Winter / Spring 2022 Schedule
Meet the Professionals
February 20th Publishing Director and Editor Charlie Sheppard
Charlie has been a part of the publishing industry for over a quarter of a century and along the way has worked with many amazing authors including Matt Haig (The Midnight Library), Mark Haddon (A Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time), Susin Nielsen (We Are All Molecules), previous Meet the Professionals guest Phil Earle (When the Sky Falls) and SWC’s very own Keith Gray (Ostrich Boys). She has also nurtured dozens of first-time authors, helping them develop their talent, who have later gone on to write bestsellers and even win awards.
March 20th Writer, editor and translator Daniel Hahn OBE.
Our MtP session with Daniel will mainly focus on his translation work (from Spanish, Portuguese and French) and his process of finding the exact words he needs. He’s translated children’s picture books, autobiographies of footballing superstars Arsène Wenger and Pelé, as well as his award-winning translations of the novels of Portuguese Nobel Laureate José Saramago. In April 2022 Daniel publishes his own book ‘Catching Fire: A Translation Diary’ which explores how he approaches his work and his process – reading almost in real-time as he translates Diamela Leltits’ ‘Never Did The Fire’.
You can find out more about Meet the Professionals here.
Club Night Reading 24th March 2022
Coinciding with Austrian National Read Aloud Day we will be running our second evening of SWC members’ sharing some stories and poems they’ve written as part of our Sunday Writing Sessions. This is an online session starting at 19:30hrs CET. We will be posting the Zoom invite on the Club Night Readings page soon. Friends, family and anyone interested in brand new, imaginative writing is invited to join as part of the audience.
You can find out more about Club Night Readings here.
Writing Retreat ’22 at Burg Rappottenstein – 12th to the 15th May
Our first ever SWC Writing Retreat is taking place at the fabulous location of Burg Rappottenstein in May. This is without doubt the most ambition project we’ve ever undertaken and we hope it will be an amazing time of connecting with fellow SWCers and developing the writing of everyone who can join us.
Our schedule may have to vary a little depending on weather and numbers involved but the following is our planned itinerary for a long weekend with your writing at its heart.
Thursday 12th
Afternoon: We will provide minibus transportation from Vienna to Burg Rappottenstein, leaving Vienna at 1400hrs, arriving at the castle for approximately 1600hrs
Evening: After our evening meal we will have a relaxed event of shared favourite readings. Bring a much-loved book, story or poem by and inspirational writer and read a little to the group. Share with us writing that ignites your own creativity.
Friday 13th
Morning: After breakfast Paul Malone will lead a Warm-up Writing Workshop to help set the mood for a weekend of creativity and inspiration. It will include the beginnings of a Story Relay.
The workshop will be followed by a guided tour of Burg Rappottenstein by an English-speaking local expert.
Afternoon: Free writing time. Either enjoy continuing with your current work-in-progress in the amazing setting of the castle and its ground, or maybe develop the writing from Paul’s workshop.
Evening: Weather permitting, we’ll walk off our meal with a stroll to a local hostelry for an optional schnapps and bier.
Saturday 14th
Morning: Themed Writing Workshop lead by Keith Gray (theme tab).
Afternoon: Free writing time, or feel free to explore the local area. We guarantee inspiring views.
Evening: Open Mic Night. Your chance to read to the rest of the group what you’ve been working on during the weekend. And it will include a group performance of the Story Relay started with Paul on Friday morning.
Sunday 15th
Morning: Your last chance for free writing in and around the castle, or join us for a Sunday Writing Session using the week’s current Prompt Menu.
Afternoon: After lunch we will say our goodbyes to Burg Rappottenstein and aim to arrive back in Vienna between 1600hrs and 1700hrs.
We hope you agree this sounds like a writing-packed weekend – with a few fun added extras.
SWC members are being offered the first chance to book one of the very limited spaces before we open up bookings to the general public. If you’re interested, keep an eye on our Retreat page to be sure to catch a space.