Writers can hone their skills as Curtis Brown Creative courses are coming to Dubai

Aspiring writers will also get a chance to work with the best-selling author Laura Barnett

'The Versions of Us' author Laura Barnett is coming to Dubai as part of the Curtis Brown Creative writing course. Courtesy Emirates Literature Festival 
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Want to write but are unsure how to start? A new creative writing initiative is coming to Dubai in October that promises to help.

The best-selling author Laura Barnett (The Versions of Us, Greatest Hits) will lead two workshops to help aspiring writers. The event is hosted by the Emirates Literature Foundation in collaboration with the UK literary agency Curtis Brown.

This is the first time that Curtis Brown Creative courses will be offered in the emirates, and writers of all levels are encouraged to apply.

“We are thrilled to welcome Laura to Dubai. She is a fantastic writer, keen to impart her knowledge to the writing community here,” said Isobel Abulhoul, CEO and Trustee of the Emirates Literature Foundation. “Curtis Brown is one of the most illustrious literary agencies in the world and their writing school, Curtis Brown Creative, has a fantastic track record with 64 former students having won commercial publishing deals. Doing these courses should be a priority for anyone in Dubai who is serious about their writing.”

The courses offered

The first three-day course is for beginners and will be held on October 11 to 13. Looking to help new writers with a focus on fiction writing, the course will also hone in on character and place development while helping participants discover their own writing style. It will also feature a tutor-led discussion to inspire ideas and writing exercises to help unlock creativity. Each member of the group will also receive a 20-minute one-on-one session with the tutor.

The second course will be an advanced writing course for those who are already working on a novel or short story and like some expert help in developing it. It will be held on October 17 to 19. Applicants are required to submit the opening of their novel or short story (up to 3,000 words) and a one-page synopsis by August 25. Fifteen students will be accepted based on the submitted material. The course includes writing and editing workshops as well as a 20-minute one-on-one tutorial focused on their work and progress, culminating in an elevator pitch workshop with verbal feedback from the tutor.

How to apply

Both courses are limited to 15 participants and open to those aged 18 or older. The courses will be held at the Creative Space in Crowne Plaza in Dubai Festival City and includes lunch each day at the adjoining InterContinental hotel.

The beginner’s course is Dh2,650 while the advanced writing course is also Dh2,650 but includes a deposit of Dh650 that must be paid before August 29 and will be refunded if participants are not offered a spot in the course. Registration is now open for both courses with full payment required by September 5.

To register, visit www.elfdubai.org