July - September 2022
National Centre for Writing Brochure
Events, workshops and more
Events, workshops and more
THU 15 SEPTEMBER, 6.30PM, ST. ANDREW’S HALL, NORWICH, £10 (£8 CONC)
Ian McEwan, our foremost storyteller, returns to Norwich UNESCO City of Literature to discuss his ambitious and mesmerising new novel, Lessons. Spanning a 70-year period, Lessons starts as the Second World War is ending, taking in the Suez and Cuban Missile Crises, the fall of the Berlin Wall, and continuing right up to the current pandemic and climate change. It raises important questions for us all. How do global events beyond our control shape our lives and memories? What can we really learn from the traumas of the past?
McEwan’s novel is a chronicle of our times ‒ a powerful meditation on history and humanity told through the prism of one man’s lifetime. Ian will be in conversation with Sarah Perry, the internationally bestselling author of Melmoth, The Essex Serpent, and After Me Comes the Flood. Celebrating ten years of Norwich UNESCO City of Literature, programmed by National Centre for Writing. In partnership with The Book Hive.
WED 3 AUGUST, 6.30PM, NATIONAL CENTRE FOR WRITING, PAY WHAT YOU CAN
Prize-winning writers Michael Pedersen and Omar Musa join forces to present their hotly-anticipated new books. Pedersen’s poetic memoir Boy Friends has been flagged as perhaps the most anticipated publication of the year.
FRI 9 SEPTEMBER, 6.30PM, THE ENTERPRISE CENTRE, UEA, £12 (£10 CONC)
Award-winning Soviet-Ukrainian American and French novelist and artist Yelena Moskovich delivers the annual Noirwich Lecture. Moskovich’s ground-breaking novels use principles of crime fiction to explore fractured identities, living histories and uncanny sins. Their timely lecture will reflect on the volatility of the written word and the world; and why ‘Every Russian literary work is a crime novel’. Part of Noirwich Crime Writing Festival 2022.
SAT 6 AUGUST, 10AM-12.30PM, ONLINE, £45 (£35 CONC)
Let your imagination take flight in this workshop on speculative fiction with multitalented author Aliya Whiteley. Aliya will share advice and techniques for how to craft original stories filled with strangeness and charm.
SAT 20 AUGUST, 10AM-1PM, NATIONAL CENTRE FOR WRITING, £45 (£35 CONC)
Learn tricks of the travel writing trade from bestselling travel writer, author and journalist Tharik Hussain. Find your niche, hone your techniques and bring a place to life for your reader.
FRI 16 SEPTEMBER, 2-4.30PM, NATIONAL CENTRE FOR WRITING, £45 (£35 CONC)
Explore how the bodily experience of movement can be used as inspiration for exciting new writing. Yelena Moskovich, award-winning author of The Natashas, Virtuoso and A Door Behind A Door, will lead you through a range of writing exercises, discussion and gentle movement that can be adapted for all bodies.
Make way for summer! Our workshops based at Dragon Hall offer young people aged 11-13 and 14-17 years the time to explore their writing skills through fun, engaging prompts and activities.
WED 17 AUGUST, 10AM-12NOON OR 1.30-3.30PM, NATIONAL CENTRE FOR WRITING, PAY WHAT YOU CAN
A pick’n’mix session of creative prompts for developing characters, stories and dialogue in your poetry and prose. A relaxed opportunity to write and share together, with buckets of inspiration, encouragement, and celebration!
WED 24 AUGUST, 10AM-12NOON OR 1.30-3.30PM, NATIONAL CENTRE FOR WRITING, PAY WHAT YOU CAN
What do we write poems about? Why do we write them? What makes a good first line? Join poet John Osborne for an interactive session that will equip you with everything you need to get started with writing poetry.
Celebrating our ongoing connections with international writers and translators by sharing their writing and ideas with new readers.
Japan to the UK: Poetry in CollaborationFRI 16 SEPTEMBER, 7.30PM, NATIONAL CENTRE FOR WRITING, PAY WHAT YOU CAN
Bringing together poets from Scotland, England and Japan to celebrate new works made across styles, languages and cultures. Featuring visiting poets Kyoko Yoshida and Fukuda Pero Hirohisa, plus numerous local names.
Come and explore the historic Dragon Hall, now home to the National Centre for Writing, and take a full guided tour of this fascinating building. Learn more about the architectural and social history of this 15th Century building from an experienced volunteer guide. Dragon Hall has had a fascinating and colourful history – starting life […]