The kids are alright - election week edition!
Words in the woods with childcare included, Writing a Young Fiction series with Hannah Shaw, a summer supper with Sarah Steele, twilight poems with Philip Rush and more
From August, Dialect is hugely proud to be working in partnership with Stroud’s Sladebank Woods this summer to offer THREE day long writing retreats, that have forest school childcare included on site.
Our successful pilot project, funded by Stroud Town Council, was a UK first back in November 2023 - and we are delighted to have received funding to support three more events that also include a writing workshop for children, so everyone can tell their stories!
Join us at the magical Sladebank Woods Roundhouse in Stroud Gloucestershire on Friday August 9th, Sunday September 8th and Saturday September 28th, 9.30am-4.30pm for:
Focused and structured writing time in the wooden round-house for parents and caregivers
Refreshments
Access to the Dialect ‘mobile library’ of books and resources
Discussion time with other writers
Forest school for children aged 6+
Kids’ writing workshop with poet and facilitator Al Hughes
Shared fireside supper and chats at the end of the day
You might write poetry or fiction, be a campaigner or a student - or just want some time to think and connect with nature. You don’t need to live in Stroud and you don’t even need to have written before - we will provide plenty of inspiration and support.
Tickets are available on a tiered basis, depending on financial circumstances. We include a number of fully funded places, and the chance to pay it forward and support this groundbreaking writing retreat series!
Bookings available here:
https://www.dialect.org.uk/coursesworkshops/words-in-the-woods
Speaking of kids and fun, thank you to everyone who came along to June’s Dialect Dinner with Hannah Shaw! She brought us a sharing platter of tips and ideas on writing for children, a *highly* divisive peanut butter and lime pickle on toast for the main course (eaten in haste while drawing illustrations for the Disgusting Sandwich) and a giant marshmallow dessert of publishing industry insights and thoughts on the power of storytelling for children. A must watch for anyone interested in writing craft, and an insider’s view of publishing for children or adults. The edited highlights are on our YouTube channel and can be watched here
NEW SELF STUDY PACK JUST DROPPED!
And for those who have a brilliant idea for a children’s book - but aren’t sure how to make it a reality, you’re in luck!
Dialect are thrilled to offer Hannah’s brand new self study pack:
WRITING A YOUNG FICTION SERIES
Hannah is highly respected children’s author, and over decades has created dozens of much loved books for children, including the Unipiggle series, The Scruffs, Stan Stinky, Evil Weasel and many more. Her illustrations include the works of Julia Donaldson, Dick King Smith and the ever popular Disgusting Sandwich.
Her very own action packed guide is chock full of exercises, ideas and expert insights on how to make a career from writing for children.
Available in two instalments or as a single purchase so you can build your story at your own pace. Hannah also offers an additional one to one feedback session on your work, so you can really get your ideas off the ground!
It’s time to turn your great ideas into books children will really love:) Full info here
https://www.dialect.org.uk/self-study/writing-a-young-fiction-series-with-hannah-shaw
MORE AUTHOR EVENTS!
We are very lucky to have as our next Dialect Dinner guest, the brilliant and bestselling novelist Sarah Steele! She’ll be joining us on TUESDAY 30TH JULY at 7pm.
Sarah Steele is the author of USA Today bestseller THE MISSING PIECES OF NANCY MOON, THE SCHOOLTEACHER OF SAINT-MICHEL and THE LOST SONG OF PARIS. Her latest novel, THE TRAITOR’S WIFE, set in Naples, is out later this year.
After training in London as a classical pianist and violinist, Sarah joined the world of publishing as an editorial assistant at Hodder and Stoughton. She was for many years a freelance editor, and now lives in the vibrant Gloucestershire town of Stroud.
Sarah will be bringing along her three imaginary courses, and through our Q&A sessions we’ll share a warm and informal chat about her writing life and creative practice.
Tickets are just £5 or free for caregivers and those on a small income. An inspirational shot in the arm for any writer! Tickets here.
AUTUMN POETRY
A reminder that a wonderful new workshop series with the award winning poet Kate Potts is starting on 18th September, Wise Women Poetry Workshop is a 10 week in-person poetry course to read, discuss and draw inspiration from a range of exciting work from British and Irish contemporary women poets. You’ll be given ideas and prompts to spark new poems, and constructive feedback on your own work in a nurturing group space. Mindful of the excruciating cost of living for all of us right now, we’ve added a deposit option to spread the cost of the course. Find out more and book here.
Don’t forget, we have three spellbinding dusk poetry walks with Philip Rush, starting JULY 25TH, 7pm in Saul, Gloucestershire. Walks, poems, conversation and as yet unknown enchantments! More info here.
If you are a fan of Philip Rush (and who isn’t), a celebration of his immense contribution to the poetry community in Gloucestershire and beyond is happening this FRIDAY JULY 5TH. Join Chapel Poets at the Little Chapel on Tabernacle Walk to hear local poets and admirers reading their favourite poems written by Philip, who for many years has encouraged and published poets with his Yew Tree Press, including the Stroud Poets series. This will be the first of quarterly events at Rodborough Tabernacle celebrating current poets from the area. 7pm for 7.30pm start until 9.30pm. Free admission, parking available.
If you would like to read two of your favourite poems by Philip at this event, please contact Eley Furrell at pinksniper@live.co.uk
AND FINALLY
A great big thank you to everyone who came along to the magic midsummer launch of Red Handed, JLM Morton’s debut poetry collection. It was quite the gathering at Laurie Lee’s very own Woolpack pub in Slad, Gloucestershire, with fantastic performances from Adam Horovitz, Philip Rush, Martha Sprackland, Discobboloi, Mara Simpson and Emma Kernahan (plus dancing with Old and Ragged Morris!). Wonderful to see this wild and lyrical book making it’s way into the world in such good company, and under a full moon.
If you want to grab a bit of the magic all for yourself, then you can order Red Handed, and support brilliant indie press Broken Sleep books here
That’s it for this side of the election - all fingers crossed for what’s coming next for the arts and for care:) Until then, see you in the woods, by the river or in the ether!
Juliette and Emma x