Philip Pullman joins leading authors to launch new Creative Writing MA

Monday, 08 September 2008

Pullman 'in conversation' with Oxford Brookes Vice-Chancellor at launch of new MA.

Philip Pullman will be launching a prestigious new Creative Writing MA at Oxford Brookes University in September, along with leading novelist James Hawes and poet Jane Yeh (pictured).

Pullman will be appearing in conversation with the Vice-Chancellor of Oxford Brookes, Janet Beer, on 16 September and will be discussing, among other literary topics, the His Dark Materials Trilogy and the making of The Golden Compass. James Hawes and Jane Yeh, who will be teaching the course, will be reading from their works.

Hawes has just published a controversial new study of Franz Kafka (Excavating Kafka) which challenges the received myths about this icon of literary modernism. His novels include A White Merc with Fins and Speak for England: his sixth, My Little Armalite appeared in August 2008.

Jane Yeh's first collection of poems Marabou was published in 2005 and shortlisted for the Whitbread Poetry Award, the Forward Prize for Best First Collection, and the Jerwood Aldeburgh First Collection Prize.

Creative Writing Visiting Fellows will be contributing to the new and exciting postgraduate course with periodic guest lectures and readings. They include Pullman and authors Patience Agbabi, Kate Clanchy, Bernardine Evaristo, James Meek, Roma Tearne and Benjamin Zephaniah.

Commenting on the new MA, Jane Yeh said: 'I'm thrilled to be joining a department known for the excellence of its teaching and the quality of its students.'

James Hawes added: 'It's always great to be in on the start of something new, with no cobwebs to blow away, especially when that involves a group of highly motivated people with serious study already under their belts.'

Vice-Chancellor of Oxford Brookes, Janet Beer, who previously set up the well known Creative Writing School at Manchester Metropolitan University, said: 'We're delighted the new Creative Writing MA has attracted such fantastic literary talent. The course is about bringing opportunities for writers to develop their work across a wide range of genres, in a university context that supports both creative and professional development.

'Connections to the Oxford Brookes Poetry Centre, the International Centre for Publishing, and access to the Booker Prize archive which is housed at Brookes will all add to this vibrant, dynamic and challenging new MA.'

The launch will take place at 5:30pm on Tuesday 16 September, 2008 in the Lloyd Lecture Theatre, Headington campus, Gipsy Lane. The event is open to the public - booking is essential. To reserve a place email creativewriting@brookes.ac.uk or contact 01865 484329.

Further information about the MA in Creative Writing