Old Press Releases

October 2007

What better place for fiction writing get-aways than the idyllic south shore of Nova Scotia, Canada.  Creative Holidays Nova Scotia has conducted writing workshops in the tiny seaport of Liverpool (pop. 3,000 approx.) for the past five years with great success.

And 2008 is no exception.  The programme promises a 4-day Winter Writing Retreat, other weekend workshops include:  Murder/Mystery; the ever popular Writing the Historical Novel, Getting Started in Fiction Writing, and in response to many requests, a couple of back-to-back 1-day workshops:  Troubleshooting and Epiphany.

Workshop prices are affordable and average $95 Canadian per day without accommodation and food.  Creative Holidays Nova Scotia posts information on places to stay close to the workshop venues on their website.  Meals are generally taken as a group in one of the many excellent nearby eateries.

Russ barton, experienced creative writing teacher, leads workshops that appeal to all levels and ages.  Many previous participants have gone on to be published.  Susan Borgersen, the programme facilitator says "in addition to Russ's succinct and entertaining approach, it's the diversity of the people who attend - the mix of visiting and local writers - that's what really makes the sessions zing.  We have many lively discussion sessions, especially over lunch."

Visiting participants have made the workshops their initial reason for visiting Nova Scotia.  The sandy beaches, excellent golfing, sailing, birding, artistic and cultural pursuits, deserted roads, quiet pace of life (to name a few of the attractions), caused them to extend their stay and turn their visits into memorable family vacations.

Full details are to be found on the website www.tallships.ca/creativeholidaysns or by emailing creativehols@tallships.ca or by calling 1 902 677 2899 Canadian Atlantic time.

End.

Old press releases

 CREATIVE HOLIDAYS NOVA SCOTIA ATTRACTS WRITERS FROM AROUND THE GLOBE

2004 is already proving to be successful for Creative Holidays Nova Scotia who are attracting visitors from around the globe to their Creative Writing Workshop Getaways.

 “It seems we have found the right ingredients” says Susan Borgersen, Programme Director.  By offering structured courses in a vacation setting the participants are able to enjoy learning the art and techniques of writing while being inspired by Nova Scotia’s south shore.  “Plus, they benefit from each other’s company, share problems and solutions and often new friendships are formed.  The inclusive package means participants have nothing to worry about but their writing” she adds.

Creative Holidays Nova Scotia launched their suite of getaways in March 2003 and conducted two basic creative writing programmes last summer.  In June of this year their ‘Writing the Historical Novel’ weekend was a great success with budding historical novelists from far and wide coming together to share a common passion.

They are now gearing up for their ever popular ‘Getting Started in Creative Writing’ aimed at beginning and intermediate authors which runs July 26 – 28.  Places are still available.

September 24 – 26, by special request, sees ‘Beyond the First Draft’ – for those with a draft fiction manuscript of any length and deals with editing, revising, rewriting and preparation for publishing.  Registrations are being taken for that one now.

The getaways include hotel and meals in addition to the workshops and materials for $555.  Unbundled deals are also available for the independent traveler.

 For more information visit www.tallships.ca/creativeholidaysns
e-mail creativehols@tallships.ca
phone Susan Borgersen, Programme Director  902 677 2899

or write to: Susan Borgersen,
Creative Holidays Nova Scotia, RR#2 Mill Village, N.S. B0J 2H0, Canada. 

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There is strong international interest in the success of Canadian authors. Creative Holidays Nova Scotia now makes it possible for aspiring fiction writers to learn how to get started and to hone their writing skills in the tranquillity and maritime atmosphere of Canada’s Atlantic Coast. 

A six hour flight from London UK to Halifax Nova Scotia takes you to an unspoilt province steeped in tradition, folk lore, friendly people, good food and deserted shores.  Here is the opportunity for indulgence.  A series of basic creative writing courses in fiction with experienced instructor Russ Barton is available from late April to September, and in June, the long-awaited Writing the Historical Novel  weekend with novelist Alan Fisk.

“We are thrilled to have these packages in place this soon,” says Susan Borgersen, Company Facilitator,  “after attending the International Festival of Literature in Cheltenham last October I realised we have much to offer.  Chatting with John Jenkins of Writers’ Forum, Borgersen, originally from the UK, explained that Canadian writing style, spelling etc. is akin to that of the UK, answering an often raised question.

“We have been very selective about our venue,” she continues “and feel blessed to be basing ourselves in Liverpool, Port of the Privateers, in Queens County on Nova Scotia’s south shore.  And yes” she adds with a smile “it is on the Mersey, but that’s where the similarity with its namesake ends.”

An average of 15 participants ensure a good balance of Russ Barton's attention and class discussion.  For $555 Canadian dollars, the packages are inclusive of hotel (a room of one’s own), meals, tuition and materials. Discounts are available for sharing.  Provision can be made for accompanying partners along with information about other attractions and activities. 

