoken.

Language Courses at City

At City, we understand the language needs of business professionals. Run by our experienced language coordinator, Agnes Shepherd, our courses include:

  • Chinese Mandarin: spoken by over 900 million, Chinese Mandarin is the most widely used language in the world.
  • Arabic: there’s a rising demand for Arabic speakers throughout western countries.
  • German: one of the most important languages in the European Union, used by large numbers of businesses and organisations.
  • Spanish: the official language of 20 countries.

Each course focuses not just on language skills, but also on the customs and etiquette of the target culture. Our flexible schedules and online options make it easy to fit language learning into your busy professional life.

Taught by experienced native tutors and delivered in small, interactive groups, City’s language courses will immerse you in your chosen language with a fully interactive programme of teaching designed to get you speaking, reading and writing in a foreign language.

Interested? Join us on Wednesday 4 September, from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm for a special taster evening on campus. Discover our language courses, available both online and in the classroom, and meet our tutors and staff while learning something new.You’ll get a chance to try out a free 40-minute language course in anything from Arabic to Japanese.

Or register for our free online open evening on Wednesday 11th September 6pm to 7.30pm, where you’ll get a chance to try out one of our many languages on offer in our taster sessions. Full information and details are available HERE.

 

Maximising Your Learning Experience: Tips for Short Course Online Learners

August 8, 2024 / / 0 Comments

For those who you who have never taken a course with us, we offer short courses in a range of subjects from writing to computing, languages, business, and creative industries. Catering to the busy schedules of professionals and lifelong learners, most of our courses are ten-weeks long, but we also offer one or two-day workshops, and the majority are delivered via Zoom or Teams. With the new academic year around the corner, we’ve compiled a list of practical tips to help you get the most out of your learning experience while studying from home.

 1. Stick to a Schedule

Consistency is key to managing your time effectively. Treat your online course schedule as you would a traditional in-person class. Mark your calendar with class times and allocate specific periods for reviewing materials, completing assignments, and participating in discussions.

2. Actively Engage in Classes

Active participation is crucial in an online learning environment. Keep your camera on if possible, ask questions, and contribute to discussions. Engaging with your tutor and classmates will enhance your understanding and make the learning experience more interactive, and more enjoyable

3. Stay Organised

Keeping your course materials organised can save you time and stress. Use digital folders to store notes, assignments, and readings. Tools like Google Drive, OneNote, or Evernote can help you keep everything in one place and easily accessible.

4. Take Regular Breaks

Sitting in front of a computer for extended periods can be tiring. Incorporate short breaks into your study sessions to stretch, hydrate, and relax. The Pomodoro Technique—studying for 25 minutes followed by a 5-minute break—can be an effective way to maintain concentration and engagement.

5. Network with Fellow Students

Building connections with your peers can enhance your learning experience and provide support throughout the course. Participate in group activities, or create a study group to collaborate and share insights.

6. Practice Good Posture

Maintaining good posture is essential for physical comfort and health while learning from home. Try to ensure your chair provides proper support, keep your feet flat on the ground, and position your screen at eye level to prevent neck and back strain.

7. Enhance Your Technical Skills

Familiarise yourself with Zoom, and Teams used for your courses. Make sure you iron out any login difficulties way ahead of the first session. Learn how to navigate these tools effectively, including using breakout rooms. This will help you avoid technical difficulties and participate more effectively in class.

8. Stay Motivated and Set Goals

Short courses can be intense, so staying motivated is crucial. Set clear, achievable goals for what you want to accomplish each week. Celebrate your progress, no matter how small, and remind yourself of the reasons you enrolled in the course.

9. Seek Feedback and Support

Don’t hesitate to reach out to your tutor for feedback on your work or clarification on course materials. All our lecturers are happy to answer questions about the course content and delivery and to help you with any issues that arise.

10. Explore Opportunities 

City short courses has a range of opportunities available to students on particular courses. Familiarise yourself with what’s on offer, e.g. current and past writing students are eligible for our termly City Writes Competition, and make sure you make the most of your time at City.

Enrolling in a City short online course offers a fantastic opportunity to advance your knowledge and skills in a convenient and flexible format. By following these tips, you can help maximise your learning experience and achieve your goals. Happy learning!

For those who would like to try out one of our short courses, we are running an online open evening on September 11 2024, with tasters in a variety of subjects. Attendance is free but you’ll need to register to secure your spot. Full details are here.

 

Interview with Jo Cunningham, author of debut novel Death by Numbers

July 29, 2024 / / 0 Comments

Next week sees the launch of debut cosy crime novel, Death By Numbers, written by City Novel Studio alumna Jo Cunningham. Jo took time out of her busy schedule to answer our questions ahead of publication day. Read on for her answers and for more details about the book.

