Writing Middle Grade and YA Sessions take place online. There are two parallel workshop courses running in two different slots:        Monday evenings 17.30 - 19.30        Thursday evenings 19.00 - 21.00 Three terms a year: autumn, spring, summer 12 weeks £230 To sign up or put yourself on the waiting list, click here: neilworkshops@gmail.com Or you can use the email address on the contact page. If you have a preference for one day over the other please say so. What goes on in these workshops? Now in their seventh successful year, these tutor-led courses are for writers wanting to develop their Middle Grade and YA fiction to the next level. The workshops provide feedback, support and steady pressure to write and revise - the ideal combination to help you make real progress with your writing. The groups are capped at 8, so each individual gets a chance to air their work every second week. You need to be writing regularly, or to have a completed manuscript which you are ready to workshop. All participants are well-versed in Middle Grade and YA fiction. All are writing their own novel for one of these age groups. The tutor uses aspects of work under discussion to make learning points for the whole group and from time to time, where appropriate, will focus on a particular topic - structuring, character, story development, for example - for part of a session. The tutor also provides both verbal feedback and written notes each time someone shares their work. If you're writing Middle Grade or YA fiction, this is the ideal forum for incisive, focused feedback. Writers from the workshops have been doing very well - getting short-listed for literary prizes, bagging themselves agents and winning competitions. We've had members longlisted for the Chicken House/Times competition pretty much every year. And both last year and this we even had somebody on their final shortlist of 7. From time to time, where appropriate, the tutor will recommend a writer to agents. Demand for places is always high so, if you're interested, get on the waiting list straightaway. A few of the writers Neil has recently taught and/or mentored. Click on their names to find out more:         Michael Mann         Jane Brittan         Allan Boroughs         Alex English         Joyce Efia Harmer         Kitty Baxter Previous participants' comments:

Neil’s help and guidance during these workshops encourages you to produce work and keep writing. Limited to a few students, all keen writers, who give excellent feedback, it is always a friendly, supportive and inspiring group and I look forward to every class. Thank you Neil. - Zandra Johnson I've learnt so much during these workshops. Neil's feedback is always on point, always constructive and respectful, it has vastly improved my story and writing in general. The environment is safe and supportive and hearing classmates work is a wonderful opportunity to learn too. - Jon Tilley I have learnt something at each week of Neil’s workshops, both in consideration of my own work and in the critique of others. Neil facilitates an incredibly supportive group, whilst challenging the writers to improve and plan their work. I wholeheartedly recommend Neil’s workshops. - Voni Wagner Once upon a time there was a superlative, marvellous, inspiring, wonderful, witty, warm and welcoming writers’ workshop facilitated by a superlative, marvellous, inspiring, wonderful, witty, warm and welcoming writer who provided superlative, marvellous, inspiring, wonderful, witty, warm and welcome critical feedback. . . which is why I no longer write crap like this. Also a great place to eat cake. - Zoë Tillotson Neil’s workshop is the perfect opportunity to test out new writing on a group of like-minded writers, or shape a manuscript into something you feel comfortable sending out to agents and publishers. I would strongly recommend this to anyone seeking fresh, focused, highly constructive feedback. It’s also a great way to meet, share ideas and gain confidence as part of a friendly, dynamic, local writing community. - Aidan Lawrence Onn I have attended Neil’s midgrade /YA writing workshop on and off for the past 4 years. He is a great teacher and together with the other participants I have received constructive and extremely valuable comments. My story has progressed way beyond what I thought I was capable of as a writer. The atmosphere in the class is very friendly and encouraging and I could not reccomnend this workshop more highly! - Inga Lisa I was relatively new to the world of YA/Midgrade and the idea of writing my own novel — but this workshop more than set me on the right path. The help, support and constructive feedback from Neil and the other participants were vital and worth their weight in gold for my confidence and my writing. It’s a small group of very focused, engaged writers who are truly inspiring, and the fact that it’s catered towards YA/midgrade really makes a difference. - Anna Kliver I learnt so much from Neil’s workshop. Apart from the kind, supportive and constructive comments on my book, I also learned about areas including structure, plotting and dialogue. The zoom call was always a welcoming environment filled with writers who are knowledgeable in their craft and know how to have fun while doing it. Neil offers feedback after every read and always has something profound to offer – often inside tips from the publishing industry. I would heartily recommend this workshop for anyone considering to join. - Gavin T I attended Neil's workshops for over two years and learnt so much in this time both from Neil and from the other, talented, writers. Neil's advice and help is thorough, considered and encouraging. The workshops are run in a professional but friendly way and, as a new writer, I felt welcomed and supported by Neil. - Freya Silk

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