Wednesday November 15th 6.30-8PM
 
Where and how do we find inspiration when we write? And how can we harness our subconscious to do so? Join Tom Conaghan, publisher of the short fiction series REVERSE ENGINEERING, to explore how acclaimed authors open themselves to possibilities and listen to the energies of their story. By giving space to the unconscious, learn how to create writing that’s richer and more resonant, then explore how we can use our conscious mind to shape our fiction. This ninety-minute workshop will use ideas from Tom’s conversations with Tessa Hadley, George Saunders, Yiyun Li, Sarah Hall, Jon McGregor, Wendy Erskine and many others. Cost is £15 and each participant will receive a copy of Reverse Engineering (worth £9.99). Please bring along something to write with. Please note we do not issue paper tickets for workshops. Simply select COLLECT FROM SHOP at checkout and your name will be held on the door.
 
About the tutor: Tom Conaghan is the publisher of Scratch Books - a small press dedicated to the craft of the short story. His reviews and essays have appeared in The Observer, The TLS, The Irish Times, The LA Review of Books, amongst others. He is a judge of the 2023 The London Magazine Short Story Prize.
 
About Reverse Engineering: An innovative anthology series revealing the inspiration, ideals and the work involved in a great short story. The Reverse Engineering books bring together contemporary classic stories with their authors’ discussions of how they were written and include stories and interviews from Ben Okri, Tessa Hadley, Jon McGregor, Sarah Hall, Yiyun Li, Wendy Erskine, Eley Williams, Jessie Greengrass, Irenosen Okojie and Tom Drury. 
 
Praise for Praise for Reverse Engineering: 
‘Rich with insight into the craft and the art of the short story, this book will delight both writers and readers.’ Monica Ali, author of Brick Lane 
 
‘Reverse Engineering will be of huge interest to both practitioners and fans of the short story and to anyone interested in how art gets made. An anthology to inspire and encourage anyone who reads it.’ Colin Barrett, author of Young Skins and Homesickness 
 
‘This impressive collection reads like a celebration of the craft of story-writing itself. The triumph of Reverse Engineering is that despite accepted norms of short story craft, every author oers something dierent.’ The Guardian 
 
‘A collection of hugely illuminating conversations, packed with insights into everything from inspiration and the drafting process to setting, character, theme, ideology and the handling of voice, point of view, structure and style.’ Times Literary Supplement 
 
‘The stories collected here are unified by their vivacious diversity, displaying a broad range of approaches to the art.’ LA Review of Books Reverse Engineering is breaking new ground for the short story, oering a unique insight not just into the mechanics of writing exceptional short fiction, but the inherent joy that is to be found in the form for both reader and writer.' Lunate