 

  1. When did you first realise you wanted to be a writer?

Glossing over my dubious childhood poetry and notebooks full of random jottings, I didn’t start writing ‘seriously’ until my early thirties. I went on a beginners Arvon course for a week, with no expectations, and by the end of the course I was hooked. One of the tutors on the course recommended the courses at City University for novice writers and…

 

  1. Who are you currently reading?

I have just finished reading The Misadventures of Margaret Finch by Claire McGlasson which is a beautifully written novel about a young woman in 1930s Blackpool who questions how she observes others, and herself. Next up, is Kala by Colin Walsh – I’m going to hear him speak about the book soon, so that’s exciting. And after that on my TBR pile is Monumenta by Lara Haworth – after hearing Lara’s amazing talk at the recent City Writes event, I had to get her book!

 

  1. You’ve studied creative writing and also worked hard at the craft of writing on your own. What’s been the most useful thing you’ve learned about writing a novel?

Yikes – just one thing? At the moment, I’m in an editing phase, and as I re-read each scene, I ask myself ‘Does this scene earn its keep?’ – is there enough happening to keep it – does it push the story and the characters forward? If the answer is ‘No’ then I either need to rework the scene or ditch it.

 

  1. What kind of qualities does a writer need?

Persistence and resilience.  It took me many years from starting to write novels to reach the publication stage. The main thing you must do is finish the novel. I know that sounds glib, but not everyone does. The next thing is dealing with rejection. I wish had some words of wisdom on that. Rejection hurts, but you somehow have to get over it and keep going. Even now I’m at the publication stage, I know there will be more of that to face in the future but… you only need that one person to say ‘yes’!

 

  1. What made you write a cosy crime novel? What is it about the genre that appeals to you?

Back in 2017, I’d just put another novel in the ‘bottom drawer’ and wanted to start something new. I’d been reading Douglas Adam’s Dirk Gently detective novels and was inspired to start on a humorous detective book. I read and watch a lot of cosy crime – there’s something oddly comforting about knowing everything will be resolved and usually there’s a good dose of humour included.

Author Jo Cunningham

  1. Can you tell us about your path to publication?

I’d describe it more as an obstacle course where I created some of the obstacles. For my first three novels, I didn’t bother with looking for an agent or publisher – I didn’t think they were of a good enough standard and perhaps I was trying to put off being rejected… they went straight in the bottom drawer. But the fourth novel I did send round to five or six agents. I got a couple of personal replies in amongst standard rejections and tumbleweed. I think I should have been a bit more persistent at this stage – please see my own advice about writer qualities above. Anyhow… when it came to the fifth novel, Death by Numbers, I decided I would really go for it. I sent the novel out in small batches to agents. I started to get full-read requests which boosted my confidence – this is when the agent has enjoyed the excerpt that you’ve sent and now wants to read the whole manuscript. Eventually I got an offer from my amazing agent Marina de Pass at The Soho Agency – from sending in a submission to the ‘slushpile’ – so yes, it can happen.

 

  1. What advice would you have for someone starting out writing a novel?

I’ve benefitted enormously from taking courses, getting feedback at workshops, and reading books to help improve different writing skills – structure, character, productivity. But there were times when I had step back and work out what was going to work for me. I guess my advice is that you have figure it out so that you create your own advice for yourself.

 

  1. What are you working on now?

I’m currently finishing off a batch of edits on the second book in the cosy crime series featuring Una, an actuary and a detective. It’s called Pet Hates and is due to come out in August 2025. Writing the next book in series has been a learning curve, as it has to be standalone but still have some touches that make it feel there’s some continuity for anyone who’s read the first one.

Thanks so much, Jo! We can’t wait to read the novel!

Death by Numbers will be published on 1 August and you can order a copy here.

Jo will also be our guest at next term’s City Writes. Full information on how to enter the competition or how to come along and listen to Jo read from her novel will be available on the website soon.

For more information about our writing short courses, visit our website here, or come along to the virtual open evening in September. Full information on the free taster sessions available and how to register can be found here.

Writing Short Courses Summer News Roundup 2024

July 23, 2024 / / 0 Comments

We hope you’re all having a great summer and continuing to write and create wonderful stories. Here’s our latest short writing course alumni and tutor news to spur you on…

The Novel Studio

Lara Haworth’s debut novel Monumenta was published earlier this month with Canongate and is already receiving rave reviews. You can read an interview with Lara on our blog here.

Jo Cunningham’s debut cosy crime novel Death by Numbers will be published in early August with Hachette. You can pre-order here.

