Edinburgh Napier University launches UK’s first genre-based Creative Writing MA
[Forwarded Press Release - Edinburgh, Scotland - 25 April 2009]
An innovative masters degree programme, aimed at developing the next generation of novelists and creative writers has today been launched by Edinburgh Napier University.
The traditional writing workshop is out and poetry is not an option.
Instead Edinburgh Napier’s newly validated Creative Writing MA will be based around vocational learning and one-to-one mentoring, targeting different genre specialisms including crime fiction, fantasy, science fiction and graphic novels as well as a unique focus on writing for computer games and interactive media. There are also options in screenwriting, commercial non-fiction and journalism. The programme will feature guest lectures from a star-studded line up of leading writers - including Ian Rankin, Mark Millar, Denise Mina, Alan Grant, James Moran and Robert Shearman.
It’s the result of an unlikely collaboration between David Bishop, the New Zealand-born former editor of 2000 AD and The Judge Dredd Megazine and Sam Kelly, a former literary agent from London with a penchant for postmodern theory. Hired by Edinburgh Napier’s School of Arts & Creative Industries to come up with a new degree, they have been working together since January on a groundbreaking plan.
Sam Kelly says: “There are already a lot of excellent Creative Writing degrees, which cater mainly for aspiring poets and people interested in forms of self-expressive, literary fiction. What we wanted to do here is quite simple: something totally different. We wanted to reflect the strengths of Edinburgh Napier, which places huge emphasis on vocational relevance, diversity and equal access, and we also wanted to open up the whole concept of teaching Creative Writing at Masters level.”
David Bishop, also the author of 20 published novels, says: “Some of the most exciting and innovative work emerges from genre fiction. We’re embracing the kinds of creative writing that get ignored or patronised by other courses.”
“This doesn’t mean we are promoting a dumbed-down version of creative writing. For us, genre doesn’t mean formula. It’s not an easy option. If anything, the academic content of the course is more intensive and intellectually rigorous than some.”
The decision not to offer any space to poetry may be seen as mildly radical, but according to Kelly, that’s only the start. “The traditional creative writing programme is centred on the workshop, where students learn by critiquing each others’ writing,” she said. “We’ve looked hard at this, and decided that, as a teaching model, it just doesn’t deliver what we’re setting out to achieve. So we’ve chosen to replace the workshop entirely with one-to-one mentoring.”
Uniquely, the programme also provides training in skills such as editing, adaptation, abridgement, working in creative collaborations and working with pre-created characters. For Kelly, this is crucial: “We don’t just want our students to be able to come up with amazing original ideas and write brilliantly – we also want them to be able to make a living. It’s a tough world out there, and a bit of professional versatility really helps.”
Commenting on reactions to the course, Sam Kelly said: “We’re expecting it to raise a few eyebrows, but so far the response from across the literary community has been overwhelmingly enthusiastic. Now we just can’t wait to recruit our first intake of students and get to work.”
Multi award-winning novelist James Robertson says: “This is shaping up to be a dynamic, practical, boundary-breaking and complacency-shaking course. The benefits to students should be immense.”
Marc Lambert, CEO of Scottish Book Trust: “This is an ambitious development, which brings a new energy to the field of creative writing. The programme looks set to make a significant impact, in Scotland and beyond.”
David Miller, director of literary agency Rogers, Coleridge & White: “The Edinburgh Napier team seem genuinely to be attempting something fresh, innovative and fun - and the early signs are it will attract and encourage a shimmeringly different generation of authors.”
Bob McDevitt, publisher of Hachette Books Scotland: “As a publisher of high quality commercial fiction, I think this is extremely exciting. A course which breaks down genre barriers and takes a fresh approach to writing is a welcome innovation. I’m looking forward to seeing what the first graduates come up with.”
For course information and application details, visit www.courses.napier.ac.uk
David Bishop and Sam Kelly are available for interview. For more information contact Sam Kelly Programme Leader - MA in Creative Writing, School of Arts & Creative Industries
T: 0131 455 6381
E: s.kelly@napier.ac.uk
Edinburgh Napier University is the best modern university in Scotland* and number one in Scotland for graduate employability** (*Guardian University Guide 2009) (**HESA 2008)
Edinburgh Napier University’s School of Arts & Creative Industries is one of the leading centres for creative arts education in the UK, and hosts one of only three Skillset Screen and Media Academies in the UK. It is the largest Creative Media School in the Scottish Higher Education Sector, and was named Top Scottish Media School in the Guardian University Guide 2008.
