I believe creative writing can be an essential part of enriching people’s lives. Helping people to access this art form, and develop their practice in this way, is something I am deeply passionate about.
I’m always happy to support others on their creative writing journey.
“Jamie Rhodes has an infectious love of words and a belief that as an aspiring author you can do better. He is a gentle force that keeps you focused on what you can achieve and the kind of mentor that pushes you to succeed.”
Lainy Malkani, author (Sugar, Sugar: Bitter Sweet Tales of Indian Migrant Workers. 2017)
Supporting writer development, individually and in groups.
I am proud to have worked with hundreds of writers on their creative writing journeys. From delivering courses and workshops in schools, community groups, and charity venues, to working 1-2-1 with professionals seeking to diversify their skills with new literary crafts, being part of someone’s creative journey is a joy and a privilege. I am fortunate to have worked with some fascinating creative people, both emerging and established, to help them hone and develop their creative writing skills.
Every creative writer and creative writing project is different, so please get in touch to discuss your specific needs. If you need ideas, we can have an informal chat and create a plan together. Alternatively, if you know how you’d like to work with me, let me know what kind of support you need and I can give you a provisional quote. Here are some examples of projects I have worked on in the past.
Private creative writing mentor
- Established BBC Worldwide journalist, Lainy Malkani, approached me to work with her on her first creative writing project. I gave her notes to developed her successful Arts Council England application, and then joined the project as her mentor in writing her short story collection, Sugar Sugar: Bitter Sweet Tales of Indian Migrant Workers (HopeRoad Publishing, 2017).
- Indie filmmaker, Agnieszka Rudel, worked with me as Co-Director on our award-winning short film, Amputee (2020). Now seeking to develop her skills as a writer for screen, she engages my creative writing mentor service for story development notes and script workshop exercises.
Creative writing courses and workshops
- I run evening classes in creative writing for comics and visual storytelling at the Artworks: Everybody School of Art in Halifax. These can be one-off workshops or long-running courses over six to eight weeks and are aimed at adults.
- I worked with St. Mungo’s Recovery College in London to devise and deliver creative writing courses for homeless, vulnerable and marginalised people. These covered screenwriting, filmmaking, and comics writing.
- I also work with young people in many schools and community groups across the UK, using screenwriting and comics writing to engage young people with literacy in new ways.
Academic lectures and public speaking
- I have been employed as a guest speaker and lecturer by London School of Economics, University of the Arts London, London Southbank University, and Royal Holloway University. I speak about a range of topics, including: the phenomenological experience of story immersion, career development strategy for emerging writers, and how the arts can be used to address social issues.
- I also speak at organisations such as writer development agencies, literature festivals, museums, libraries, and other arts hubs. Topics include: educating around how writers can get funding and build projects to sustain a creative career, writing creative fiction inspired by factual primary sources, and collaboration between arts and heritage organisations.
JAMIE RHODES 