Stephen Mcgowan

I am award-winning author, freelance developmental editor and, creative workshop facilitator.

I want to take what I've learned runnign workshops at university level to help A-Level students and above to get the most out of their creative work.

I use both visual and audio media to bring out the best in your creative abilities.

I will give you advice and guidance that takes your work from college level to higher education and beyond.

I'm not a fan of using classical examples of literature in my work, preferring to use contemporary books and stories to illustrate points

The only homework I'll give you is TO WRITE!

More than all of this, I'll treat you like adults, conversing with you so you understand and can progress and succeed on your own terms with your own creative voices.

Here's a brief example of one of my presentations on writing short stories for puiblication.

1) Why write short fiction. Exploring the different reasons you have for writing it. From experimenting, to practicing writing, to getting something, anything actually finished.

2) What constitutes short fiction? Brief outline of the definitions and word counts desired.

3) How to write short fiction. Taking a grand idea and paring it back to its bones before focusing on character and atmosphere. Use of strong openings (with recent, award-winning examples) and importance of editing.

4) OK I've written it, what now? Places to send your stories for publication, what to expect and what rejections mean.

After that you should have a great foundation to start writing and I'll give you time to write, then critique/edit it profesisonally.