Writing West Midlands

Creative Writing students had the opportunity to attend a panel with Writing West Midlands on the topic of Developing and Sustaining a Creative Writing Career.

Every year, Creative Writing students are invited to attend the ‘Developing and Sustaining a Creative Writing Career’ panel, chaired by the CEO of Writing West Midlands Jonathan Davidson, and featuring two writers - this year joined by novelist Caroline Lea and poet Philip Hancock.

Writing West Midlands (WWM) supports creative writers in the West Midlands region. English students are encouraged to engage with Writing West Midlands throughout their course, as they offer workshops, conferences, residencies and more that students can be part of. WWM run both Birmingham Literature Festival and the National Writers’ Conference.

Rachel Mayfield, MA Creative Writing student, said: "The panel sessions with Writing West Midlands provide an illuminating, informative and sparky space for writers at all levels.

"Jonathan Davidson, CEO of Writing West Midlands and the seminar chair, is inclusive, responsive, and alive both to the magical and more mundane elements of the writer's life – and the other writers who participate in the panel are equally frank and inspiring."

Course Leader for MA in Creative Writing, Gregory Leadbetter, added: "The partnership between the Creative Writing programme at BCU and Writing West Midlands is deep and long-established, but also continually refreshed by our ongoing collaboration and joint commitment to the literary and cultural life that – we both passionately believe – belongs to everyone.

"It’s a pleasure and a privilege to be able to work so closely together in developing the talent and reach of writers and readers who go on to make their own unique contributions as authors and creatives."