Writing Weekend in Zurich this Spring

Seven years ago, Writer Abroad was lamenting the lack of a writing community in Zurich. In 2010, she decided to stop complaining and start creating.

But how do you create a writing workshop?

Writer Abroad had no idea. But along with two other Zurich-based writers, she decided to figure it out. Together, the three of them formed the Zurich Writers Workshop.  Since then they’ve organized three writing conferences in Zurich featuring authors like Susan Jane Gilman, Diccon Bewes, and Janet Skeslien Charles. The result? Writers from over five countries have come to Zurich to be inspired. Many have come again and again.

This also inspires Writer Abroad, because contrary to popular belief, writers don’t like to be alone–at least all the time. That’s why Writer Abroad would like to invite all authors, writers, and those who are scared to call themselves either to join her group for their fourth annual literary weekend in Zurich. It will take place from April 12-14, 2013. 

Writer Abroad thinks that no matter what your story is, the Zurich Writers Workshop–along with its two authors in residence–is sure to provide inspiration. And if you’ve been looking for an excuse to visit Switzerland or Zurich, here it is.

Back by popular demand, Sam North will lead a course called Storytelling Fundamentals, perfect for those who are just getting started in writing. And Lee Weatherly will teach a course called First Draft to Bestseller, perfect for writers who have already completed a draft of a novel, memoir, collection of short stories or essays. Both authors will provide critiques, either written or in one-on-one sessions.

Registration is now open at www.zurichwritersworkshop.com

But hurry. Only nine of the 27 places remain.

New Book on Writing Fiction + Writing Workshops

It’s that time of year again. Time for everyone in Switzerland to shut their windows, put down their shades, and sit in their apartment buildings that masquerade as ovens. In the land of cheese and chocolate, summer breezes are as shunned as flushing the toilet after 10 p.m. But if you live here, this is not news. Below, however, are hopefully a few things that are:

New Books

Looking for an inspiring book on writing fiction? Sam North, an eight-time UK-based novelist (and excellent fiction instructor, based on his rave reviews at the last Zurich Writers Workshop), has just published a new book entitled, Five Analogies for Fiction Writing. While still only available in the UK, one can order it with free shipping to anywhere in the world from the Book Depository. 

Speaking of Zurich Writers Workshop instructors with new books, Diccon Bewes, author of Swiss Watching, has a new book on Switzerland out this month. It’s called Swisscellany. This book will teach you how to play Hornussen, how to sing along with the Swiss National Anthem, and what the heck the Geneva Conventions stand for. In other words, this book will teach you to become the ultimate Swiss nerd. 

New Writing Workshops

Noyers sur Serein

Tokyo-based American author Ann Tashi Slater will be giving a flash fiction writing workshop from August 6th-10th at La Porte Peinte Centre Pour les Arts in the lovely medieval village of Noyers sur Serein, only an hour and a half from Paris. Fee: 750 EUR. 

Zurich

Nuance Words is organizing another writing workshop in Zurich, Switzerland this fall. The event will be held October 27-28 and feature fiction author Emma Darwin and literary agent Andrew Lownie. More details to come.

New Radio Network

The Overseas Radio Network covers a diverse set of topics relating to expat life. Writer Abroad is honored to debut on the network this week as a guest on The Stateless Man discussing if there really is a place in the world that women can have it all. The show is hosted by New Zealander Fergus Hodgson, who works as an economist and liberty advocate in the United States.

Any new books, workshops, or radio shows you can recommend?

International Writing Round-Up: Books & Workshops

It's finally June. But to celebrate the official beginning of summer, Writer Abroad will have to face reality and wait until July since June is one of Switzerland's rainiest months. But all the gray skies are a good excuse to stay inside and read some of the following:

Big in China author Alan Paul (see previous Writer Abroad interview) has released a new e-Book entitled, One Way Out: An Oral History of the Allman Brothers Band. The book has been culled from hundreds of hours of interviews with the members of the Allman Brothers, as well as associated people, including Eric Clapton, Billy Gibbons and many others.

Sam North, one of Zurich Writers Workshop's authors in residence for 2012, has collaborated on an animated version of The Wind In The Willows for the iPad. 

Speaking of the Zurich Writers Workshop, Writer Abroad and her fellow co-founder are discussing ideas for next year’s workshop already. If you have thoughts or authors you would like to see at a future workshop, please leave a comment below or contact Writer Abroad.

There are many writing workshops in Europe this summer and Amal Chatterjee has just announced one as well.  His weekend of prose and poetry will be held July 20-22 in Amsterdam. The fee for the course is EUR 250.

Writer Abroad is just 45 pages into The Expats by Chris Pavone, but is already hooked as she can relate to the protagonist, Kate. Kate gives up her career to move abroad with her husband and finds herself doing things like going on blind dates with other expat women and taking two hours to buy a four Euro bottle of housecleaner. Ah, the life of an expat. Anyway, the book is much more than that, but so far paints a true portrait of life abroad, probably because the author also lived overseas.

You're Invited: 2012 Zurich Writers Workshop

Writer Abroad always gets a bit excited about writing workshops, especially when they’re in Zurich and she’s in charge of organizing them. For the third time in two years, there will actually be something in Zurich other than bankers, lawyers, and ladies who lunch. (All kidding aside, Zurich is a beautiful city and worth seeing if you haven’t—here’s a Zurich travel article that proves it).

Anyhow, this spring, the Zurich Writers Workshop will feature two British authors: award-winning novelist Sam North (The Old Country) and Switzerland’s bestselling English-language author, Diccon Bewes (Swiss Watching). The workshop will take place May 18-20, 2012.

The workshop will be divided into two sections, fiction and travel writing/non-fiction. Participants will receive nine hours of instruction in their chosen area, an author reading and apéro at Zurich’s English-language bookstore, Orell Füssli The Bookshop, as well as the option to participate in a literary dinner at Europe’s oldest vegetarian restaurant, Hiltl.

Registration opened today. Space is limited to 15 participants in each section and is filled on a first-come, first-served basis. You can register at www.zurichwritersworkshop.com. Click here to sign up for the mailing list.

Hope to see you in Zurich this spring. And please spread the word!

Writing Workshops in Europe this spring

Three months into this baby abroad thing, Writer Abroad's boss is finally allowing her up to nine hours of uninterrupted sleep at night. So with this much rest, Writer Abroad actually has energy to share some news about upcoming writing workshops in Europe this spring:

First off, the Geneva Writers' Conference will take place February 3-5.

Then in March, Writer Abroad will be teaching a course, "Working as a Writer in Switzerland: Journalism, Copywriting, Blogging and more" during Workshop Week at the American Women's Club in Zurich on March 17.

Amal Chatterjee will be teaching a workshop in prose and poetry in Amsterdam from May 11-13th.

And finally, May 18-20, the Zurich Writers Workshop will hold their third writing conference. Featured authors include Diccon Bewes (Swiss Watching) and Sam North (The Old Country). More details and registration will appear soon on their website.

Any workshops to add? Please leave a comment.