Thought this sounded well worth checking out if you're local-ish- or just fancy a day trip?

SOUTH SPECIFIC: New Writing In THE SOUTH

Presented by THE SOUTH, Brighton Writers' Centre and University of Sussex CCE.

May 27-28, Gardner Arts Centre, University of Sussex.

A weekend of events, workshops and discussions for readers and writers, featuring famous names and spelling new talent in fiction, nonfiction and poetry.

Tickets available from the Gardner Arts Centre on 01273 585861

One Day Tickets: £16/£12. Full Weekend Tickets: £24/£16. Single Event
Tickets: £12/£8.

£1 off to Friends of THE SOUTH. It is important to book places on workshops - first come, first served.

Workshops are for over £16s only.

Saturday 27 May

11-12.30 Creating the Short Story, with David Nwokedi and Segan Afolabi.

Brighton-based author David Nwokedi discusses short story writing and the creative process with Nigerian writer Segan Afolabi, winner of the Caine Prize for African writing in 2005. Chaired by Kerrith Bell, and with an opportunity for questions from the audience.

1-2.30 The Roads to Fiction, with Sophia McDoughall.

Sophia McDoughall discusses the path which led to the publication of her debut novel Romantias, the first in a trilogy imagining a world in which the Roman Empire continued to the present day. Chaired by Mark Slater, and with an opportunity for questions from the audience.

3-4.30 Project Poetry!

Premiere of this unique series of innovative multimedia poetry commissions
on the theme of Place of Birth. Featuring East Sussex based poets Ros arber, Brendan Cleary, Bernadette Cremin, John Davies, Andrew Dilger,
Nathaniel Matthews, Catherine Smith and Jackie Wills, and visual artists Alix Clements, Mark Collington, Ian Craig, Greg Daville, Susan Diab, James Lewis, Laura Thomas and Adam Waters. Suitable for ages 12 and over, the short pieces include animation and woven media, stills, video, web design
and digital images. Introduced by poet and producer John Davies.

5-6.30 Bollocks to Alton Towers: Uncommonly British Days Out, with Robin Halstead, Jason Hazeley, Alex Morris, Joel Morris.

A fun look at travel writing with an opportunity for questions from the audience.

'Wonderful' tells you more about Britain and Britons than any number of po-faced sociologists' Arena

A personal selection of quirky places of interest that somehow encapsulate everything that's great about Britain. The authors believe that pencil
museums and collections of garden gnomes are the backbone of the nation and something to be treasured.

7.30-9.30 Poetry Reading, with Penelope Shuttle and Fiona Sampson

A unique opportunity to hear two of today's leading poets, including editor of Poetry Review Fiona Sampson and Penelope Shuttle whose books have been
Poetry Book Society Recommendations three times. With an opportunity for questions from the audience.

Workshops

10.30-12.30 Poetry and Dreaming Workshop, with Penelope Shuttle.

Certain dreams can fill us with the same sense of illumination as a poem, both lead to a transformed self and world.

In the workshop Penelope will draw on one particular dream to open doors into a fuller exploration of our poetry.

11-1 Poetry of the Exiled Workshop, with Choman Hardi.

The Chair of Exiled Poetry Ink! leads a workshop looking at poetry in different languages.

1-3 Writing for Young People Seminar, with Roy Apps.

Popular children's writer and author of the How To Handle series leads a discussion on how to write for young people. If you have any topics you would like Roy to cover, please email Roy@thesouth.org.uk

1.15-2.45 Poetry Workshop, with Fiona Sampson.

The editor of Poetry Review leads a practical poetry writing workshop.

3.30-5.30 Storytelling Workshop, with Linda Cotterill.

How to tell not read. Practical techniques on how to do storytelling for writers of all kinds by storyteller and playwright Linda Cotterill.

4-6 Writing Your Life, with Michael Oke.

The founder of Bound Biographies presents a session on autobiography aimed particularly at the over 60's although open to all.

Sunday 28th May

Theatre Sessions

11-12 Crime writing Discussion, with Peter James, Laura Wilson and chaired by Peter Guttridge.

Bestselling author Peter James and award-winning writer Laura Wilson discuss the ins and outs of crime fiction writing with the Observer's crime fiction critic Peter Guttridge. With an opportunity for questions from the audience.

12.30-2 Literature and the Arts of Life, with Ciaran O'Driscoll, Debbie Taylor and chaired by Sue Roe.

Irish poet Ciaran O'Driscoll, whose memoir A Runner Among Falling Leaves in now available and Debbie Taylor, whose novel Hungry Ghosts is largely based
on personal experience, discuss the relationship between art, 'real life' and biography with Sue Roe, whose biography of The Impressionists is now
available.

2.30-4 Sacred and Profane: Poetry and the Mystical, with Ciaran O'Driscoll, Sasha Dugdale, Judith Kazantzis and chaired by John Davies.

A lively discussion of the place of the mystical within modern poetry, with four very different poets. With an opportunity for questions from the
audience.

4.30-6.30 Special Finale: Poetry Reading, with Andrew Motion.

Poet Laureate Andrew Motion gives a special reading and question and answer session to round off the weekend, including unpublished work. With an
opportunity for questions from the audience.

Workshops

10.30-12.30 Life Writing Workshop, with Bridget Whelan.

Bridget whelan leads a practical workshop on how to craft a story from real life experiences.

11-1 Inspirational Writing Workshop, with Beryl Kingston on Blake.

Beryl Kingston leads a discussion on writing and inspiration, with an emphasis on the work of William Blake.

1-3 Crime Writing Workshop, with Peter Guttridge.

Observer crime fiction critic Peter Guttridge lets you into the secrets of the crime writing trade.

1.30-3.50 Dramatic Writing Workshop, with Terry James.

Doyen of the Brighton dramatic writing scene Terry James leads a workshop on the various aspects of playwrighting.

3.30-5.30 Writing Contemporary Fiction Workshop, with Debbie Taylor.

The editor of Mslexia magazine leads a practical workshop on crafting contemporary fiction.