Department News
UK Poet Laureate coming to Chichester
A reading by the UK poet laureate and an evening with a former American soldier and an Iraqi refugee are the headline events at a literary event hosted by the University of Chichester. Read more >>
Heritage of Chichester is celebrated in new poetry collection
The rich heritage of the city of Chichester is celebrated in a new poetry collection written by English and Creative Writing lecturers from the University of Chichester. Read more >>
English and Creative Writing Student Wins National Award
University of Chichester postgraduate Peter Whittick has won joint top prize in a national writing competition which attracted entries from 300 would-be novelists and playwrights. Read more >>
Curtain is lifted on play by University of Chichester graduate
A new play by a University of Chichester graduate is opening at the Devonshire Park Theatre in Eastbourne next week.
‘Reeling’ is the work of Jeff Thomson, an English and Creative Writing graduate. It plays on 8 and 9 June. His previous work, ‘The Massacre Remembryd’, played at the Rose Theatre in London with a cast recruited from former Shakespeare’s Globe players and several TV soaps. Read more>>
Forum on Literature, Terrorism and 9/11
From Basra to Bognor Regis ...
Iraqi academic presents writing based on his own life-experiences as part of a unique insight into the emerging field of literary responses to terrorism and 9/11.
Former Iraqi academic Waleed Al-Bazoon will be reading fiction based on his own real-life experiences of living under the threat of terrorism as part of a unique literary forum being hosted at the University of Chichester. Read more >>
View: Forum on Literature, Terrorism and 9/11 Poster
Above: Robert Duggan and Waleed Al-Bazoon
Wildlife poetry collection of award-winning writer to be launched at University
The University of Chichester is playing host to the launch of a new poetry collection from one of its own lecturers, award-winning poet Hugh Dunkerley. Read more >>
Penny celebrates debut novel and two-book deal
Former MA Creative Writing student celebrates release of debut novel and two-book deal with publisher. Read more >>
Poetry and Voice, a creative and critical conference
www.flickr.com
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Fairy tales and fantasies explored by new University forum
Writers and scholars from across the world can now explore the importance of fairy tales in literature and culture thanks to a new project based in Chichester. Read more >>
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s most celebrated creation
Dr Diana Barsham, Head of English and Creative Writing at the University of Chichester, will give a short talk on Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s most celebrated creation before the cinema’s first screening of Guy Ritchie’s acclaimed film 'Sherlock Holmes' on Friday 22 January at 8.30 pm.
Robert Downey Jr is the dynamic Baker Street violin-playing world famous sleuth and Jude Law plays his sidekick Dr Watson with crackling chemistry.
Diana Barsham spent ten years researching the role of Holmes for her book on Conan Doyle, 'The Meaning of Masculinity'. In the short introductory talk, Dr Barsham will reveal some of the hidden facets of the Doyle/Holmes relationship including new insights into the creation of the character. She has been credited with some ground-breaking discoveries which she will share with the audience, including Doyle’s use of the Holmes’ stories not only just to solve crimes, decode riddles and defuse scandals that threatened the stability of English society, but also to conceal his own guilts, secrets and anxieties of his own.
Diana has taught English and Cultural History at a number of British and American universities. As a critical biographer of Doyle, she has transformed the understanding of his career and especially with regard to the perennial Sherlock Holmes.
For tickets contact the box office on 01243 786650 or book tickets online www.chichestercinema.org
Shakespeare: Puzzles, Mysteries, Investigations
Day Conference at the University of Chichester on Friday, 29 October, 2010. Read more>>
The Devil’s Music - debut novel for University’s associate lecturer
Jane Rusbridge, an award winning writer and associate lecturer in English at the University of Chichester, will be reading extracts from her debut novel ‘The Devil’s Music’ on 23rd November.
Images of the Future
Dr Benjamin Noys (Reader in English) is presenting his own image of the future at the The David Roberts Art Foundation, Fitzrovia, 111 Great Titchfield Street, London W1W 6RY on Thursday 5 November 6.30.
Accompanying the exhibitions The Sculpture of the Space Age and The Object of the Attack, Benjamin, along with other artists, writers, and academics, will be exploring the images and imagination of the future. Further details of the event are available here: http://www.davidrobertsartfoundation.com/events/
Writers and Scholars to Mark National Poetry Day
01/10/09
Writers and scholars from the English Department are to mark National Poetry Day on Thursday, October 8th, with a special event.