Anna Mazzola’s latest novel, The Book of Secrets, was a Times Historical Novel of the Month in March. Anna’s previous novel, The House of Whispers, won the Historical Novel of the Year at the Fingerprint Awards 2024.

Marta Michalowska has a piece published in Strings Mag.

Darren Wimhurst, who has just graduated from The Novel Studio, was shortlisted for the Writers Rebel Flash Fiction competition 2024.

 

Other Writing Short Course Alumni

Caroline Green’s Crime Writing alumna Tania Tay has published her debut thriller, The Other Woman, with Headline Accent. You can buy a copy here.

Author Tania Tay

Tania is also the author of the Spellcasters middle grade series, in collaboration with Storymix Studio and has written a screenplay, developed with BBC Writersroom London Voices. You can read an interview with her on our blog here. And find out about the festival she’s organising in our opportunities section.

Katy Darby’s WW and SS writing alumni have been as prolific as ever. Bestselling alumna Natasha Brown’s second novel, Universality, has been sold to Faber in a six-way auction. The book will be published in 2025.

Peng Shepherd has published her fourth novel, All This And More, and has been on a whistle-stop book tour in the US appearing on national television. You can follow her travels here, and buy her book here.

Author Peng Shepherd

Fiona Keating’s debut Smoke and Silk has been sold to Mountain Leopard Press, an imprint of Headline Hachette. The hardback is scheduled for March 2025

 Han Smith published her debut novel Portraits at the Palace of Creativity & Wrecking with John Murray Originals this month. Richie Jones’s short story “Curriculum Vitae” was shortlisted and published in the Scratch Books Summer ’24 A4 Competition for 1000-word stories. Hugh Todd published his first book, a novel-in-stories/linked short story collection called It Happened in Clissold Park, in June 2024.

Peter Forbes’ Narrative Non Fiction alumnus Ed Morgan has sold his book: Chasing Mallory’s Dream – How 1930s British and German climbers competed to overcome the Himalayan Giants to Bodleian Library Publishing, due out in 2025. In a rather lovely virtuous circle, Ed’s editor will be Janet Phillips who was one of our Novel Studio graduates several years back. Another alumna Susanna Morton has been longlisted for the Observer/Burgess prize.

Holly Rigby’s Narrative Non Fiction  alumna Nicole Gleeson has had an article published in Shado Mag on the back of doing the course.

 

Martin Ouvry’s Novel Writing and Longer Works alumna Philippa Dunn has just signed a deal with children’s/YA super-agency Darley Anderson.

 

Jem Bartholomew’s Fact Based Storytelling student Pamela Welsh, was one of the winners of City Writes for a piece she wrote for the class.

 

Tutor News

Narrative Non Fiction  tutor Peter Forbes has a new book coming out in May called Thinking Small and Large: How Microbes Made and can Save our World, due to be published with Icon Books in May 2025.

Martin Ouvry’s article ‘How creative writing courses benefit a writer’ has been reprinted for a second time in the 2025 edition of the Writers’ & Artists’ Yearbook. (WAYB 2023, 2024, 2025)

 

One-day Courses

There are plenty of options for anyone keen on one-day writing courses: our ever-popular Introduction to Copywriting with Maggie Richards is available monthly; while our Writing the Memoir course is now taught by the brilliant Anna Wilson. And the dynamic duo of Anna Tsekouras and Pete Austin, aka Anon Agency, run our Intro to Branding course. Next term we will also introduce a brand new course, Content Writing, taught by the fabulous Tamsin Mackay.

 

Opportunities

Novel Studio alumna Flora Tonking has shared this opportunity for a writing residency in Paris which sounds amazing!

Our Writing for Social Impact course continues to offer a scholarship for one young student (18-25) from an underrepresented background and/or facing financial difficulty. Please contact the tutor, Ciaran Thapar, for more information on this opportunity.

All current students of Introduction to Copywriting, Writing for Business and Narrative Non-Fiction courses are eligible to submit an idea for a blog post for short courses. If the idea is accepted, and the written piece meets our standards, it will be professionally edited and published on our blog.

Crime writing alumna Tania Tay is running an East and SE Asian author literature festival at SOAS on 14th September with some mentoring sessions and feedback sessions from agents and an editor. There is also a crowdfunding page for the festival for anyone who would like to support this great initiative.

Holly Rigby is running a writing retreat here with a 50% bursary for low income writers.

Open Evening

And finally, we are hosting a virtual open evening on Wednesday 11 September, 18:00 – 19:30 (BST) giving you the opportunity to take part in free taster sessions in writing courses such as:

Along with other sessions in other subject areas from business to computing, to graphic design and languages. You can register for the event here.

