GALLEY BEGGAR SCHOOL

Classes, reading groups, mentorships and salons 

‘Critical reading, critical writing’ online: Spring 2024

‘CRITICAL READING, CRITICAL WRITING’ is a six-month online course – hosted via Zoom – for readers, writers and everyone who wants to develop a deeper understanding of novels and how they work. It looks into the techniques of novel writing, the tricks of the author’s trade, and the decisions and craft that go into making a fantastic book. It also provides a forum to more simply discuss what these books are about, what we think of them and how much we enjoy them.

We look at six novels, at the rate of one a month. We’ll talk about the choices writers have made in putting them together, look at structure, world-building, imagery – as well as all those other bits of glue that hold a book together. We’ll sometimes talk about the stories behind the books and the act of creation. Sometimes, too, we’ll just sit back and marvel at the talent of the people we’re discussing. You can learn a lot from Irvine Welsh, for instance. And J. L. Carr. Not to mention Emily Bronte.

Importantly, we’ll always surprise each other. These are novels, after all, and a big part of the fun will investigating be our own reactions to them and how we approach these marvellous creations as readers.

‘Critical reading, critical writing’ is a course that will teach you a lot about technique and craft and the hard work that goes into books. It’s also one where we'll be able to have wider discussions about ideas, meaning, artistry and all the things that make great writing so special.

Further information 

The ‘Critical reading, critical writing’ course is online class taught by Galley Beggar co-director and Guardian literary journalist Sam Jordison. Places will be hosted on Zoom, limited to 25 people per class, and the course will run for a six-month period, with six classes to a course (running for two hours per session). All classes run on Tuesday evenings from 19:00 to 21:00. For the Autumn / winter courses (beginning August 2023), the dates and selected titles are:

Class 1

12 March 2024, Katherine Dunn, Geek Love

16 April 2024, Irvine Welsh, Trainspotting

14 May 2024, J. L. Carr, A Month in the Country

18 June 2024, Anna Burns, Milkman

23 July 2024, Colson Whitehead, The Underground Railroad

3 September 2024, Emily Bronte, Wuthering Heights

Fees, places, and location. The course cost is £130, spaces are limited to 25 people (please see below for low-earner details), and the class will be hosted online, on Zoom, with invitations sent in advance of each meeting. (The classes will be recorded so if you are unable to attend a live meeting, you will still be able to catch up and enjoy watching the discussion.)

*Low-earner spaces. One place per course will be made freely available to a writer on a low-income. We do not ask for proof of income or any other information (we want to respect your right to privacy), and in the first instance you should simply email info@galleybeggar.co.uk, with ‘Critical reading’ in the subject line. Do be advised that these sessions, again, will be offered on a first come, first serve basis, and are likely to fill up swiftly.