It’s La Rentrée today here in France, the day when all children go back to school after the long summer break, and many offices that have been closed for August now reopen for business.
Since I started writing in my forties, I have also readopted the Back To School feeling, since it comes shortly after an annual writing conference that I often attend, and which gives me a whole host of ideas and inspiration to work on for the next academic year.
You may have heard me talk about Swanwick before; it’s a village in Derbyshire, England, but also the colloquial name for (in my view) The Best Writing Conference in The World*. Let me tell you why:
In 2013, I rocked up here, full of apprehension and anxiety. I wasn’t published at the time, and really, when I look back, I was so naïve. I had no idea what to expect. But what I found was utterly life-changing.
First, no one cared that I wasn’t published, and that meant the world to me. To know that I wasn’t being judged; to know that I would be immersed in a world of creativity; to be surrounded by like-minded people; to be gently nurtured by the support of every individual present… All of these things and more made up my first experience of Swanwick: The Writers’ Summer School.
Second, and most unexpectedly, I made lifelong friends there. And making new friends in middle age can be a daunting prospect.
Many of those friends are my creative crutch throughout the year. The vast majority of them don’t even realise it. Every time one of them releases a new book, appears at a public speaking engagement, wins a writing competition… I feel their successes, and know that I am among them.
There’s a huge sense of community. One where we are always friendly, always supportive, giving constructive criticism where needed, but always with kindness.
In short, Swanwick represents a beautiful little bubble, where we can express the best of ourselves without the real world judging us.
Swanwick celebrated its 75th anniversary this year. At the Hayes’ Conference Centre, every year since 1949 (except 2020, due to covid), writers from all over the UK and beyond have gathered, in the name of creativity, to teach myriad writing skills, to celebrate each others’ successes, and to guide and help each other on the way to their Next Big Thing.
This year, I was privileged to be accepted as a tutor, where I taught a short course in two parts. For the first hour, I spoke about how to construct a good intimate scene between characters. The second hour, I spoke about profane language. In both sessions, I set a writing exercise, and the results from the classes were superb. I love how Swanwick brings out the best in writers!
My other big win this year was to recommend the wonderful Luke Wright to the committee as a speaker. I’ve been a fan of his for a few years, so I was super-thrilled that he agreed to come and perform some of his best poetry to us. Thank you, Luke!
The dates for next year’s school have been set for 9-15 August 2025. Booking will open early in 2025, so get yourself on the mailing list. You can contact them at newsletter@swanwickwritersschool.org.uk. If you’re thinking about coming along, but aren’t sure whether to take the plunge, give me a shout. I’ve been there, and I have felt the same apprehension.
Liz x
*For context, I haven’t been to many writing conferences. My personal mantra for many years, and in many contexts, has been ‘If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.’ Hopefully, this helps you understand why Swanwick is so dear to my heart. Nothing could be better.
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