National Academy of Writing comes to Birmingham
The National Academy of Writing, backed by many of Britain’s leading authors, novelists and playwrights, has selected Birmingham City University as its partner in running a vocational course for budding writers.
The part-time course will be based in the University’s School of English, which boasts a growing contingent of writing talent including novelist and visiting professor Jim Crace, Birmingham writer Jackie Gay and playwright Lance Woodman. It is anticipated that the first cohort of students will start the new part-time course from January 2007. They will work under the direction of the first National Academy of Writing Fellow, to be appointed in the New Year.
Mary Martin, Pro Vice-Chancellor at Birmingham City University, said: “We are delighted to be working with the National Academy of Writing. This significant partnership between our two organisations aims to bring on the next generation of top novelists, poets and playwrights and help the City move a step closer to becoming the creative writing capital of Britain.”
The National Academy of Writing aims to be a hub for talent from all walks of life, regardless of academic qualifications, unlike existing university creative writing courses. Patrons include Nick Hornby, Ian Rankin and Iain Banks and broadcaster Lord Melvyn Bragg is the Academy’s honorary president. Dr Barry Turner, Chairman, said: “In the five years in which the Academy has been organising creative writing courses in Birmingham, this has to be our most exciting development. Bringing together the academic strengths of Birmingham City University with the practical knowledge of Academy patrons throughout the media will give talented young writers the best possible start in their careers.”
This is the first formal relationship the National Academy of Writing has had with a British University and will bring the Academy back to Birmingham, following its move out of the City in 2005 after problems of finding a permanent base. Birmingham City University is fully supporting the venture and students on the course will have full access to all its facilities.
For more information about the NAW at Birmingham City University, please contact:
Samantha Malkin
Tel: 0121 331 5675
email: samantha.malkin@bcu.ac.uk