Professor Bill Gray Scores an Oxford Hat-trick
01/10/09
Writers and scholars from the English Department are to mark National Poetry Day on Thursday, October 8th, with a special event.
Isabel Ashdown launches her debut novel on 28th September 2009
16/09/09
Isabel Ashdown, fiction writer and MA Creative Writing student at the University of Chichester will be launching her debut novel on 28th September 2009.
William Blake and the Bard of Eartham: A Chichester Friendship
23/06/09
As part of the annual Chichester Festivities Dr Diana Barsham, Head of English and Creative Writing at the University of Chichester, will be giving an illustrated talk on the extraordinary life of the Chichester poet, dramatist and biographer, William Hayley on 4th July.
Professor Bill Gray spreads the word about Victorian fantasy author George MacDonald
23/06/09
Professor Bill Gray of the University of Chichester’s English Department has recently been busier than usual in his mission of spreading the word about the Victorian fantasy author George MacDonald.
University of Chichester English Lecturer at Large in the Land of the Tree
22/06/09
An artwork featuring poetry by University of Chichester English lecturer Dave Swann has gone on display in the State Capital Building in New Mexico in the USA.
The Santa Fe-based artist Clare Dunne has converted Dave’s work into a lavish hand-made book, featuring wood-cuts inspired by the poem.
Sweet smell of success for creative writer, Geoff Lavender
17/06/09
University of Chichester MA postgraduate Geoff Lavender has carried off the runners-up prize in the inaugural year of a short story competition. read more >>
Four academic staff promoted to Professor and Reader
08/06/09
University of Chichester announces the promotion of four of its academic staff to Professors and Readers.
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On the 29th of April 2009, BBC Network Europe radio journalist, Alis Moss, visited the Department of English & Creative Writing at the University of Chichester and invited Dr Diana Barsham, Dr Hugh Dunkerley and David Swann to comment on recent research published by the Conservative Party suggesting that fewer school children from less-privileged backgrounds were studying English Literature at GCSE. The Department's strong message of encouragement to all children, from whatever background, to experience the great benefits and value of studying English was subsequently broadcast across Europe. Listen to the podcast above. |
Spring Fever for University of Chichester’s Creative Writers
06/04/09
Students on the University of Chichester’s MA degree course in Creative Writing have a spring in their step after greeting the turning of the seasons with a spate of writing successes.
Student’s play is tipped for success at Brighton Fringe
26/03/09
A play that University of Chichester English & Creative Writing student Lian Coulbert originally wrote as an assignment for the Dramatic Writing module of her course is to be performed at the Brighton Fringe during April and May.
Unprecedented success for creative writer Loree Westron
17/03/09
A University of Chichester postgraduate student has been hailed by the organisers of one of Europe’s most prestigious creative writing competitions for her “unprecedented” achievement.
University of Chichester Novelist up for Major Award
Last week, Alison MacLeod’s short story collection, Fifteen Modern Tales of Attraction, was shortlisted for the ‘2009 Book to Talk About’ Award. It’s now one of just ten books on the list – a big honour.
The winner will be decided by a public online vote, and will be announced on World Book Day, March 5th.
If you’d like to vote for Alison’s book, please do – every vote matters and, if you already voted on the longlist, please now vote again, as the vote now starts afresh.
Click here to vote: http://www.spread-the-word.org.uk
Registration is fast. Voting ends at noon on Feb. 27th
Here’s what the Guardian said about Alison’s book when the news was announced last Friday:
‘There’s a giddying range of things to think about in MacLeod’s collection of short stories, which range from gleeful comedy to aching tragedy. Desire in its many, sometimes disturbing, sometimes comic, forms fizzes through all of these stories, from a man who goes chasing after a pregnant woman in the midst of a riot at Ikea, to ECT patient Gloria who thrills to the presence of her anaesthetist, “Dr Numb” and a 19-year-old girl who finds herself erotically drawn to a man on his deathbed. There’s also a 21st century version of the harrowing tale of Heloise and Abelard retold through email exchanges. The collection is as formally inventive as it is original.
Please copy, paste and pass on the link to other readers who might be happy to vote.
