I've been teaching Creative Writing to adults since 1988, founding Creative Ink for Writers in 2000 in the relaxing environment of the Fitzwilliams Centre, Beaconsfield. Classes regularly have a waiting list as numbers are limited to 12. Writers who have workshopped their words in classes have won or been placed in national and local competitions. Many writers have gone on to publish their novels, plays, re-creative fiction, collections of poetry and short stories with mainstream and independent publishers and some have gained representation with leading and boutique literary agents. (Jan is a scout for two leading London literary agents.) But other writers have decided to self-publish their words or simply enjoy writing them. It's a non-threatening space and you will make friends.

I source writers and have sub-edited for the glossy magazine Chic Chat and Chiltern Living whilst contributing scores of features to Writing Magazine for whom I have been a home tutor since 2007. Other magazines: Mother, Reader's Digest, Company, School Leaver, Limited Edition, Online Scenic South. My interview features include those with Anita Dobson, James Corden and the Holby City producer Tony McHale. I've also lectured aboard Thomsons' and Cruise & Maritime' cruise liners and was a founder member and editor of Rhyme & Reason which has raised over £60,000 for the Iain Rennie Hospice at Home.

I divide my time between UK and Cape Town, South Africa where I regularly lecture at Milnerton for West Coast Writers and Fish Hoek Scribblers and at present am working with young people at the Desmond Tutu HIV Foundation Youth Centre helping them to express themselves in a creative and promotional way.

In 2008, I was awarded the 'Going the Extra Mile' award for lecturing by Buckinghamshire Adult Learning. CRB checked.

Please see my publications. I'm originally from a theatre stable so as well as novels and a collection of poetry and short stories which have won or been placed in national competitions, I have written plays and had them performed on the London Fringe.

2017-18 CLASSES AND WORKSHOPS

Creative writing courses are offered throughout the year. Writers can be helped by reading out their work, if they wish, in an informal atmosphere and receiving constructive feedback from the group and tutor. The tutor's written assessment and proof reading are included in the fee. There is a syllabus and various topics are covered within the course by mini-lecture. Discussion, brainstorming, writing exercises and hotseating of ideas and characters are strategies which are used to discover and learn. Please do not feel intimidated. This can also be an opportunity to make friends with a similar interest.

5 week courses

Autumn

Spring

Summer

Get that Book Out of You

Day Workshops

• Course/Workshop Reservation and Information

Creative Ink for Young Writers. Children and teenagers catered for. One to one consultations for children and adults including GCSE and 'A' level English and Drama tutorials.
Gift Vouchers are available for Classes, Consultation and Critique.

Jan regularly runs writing workshops in Cape Town: Milnerton, Fish Hoek, South Africa.

Private assessment, editorial work on novels and non-fiction, poetry, short stories, articles and consultations by arrangement.

Available for workshops - please enquire for rates.

Please contact me for updated information on courses and workshops to be held throughout the year.

Gavin Extence - author of The Universe versus Alex Woods was a visiting speaker. Waterstones' 11 Literary Prize, Richard and Judy summer read and runner up Desmond Elliott Debut Novel Award. Film options have now been taken up on his novel.