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November 2, 2005
No EuroClarion
In the latest issue of Matrix (which, by the way, I think is a brilliant magazine) there is a page by Justina Robson on the demise of a planned EuroClarion. I think that's a shame.
Enrolling on a writing course for six weeks is a big commitment, and that fact that it is on another continent only compounds that. I'm sure a EuroClarion would be more accessible to a lot of Europeans. And yes, I know that the point of Clarion is committing (or trying to commit) to a career in writing Science Fiction, and therefore one should do anything needed. But I just think a UK based Clarion would be far more convenient for a lot of writers. (Okay, I'm talking about me now).
However the reality for me and presumably a lot of writers is that we/they can't get away from the day job for six weeks. Although I'd love to. Anyone out there been to a Clarion and care to explain how they managed to do it?
So Justina's mention of combining with The Arvon Foundation is intriguing. They already do week long writing courses, but none of them SF orientated. They also have a selection of sites in the UK.
I know that the writers trying to get EuroClarion off the ground are busy working writers, so let's hope some SF loving management type organisational hero could step in a sort it out.