The Arvon Foundation is proud to announce that it is working with the prestigious Jerwood Charitable Foundation to provide year long mentoring for promising writers. Every student who goes on an Arvon course in 2008 is eligible to put their names forward to be considered for the Jerwood/Arvon Foundation Gifted and Talented mentoring scheme. Just tick the box on your booking form to let us know that you're interested. 12 of the most promising students will then be chosen to be mentored for a year in 2009 by a published writer.

http://www.arvonfoundation.org/p126s3.html

Don't forget that bursaries are available if the full fee for an Arvon Course is too much for you - they're very anxious that no one should be barred from going on a course for lack of cash.

Emma

Thanks for the reminder. I've applied. S

If you're going for a bursary, it helps to apply early. One of my students was told that she'd have been eligible for a full bursary but they'd run out of money and could only pay half the course fees.

I looked at the site, and the courses look exciting. I'm not sure which one to apply for. I've had short literary fiction published in some respected ezines (Dead Mule, In Posse, among others) and genre fiction (Quantum Muse, others.) I've come first in one independently judged short story contest.

Currently, I'm sending stuff out to semi-pro paying or better. (17 submissions, 8 still out). One acceptance. In one case, I've been told the SF short story passed the first cut. Second cut, should hear in three weeks. Then, final cut, to hear in around five months. Other stuff has been form letter rejected (once by return email, sigh...) or rejected with a personal note asking me to send something else.

I've got £1,000 saved up. Arvon? Which sounds like the most fun... An editorial service for a completed Fantasy novel? Going to a conference and networking? (Which I'm not very good at.) Any suggestions?

I've never been to an Arvon course, though would love to. With £1000 you could go on one AND have an editorial service appraise your novel (or pretty much, depending on how long it is). I think it depends on where you're at, motivationally and psychologically. From what people say, Arvon is inspiring and motivating - and fun! But if you need detailed feedback on your novel, a good crit might be what you need. Good luck with your decision
Susiex

Vixen,

To be honest, I think you'd get much more out of attending the Milford SF Writers' Workshop, to which end I've just WWmailed you some details.

Terry

Thanks very much, Terry.