Mini course announcement
Rewriting 'Cinderella' (ATU510 The persecuted heroine)
We are delighted to announce that in 2026 we will be offering a series of super-short writing courses. Our first offering is a mini-course on revising the traditional tale most commonly known as ‘Cinderella’.
Who?
The course will be delivered by the editors of The Orange & Bee: Carina Bissett and Nike Sulway. The course has been created primarily for writers working at an intermediate level, and with an intermediate knowledge of fairy tale history and practice, but it’s open to anyone looking to develop their craft, or their knowledge of folklore. All genres are welcome.
The course is open to anyone, including both folk who subscribe to The Orange & Bee, and others who are interested in writing contemporary works for adult readers that draw on fairy tales.
What?
This intensive, super-short course includes an exploration of ATU510 The persecuted heroine, including recommended readings, and a live zoom lecture (recorded for those who cannot attend in real-time). After the lecture, you will be invited to write and submit a draft poem or short story (up to 2,000 words) for feedback and discussion. Feedback groups will be super-small (a maximum of four people per group), and each will be led by one of the editors of The Orange & Bee. As part of the workshop, you will receive feedback on your draft from your workshop facilitator.
When?
20 March: All participants will receive a course introduction, which will include a schedule and overview, guidelines for participation, and an introduction to the tale type. Our traditional tale will also be published on this day: it will be a variant of ATU510, and be part of your recommended reading!
28 March, 11 am to 1 pm (AEST): Nike and Carina will deliver (via zoom) a live two-hour lecture/discussion on ATU510, including an exploration of the tale’s history, a discussion of various modern/contemporary retellings, writing prompts/exercises, and advice on how to create a retelling, or reimagining, of this popular tale type. The lecture will include a Q&A. A recording will be made available after the live session, both for review, and for those unable to attend in real time.
4 April, 5:00 pm (AEST) is the deadline for you to upload your ATU510 retelling/revision to the shared Google drive. You will be asked to read and prepare some feedback for each of the other members of your small workshop group (a maximum of three, 2,000 word stories), prior to the small-group sessions. Your course introduction pack will include guidance on providing supportive and generative feedback to your workshop peers.
11 April, 11:00 am (AEST): The small group facilitated by Nike Sulway will meet online, via zoom, to workshop/discuss the stories and/or poems created by the members of the group.
10 April, 11:00 am (MDT)/ 6:00 pm (BST): The small group facilitated by Carina Bissett will meet online, via zoom, to workshop/discuss the stories and/or poems created by the members of the group.
How much does it cost?
The full mini-course costs $US200.00. There are a very limited number of places available (four for each small group: eight in total), so please do consider signing up early!
How do I enrol?
To secure your place, simply email the facilitators at theorangeandbee@gmail.com, letting us know which of the two small-group workshop sessions you’d like to join (Nike’s or Carina’s); we will then send you a Paypal invoice. Your place is confirmed and secured as soon as payment has been received.
Got questions?
We are more than happy to answer any questions you might have, either via the comments/chat on this post, or via email. You can email us at theorangeandbee@gmail.com.
[Images: The images are all illustrations for ‘Cinderella’, which appeared in Dean’s book of fairy tales (1967), and are by Janet and Anne Graham Johnstone.