Peter Read is an Associate Lecturer at University of Wales Swansea in the Department of Adult Continuing Education (DACE) and the Staff Development Unit. He also offers independent adult courses on the following themes:

Writing Poetry
What is poetry? How did the poem get to where it is today? Does it have to rhyme? How did previous generations write their poems and what has the modern attitude to Poetry brought to the discipline? What are the differences between Free Verse, Blank Verse and Rhyming Verse?

We shall tackle these and many more questions in the course. We shall also look at the work of various poets throughout the centuries and examine the way different writers have tackled themes such as Nature, Love and Society. There will be ample opportunity to write your own poems.


Writing for Pleasure and Profit
As a writer, how do we get the balance between enjoying the process of writing and trying to make money from what we do? How can we organise and structure what skills we have? What opportunities are there for making money from our writing?

In answer to the last question, we shall look at the skills necessary and the potential markets for the following forms of writing: Poetry, Short Story, Novel, Script-Writing for Stage, Screen and Radio, and Writing for Magazines.

Putting the Past to Writes
They say everyone has a story inside them. This course will look at using memories, both of the individual and his/her community to help to write creatively.

The course will consist of the following elements:
Exploring the past creatively and personally
Exploring the past creatively through your community
How to write the story

From Page to Stage
This course looks at the basic ingredients of writing a play: Theme, Plot, Characterisation, Dialogue, Visual and Sound Effects. In addition we will consider the opportunities for playwrights to have their work performed both locally and nationally.

Speak Easy
This course is for people in organisations, businesses or educational departments who are called upon to give talks or lectures. It looks at several issues such as the battle between the speaker and the audience. How can we keep them awake? What is the difference between conversational and presentational language? How important is your body language and use of voice? What unintended speeches are you making to your audience? How can you structure your talk, so that you enjoy your presentation rather than see it as an ordeal?
 
General Seminars and Workshops
In addition to teaching courses, Peter Read is also available to run seminars and workshops for groups. He has worked with homeless, disadvantaged and drug users, and encouraged them to write creatively.
He has also worked with writing groups and run day courses at various Art Centres and run seminars in over thirty schools.

For sessions in schools
To receive information about Peter's courses, please email him on petersamread@hotmail.co.uk
or phone: 07931 614180