Writers bring novel ideas to Leamington

Mez Packer and Amanda Smyth launched their creative writing workshops, which are organised by Coventry University, on Friday at Spencer Yard in Leamington and they will take place every Friday for seven weeks from 7pm to 9pm, aiming to inspire budding authors to put pen to paper with expert tips and advice.

Attendees will be guided through the process of completing a full plan of their novel and writing the first few chapters.

Mez Packer, formerly a BBC broadcast journalist and magazine editor, has run writing classes around the UK and abroad, and is author of the recently published book The Game is Altered and the Commonwealth Writers’ Prize-shortlisted novel Among Thieves, which also won the Coventry Inspiration Award in 2010.

Amanda Smyth’s short stories have been broadcast on BBC Radio 4 as part of a series called Love and Loss, and her award-winning first book Black Rock was chosen for the Waterstone’s New Voices promotion.

She is a graduate of the University of East Anglia’s MA in creative writing.

Packer, who is also a visiting lecturer in creative writing at Coventry University, said: “There are a lot of people out there with a talent for the written word and a great idea in their head, and often it’s only a lack of confidence and support that stops them turning that combination into a novel.

“Through this short course both myself and Amanda are aiming to provide all the advice and encouragement you need – from how to plan a book to various creative writing techniques – to get your first book off the ground.”

The course costs £185 for seven weeks, and places can be booked on the Coventry University website by searching for ‘starting your novel’.

For more information call 024 7688 8013 or email [email protected]