Syllabus 25/26

NOTES

OM: Open Manuscripts- you may bring any work (in progress or completed) that you wish to share

with group

Competitions and homework will be 1500 words maximum for prose and 40 lines for poetry sub-

missions unless stated otherwise.

Erskine Writers Syllabus 2025/26

Date Topic Competition

Deadlines/Guest

Speakers/Leads

Notes

2nd September Welcome - Guide to the year

ahead, review of syllabus.

Open Manuscripts (OM)

Yearly subscriptions due

9tth September Double Decker Writing Joan Two words selected from two

bags randomly. One a noun,

the other an adjective. ‘The’

is placed in front of the two

words selected group to

write short story based on

the title they have selected.

16th September A Little bit of Brit Abroad Homework

23rd September AGM, review of post holders

+OM

Sandra, Rob, Donnie,

Morag

Planning for Burrell Collec-

tion visit

30th September Visit to Burrell Collection

1.00pm start

Sandra Discuss transport details for

visit

7th October Writing a piece in any genre

from inspired by visit to Bur-

rell Collection

Competition 1 Poetry

Entries to Morag by

midnight

Adjudicator Magi

Gibson

Homework

14th October Open Manuscripts

21st October I Picked It Up To Have a Bet-

ter Look

Short Story 1500 words

Homework

28th October Workshop on Biography and

Memoir

Rodge Glass

4th November Results and adjudications of

Competition 1

Competition 2 Teen

Fiction

Entries to Morag by

midnight

Adjudicator Vikki

GemmellErskine Writers Syllabus 2025/26

Date Topic 11th November OM 18th November Flash Fiction (Wordle) led by

John H.

25th November Workshop on

Humorous Writing

2nd December Results and adjudications of

Competition 2

9th December Christmas pies & Quiz OM

Christmas Limerick or Haiku

Christmas/New Year

Break

6th January Results and adjudications of

Competition 3

13th January Book Review 20th January OM

27th January What I think of Burns? 3rd February Recycling, updating, modern-

isation etc of any fairy

tale, nursery rhyme, myth,

legend or fable.

10th February Results and adjudications of

Competition 4

17th February Hilary’s Magic Mixtures Competition

Deadlines/Guest

Speakers/Leads

John H David Ross

Competition 3. A

memoir.

Entries to Morag by

midnight

Adjudicator Rodge

Glass

Competition 4 A Hu-

morous Article

Entries to Morag by

midnight

Adjudication by

David Ross

Hilary Notes

This is a specific addition

for anyone entering the

SAW competition and

wants feedback on their

entry

before submission or for

any previously heard

piece

which has been revised or

edited

Afternoon tea at Calders

3.00 - 4.30

Homework

Homework

Homework

HomeworkErskine Writers Syllabus 2025/26

Date Topic Competition

Deadlines/Guest

Speakers/Leads

Notes

24th February The song’s the story.

What is the story portrayed

by the lyrics of a

particularly favourite song?

Homework

3rd March In world of change the heart

remains constant

Local anchor holds.

Homework

10th March OM

17th March The Wearing of the Green Homework prose or poem

24th March SAW Conference feedback Open Manuscripts if time

permits

31st March Paired discussion groups on

Syllabus 2026/27

Easter Break

21st April Dialogue Exercise

A conversation with your

favourite toy

28th April Short Story 1500 words

The Fugitive or The Stray or

SOS

Homework

5th May Round Robin in class Homework (500 words)

12th May A recipe for…

anything OTHER than a

meal

19th May Garden party & prize giving