Jan Courtney has piece published in The Telegraph

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National recognition for Bath Spa Creative Writing student

MA Travel and Nature Writing student Jan Courtney has had an article published in a national newspaper, winning a £250 prize.

Jan wrote about her journey to the remote Faroe Islands and her 500-word piece was selected for print and online publication in The Telegraph’s competitive Just Back travel writing competition in May 2018. She had travelled to the Faroe Islands to attend a Nordic knitting festival, and while there had learnt that there are 37 words for fog in the local language.

Jan said: “I’m surprised and delighted that my Just Back piece has won a place in the Daily Telegraph travel section. I’m especially grateful for my tutors and fellow students for critiquing my early drafts, and am certain it would not have won without their help and advice.”

The Telegraph's travel section is an excellent showcase for talented travel writers. Adrian Bridge, Telegraph Travel’s Deputy Editor, praised Jan’s work saying it was a "skilfully told tale that intrigued, informed and delighted.”

Dr Gail Simmons, Tutor on the MA Travel and Nature Writing course, who has written extensively for Telegraph Travel, said: “We always urge Bath Spa University students to submit their pieces for publication, and Jan’s success has really motivated others on the course to aim to get their work accepted by a national newspaper.”

Stephen Moss, Course Leader, added: "The MA in Travel and Nature Writing course is recruiting strongly and it’s great to see one of our students achieving national recognition.”

The MA in Travel and Nature Writing at Bath Spa University is designed for writers seeking advanced skills in creative non-fiction by the natural world and contemporary travelling. To find out more, visit the course page.

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