English Literature - Unlimited Opportunities
English Literature students have a wide range of
opportunities to learn from experienced writers through our
programme of visiting writers.
Visiting writers have included York-born Kate Atkinson, winner
of the 1995 Whitbread Book of the Year for her novel
Behind the Scenes at the Museum, set in York; poet and
novelist Jackie Kay; Northern poet,
broadcaster and performer Ian McMillan; novelist and poet Michèle Roberts; award-winning novelist and
short-story writer Nicholas Hogg and poet Linda France.
Writer in Residence
There is a Writer in Residence at York St
John, who spends a day a week working with students to help their
writing, whether it is an essay, a dissertation, a story, an
article, a play, a novel, a song, a romance, a screenplay or even a
text book.
The Writer in Residence can help you to build on your
inspiration; put your ideas on to paper effectively; improve your
writing style and develop your confidence. He or she is also
available to advise you on getting published, performing your work,
and pursuing a career as a writer.
The current Writer in Residence is Neil
Hanson, author of an acclaimed series of popular histories,
including
The Confident Hope of a Miracle: the True Story of the Spanish
Armada (2006) and
Escape from Germany: the Greatest POW Break-out of the First
World War (2011).
Critics have hailed his work as ‘brilliant’,
‘compelling’ and ‘marvellous’. He is also a very experienced radio
and television broadcaster, a book reviewer, travel writer and
critic for media in Britain, the USA, Australia and New
Zealand.
For more information visit http://www.neilhanson.co.uk/
How can I arrange an appointment to see the Writer in
Residence?
Neil is based in the Holgate Student Centre
each Thursday and appointments can be made by visiting the Student
Advice Team Desk, by calling 01904 876477 or by emailing rlfappointments@yorksj.ac.uk
Projects
Literature staff were involved in a project in
which students worked with York St John’s Japan Project Officer to
create English-language versions of a range of Japanese poetic
forms, such as the well-known haiku and less familiar forms such as
tanka. A group of interested staff and students participated in a
‘nijuuin renga’, a kind of poetic collaboration resulting in the
production of a twenty-verse poem. This event was held in the
picturesque gardens of York’s medieval Treasurer’s House, a short
walk from the University.