Autumn Asthall Manor Retreat

Autumn Asthall Manor Retreat

Emma Haynes

Emma Haynes

23 October 2018

Nine writers joined Sara and Emma for our Autumn retreat. We returned to beautiful Asthall Manor, childhood home of the Mitford sisters, where the sun shone and it felt more like summer than Autumn. We were wonderfully looked after by our cook Fiona Cullinane.

Writers worked on their novels during the week with one on one sessions with Sara and Emma. On Tuesday afternoon author Claire Fuller (Bitter Orange, Swimming Lessons, My Endless Numbered Days) talked to the group about getting published and marketing yourself as a writer. She answered questions and gave suggestions for improving writing technique. In particular, how to handle multi POVs, timelines and ways to up narrative tension. After dinner she read a very atmospheric extract from Bitter Orange.

On Wednesday afternoon Professor of Creative Writing at Bath Spa University and award winning author Tessa Hadley (Bad Dreams, The Past, Clever Girl, The Master Bedroom, Everything Will Be Alright, Accidents in the Home ) gave a creative writing workshop in the stunning ballroom with bits and pieces from the garden stimulating our writers to come up with a beautifully descriptive short story. After dinner Tessa read her latest short story Cecilia Awakened in the September issue of New Yorker magazine. She has had 25 short stories published in the magazine!

Emma Haynes

Emma Haynes

Emma is responsible for BPA’s bespoke programme of literary events and retreats as well as managing the First Novel Award and submissions to literary agents. With a background in communications and special events she has an eye for detail and a desire to give writers the best possible experience in an imaginative programme of events. Her retreats at Asthall Manor, the childhood home of the Mitford sisters with guest tutors including Tessa Hadley and Claire Fuller have set a new benchmark in literary experiences. The First Novel Award now in its third year has proved remarkably successful for writers with five of the 2018 shortlist gaining agent representation. With an up to date knowledge of what literary agents are looking for, Emma offers a reading service and advises writers with a polished manuscript which agents to approach and how best to ensure your work gets read. She also contacts agents on behalf of writers where there is a potential match.

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