An innovative masters degree programme, aimed at developing the next generation of novelists and creative writers has today been launched by Edinburgh Napier University.
The traditional writing workshop is out and poetry is not an option.
Instead Edinburgh Napier’s newly validated Creative Writing MA will be based around vocational learning and one-to-one mentoring, targeting different genre specialisms including crime fiction, fantasy, science fiction and graphic novels as well as a unique focus on writing for computer games and interactive media. There are also options in screenwriting, commercial non-fiction and journalism. The programme will feature guest lectures from a star-studded line up of leading writers - including Ian Rankin, Mark Millar, Denise Mina, Alan Grant, James Moran and Robert Shearman.
It’s the result of an unlikely collaboration between David Bishop, the New Zealand-born former editor of 2000 AD and The Judge Dredd Megazine and Sam Kelly, a former literary agent from London with a penchant for postmodern theory. Hired by Edinburgh Napier’s School of Arts & Creative Industries to come up with a new degree, they have been working together since January on a groundbreaking plan.
Sam Kelly says: “There are already a lot of excellent Creative Writing degrees, which cater mainly for aspiring poets and people interested in forms of self-expressive, literary fiction. What we wanted to do here is quite simple: something totally different. We wanted to reflect the strengths of Edinburgh Napier, which places huge emphasis on vocational relevance, diversity and equal access, and we also wanted to open up the whole concept of teaching Creative Writing at Masters level.”
David Bishop, also the author of 20 published novels, says: “Some of the most exciting and innovative work emerges from genre fiction. We’re embracing the kinds of creative writing that get ignored or patronised by other courses.”
“This doesn’t mean we are promoting a dumbed-down version of creative writing. For us, genre doesn’t mean formula. It’s not an easy option. If anything, the academic content of the course is more intensive and intellectually rigorous than some.”
The decision not to offer any space to poetry may be seen as mildly radical, but according to Kelly, that’s only the start. “The traditional creative writing programme is centred on the workshop, where students learn by critiquing each others’ writing,” she said. “We’ve looked hard at this, and decided that, as a teaching model, it just doesn’t deliver what we’re setting out to achieve. So we’ve chosen to replace the workshop entirely with one-to-one mentoring.”
Uniquely, the programme also provides training in skills such as editing, adaptation, abridgement, working in creative collaborations and working with pre-created characters. For Kelly, this is crucial: “We don’t just want our students to be able to come up with amazing original ideas and write brilliantly – we also want them to be able to make a living. It’s a tough world out there, and a bit of professional versatility really helps.”
Commenting on reactions to the course, Sam Kelly said: “We’re expecting it to raise a few eyebrows, but so far the response from across the literary community has been overwhelmingly enthusiastic. Now we just can’t wait to recruit our first intake of students and get to work.”
Multi award-winning novelist James Robertson says: “This is shaping up to be a dynamic, practical, boundary-breaking and complacency-shaking course. The benefits to students should be immense.”
Marc Lambert, CEO of Scottish Book Trust: “This is an ambitious development, which brings a new energy to the field of creative writing. The programme looks set to make a significant impact, in Scotland and beyond.”
David Miller, director of literary agency Rogers, Coleridge & White: “The Edinburgh Napier team seem genuinely to be attempting something fresh, innovative and fun - and the early signs are it will attract and encourage a shimmeringly different generation of authors.”
Bob McDevitt, publisher of Hachette Books Scotland: “As a publisher of high quality commercial fiction, I think this is extremely exciting. A course which breaks down genre barriers and takes a fresh approach to writing is a welcome innovation. I’m looking forward to seeing what the first graduates come up with.”
For course information and application details, visit www.courses.napier.ac.uk
David Bishop and Sam Kelly are available for interview. For more information contact Sam Kelly Programme Leader - MA in Creative Writing, School of Arts & Creative Industries
T: 0131 455 6381
E: s.kelly@napier.ac.uk
Edinburgh Napier University is the best modern university in Scotland* and number one in Scotland for graduate employability** (*Guardian University Guide 2009) (**HESA 2008)
Edinburgh Napier University’s School of Arts & Creative Industries is one of the leading centres for creative arts education in the UK, and hosts one of only three Skillset Screen and Media Academies in the UK. It is the largest Creative Media School in the Scottish Higher Education Sector, and was named Top Scottish Media School in the Guardian University Guide 2008.
Tags: bishop, creative, david, degree, edinburgh, fiction, genre, ian, kelly, ma
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