Masterclasses and Guest Lectures, Autumn 2024

Here is this semester's programme of Creative Writing guest lectures and masterclasses happening this term in the Centre for New Writing at the University of Leicester. All the events are free and all but one are open to everybody: students, staff and the public alike. If you'd like further information, please email Jonathan Taylor (jt265@le.ac.uk).

Gavin Esler: "Writing the News & More": A Writer's Workshop

Wednesday 20 November 2024, 4-5pm, room TBC

Gavin will also offer a writing workshop. He'll discuss finding compelling news stories, ensuring accuracy, as well as how to tell stories effectively. This free workshop is for University of Leicester students only. It will be perfect for Journalism, Media, English and Creative Writing students. Numbers are limited, so please sign up in advance. Please email Harry Whitehead to book a spot: hdw5@le.ac.uk. This workshop is convened by Tor Clark and Harry Whitehead for Literary Leicester.  

Gavin Esler in Conversation: Literary Leicester event 

Wed 20 Nov 2024, 6.30-7.30pm in Sir Bob Burgess Building Lecture Theatre 2

Gavin Esler, one of the country’s leading journalists, broadcasters and authors, was BBC Newsnight’s chief presenter from 2003 to 2014. He is the bestselling author of several works on the state of Britain as well as five novels. In this conversation, reading and Q&A, Gavin will discuss his most recent work, Britain Is Better Than This: Why a Great Country is Failing Us. Expect off-the-cuff wisdom, humour at the absurdities of what passes for our constitution, and more. You can book tickets for this free Literary Leicester event here.

Cathi Rae: "Poems of Other People's Lives": Poetry Reading

Tuesday 3 December 2024, 12-1pm, room TBC

This guest lecture and poetry reading is part of the undergraduate module Introduction to Writing Creatively 1. All are welcome to attend. 

Amirah Mohiddin: "Speculative Fiction: Writing YA Fantasy for Traditional Publishing"

Tuesday 3 December 2024, 4-5pm in room Fielding Johnson L66

This guest lecture is part of the undergraduate module Using Stories. All are welcome, but places are limited. If you'd like to attend, please email jt265@le.ac.uk in advance. 

Kit de Waal: "Research Tips for Writers": Masterclass

Wednesday 4 December, 2-4pm in room Attenborough 104

This masterclass is part of the MA module Research Methods in Creative Writing. All are welcome, but places are limited. If you'd like to attend, please email jt265@le.ac.uk in advance. 

Public Events and Guest Lectures, Autumn 2023

Here is a list of all the fantastic public events, workshops and guest talks hosted by the Centre for New Writing this Autumn. All of the events are free to attend, but you may need to sign up for some of them advance, since places are limited (see details below). Thank you, and we do hope you'll enjoy our programme of events.

Sunday 12 November, 7pm, online
New Walk Editions Launch: Derron Sandy and Blake Morrison
This is the online launch of two new New Walk Editions pamphlets: Blake Morrison, Never the Right Time, and Derron Sandy, The Chaos. New Walk Editions is co-edited by University of Leicester's Nick Everett. You can register for this free event here.

Tuesday 21 November, 730pm, Emerald Centre, 450 Gypsy Lane, Leicester

Triple Book Launch: "The Mad Road, Scablands and Encounters with Everyday Madness."
This evening will consist of readings by three authors launching their new short story collections: University of Leicester PhD Creative Writing graduate Laurie Cusack, Birmingham-based author Charlie Hill, and lecturer in Creative Writing, Jonathan Taylor. The event is free and all are welcome. No need to register in advance - just turn up on the day!

Thursday 23 November, 3pm, St Nicholas Place, Leicester. 
Tour of BBC Radio Leicester

This tour is part of the undergraduate module Writing Voices, but there are a few places open to other students. If you'd like to come along, please book a place by emailing jt265@le.ac.uk in advance. Numbers are strictly limited. 

Monday 4 December, 10am-12, Attenborough room 202
Masterclass with Kit de Waal: "Cultural Appropriation and Creative Writing" 

This Creative Writing workshop is part of the MA in Creative Writing. There are also limited places available for other students, staff and public. If you'd like to attend, please book a place by emailing jt265@le.ac.uk in advance. 

Tuesday 5 December, 11am-12, Attenborough room 206

Guest Reading and Q&A by Poet Kate Bingham
This lecture is part of the undergraduate module Introduction to Writing Creatively 1. There are limited places available for other students, staff and public. If you'd like to attend, please book a place by emailing ngre1@le.ac.uk in advance. The event is supported by Literary Leicester. 

Monday 11 December, 2-3pm, Attenborough room 205 PLEASE NOTE THE NEW DATE FOR THIS RESCHEDULED GUEST LECTURE
Guest lecture by Paul Taylor-McCartney: "Imagine If You Can: Thoughts on Writing Dystopian Fiction." 
This lecture is part of the undergraduate module Using Stories. There are limited places available for other students, staff and public. If you'd like to attend, please book a place by emailing jt265@le.ac.uk in advance. 

Wednesday 13 December, 2-4pm, Attenborough room 104
Masterclass with Amirah Mohiddin: "An Exercise in World Building: A Thousand and One Nights Meets 1950s Morocco in a YA Fantasy." 
This workshop is part of the MA in Creative Writing. There are limited places available for other students, staff and public. If you'd like to attend, please book a place by emailing jt265@le.ac.uk in advance. The event is supported by Literary Leicester.