Shakespeare
A-Level Study Day
Wednesday 11 February 2009 10.00am – 3.00pm. Mitre Lecture Theatre, Bishop Otter Campus, Chichester
Programme for the day
10.00 – 10.45 Welcome & Talk 1: Dr. Duncan Salkeld, ‘Hamlet and Crisis: an interpretation of the play’.
10.45 – 11.00 Break
11.00 – 11.45 Talk 2: Dr. Fiona Price, ‘Women in Hamlet’.
11.45 – 12.00 Break
12.00 – 12.30 Talk 3: Dr. Isla Duncan, ‘Language in Hamlet’.
12.30 – 1.30 Lunch
1.30 – 2.10 Talk 4: Dr. Mark Bryant, ‘The historical context of Hamlet’.
2.10 – 2.15 Break
2.15 – 3.00 Talk 5: Dr. Diana Barsham, ‘Questions of character in Hamlet’.
3.00 End
Department of English & Creative Writing – Winter Research Forum
Creative and Critical Approaches to Freud’s Essay on ‘The Uncanny'
Thursday 26th of February, 2009 1.30pm - 7.30pm
The Mitre Lecture Theatre, Bishop Otter Campus, Chichester
Key Note Address:
- Professor Nicholas Royle (University of Sussex)
Confirmed Speakers:
- Nicholas Royle: Manchester Met University (Mortality),
- Bran Nicol (Stalking),
- Adam Marek (Instruction Manual for Swallowing),
- Alison MacLeod (Fifteen Modern Tales of Attraction),
- Ra Page (editor The New Uncanny),
- Diana Barsham (Arthur Conan Doyle),
- Bill Gray (Fantasy, Myth & the Measure of Truth).
Forum Details:
- 1.30 – 3.00pm Session 1, Creative Writing and the inspiration of ‘The Uncanny’
- 3.30 – 5.00pm Session 2, Critical Explorations of ‘The Uncanny’
- 5.00 – 6.00pm Supper Break
- 6.00 – 730pm Key Note Address on ‘The Uncanny’ and discussion forum
CALL FOR PAPERS (Academic disciplines to include Creative Writing, English & World Literatures, Cultural & Media Studies, Psychology and Parapsychology)
If you are interested in attending this event or wish to contribute a 20 minute paper to Session 2, please contact Kate Betts on tel: 01243 816163 or email: k.betts@chi.ac.uk sending a 200 word outline of your topic by Monday 2nd of February. Attendance fee: £15 Students £10
‘Negative’ Developments for English lecturer Dr Ben Noys
12/01/09
University of Chichester English Department Senior Lecturer Dr Benjamin Noys has received a contract with Edinburgh University Press for the publication of his third monograph.
The Persistence of the Negative: a Critique of Contemporary Continental Theory will be published in 2010.
The monograph has been welcomed as a “rare intellectual contribution” in its attempt to return literary theory to its political calling.
A new ‘measure’ of success for English lecturer Dr Bill Gray
17/12/08
English Department Principal Lecturer Dr Bill Gray has published his second book in a year.
The launch of ‘Fantasy, Myth and the Measure of Truth: Tales of Pullman, Lewis, Tolkien, MacDonald and Hoffmann’ published by Palgrave Macmillan, makes it a double whammy in 2008 for the prolific Reader in Literary History and Hermeneutics, who writes under the name William Gray.
Boho Brighton Set to Welcome Chichester’s Creative Writers
02/12/08
Several of the University’s lecturers in Creative Writing are to stage their first-ever ensemble reading at a famous Bohemian haunt in Brighton.The English Department colleagues who will read from their work include Kate Betts, Stephanie Norgate, Jane Rusbridge, Hugh Dunkerley, Karen Stevens and Dave Swann.
Dave Swann's Path to his fifth Bridport Prize
25/11/08
English Department Senior Lecturer Dave Swann has clinched his fifth success in one of Britain's major writing competitions. Dave’s poem ‘The Path’ was placed among the top 13 prize-winning entries in the Bridport Prize by judge David Harsent.
Alison rounds off her award-winning year with a book to talk about
24/11/08
Rounding off a year of spectacular literary successes, English lecturer Alison MacLeod’s latest fiction collection Fifteen Modern Tales of Attraction has been nominated for ‘The Book to Talk About in 2009’ Award, which is part of the World Book Day annual celebration of books and reading.
