Cynan Jones is an acclaimed fiction writer from the west coast of Wales. His work has appeared in over twenty countries, and in journals and magazines including Granta, Freeman's and The New Yorker. He has also written a screenplay for the hit crime drama Hinterland, a collection of tales for children, and a number of stories for BBC Radio. He has been longlisted and shortlisted for numerous awards, and won, among other prizes, the Wales Book of the Year Fiction Prize, a Jerwood Fiction Uncovered Award, and the BBC National Short Story Award. www.cynanjones.net
Mentored Retreat: Break ground with your short-form fiction
Mon 7 July 2025 - Fri 11 July 2025
Tutor
/ Cynan Jones
Guest Readers
/ Megan Barker (Digital) & Lucy Luck (Digital)
Course Fee
/
From
£550 - £650 per person
Genres
/ FictionShort Stories
Language
/ English
Are you looking to find new directions and possibilities in your short fiction, hone your text and become braver in your writing? This mentored retreat is a unique and bespoke opportunity to spend focused time on your fiction writing with inspired and practical support tailored to your individual needs offered throughout by award-winning author and experienced mentor, Cynan Jones.
Ahead of the course, you will be invited to submit up to 5,000 words to be read by your resident Mentor. During the week, you’ll benefit from two 30-minute one-on-one tutorials to discuss your submitted piece and any key questions you may have. You’ll also be invited to attend short, intensive group workshops on process, structure and other vital elements of short fiction. You’ll also have the opportunity to sit in on a reading and a Q & A with Cynan and an evening in the company of guest reader, Megan Barker, known for her originality and for writing against the grain. Finally, special access to acclaimed and sought-after literary agent, Lucy Luck (C & W Agency) will be organised by way of a digital Q & A during which you can ask all of your burning industry-related questions.
A month or so after the course, you’ll have the chance to resubmit work to Cynan and meet again for a follow-up online tutorial to discuss your progress, next steps, and to help you keep on building a sustainable creative and professional pathway.
Bursaries
One £250 bursary space is available for this course. To apply, please complete this application form
Deadline for applications: Wednesday 7 May 2025
For further information about the support available, please visit our Financial Assistance page: https://tynewydd.wales/courses-retreats/financial-support/
Tutor
Cynan Jones
Guest Readers
Megan Barker (Digital)
Megan Barker is a Welsh writer with a background in performance. Her plays have been produced in theatres across the UK and abroad. She co-founded Feral Productions, specialising in site responsive, immersive and walk-about works using text, music and sound. She is currently collaborating with multi-instrumentalist and composer Richard Reed Parry on music and film project, Quiet River of Dust. Her first novel, KIT (Cheerio Publishing), was published in 2023.
Lucy Luck (Digital)
Lucy Luck is an agent of literary fiction and non-fiction at C&W Agency. She joined in 2016 having previously worked at Aitken Alexander Associates, Lucy Luck Associates (which she founded in 2006) and Rogers, Coleridge & White. She represents a list of prize-winning authors including Douglas Stuart, Catherine O’Flynn, Rowan Hisayo Buchanan, Colin Barrett, Kevin Barry, Sara Baume, Eley Williams, Colin Walsh, Sara Taylor, Roddy Doyle, Wendy Erskine, Zoe Gilbert, Sheena Patel and Andrew Michael Hurley.