The inaugural Orkney Writers’ Course, run by the GMB Fellowship in partnership with the St Magnus International Festival, will complement the prestigious and highly successful Conductors’ and Composers’ Courses at the Festival in Orkney. Running from 17-20 June, the Course Director is Orkney-based writer Pam Beasant, with guest tutor, award-winning Shetland-based poet Jen Hadfield. St Magnus Festival poet in residence Don Paterson will lead a masterclass as part of the Course, which will take place at the Pier Arts Centre in Stromness. There will be eight participants on the Course, and work generated will be read at a new Festival event, Poems, Tea and Cakes, and published in a broadsheet and online.

Deadline for applications: 21 March 2011 (please go to www.stmagnusfestival.com  for forms, or tel Festival office 01856 871445 for information)

Source: Orkney Islands Council