Best-selling crime novelist John Dean has announced the 2020 dates for weekend writing workshops at his home near Castle Douglas in Dumfries and Galloway.
John, author of 18 novels and currently published by London-based The Book Folks, is the creator of the popular DCI John Blizzard and DCI Jack Harris series.
He will run two courses, based around sense of place and the mechanics of storytelling, from his 19th Century home set in rolling countryside on the weekends of July 4/5 and August 22/23, 2020.
The workshop will be suitable for writers of all prose genres and will be ideal for either individuals, including those planning to holiday in the area, or writing groups.
John said: “This will be the third year that we have run these workshops and the feedback has been very positive.
“The opportunity to stand back from the hustle and bustle of daily life and focus on writing is clearly something that appeals to writers.
“The workshops have inspired some very creative work and, at a time when more and more publishing opportunities are opening up, the writers taking part have appreciated advice on how to impress a publisher or agent with their work.”
The cost is £95 per person, including catering, and you can find out more by emailing Inscribe Media Limited, of which John is a director, on deangriss@btinternet.com The course is non-residential but advice can be offered on local B and Bs/hotels.
Authors given chance to write a Halloween ghost story in a haunted castle
Buittle Castle and best-selling novelist John Dean have teamed up to run a workshop on how to write a ghost story in the spooky surroundings of the Medieval Tower House near Dalbeattie, Dumfries and Galloway.
The event, which will take place between 3-8pm on Halloween, Thursday October 31, 2019, will help writers to tap into their reader’s inner fears to conjure up a truly spine-chilling ghost story.
During the workshop, they will be wondering if the castle’s ghostly dog makes an appearance in the main hall where it has been reported on several occasions.
The workshop will help the writers to explore a sense of place in their writing by taking advantage of the unique surroundings of the castle, which today offers B and B accommodation and is a venue for weddings and other functions.
The site itself can be traced back to Iron Age farmers and the Romans may also have used Buittle to disembark in their conquest of Scotland.
In the 13th Century, Buittle Castle belonged to Allan, Lord of Galloway and it has a long connection with the Baliol family and the kings of Scotland.
James Cavendish, co-owner of the Castle, said: “The workshop is something new for the castle and its rich atmosphere lends itself perfectly to ghost stories.”
John Dean, who is best known as a crime novelist and lives near Castle Douglas, has been running creative writing workshops through his company Inscribe Media Limited for twenty years.
He said: “The ghost story is one of the oldest literary genres and gives the writer the opportunity to play on the fears of the reader to create truly powerful pieces of work.
“Key to success is creating atmosphere and having the opportunity to run a workshop on Halloween amid the unique surroundings of Buittle Castle, with all its history, should prove to be a truly memorable experience.”
The workshop costs £55, including a meat or vegetarian lasagne supper, and for more information, or to book a place, you can contact John Dean at deangriss@btinternet.com or 07889 554931
More information on the castle can be obtained at Buittle Castle