Curtis Brown UK Launches Paid Writing Classes for Fiction WritersThe latest news item driving online commentary is the launch of a three-month novel-writing course by Curtis Brown UK, "the first and only new writing school to be run by a literary agency."
They charge 1,600 pounds, and promise to "consider" students' for representation: "We don't guarantee that we'll offer representation but we do guarantee that every student's work will be read by a Curtis Brown book agent and every student will receive a detailed critique on their work at the end of the course." They also require that students give the agency an exclusive opportunity to consider their completed novel for representation: "I agree to submit my novel to Curtis Brown when it is ready for submission, and will give Curtis Brown an exclusive six week opportunity to read and consider before sending to any other agencies or publishers."
What think you, dear readers, of this sort of writing class? Good? Bad? Great opportunity? Waste of money (nearly $2,500 US)?
If you were given the same opportunity, in a city near you, would you jump on the chance? Would you for $2,500? Or would it have to be less than that? Remember, it's for three months, a (very prestigious) Literary Agency is telling you what they like to see, what the publishers like to see, you are revising your manuscript to those standards, and getting an agent to look at your work for possible representation.
Here is just another example of how the industry is changing. Literary Agencies are changing the way they do business. The question is, is it to your benefit? Should we see more of this? Would you like to see more of this? I'm very interested in the perspective of a writer.
Happy writing!
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