 

That’s all for now. Keep on writing and keep your stories coming into us. And huge congratulations to all our alumni and tutors.

 

City Writes Summer 2024: A Monumental Event

July 12, 2024 / / 0 Comments

By Rebekah Lattin-Rawstrone

While half the country were on the edges of their seats watching football, us lucky few were treated to a night of storytelling, imagination and the excitement of hearing the inner world of consciousness burst out from the page.

 

City Writes is a termly event set up to showcase the best talent from City’s creative writing Short Courses. It’s a game of two halves (I couldn’t resist): readings from competition winners, students and alumni of City’s creative writing short courses who enter their best 1,000 words of fiction or creative non-fiction into the termly competition; and a visit from a published alumni or tutor and this term we managed to score the wonderful Lara Haworth, whose debut Monumenta came out with Canongate on the 4th July.

 

We began the night with the competition winners and Dee Miller, recent Novel Studio alumna, kicked things off with an extract from her Middle Grade novel, Between Wind and Water. We were enthralled as Geal, guardian of Spring, discovers all the people and animals of their local village are gone, leaving only footprints, paw marks and hoof prints behind. It was easy to imagine a young audience being gripped by this fantastical and energetic tale.

 

We heard from An Approach to Creative Writing alumna, Emily Edwards next as she read her multi-perspective story, ‘Laurie’. Who was this rather wild woman and what happened that night? A story that leaves the central character absent but all over the text, it was a thrilling and eerie listen. The audience were left wanting more in all the right ways.

 

Moving from one dark scenario to another, Flora Tonking read her story, ‘The Playing Field’ next. Another recent Novel Studio graduate, Flora’s story was inspired by events in her mystery novel, Chosen Family, and certainly proved her expert turn of phrase and her ability to leave bodies bleeding in the dark. A very haunting and moving story. Bring on the novel!

 

From fiction to creative non-fiction, we were treated to a wonderful portrait of Constance Markiewicz next as Fact-Based Storytelling alumna, Pamela Welsh, read her piece, ‘A Countess in Combat’. Constance’s life from riches to revolution was inspiring and a wonderful advertisement for Pamela’s book project on women in conflict. That’s a book I think we’ll all be eager to pick up.

 

Another Novel Studio alumna and City Writes veteran, Jill Craig read next. Her story, ‘Estrangement’, took us onto a boat ride with her main character, on her way to see her estranged mother with a new boyfriend, desperate to reach out to her sister, the one who remained her touchstone of safety. So full of emotional turmoil and laced with lyrical writing, the audience were putty in Jill’s hands.

 

Next, we heard from Margaret Rogerson, our final competition winner and another recent Novel Studio graduate. Margaret read an extract from her novel, I Was, Once. She transported us into those delicate teenage years, fourteen and eager to find excitement in life. Her character found herself on holiday in a campsite surrounded by an aunt preoccupied with ‘that stupid baby’ and a whole host of men hungry to watch her cartwheel. Let’s hope Margaret publishes soon so that we can read the rest of this story with such a compelling and funny voice at its heart.

 

After such a stellar set of competition winning readers, it was a good thing we had multi-talented artist, filmmaker and now writer, Lara Haworth as our guest speaker. A Novel Studio alumna who read an early extract from Monumenta at City Writes back in 2021, Lara is a phenomenal writer dear to our hearts. Her debut, Monumenta is a book that examines how we remember collectively and in private. The Guardian says it  ‘fizzes with ideas’ and Bookmunch say it ‘Deserves a place on awards shortlists’ and the City Writes audience couldn’t agree more. Over the next half an hour or so Lara introduced us to the book through her answers to my questions and some wonderful short readings from a small novel that really packs a punch.

Author and City alumna Lara Haworth

Set in Belgrade, the novel opens with Olga Pavić receiving a letter from the government. It tells her that her house is being requisitioned in order to turn it into a monument for a massacre. But which one? No one seems to know. It’s a novel that explores memory in all its present, personal and civic interpretations. It was such a delight to speak with Lara and you can hear her readings, our conversation and all of the competition winners by clicking on this link to the video of the night. It really was a monumental night. Buy your copy of Monumenta here.

 

Thank you, Lara, thank you competition winners, thank you audience members and Emily Pedder for supporting this event. It truly is a showcase for the talent coming from the short creative writing courses at City and what talent there is. Next term, City Writes returns with alumna Jo Cunningham as our guest. Jo’s debut, Death by Numbers comes out with Hachette this August. It’s a seaside comedy crime that will have us burning on our beach towels. Listen to the event HERE and watch this space for details of City Writes Autumn 2024.

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