Frequently Asked Questions
Please check here first if you have a question, and contact us if you have a question that hasn't been answered here.
I have a question about your Beginning to Write courses...
We've compiled a separate FAQ for questions relating to our Beginning To Write courses.
How can I be added to the Big Smoke newsletter?
There's box for your name and email to be added to the newsletter in the menu, on the left-hand side - once you 'submit' you'll receive an email asking you to confirm your subscription. Once you've done this you'll receive our monthly newsletter and be kept up to date with all our upcoming courses and events! If you have any difficulties please contact us.
How do I buy a Big Smoke gift certificate?
Gift certificates are available here through Paypal in varying amounts. Please note that gift certificates bought online must be redeemed online. Paper gift certificates are available at open days or by request through the post, made out to whatever amount you like.
Does Big Smoke offer a discount for students or the unemployed?
Our recession/unemployment discount is already folded into our price for our courses. We offer a high quality of teaching and student support at Big Smoke, while at the same time keeping our operational costs low in order to keep our courses prices reasonable for our students. Our prices have been set deliberately to accommodate the current economic climate; unfortunately any further discount would render us non-operational.
Please contact us with any queries relating to this matter.
How can I contact Big Smoke?
Email us, or take a look at these alternative options.
How can I register and pay for a course?
Firstly, please take a look at our class workshop policies.
Payment may be made in four ways:
- cash (only at Big Smoke open registration days)
- Paypal (links for each time/date a course is running follow the particular course description)
- cheque or money order sent through the post (to be postmarked at least 1 week before course start date), accompanied by a registration form
- bank transfer (see here for more details), accompanied by a registration form
Within 10 working days of receipt of payment, BIG SMOKE will email you with confirmation of payment and enrolment. If we haven't been in touch by then, please email us.
What's the difference between a class and a workshop?
At BIG SMOKE one of our priorities is to ensure that participants are in the environment most suited to them and their writing. If you're a beginning writer, returning to writing after a break, or interested in concentrating on a new form, a class is a good place to start. A class is where the process of identifying your own strengths and interests as a writer begins. In a class environment, there's a little more guidance for participating writers, whether it involves new exercises or exploring new areas of technique and craft. Classes will, however, usually involve some kind of workshop element, with participants honing their abilities to offer supportive and constructive criticism to others in the class. Workshops are best suited to those with some writing experience. Participants will be involved in setting their own writing goals and be comfortable sharing their work with the group as well as offering feedback to others. It is important that a workshop environment caters to all members of a group, and that participants are in a position to learn from others in a group and the facilitator as well as help others develop their own writing. With this in mind, please feel free to discuss with one of our facilitators which workshop might suit you best for developing your writing. Sometimes, of course, it can be difficult to establish when a class turns into something closer to a workshop, so some of our courses will be described as both class and workshop at various times! If you feel you need clarification as to the format of a particular course, please get in touch.
How can I be sure if a course is right for me?
The first thing we suggest is reading the course descriptions carefully. Please feel free to get in touch with a member of the Big Smoke team, or come along to one of our open days (upcoming days will be advertised on our website and in our newsletter) to discuss your options.
Does Big Smoke offer other courses apart from those on-site?
Yes! We offer online courses, and you can check out our other services page if interested in a tailored workshop or a critique. Feel free to get in touch if you have a particular query.
