I suppose I should start this article with a disclaimer because, in reality it is mis-titled. Swanwick is a little village in Derbyshire about 40 minutes drive from the county town of Derby. In the village is The Hayes a conference centre set in beautiful grounds including lakes, trees and scented flowers. There are many pleasant walks to be had and quiet places to sit.
During the month of August for the last 75 years writers have congregated at The Hayes o attend The Writers' Summer School and this article should more correctly be entitled What the Writers' Summer School Means to Me, my only excuse is that to those members of the school it is universally known as Swanwick and that is how I will refer to it.
I first heard of Swanwick from writers at a local writing group that I attended. But these women were not universally complementary. They did say the courses were excellent and the delegates were friendly and there were many interesting speakers and social events in the evenings. However, despite these positives, they declared they would never attend again, because there was so much going on they were exhausted by Tuesday!
With this indictment ringing in my ears, I decided against going the following year. How I regret that now! The following year, I plucked up my courage. I didn't believe that Swanwick would be as friendly as those women critiquing it had said, however I decided to go and attended Swanwick on my own. When I arrived, I didn't know another soul. It was a daunting prospect. By nature I am an introvert and the thought of meeting so many strangers and having to smile and be nice to them was scary, but I did it.
I arrived at Derby Station by train in good time to meet the coach that was provided by Swanwick, but I was at the front of the station and the coach left from the back. What to do? Panic set in. How would I get through the barriers again to get the the coach? It was then I met my first Swanwicker. 'Are you going on the coach to Swanwick?' a smiling man asked me. How did he know? How could he tell? Now after all these years, I know too - you can tell a Swanwicker a mile off, even a newbie (or white badger as they are known). They have a case that is far too big, so they can carry their laptop and buy lots of books, and have quite purposeful expressions because they want to get to Swanwick on time and get started.
Half way through the station heading towards the coach, I met my second Swanwicker an enthusiastic woman with a big smile and confident demeanour. 'First time at Swanwick?' she asked. 'You'll love it! The coach hasn't arrived yet, but go down the stairs at the end of this corridor and you'll see the group waiting. Have a chat and I'll be down in a few minutes.' Why did the words of a stranger put me at ease?
I followed her instructions and was welcomed without hesitation by the Swanwickers gathered there. 'What's your name?' 'First time? It's great you'll love it.' What do you write?' So many questions, so many friendly faces, so many smiles. The truth was I hadn't written anything. I was about finished the probably tenth draft of my first novel, but I didn't know if it was any good and I certainly didn't know what to do next.
I was aghast by all the books penned by Swanwickers in the Book Shop. I was delighted by the fact I didn't have to explain why I liked to write - that was a given. If I was looking lost, someone would offer help. If I needed a seat, another person would move up. If I was alone at a meal, someone would join me or invite me to join them. It was indeed as friendly a place as I had been led to believe.
And then the courses. Every one of them had its own value and all were interesting and well presented. The tutors were approachable and might as soon sit beside you at dinner as join you for a drink at the bar.
I also booked 1-1 consultations about my manuscript with renowned novelist Erin Kelly and Cambridge professor and novelist, Simon Hall. They both complemented my writing ability but also gave me sound advice about improvements that could be made and what I should do next. Both have remained most supportive of my work.
Swanwick is unique. It is an environment like no other: special, friendly and encouraging. Now, several years and nine published books later, I credit the encouragement, advice and friendship I found there with much of my success and endurance as an author. I treasure the friends I have made there, value the courses I have attended and encourage any writer who has not yet made the decision to come to Swanwick and feel the Swanwick magic.
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