Department News
Summer successes for University authors
Students and graduates from the Department of English and Creative Writing are spending the summer months in high spirits after reinforcing the University of Chichester’s reputation as a hub for academics and writers. Read more >>
England’s lost laureate: The Poetry of William Hayley
At the end of the eighteenth century, the Chichester poet William Hayley was at the height of his fame, widely recognised as the country’s leading Man of Letters. In 1790, he was offered the position of Poet Laureateship by the Prime Minister, William Pitt. The liberty-loving Hayley declined Pitt’s offer, preferring instead to take a trip to Paris, then in the throes of revolution, in order to hire a French governess for his young son. I n an illustrated talk, Diana Barsham will explore the repercussions of this decision for Hayley’s future reputation and will offer a new approach to his poetry and a reappraisal of its worth and significance. The poems to be discussed will include selections from the whole range of his work, from The Triumphs of Temper to his Essays, Epitaphs, Odes and Occasional poems and the Animal Ballads on which he collaborated with William Blake. This Chic Lit event forms a sequel to Diana’s successful 2009 Chichester Festivities lecture,” William Blake and the Bard of Eartham: A Chichester Friendship” and is open to members and non-members alike. After an interval for drinks and Chic Lit chat, there will be readings and an open discussion of Hayley’s poetry. If you would like to offer a short position statement of your own with regard to any of the poems, please contact Fran Armitage on 01243 812171 or email f.armitage@chi.ac.uk before Friday the 27th of May.
Sex, politics and all that: new publication by English lecturer
For the first time since 1808, Sarah Green’s novel The Private History of the Court of England is back in print in an edition for Pickering and Chatto edited by Dr Fiona Price. Part of the prestigious Chawton House Library series, Green’s volume is a political satire, ‘secret history’ and sexual exposé. As Price explains, Green paints a cutting portrait of the greed, scandal and decadence that surrounded the Prince of Wales (later King George IV) at the end of the eighteenth century, mocking the Prince’s descent from romantic hero to debauchee. Fiona Price is a former Visiting Fellow at Chawton House Library and founder of the South Coast Eighteenth-Century and Romantic Research Group.
English Professor wins prestigious contract
Edinburgh University Press have just confirmed a contract for Professor Bill Gray’s edition of a volume entitled Fables and Fairy Tales in the New Edinburgh Edition of the Works of Robert Louis Stevenson. Professor Gray had to fight hard to win this contract for a volume that in effect overturns almost 120 years of literary tradition. The volume includes “fairy tales” by Stevenson, which are being published together for the first time, along with Stevenson’s Fables. The New Edinburgh Edition of the Works of Robert Louis Stevenson is a major project, supported by the University of Edinburgh, to create the definitive edition of Stevenson’s complete works.
Spaghetti Western Politics
Benjamin Noys, Reader in English, is speaking on the politics of the Italian Western for the Marxism in Culture seminar at Senate House in London on 25 March 2011. He will be discussing some of the key ‘spaghetti’ westerns, including Sergio Corbucci’s Django and The Big Silence, and Guilio Questi’s Django Kill!.
The Art of the Negative
Benjamin Noys, Reader in English, will be in conversation with the artist Jeremy Millar concerning his new exhibition at the Centre for Contemporary Arts, Glasgow, on Tuesday April 12 2011.
Jeremy Millar’s work engages with the representation of death, and its marking, horror and the spectacle, the emergence of non-organic life, the agency of objects (and art works, too), and the transformatory nature of ritual. He has invited Benjamin to discuss his work in light on the intersections with Benjamin’s theoretical writing.
Literary contest success for creative writing graduate
A novel that began life on the University of Chichester’s MA Programme in Creative Writing has won a prestigious national competition. Read more >>
Lost novel published thanks to labour of love from University staff member
The lost novel of a Chichester man has been published for the first time, more than 20 years after his death, thanks to a University staff member. Read more >>
New book brings closure for University lecturer
An English and Creative Writing lecturer will reach the end of a 10-year journey of reflection on a former job with the publication of his new book. Read more >>
Creative Writing graduate chooses University for new book launch
Former Creative Writing MA student Gaby Pritchard returns to the University next month to launch her acclaimed debut novel, His Last Duchess, published under the pen name Gabrielle Kimm. Read more >>
SHAKESPEARE Conference: PUZZLES, MYSTERIES, INVESTIGATIONS 29 October 2010
Keynote Speakers: Katherine Duncan-Jones, Tiffany Stern, Stanley Wells and Paul Edmondson
With papers by: Patrick Ashby (Bristol), Simon Barker (Gloucestershire), Edward Chaney (Southampton Solent), Annaliese Connolly (Sheffield Hallam), Ann Kaegi (Hull), Barbara Kennedy (Sussex), John Lyon (Bristol), Cathy Parsons (Sussex), Paul Quinn (Chichester), Duncan Salkeld (Chichester), Nick de Somogyi (Independent), Julie Sutherland (British Columbia). Read more >>
International recognition for English Lecturer
Dr Benjamin Noys (Reader in English) has been invited to present a plenary at a conference on negativity and reflexivity at the Versus Laboratory in Maastricht in The Netherlands. Read more >>
Creative Writing student wins hat-trick of literary awards
A Creative Writing student from the University of Chichester is celebrating a hat-trick of triumphs in the competitive world of short fiction. Read more >>
Poetry success for Waleed
A poem written by a former Iraqi academic who is currently studying for a PhD in English Literature at Chichester made the shortlist of the National Poetry Anthology. Read more >>
Novel success for Gaby
Former MA Creative Writing student Gaby Pritchard is celebrating the publication of her debut novel His Last Duchess. Read more >>
Debut novel of author and University lecturer selected for honour at Bridport Literary Festival
The Bridport Literary Festival has selected the debut novel of a University of Chichester lecturer to be one of its star publications. Read more >>
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
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
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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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.
‘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
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’
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
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
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
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
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
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!
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
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
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
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
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
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
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!
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
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!
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’
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
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
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
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
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
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
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!
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.