Dr Bill Gray’s Dark Materials
21/10/08
A new book by English Department lecturer Dr Bill Gray has been praised for its “scholarly and very readable contribution” to the boom area of fantasy fiction.
Death and Fantasy, published this month by Cambridge Scholars Publishing, incorporates essays by Bill on Philip Pullman, CS Lewis, Robert Louis Stevenson and the one-time Arundel resident George MacDonald.
English student Issie lifts major creative writing award
15/10/08
A “magnificent” piece of prose by English and Creative Writing graduate Issie Ashdown Croucher has scooped First Prize in a major novel writing competition run by ‘The Mail on Sunday’.
Torrents of success for Stephanie’s ‘Hidden River’
06/10/08
A critically acclaimed debut poetry collection (very favourably reviewed in The Guardian and The Times Literary Supplement) by University of Chichester English Department senior lecturer Stephanie Norgate is in the running for two major national awards.
Magic ‘Moment’ for English Lecturer Alison MacLeod
09/06/08
University of Chichester English Lecturer Alison MacLeod has helped to raise about £1,000 for the homeless after organising ‘The Brighton Moment’ – a smash hit show in this year’s Brighton Festival.
Chichester Students Give Thumbs-Up to Publishing Panel
28/05/08
Cloisters Chamber was packed last week for the English Department’s annual Publishing Panel event. Budding writers turned out in force to take part in a fascinating exchange of views with six experts from the world of publishing.
English Department Lecturer Karen Stevens, who organised and chaired the event, declared herself “very satisfied” with the evening, which has now become a popular annual fixture in the University’s MA Programme in Creative Writing.
Principal Lecturer Bill Gray is to publish his second book in a year
02/04/08
The international publishers Palgrave Macmillan have given final clearance for Bill Gray’s latest book Fantasy, Myth and the Measure of Truth: Tales of Pullman, Lewis, Tolkien, MacDonald and Hoffmann, and say they are keen to rush it into production as soon as possible.
River of joy for creative writer Stephanie Norgate
04/02/08
English Department senior lecturer Stephanie Norgate has joined the top rank of British poetry with the publication of her debut full-length collection by one of the nation’s best-known presses.
Stephanie’s lavishly praised collection, Hidden River, is published this month by Bloodaxe Books, and is to be launched at Waterstone’s in Chichester on Thursday 28 February at 7.30 p.m.
Double triumph for Creative Writing MA students
15/01/08
University of Chichester Creative Writing MA students Gaby Pritchard and Suzanne Giltinan enter the New Year with a spring in their steps after carrying off prizes in a national competition.
Chichester Poet Hugh is ‘Fast’ off the blocks!
07/11/07
English Department lecturer and West Sussex Poet Laureate Hugh Dunkerley is celebrating a hat-trick of literary successes. Hugh’s pamphlet ‘Fast’ was published in October by Pighog Press and follows hot on the heels of ‘Oxford Poets 2007’, a prestigious national anthology which features five of his poems.
Alison MacLeod launches new fiction collection
08/10/07
English Department lecturer Alison MacLeod is to launch a major new collection of fiction at the University of Chichester on Tuesday 16 October.
Alison's collection Fifteen Modern Tales of Attraction has been hailed by the poet and novelist Helen Dunmore as "haunting, disturbing and above all beguiling".
Double Dutch for English Department Lecturers
03/10/07
English Department colleagues Dr Benjamin Noys and Dave Swann have been invited to lecture next month at the University of Amsterdam in the Netherlands.
Dr Noys (Senior Lecturer in English) is presenting the keynote address ‘Fear of Death’ at the International Conference ‘Death and Beyond’, hosted by the Amsterdam School for Cultural Analysis (ASCA) at the University of Amsterdam (November 1st to 2nd 2007).
Creative writer Bethan Roberts wins media praise for her new novel
25/09/07
Former University of Chichester student Bethan Roberts is gaining national attention for her novel ‘The Pools’, which began life as an assignment for the University’s MA programme in Creative Writing.
Published last month by Serpent’s Tail, The Pools is a memorable thriller, set in a small Oxfordshire community rocked by a violent murder in the 1980s.
