What the Reader-in-Residence does at the Edinburgh Napier Creative Writing MA

Why reading matters, according to MA Creative Writing Reader-in-Residence Stuart Kelly

2012 brochure for MA Creative Writing programme at Edinburgh Napier University

We've just tweaked the brochure for our MA Creative Writing programme, and here's a sneak preview. It features a wonderful quote from multi-award-winning writer Robert Shearman extolling the virtues of our MA:

"There's no writing course that leaves students more inspired, or sends out writers more inspiring."

Graphic fiction: no spandex required

Edinburgh Napier University are offering a taster session for Graphic Fiction on 27 June, as part of its open doors event for their MA in Creative Writing.

The MA is run by Sam Kelly and David Bishop. Kelly has a formidable track record in publishing and is running a taster session on experimental writing at the event. Bishop, running the graphic fiction taster, is a former editor of 2000AD, and mentored quite a few souls, notably the comic artist Frank Quitely. The combined skills of Kelly and Bishop have produced an MA which is unique in its very usefulness, and the graphic fiction specialism is the first of its kind in Scotland.

We spoke to Bishop about this specialism, and about the future of comics in mainstream literature.

“Publishing and academia are now giving graphic fiction the attention it deserves. Both fields have woken up to something people around the world have known for decades – that comics are not just for kids or superhero enthusiasts.

“The unholy trinity of Maus, Watchmen and The Dark Knight Returns got graphic fiction noticed back in 1986, but it’s taken more than twenty-five years for those breakthrough successes to become embedded in the culture of publishing. Need proof? Look at the rise of publishers like SelfMadeHero and Jonathan Cape’s graphic novel imprint; Comica at the ICA and the Observer Graphic Short Story Prize; the crossover success of Persepolis, The Walking Dead and Alice in Sunderland.

“There is now significant academic research into graphic fiction narrative by the likes of Dr Mel Gibson and Professor James Chapman, both of them publishing scholarly book and papers. The Creative Writing MA at Edinburgh Napier University teaches writing for graphic fiction as a vocational skill, but within the context of a course that promotes innovation and academically rigorous learning. Graphic fiction is here to stay – no spandex required.”

Graduates from the course praise its practicality and its application to the real world. Aly Mathers specialised in Graphic Fiction, and his comic script Necrophenia has now been optioned as a screen play. Ariadne Cass-Maran, our own Creative Director, is also a graduate of the programme and Graphic Scotland would not exist without the support of Bishop and Kelly.

If you’ve ever wanted to learn how to write for comics, this is the time, and place, to do it.

[Reposted with permission from the Graphic Scotland site - many thanks!]

June 27th: MA Creative Writing opens its doors

The Creative Writing MA at Edinburgh Napier University has been called 'a radical departure' by The Times newspaper, and 'a life changing experience' by recent students.

Come along on Wednesday June 27th to discover how we could help you make writing your career.

Our Open Doors Event features taster sessions that give you a flavour of our unique approach. You'll have the chance to quiz current students about their experiences, tour the creative writing suite, and ask the staff anything you want to know.

This event also offers the exclusive opportunity for a one-to-one consultation with reader-in-residenceStuart Kelly, and finishes with a special performance by writer-in-residence Robert Shearman. You can order your ticket(s) here.

Here's the schedule:

5.30 Arrive for tea and coffee

6.00 Introduction to MA Creative Writing at Edinburgh Napier

6.20 Taster session: writing for graphic fiction with David Bishop

7.00 Taster session: experimental writing with Sam Kelly

7.45 Q & A with staff and current students

8.15 Drinks

8.30 Reading by Robert Shearman, writer-in-residence

9.00 Close

The Big Easy comes to Edinburgh Napier in July

The University of New Orleans' low residency MFA is bringing its hugely popular creative writing summer school to Edinburgh Napier University in July. Part of UNO's study abroad schemes, it immerses students from across America in the rich arts culture of Scotland's capital city. More than 100 emerging writers will be participating in classes and workshops during July, based at the Craighouse campus.

The MA Creative Writing team at Edinburgh Napier is delighted to host the UNO summer school again, after the success of its first visit in 2011. Lecturer David Bishop will run workshops in writing for the graphic novel. The MA's reader-in-residence Stuart Kelly is teaching a course in creative non-fiction, while programme leader Sam Kelly hosts a career development conference.

Other classes and workshops offered during the summer school focus on fiction, screenwriting, playwriting, non-fiction and poetry. Scottish literature and culture are the focus for a series of lectures, while translation skills and the literature of New Orleans are covered in other classes.

"We're delighted to welcome back the study abroad students and the team from UNO," says Sam Kelly, programme leader for Edinburgh Napier's Creative Writing MA. "They brought a unique atmosphere to the Craighouse campus last summer. We can't wait to see them again." More information about the UNO Writing Workshops in Edinburgh can be found here.

MA students excel in 2012 Threshold International Feature Writing Competition

A current MA Creative Writing student and a recent graduate have won recognition in the 2012 Thresholds International Feature Writing Competition. Graduate Ever Dundas is among ten shortlisted entrants for her essay, Lick My Words: Angela Carter's 'The Erl King'. Current student Sean Martin was among 15 highly commended entrants for his essay, Breece D'J Pancake - A Short Life in the Hills.

The contest challenged writers to explore a single short story, a story collection or profile a short story writer. It attracted entries from around the world, making the fact that two of the top 25 came from Edinburgh Napier's MA Creative Writing course all the more remarkable. The overall winner will be announced on April 25th - we have our fingers crossed for Ever.

This is far from being the first success for either writer. Earlier this month Ever won the enLIGHTen photographic competition, and her short story Connect was a runner-up in the 2010 Edinburgh University science fiction competition. Last year Sean won the 2011 Wigtown Poetry Competition, an accomplishment for which Edinburgh Napier can take little credit - poetry is not an option on our Creative Writing MA!