Creative Holidays Nova Scotia, a south shore based venture, is holding three-day creative writing workshops for people looking to stay close to home.
The recent shift in worldwide travel is a problem they have seized and turned into an opportunity. Through the summer camps, people can stay closer to home, yet still embark on an adventure of the imagination.

"Regardless of whether or not we see a drop in tourist traffic in Nova Scotia," says programme manager Julie Veinot, "we want people from the Maritimes to know there are great things to do closer to home. By offering a summer camp, we can give Maritimers that option, yet still allow them to have an exciting vacation."

"We listened. This is what the market desires right now," says Susan Borgersen, company facilitator, who was receiving international bookings through the internet for their suite of fiction writing packaged holidays when they were launched early March. "Those travellers have postponed until September when they feel more comfortable coming to Canada. Their loss is a Maritime gain; we are holding the same courses, but without the expensive frills. The fact that the next course is the first weekend in July and in Liverpool, so close to the Readers Festival in Port Medway where Jane Urquhart will be reading from The Stone Carvers is serendipity to say the least."

Geared towards people looking to hone their creative writing skills, participants will learn how to become a writer with Russell Barton who has been teaching creative writing for over 13 years. During the camp being held on July 4 to July 6, all participants will receive tickets to hear Jane Urquhart reading in the Port Medway Readers Festival, a way to enhance the writing experience of new writers, as well as relish in the success of one of Canada’s most celebrated authors.

The summer camps will take place in the seafaring town of Liverpool, Nova Scotia, at the Queens County Museum, where people will be able to bask in atmosphere rich in history thanks to privateering and rumrunning. The busy port is well blessed with places to stay, eateries, a theatre and museums including the Hank Snow Museum. 
A further 3-day workshop is available from July 7 – 9, building on the foundation of the first 3 days. If there is a demand, the camps will be repeated mid August.

Come September, Creative Holidays Nova Scotia will revert to their year-round all-inclusive hotel/creative writing packages.

For more information visit www.tallships.ca/creativeholidaysns
e-mail creativehols@tallships.ca
phone Susan Borgersen, Company Facilitator
902 677 2899
or write to: Susan Borgersen, Creative Holidays Nova Scotia, RR#2 Mill Village, N.S. B0J 2H0, Canada. 

It’s about time.  For anyone who always wanted to write fiction and didn't know where to start or is just too busy with that hectic work schedule to sign up for a regular course, the solution is here.

Creative Holidays Nova Scotia has week-end getaways and 7 day inclusive holidays, in one of the world's most inspiring places. You can learn to write that book you've always promised yourself. These year-round breaks include meals, tuition, assignments, all materials, field trips and opportunities to rub shoulders with guest authors and publishers over supper. There is also a good balance of free time for you to explore Nova Scotia's unspoilt South Shore. 

Accommodation is in the Province's oldest continually operated hotel, The Fairview Inn,  in downtown Bridgewater on the LaHave River within easy travelling of Lunenburg, Mahone Bay, Liverpool and the Annapolis Valley. Nova Scotia is steeped in a unique Maritime tradition and culture; producing many great authors (even Oprah spotted Ann-Marie Macdonald’s Fall on you Knees) and drawing filmmakers like bears round a honey pot (The Scarlet Letter, Dolores Claiborne, The Pilot’s Wife, even parts of Titanic and The Shipping News).

Creative Writing Holidays is the brain-child of Susan Borgersen, a local visual artist and writer, who was overwhelmed with the beauty of the area fifteen years ago on a long weekend visit from Europe in February.  "It was minus 28" says Borgersen, "the sea had frozen over.  Of all of the places I’d visited in both hemispheres over the years, I’d never experienced anything quite so breathtaking".   She gave up her business career and settled along the Lighthouse Route, the shore drive from Peggy's Cove to Yarmouth. "Now I just want to share it" she says "combining excellent tuition with a comfortable Inn and good company in such an idyllic, peaceful location is the perfect solution."

The excellent tuition she speaks of is provided by Russell Barton who taught Fiction Writing for ten years at Algonquin College, Ottawa and for three at the Nova Scotia Community College. His successful techniques speak for themselves. Past students have had full length novels published, several within in the last year. His sense of humour and consideration for the sensibilities of each student contribute to a fun-filled learning experience that can change the way you write, read and appreciate literature.

Julie Veinot, a young award winning journalism graduate whose first novel is ‘with the publisher’ completes the team, “I know the benefits of workshopping my writing” says Veinot, “it [writing] can be a solitary occupation but my work unfolds when I spend time with other writers”.  She ensures guests don't have a thing to worry about. Her knowledge of the area makes for informative, fun excursions and discussion groups and her presence throughout the holiday means that your needs are taken care of.

The three are members of the Writers’ Federation of Nova Scotia.

At a price of CAN$495 all inclusive for a room of your own on a weekend getaway, you will want for nothing. Discounts for shared rooms, plans available for you to bring along a partner who wants to go fishing (for instance) while you write. 

The next available getaway is March 28th - 30th with a further weekend break  April 11th - 13th and the next week-long Creative Writing holiday begins on 27th April.