Ruth is the National Director of Arvon. She was formerly Head of Literature & Talks at Southbank Centre, where she worked with the world’s finest writers, including Nobel Laureates Seamus Heaney, Doris Lessing, Toni Morrison, VS Naipaul, Harold Pinter and Derek Walcott.
Ruth has worked at Arvon since January 2009 and was drawn to it by its democratic nature: everyone can come to Arvon. It is the only creative writing environment where those who have never tried their hand at writing before come and learn alongside professional writers. If you can’t afford it, you can apply for financial assistance. It doesn’t have to be about publication. The unique thing about Arvon is that at its bedrock, it revels in the writing process for its own sake.
Arvon works in partnership with many different organisations which you may not know about. For example, The Romany Theatre Company, Writers in Prison Network and Vita Nova have come to Arvon over the past year. Arvon can tailor-make courses for vulnerable people to enable them to have an opportunity to write in a safe environment. If you work with a group that you think might benefit by coming away and having the chance to write at Arvon, then please get in touch with Ruth to discuss the possibilities.
Meanwhile, good luck with your writing and reading! Remember, you have till August 16 to send your poem in for the 2010 Arvon International Poetry Competition with fantastic cash prizes.
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