Readings by acclaimed writers

hosted by Roehampton University

Roehampton University is celebrating the launch of its new MA course in Creative and Professional Writing with a series of events called Writers at Roehampton. It is a series of public readings and discussions in which professional novelists, poets and journalists will discuss their craft.

The series starts on Thursday 17 February with renowned poet Matthew Sweeney. The evenings will give a unique insight into the process of writing, from finding ideas to getting published.

Creative writing courses have become more widespread in universities as aspiring writers have recognised the need to be trained in their craft. Roehampton already has a flourishing BA programme.

The new MA will extend this training for those who are firmly committed to becoming professional writers. The Writers at Roehampton series is jointly sponsored by the university's Creative Writing and English Literature programmes.

Speakers will include the novelist and short story writer, William Boyd; journalist and documentary maker, Jon Ronson; and poets Matthew Sweeney and Patience Agbabi. Also taking part will be novelist Leone Ross and poets Peter Jaeger and Jeff Hilson, who are all tutors on Roehampton's creative writing programmes.

The series will also include a publishers' panel on 12 May which will feature literary agents and editors from a range of publishing houses including Penguin and Faber, as well as smaller specialist publishers Tindal Street Press and Bloodaxe.

All events take place on Thursdays at 7pm

17 February - Matthew Sweeney: collections include Cacti, The Bridal Suite, A Smell of Fish

3 March - Matt Thorne: books include Eight Minutes Idle and All Hail the New Puritans

17 March - Patience Agbabi: collections include R.A.W. and Transformatrix

14 April - William Boyd: books include A Good Man in Africa, An Ice Cream War Brazzaville

28 April - Jon Ronson: books include Them: Adventures with Extremists, The Men who Stare at Goats

12 May - Publishers panel: Penguin, Faber, Tindal Street Press and Bloodaxe

26 May - Jeff Hilson A Grasses Primer, Stretchers 1-12, Leone Ross All The Blood Is Red, Orange Laughter, Peter Jaeger Power Lawn, sub-twang mustard, Eckhart Cars

All events will take place at Grove House, Froebel College, Roehampton University,
Roehampton Lane, London SW15.

January 17, 2005