British Mystery Writers Trip: About The Program

Join us for a fascinating trip to England, exploring the world of British mystery and crime! In London, listen to British crime writers talk about their craft and explore the city in your leisure time. In Oxford, listen to and mingle with British mystery and crime writers for an entire weekend. This is a rare opportunity to meet, talk to, and find out more about British crime writers.

Highlights of the program are a series of informal talks in London by contemporary British mystery and crime writers and attendance at the “Mystery and Crime Weekend” at St. Hilda’s College, Oxford University. Authors in the program are Robert Barnard, Kate Charles, Ann Cleeves, Natasha Cooper, Judith Cutler, Cynthia Harrod-Eagles, Keith Miles/Edward Marston, Danuta Reah, Michelle Spring, Andrew Taylor, and Laura Wilson. Scriptwriter Isabelle Grey will talk about writing crime/mystery episodes for television. Speakers at St. Hilda’s conference will be announced in March 2009. The theme of the conference is “The Wages of Sin . . . ?” The group will also enjoy an evening at the theatre, a guided tour of the Inns of Court, a day trip to Cambridge University for a morning tour and afternoon tea, and a guided tour of Oxford. There will be optional post-program daytrips to Stratford-Upon-Avon, Warwick Castle, Blenheim Palace, Churchill’s burial site, and several Cotswolds villages.

Most evenings and the weekend in London are free for your own activities and travel plans. We will stay in a centrally located residence hall of the University of London in private rooms with bath shared with one other person and with similar arrangements at St. Hilda's College, Oxford.

Cost: Approximately $3,200, which includes all lodging, all breakfasts and dinners in London, entrance fees, theatre ticket, St. Hilda's conference fee (includes breakfasts, two dinners and two lunches), and workshop fee. (Tuition for optional university credits is extra, either graduate or undergraduate.) Participants make their own flight arrangements.

Credit options available: English 395 or 595
(Workshop in British Mystery and Crime Writers) - 3 credits

Program Leader:

Kathy Ackley, Professor Emerita of English, taught at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point for 24 years before her retirement in 2002. She twice led UWSP's Semester Abroad program in London, and this will be her ninth summer Mystery and Crime Writers program there. She has made more than a dozen other trips to England. Relevant publications include articles in Sidelights on Sayers, Red Herrings, and The Oxford Companion to Crime and Mystery Writing. She presented a paper at the first annual "Mystery and Crime Conference" at St. Hilda's in Oxford and is a member of the British Crime Writers' Association.

REGISTRATION, DEPOSITS, AND PAYMENTS:

To make your deposit for UWSP British Mystery Writers, send your name, address, telephone number, and e-mail address along with a check for $200 (made out to UWSP Continuing Education) to:

Indicate that the deposit is for the British mystery writers trip. A complete registration form will be sent to you upon receipt of your deposit.

Early registration is strongly advised! A payment schedule will be sent for the balance of the payment. Up to twelve weeks before departure, fees except the initial deposit will be refunded on withdrawal. After that, housing and other cancellation charges may also be assessed. Price is based on 20 participants.

SUMMER PROGRAM AUGUST 10-24, 2009

ABOUT THE PROGRAM

London and Oxford:

Mystery and Crime Writers

August 10-24, 2009

Program Leader:

REGISTRATION, DEPOSITS, AND PAYMENTS: