Dreena Collins is a multi-genre author. Her short fiction has been listed and placed in numerous writing competitions, including The Bridport Prize, with her story collections winning awards, including Finalist status in the U. S. based, SPR and Chanticleer Book Awards.
Dreena also writes feel-good fiction as Jane Harvey: The Hummingbird House series. Books one and two of the series both won the Eyelands International Awards Published Novel of the Year (2021 and 2022) at their international short story contest based in Greece
For this day of workshops and a peek into her new novel, Perotine, Dreena is making the long journey back to Wales where she lived for several years before returning to her native, Jersey.
Poetry Redacted
Uncovering new themes and voices amongst familiar words
Find new poems and explore this unique form in a hands-on and accessible session. If you love to experiment with words, art forms - or both - this session is for you.
Poetry Redacted is the process of producing a new piece from an existing text by erasing words and highlighting those that speak to you.
In this 90 minute session, we will experiment with readymade texts, shifting subjects and voices along the way to create something of our own.
No previous experience or knowledge of poetry is necessary. Participants are encouraged to bring at least two copies of any text that they wish to use, but samples will also be provided on the day.
10.30 - 12.00 (coffee/tea from 10.00am).
For 8 - 10 places - £10
The Testimony She Never Gave – Bringing hidden histories to life - a workshop for writers
‘History is written by the victors,’ and stories of the rich and powerful still dominate within historical fiction, often reflecting the sources they use.
But extraordinary things can happen to 'ordinary' people, and their tales are often equally powerful - and more relatable.
So how do we create a voice for those whose tales have been recorded at one remove?
This session introduces practical techniques, using extracts and guided writing exercises in a low-pressure environment. We will explore how to bring lost voices out of the margins and onto the page - and why it's important that we do so.
2.30 - 4.30pm
For 8 - 10 places - £15
5.00 - 5.30 Tea & cake
Author 'talk'/signing, Perotine, reading - 15 places
FREE event - event in English