Alumni Summer School 2023
Our Alumni Summer School returns to London this summer! This four-day course will take place in the Writers' Room in the brand-new Curtis Brown offices; it is an exclusive course specifically for writers who have already taken one of our selective Writing Your Novel courses in London or online.
15 members of our alumni will join this course. Teaching will run from Mon 24 Jul to Thurs 27 Jul, and will be led by the renowned author-tutor Jake Arnott.
The course is ideal for those looking for more one-to-one time with our tutors, or in need of a fresh burst of energy and some additional support as they write. At the end of the week, you’ll also get the chance to practise pitching and put your questions to to C&W agent Ckare Conville. You may choose to bring along the novel you worked on during your course – or you can elect to get intensive tutor feedback on a different novel-in-progress.
Tutor
Jake Arnott
Jake is the author of seven highly acclaimed novels. The Long Firm was the bestselling debut novel of 1999, and was followed by He Kills Coppers, Truecrime, Johnny Come Home, The Devil's Paintbrush, The House of Rumour and The Fatal Tree. In 2006, The Long Firm was made into a four-part, BAFTA-nominated series for BBC 2 starring Sir Derek Jacobi and Mark Strong. In 2008, He Kills Coppers was made into a three-part series for ITV1, starring Rafe Spall and Kelly Reilly. Jake has previously taught creative-writing courses for the Arvon Foundation.
Guest speaker
What does this course give you?
- Live teaching sessions in London: Jake will lead teaching sessions on key novel-writing topics. These lessons will include writing exercises and interactive discussions.
- 1 workshop: You’ll be given the chance to workshop a 3,000-word extract from your novel-in-progress. You’ll get feedback from Jake and your fellow students.
- 1 tutorial: You'll get a 20-minute, one-to-one tutorial with Jake based on your one-page synopsis. Use the tutorial to address your specific concerns about your writing and your plan for moving forward with your novel.
- Literary agent masterclass: On the final day the group will deliver their pitches to C&W literary agent Clare Conville who will give verbal feedback. This will be followed by a Q&A with the agents, during which the students will have a chance to ask questions about writing, pitching and the submissions process.
Course fees
The course fee of £570 (inc. VAT) per student is payable in full before the start of the course. This fee includes refreshments and a catered sandwich and salad lunch every day. We will be able to cater to all dietary requirements we’re made aware of.
Location
The Alumni Summer School will be held in the Curtis Brown offices in London (Cunard House), with sessions taking place in the Writers' Room.
Nearest tube station Piccadilly Circus.
Course schedule
All teaching and workshop sessions will take place from 10.15 to 17.30 each day.
Mon 24 Jul
Teaching Day OneTues 25 Jul
Teaching Day TwoWeds 26 Jul
Teaching Day ThreeThurs 27 Jul
Teaching Day Four
Ready to sign up?
There are just 15 available places on the Summer School. We’ll be offering places on a first-come, first-served basis, so please email students@curtisbrowncreative.co.uk without delay if you would like to take part. Please include a short paragraph about the novel you’d like to work on during the Summer School.
Pre–course work
Students offered places on the course will be asked to email us with the following, by 1 Jul:
- A one-page synopsis, the first page of your novel and a 3,000-word extract from your novel-in-progress, with a note giving any necessary context (anything that's needed in addition to the synopsis to understand how the piece sits in relation to the novel, including a mention of how far through the story the extract appears).
- Your 3,000-word extract will be workshopped and your tutorial with Jake will focus on your synopsis and is also a chance for you to discuss your concerns about the novel and your plans for moving forward.
- Schedules for tutorials/consultations will be sent out to all students ahead of the start of the course.
- The material from the other 14 students will be sent to you ahead of the course so that you can do your reading and write your feedback before you arrive. Please provide comments on the 3,000-word extracts (the synopses and first pages are provided to aid your understanding).
- Our boardroom will be open in the morning before class and in the late afternoon after class for students who need to catch up on reading and feedback-writing, or indeed for students who want to sit and write.