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BCLT Literary Translation and Creative Writing Summer School

In-person at the University of East Anglia, Norwich, from Sunday 18 - Saturday 24 July 2027

The BCLT International Literary Translation and Creative Writing Summer School has been running for 27 years and is a vibrant, tried and tested format for the professional development of literary translators. Not only does it provide a nurturing environment for translators to work on their craft; it also establishes a valuable network of translators, editors, publishers and indeed friends from around the world.

The core activity of the week is the literary translation workshops, led by experienced literary translators and editors, working from a range of languages into English. We also include in the programme two creative writing sessions for literary translators with authors writing in English, as well as plenary sessions addressing various aspects of the theory and practice of literary translation, with a focus on professional development for translators.

Our 2027 Summer School will take place in-person at the University of East Anglia, Norwich, from Sunday 18 - Saturday 24 July 2027.

Workshop strands will be announced in December 2026 and applications will open in January 2027.

What to expect at an in-person BCLT Summer School

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Immerse yourself in a week of workshops led by established literary translators and editors

Summer School participants will take part in a week of literary translation workshops, led by experienced literary translators, working from a range of languages into English. During the language-specific sessions, the participants work on a consensus translation of one particular text. In the majority of the workshops, the author is present to talk about their work, answer questions and contribute to the translation process. The literary translation workshops are designed to encourage collaboration and peer learning.

At the end of the week, each group will be asked to give a presentation, sharing their translation, talking about particular challenges, and their experience of the week.

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Connect with literary translators from around the world

A big part of the week is networking and socialising and there will be plenty of opportunity for this over refreshments and meals, including opening and closing drinks receptions and dinners at the Sainsbury Centre Art Gallery on-campus.

Literary translation can sometimes be a solitary practice. The Summer School offers a valuable opportunity to connect with fellow translators, collaborate with others, and build lasting friendships and professional networks. Many participants stay in touch long after the Summer School ends, continuing to share ideas, support one another and collaborate on new projects.

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Hear from industry experts at our Summer School plenary events

Our Summer School plenary sessions explore different aspects of the theory and practice of literary translation, with a particular focus on professional development and the publishing industry. They give participants the chance to step back from their individual workshop strands and hear from translators, editors, publishers, writers and other professionals across the literary translation industry.

The Wednesday afternoon plenary session takes place at Dragon Hall, the beautiful home of the National Centre for Writing in Norwich City Centre.

Watch previous Summer School plenary events here

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Creative Writing and Translation

Summer School participants will also attend two creative writing sessions for literary translators, developing different creative writing skills for translators. The whole cohort will be divided between four tutors, giving participants the opportunity to work with translators from other workshop strands. These sessions are designed to help literary translators focus on themselves as creative writers and will take a practical, exercise-based, rather than a theoretical approach.

"The creative writing sessions were very imaginative, and full of practical exercises that encouraged us to think creatively and reconnect with our own writing. I left these sessions feeling inspired and eager to continue exploring the relationship between creative writing and literary translation"

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The UEA Campus

The Summer School takes place on the beautiful campus of the University of East Anglia, surrounded by 360 acres of green space and just a short journey from the centre of Norwich.

The majority of Summer School activity takes place at the Enterprise Centre, which is within walking distance of the accommodation for residential participants.

With teaching spaces, cafés, shops, sports facilities, the library and accommodation all within easy reach, the campus has everything you need for your stay. Take a walk around the lake, find a quiet spot to read among the green spaces, or visit the Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts.

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Time to explore Norwich, UNESCO City of Literature

Norwich is England’s first UNESCO City of Literature, with a literary history stretching back more than 900 years. There are also plenty of beautiful walks, historic sites, independent book shops, and fantastic restaurants to discover across the city.

For the Wednesday plenary session at the National Centre for Writing, based in Norwich city centre, we provide a coach from campus. After the session you will have the rest of the afternoon and evening free so you can take your time exploring Norwich before making your own way back to campus by bus or taxi.

Some Summer School participants choose to extend their stay to give themselves more time to explore Norwich and the surrounding area.

Discover more about Norwich

Download an example programme

The depth of the sessions, the expertise of the leaders, and the engagement with fellow participants all contributed to a highly enriching experience. The opportunity to explore both translation and creative writing in such a collaborative setting was even more rewarding than I had anticipated.

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Residential and non-residential options available

If you are a residential participant you will be staying in a single ensuite bedroom on campus at UEA. This accommodation is student accommodation, so it is comfortable but basic. Your package includes 6 nights’ accommodation, breakfast, lunch and dinner (excluding Wednesday night when dinner is not provided). There is a small supermarket on campus where you can buy drinks and snacks and any toiletries you may need.

The Non-residential package includes lunches (Monday-Friday) and the opening and closing drinks receptions and dinners at the Sainsbury Centre.

Find out more about Summer School fees

What happens at a BCLT Summer School?

Beyond the academic enrichment, it offered an invaluable platform to build meaningful connections, network with industry professionals, and collaborate with like-minded peers and mentors within the global translation community.

Thinking of applying for the BCLT Summer School?

Catch up on our Summer School 2026 panel events

At the online BCLT Summer School 2026

WE WELCOMED

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translators

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countries

We offer both in-person and online Summer Schools, alternating between the two. The next online Summer School will be in July 2028.

Want to know more about our online Summer School? Watch this short film by Evelyn Heis, who took part in the Spanish workshop at the BCLT online Summer School in 2026.