CREATIVE WRITING COURSES

‘WRITING FOR CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE’ 16 - 23 MAY 2011

Whether you tell stories to your own children and want help getting them down on the page, or want to develop your skills and turn your hobby into a career, this exciting course, led by successful children’s author, Steve Voake, is for you.

Throughout the course practical writing exercises, group discussions and individual tutorials will help you to get started and develop your stories ranging from picture books for younger children to novels for teenagers and young adults.

The course will be based round group tuition sessions on five mornings a week supplemented by individual tutorials. Afternoons will be free, leaving plenty of time either to explore Paxos or simply relax.

During the week you will  

• identify the age group you are writing for 
   
• learn to create new, fresh characters

·      develop plot and story structure

·      find ways of improving your descriptive writing

• work towards discovering your ‘voice’ as a write
   
• learn how to edit your work effectively
   

• find out more about the children’s book market

Steve Voake is represented by Literary Agency Conville and Walsh, and works closely with the agents there. Whilst working with him is no guarantee of finding a Literary Agent, if you are looking to publish your work, Steve will be happy to assess whether it is ready to show to agents. If he is of the opinion that it is, he will refer you directly to Jo Unwin, Conville and Walsh’s children's agent, to whom he frequently recommends authors.

So join us on Paxos in May for a week that promises to be inspiring, challenging, thought-provoking … and enormous fun!

Course Cost: The course costs £545 per person, which includes tuition as described above, accommodation in a shared twin/double room in a villa with private swimming pool near Loggos, one of the three main villages on Paxos, any local transport required in connection with the course and a large breakfast hamper. Transfers between Corfu airport and your accommodation on Paxos can be arranged at additional cost, as can optional activities such as Greek cookery, Greek dancing, boat trips and walks.

For full details of what is included in the cost of the course and of the accommodation, please see ‘Writing Courses Further Information’.

It is also possible for anyone who has their own accommodation or who wishes to be more independent just to join the group tuition sessions. Please contact us to discuss your requirements. 

To Book: Please read our Booking Conditions and the Important Information section of this website and then complete and submit an On-Line Booking Form. 'Writing for Children and Young People' is open to people of all ages and abilities aged 18 or over. However, Paxos is a relatively hilly island and we therefore do not feel that it is suitable for anyone with walking difficulties.

Minimum number of participants: All our holidays, courses and activities require a minimum number of participants in order for them to operate. The minimum number of participants required for the 'Writing for Children and Young People' course to operate is 6.

Second Holiday/Course Discount: We will give you a discount of £40 if you book any two holidays or courses in our current programme.

Further Information: Do have a look round our website and, if you would like further information about any of our holidays and courses or about Paxos more generally, then please do not hesitate to Contact Us.