Fairytale Horror: From Angela Carter and Marina Warner to Camilla Grudova and Guillermo de Toro, writers have long been fascinated by the gruesome and macabre machinations of fairyland. We will look at the techniques and tactics writers can use to navigate this strange world, and how the echoes of mythic horror can infuse stories with powerful resonance.

Domestic Horror: The claustrophobia of a marriage, a family secret, the hidden rules of a suburban estate can all be fertile breeding grounds for fear. We will delve into the gaps between ‘normality’ and the inner world, and bring out the stories that teem there. We will explore the work of writers such as Shirley Jackson, Ira Levin, Helen Oyeyemi and Mark Z. Danielewski, and expose lots of techniques you can use in your own writing.

Landscape Horror: The world is a scary place, full of barren wastelands, snowy deserts, abandoned fairgrounds, derelict hospitals and jungles of every description. Writers like Alan Garner, Jeff Noon, Susan Cooper, Paul Kingsnorth and film maker, Ben Wheatley are all exponents of the art of the eerie landscape. We will also look at the influence of psychogeography, and explore how to create eerie, unsettling and absolutely terrifying settings in your work.

Included

On this course the tutor will provide most of the materials, including excerpts from texts, any props for writing exercises, teaching material and a reading list for further reading after the course.

What students need to bring

A notebook and pen

Additional information

Please wear appropriate clothing/aprons for the workshop or studio, this includes stout covered footwear (no sandals or open toes).

Daily Timetable

Course teaching 11am–5.15pm
Students arrive 10.30am-11am (coffee optional)  
Morning teaching 11am-1pm
Lunch break between 1pm-2pm (lunch is not included)
Afternoon teaching 2pm-5.15pm (15 minute break, 3.30pm–3.45pm)
Teaching finishes 5.15pm  
 

Short courses are open to anyone aged 18 and over. The course fee covers tuition and materials where stated. You will need to bring all other items listed under the ‘Materials to bring’ section.

Refreshments

Coffee and tea are included in the course fee, but you will need to bring lunch with you to eat in the refreshments room. There are also plenty of other local venues to purchase food.

Access

If you have any specific access needs, we will need to know about your access requirements in advance. Please tell us about your needs in confidence by emailing: [email protected] This venue has steps to the front reception, with limited access via a side gate to the ground floor. There is a small lift to higher floors or stairs.

Safety

Short course students are required to sign a safety compliance form as part of West Dean Health and Safety regulations.

Refunds and cancellations

Please refer to our terms & conditions below.

Disclaimer

The information given is accurate at the time of publication. However, West Dean College reserves the right to cancel or amend courses if circumstances require.

Terms & Conditions