Emily Brontë’s only published novel, Wuthering Heights, is one of the greatest and most famous novels ever written, but she is also the author of over two hundred wonderful poems, and a very accomplished artist. Unlike her sisters, she chose to spend her time mainly at home in Haworth, walking, reading and writing. Her status within the world of literature is that of a cult figure but also an icon. She has become the very image of the reclusive writer, but who is the real Emily behind the myths that have been constructed around her since her death in December 1848?

This week-long course will set out to challenge and explore the mythology around this most enigmatic character. It takes place in Haworth, in the heart of Brontë Country. It will also explore in-depth her life and work, looking at her prose and poetry as well as her artwork. It will feature seminars, lectures, guided walks and special events ran by Brontë experts. The course is for anyone interested in her work and legacy.

August 3-7 £425 (five-day course in Haworth)

Does not include accommodation.

Enquiries and booking: brontewritingcentre@outlook.com

Tutors

Dr Claire O’Callaghan

Dr Claire O’Callaghan is a literary scholar, cultural historian, and writer. She is an expert on Victorian literature and culture, particularly the lives, works and legacies of the Brontës. Claire is Senior Lecturer in English (Victorian Literature) at Loughborough University, U.K. (part-time), and also serves as Editor-in-Chief of Brontë Studies, the official journal of the Brontë Society.

Claire is the author of Emily Brontë Reappraised (Saraband, 2018). She works closely with the Brontë Parsonage Museum, most recently leading a project on Charlotte Brontë’s ‘Little Book’—an initiative dedicated to transcribing, editing, and interpreting a long-lost manuscript newly recovered. She is also preparing a new edition of Anne Brontë’s Agnes Grey for Oxford World’s Classics (forthcoming 2027).

A frequent media contributor, Claire has contributed to media and television for the BBC, Sky Arts, and History Hit. 

Praise for Emily Brontë Reappraised: “Thoughtful…an informally written, no-nonsense reappraisal…”

Dr Michael Stewart

Dr Michael Stewart is the author of four novels: King Crow (Bluemoose Books, winner of the Guardian’s Not-the-Booker Award, selected as a recommended read for World Book Night); Café Assassin (Bluemoose Books); Ill Will: The Untold Story of Heathcliff (HarperCollins, optioned by Kudos Films); and Black Wood Women (HarperCollins); two short story collections: Mr Jolly (Valley Press) and Four Letter Words (Wrecking Ball Press); two poetry collections: Couples (Valley Press) and The Dogs (Smokestack); and a hybrid memoir: Walking the Invisible: Following in the Brontës’ Footsteps (HarperCollins)

He is also the creator of the Brontë Stones project, four monumental stones situated in the landscape between the birthplace and the parsonage, inscribed with poems by Kate Bush, Carol Ann Duffy, Jeannette Winterson and Jackie Kay.

He has written for TV, radio and stage, and is the winner of the BBC Alfred Bradley Bursary Award, and the BBC Short Range film competition. His BBC Radio 4 drama Excluded was shortlisted for the Imison Award. He was head of Creative Writing at the University of Huddersfield for 18 years and now runs the Brontë Writing Centre.

Find out more about him here

“Modern fiction at its innovative best.” Melvin Burgess

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“One of the best novels I have read in years.” David Peace

“Dark, funny and twisted.” A.L. Kennedy

“Bleak but wonderful.” Alan Bennett

“As good as British fiction gets.” Loud and Quiet