Queer Words with Jonathan Kemp | 3 Month Course | £250

Our centrepiece course for 2022!

This is an asynchronous online Slack course which will be open from Monday 4th April and close on Thursday 30th June. This means that there are no set times for attendance but with 10-12 sharing dates within the overall course plus one final submission date to Jonathan. We are aware that Easter and the UK Bank Holidays fall within that first couple of weeks of the course window. This hopefully means more writitng time for some, but we're also aware that some people may be away. That will not be a problem, we will time the first submission/sharing deadlines accordingly, and it's OK to work through this course in your own way and around your own timescales (except for the final submission). 

The aim of this course is for us to consider, as LGBTQIA+ writers, what it means to tell our queer stories and how we might go about it. Whether you’re new to writing or a seasoned wordsmith, this course is designed to generate ideas and stories through a combination of writing exercises and readings/discussion of other queer narratives.

We will use a platform called Slack which will have an area for input from Jonathan, including resources and regular short assignments. There will also be spaces to share and discuss the writing you produce with other, informally network, and communicate with Out on the Page who administer and support the course.

You will have the opportunity to:

• Generate ideas and hone writing skills.
• Explore what it means to write words that are queer.
• Gain a broader, deeper knowledge of queer writing past and present.
• explore ideas in a safe and supportive environment.
• be part of a virtual community of fellow writers.

Jonathan, who has extensive experience of running this course will:

• introduce and set each weeks reading and writing activities
• engage with the online posts and discussions that follow  
• read and provide feedback on a piece of your writing (up to 2,000 words) submitted at the end of the course.

It is up to each attendee how much time they give to this. We would suggest a minimum of two hours per week for reading, writing, sharing and giving feedback to your fellow writers.

The course is limited to 21 participants. 

If you have any questions regarding the course please email contact@outonthepage.co.uk

Buesaries available, email contact@outonthepage.co.uk to enquire.

About Jonathan Kemp

Jonathan Kemp’s debut novel London Triptych (Myriad, 2010) won the Authors’ Club Best First Novel Award in 2011and was shortlisted for both the inaugural Green Carnation Prize and Polari Prize. Other books include, Twentysix, Ghosting, The Penetrated Male and Homotopia? He has been teaching creative writing for twenty years and is currently at Middlesex University