Stories are Spells
A weekend of writing and experimentation for new writers, with Anna Selby and Sharon Blackie BOOK NOWWHEN:
Friday 17 – Sunday 19 November 2023
TUTORS:
Anna Selby, Sharon Blackie
VENUE:
Dartington Trust, South Devon
AGE SUITABILITY:
PRICING (Bursaries are available):
COURSE FEE
£290
COURSE FEE PLUS ACCOMMODATION
£410
About this course
Join us on this weekend of experimentation for new writers, rich with the combination of myth, landscape and eco-feminism, led by poet Anna Selby and featuring Sharon Blackie as online guest lecturer.
Do you have a burning desire to write but feel you have little experience? Perhaps you’re returning to writing after a long time away, or maybe you have experience in one field but are keen to explore a new genre. This weekend course is an opportunity to spend time away from the stresses and strains of daily life and free your imagination here on the historic and wild Dartington estate.
Anna Selby – naturalist, eco-poet and tutor in Engaged Ecology at Schumacher College – will guide you in exploring the writing process with a mix of exercises, analysis, discussion and advice, while critically acclaimed author, psychologist and mythologist Sharon Blackie will join us for an online lecture and workshop.
This course is designed to build your confidence within a supportive environment, providing you with the tools to inspire and develop your writing.
on this course you will
• Learn to identify your voice and find out what kind of writer you want to be.
• Develop short pieces of writing, individually and in groups.
• At the time of booking, you will be given a reading list recommended by Sharon Blackie.
‘We’re never done with our transformations; they just keep on coming round. We shapeshift all the way up to the end, casting off certainties like a selkie casts off her sealskin.’ Sharon Blackie
typical schedule for short courses
- Check-in to the room is between 3-3.45pm on the day of arrival. Check-out is 11am on the day of departure, although if travelling by public transport, luggage can be left at the Welcome Centre until the course has completed.
- Teaching generally begins at 4pm on the first day and ends at 2pm Fridays or 4pm Sunday (whichever is the last day of the course).
- The daily timetable can start at 9.30am and end around 9.15pm, with free time available at set times throughout the day.
- For residential participants breakfast is included, followed by a morning gathering and community work groups on weekdays, which are open to all participants and the college community. Non-residential participants can pay extra if they wish to have breakfast on one or more of the days.
- Lunch for all participants is between 1-2pm and supper is 6.30-7.30pm (both meals are included in the residential and non-residential course fee).
If you have any questions about your course schedule please contact shortcourses@dartington.org
what to bring
- A willingness to work both individually and in a group in a positive and supportive manner, to share writing and ideas, to contribute to discussions, remain open to new ideas and to constructively critique each other’s writing.
- Laptop and a list of writing – in any form – that you find inspiring / moving / challenging.
TUTORS
Anna Selby
Anna Selby is a poet and naturalist. Her poetry often explores our connection with water and the natural world. She works collaboratively with dancers, choreographers and conservationists, writes poetic-studies of different species in the field, directly from life, often underwater, and aims for these poems to share a sense of compassion and attentiveness to the environment.
dr sharon blackie
Hagitude: Reclaiming the Second Half of Life is a book and a year-long membership program, offered by psychologist and mythologist Dr Sharon Blackie – author of the bestselling If Women Rose Rooted.
Dr. Sharon Blackie is an award-winning writer, psychologist and mythologist. Her highly acclaimed books, courses, lectures and workshops are focused on the development of the mythic imagination, and on the relevance of myth, fairy tales and folk traditions to the personal, social and environmental problems we face today. Read More
OUR LEARNING COMMUNITY
Our courses are part of the wider Learning programme at Dartington, and you will join a community of students on site studying at Schumacher College and Dartington Arts School as well as other short course participants, volunteers and visitors.
While you are here we invite you to take part in our learning community life by attending morning meetings, taking part in activities such as meal preparation and clearing, and evening social events. This is entirely voluntary, but participants tell us that taking part adds to their experience at Dartington.
accommodation
We recommend that if possible, you stay on-site during your course. All our courses are best experienced holistically: through studying, relaxing, eating and staying with other course participants, volunteers, staff and tutors.
When you book your course with accommodation this includes one of our hostel-style single rooms with shared facilities and easy access to your main learning space. They are the perfect base to rest your head, relax and recharge. You can find out more about the rooms here.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included throughout the duration of the course, each made with fresh, locally-sourced produce by our award-winning team.
Accommodation is available at a discounted rate for course attendees, and on a first come, first served basis only. Choose this option by selecting ‘Course Fee Plus Accommodation’ at checkout.
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optional: upgrade to a courtyard room
It is also possible, subject to availability, to upgrade your accommodation to a single or double en-suite bedroom in our beautiful and historic courtyard. Upgrade pricing is as follows:
For courses starting before 1/9/2023
- Single room with en-suite bathroom: additional £27.25 per night
- Double room with en-suite bathroom is an additional £43.60 per night
For courses starting on or after 1/9/2023
- Single room with en-suite bathroom: additional £31.07 per night
- Double room with en-suite bathroom is an additional £49.70 per night
If you would like to upgrade, please first book with residential option included, and then contact our Guest Services team on 01803 847150 or email guestservices@dartingtonhall.com to check availability. Our Guest Services department is open daily, 8am–8pm.
Should you decide to upgrade to our en-suite accommodation, please be aware that this is 20 min walk, or 3 min drive, to the Old Postern site, where some of our courses are held. There is car parking available near to all venues on the estate.
OPTIONAL: STAY ON OUR CAMPSITE
You may like to stay on our beautiful and relaxing campsite, amidst the stunning rolling hills and ancient woodlands of Dartington. Find out more about the campsite here.
Should you decide to stay on the campsite, please be aware that this is 10 min walk, to either Schumacher College or Dartington Hall, where our courses are held. There is car parking available near to all venues on the estate.
Book now
Begin your online booking below. You will receive an e-ticket for this event. You are welcome to email us at shortcourses@dartington.org or call us at 01803 847008 with any queries you have. Full Short Course T&Cs can be found here >
If you place a deposit, you will be contacted by us four weeks before the course start date to pay the outstanding balance. You will also be contacted with full details about the course before you arrive.
Please note that in most cases bookings for all our Short Courses close at midday on the Thursday before the course begins. This enables us to give you the best possible course experience and ensures all bookers receive the relevant course materials before they arrive.