MA graduate Maggie launches new book at University of Chichester
19/09/07
A “distinctive and beguiling” poet is to launch her brand new book at the University of Chichester on 6 November.
Maggie Sawkins, a graduate of the University’s MA programme in Creative Writing, will read from her acclaimed collection, ‘The Zig Zag Woman’, published by Two Ravens Press.
Top poet launches season of readings at University
11/09/07
One of Britain's top poets is to launch an exciting season of literary readings in the English Department at the University of Chichester.
Donegal-born poet Matthew Sweeney will kick off the season on Monday 17 September, with a reading from his brand new collection 'Black Moon' (Cape, 2007).
Poetry success for University’s English lecturer Dr Isla Duncan
16/07/07
English Department lecturer Dr Isla Duncan has recently taken wing as a poet after years of success in her specialist field of literary criticism. Isla’s poem, Pigeon’s Egg, has been awarded one of the top prizes in the 2006 Wigtown Poetry Competition, which was judged by the Scottish writer Jackie Kay.
Double agent dilemma for creative writer Jane Rusbridge!
11/07/07
English Department associate lecturer Jane Rusbridge has been successful in attracting a literary agent for the novel that she started writing while studying on the University of Chichester's MA programme in Creative Writing.
Dr Bill Gray's Dark Materials
09/07/07
University of Chichester English Department lecturer Dr Bill Gray has been offered a contract to publish a collection of his essays on fantasy fiction by leading writers such as CS Lewis and Philip Pullman.
‘Moment’ of truth for English lecturer Alison MacLeod!
17/04/07
English Department lecturer Alison MacLeod has joined forces with fellow novelist Susanna Jones to stage a star-studded literary event that will go by the name of The Brighton Moment. Amongst the famous (and infamous!) faces taking part in the event at Sussex Arts Club on May 2nd, will be controversial Guardian columnist Julie Burchill, and novelists Jeff Noon, Helen Zahavi and Peter James.
Creative Writer Bethan Roberts wades out into ‘The Pools’
02/04/07
A novel that English Department associate lecturer Bethan Roberts started while studying on the University’s MA in Creative Writing is to be published this summer by Serpent’s Tail.
University’s Creative Writers greet publishing experts
28/03/07
Publishing experts will lift the lid on their mysterious world at a special event organised by English Department lecturer Karen Stevens. The Publishing Panel has become a popular annual feature of the MA in Creative Writing, and is open to ALL students and staff who are interested in seeing their work in print.
University Creative Writing Coordinator Celebrates Bloodaxe Success
14/03/07
A powerful new book by English Department lecturer Stephanie Norgate is to be published by Bloodaxe, one of the world’s leading poetry presses early in 2008. ‘Hidden River’ is Stephanie’s first book-length collection, and follows her prize-winning pamphlet, ‘Fireclay’, praised by John Walsh in The Independent as “the work of a marvellous new poet”.
Labour of Lovecraft for English lecturer Dr Ben Noys
27/02/07
English Department lecturer Dr Benjamin Noys is to appear as a keynote speaker at a conference in London on the cult American author H.P. Lovecraft. Dr Noys' presentation will form part of a conference called 'Weird Realism', which aims to explore the link between Lovecraft and literary theory.
Year of the Woolf for creative writer Julie Singleton
07/02/07
University of Chichester Creative Writing MA graduate Julie Singleton has been commissioned to write a monograph on Virginia Woolf's famous Sussex retreat for the prestigious Bloomsbury Heritage series.
Top writers to give guest lectures at the University
18/01/07
Two high-profile writers are to make guest lectures and readings in the English Department in January. The events, both free to enter, have been organised as part of the University’s MA in Creative Writing course, but they are open to students and staff from every department of the University, as well as to members of the public.
Issie carries off an award in the Bridport Prize
28/11/06
University of Chichester English and Creative Writing student Isabel Croucher, who writes under the name Isabel Ashdown, has carried off a prestigious prize in one of the world’s top writing competitions.
Creative writer Sylvia makes a noise in the literary world!
20/11/06
University of Chichester postgraduate Sylvia Jean Dickinson has described the “roaring buzz” she experienced when she learned that she had won a top literary prize. Sylvia's short story ‘Flyover Stalker’ is to be published this month in ‘Decibel Penguin, Volume 1’ – an anthology of fiction by new writers from culturally diverse backgrounds.