Events

My events

Saturday 3rd June 2017: I hosted ‘Editing your Writing’ at Get Writing, St Albans.

‘Editing isn’t just about chopping the dull bits. Editing is where you, and others, not only bring your writing to life but make it shine. Learn from this one-hour workshop what to keep, that it’s OK to ‘kill your darlings’, edit / rewrite a piece of flash fiction, and, from a checklist, improve your writing ongoing.’

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Saturday 8th July 2017: I hosted ‘Kickstart Your Story’ – Creative Writing Workshop’ at BeaconLit, Buckinghamshire.

Stuck for ideas? Using the same methods but they’re feeling stagnant? Join this workshop to recreate that spark and have fun along the way.

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Other writing-related events

Below is a list of events and workshops, mostly UK because most of the information I receive is from the UK. Should you know of any others (especially overseas) that could go on here, or any incorrect information, do email me. See the bottom of the page for regular events not listed by month.

You can also read my reviews of: St Hilda’s crime writing conference part 1, part 2, Peter Tickler’s / Stephen Booth’s crime author talk June 2013, my weekend at the 2013 booQfest: part 1 and part 2, my day at the 2014 Get Writing, the 2014 Chipping Norton Literary Festival, the Theakston’s Old Peculier Crime Festival 2014 (part 1), (part 2), (part 3), and I’ll be returning to the latter three festivals this year.

JANUARY

• The Writing School Leicester winter term programme is usually published the previous July.
• The London Writers’ Workshops latest programme is now available.
• http://www.leedsbookfair.com runs bi-monthly: Jan / Mar / May / July / Sept / Nov.
• Loose Muse runs on the second Wednesday of every month. at the Poetry Cafe, 22 Betterton Street, London WC2H 9BX (closest tube = Covent Garden). This is London’s only regular event for women writers of all genres, with a generous open mike sharing session plus two featured writers each month. The night starts at 8.00 p.m. Cost: £5.00 / £3.00 concessions.
• Towcester Writers’ Group meets every third Wednesday of the month. 7.30 – 9.30pm. Cost £3 includes refreshments. Towcester Library, Richmond Road, Towcester, Northants NN12 6EX.
• Buxton’s Word Wizards slam poetry competition runs in the coffee lounge at the Buckingham Hotel, Buxton, Derbyshire, UK at 7:30pm on the last Tuesday of every month. Entry is £2.50. More info can be obtained by e-mailing Rob at: poetryslamUK@aol.com.
• BookSlam reports to being “London’s best literary club night” and usually (but not always) takes place on the last Thursday of the month.
• http://www.artsderbyshire.org.uk has various literary events throughout the year.
• Other events in January include: www.jaipurliteraturefestival.org (India, late Jan), www.galleliteraryfestival.com (Sri Lanka, late Jan), www.stonystratford.gov.uk (late Jan), www.pitlochry.org.uk (late Jan / early Feb).

FEBRUARY

• The Nottingham Festival of Words runs for most of February.
• Get Writing Writers’ Conference has moved from February to mid-April (see below).
• The Writing School Leicester autumn / winter term programme is usually published in July.
• The London Writers’ Workshops latest programme is now available.
• Liars’ League run a series of short fiction readings held at The Phoenix, 37 Cavendish Square, London W1G 0PP ((5 mins from Oxford Circus tube – Victoria, Bakerloo & Central lines)) on the second Tuesday of every month (except January) at 7pm for 7.30pm.
• Loose Muse runs on the second Wednesday of every month. at the Poetry Cafe, 22 Betterton Street, London WC2H 9BX (closest tube = Covent Garden). This is London’s only regular event for women writers of all genres, with a generous open mike sharing session plus two featured writers each month. The night starts at 8.00 p.m. Cost: £5.00 / £3.00 concessions.
• Writers’ Holiday run their weeklong retreat from late-July to early-August at Fishguard. They also do a weekend retreat mid-February.
• Towcester Writers’ Group meets every third Wednesday of the month. 7.30 – 9.30pm. Cost £3 includes refreshments. Towcester Library, Richmond Road, Towcester, Northants NN12 6EX.
• Buxton’s Word Wizards slam poetry competition runs in the coffee lounge at the Buckingham Hotel, Buxton, Derbyshire, UK at 7:30pm on the last Tuesday of every month. Entry is £2.50. More info can be obtained by e-mailing Rob at: poetryslamUK@aol.com.
• BookSlam reports to being “London’s best literary club night” and usually (but not always) takes place on the last Thursday of the month.
• http://www.artsderbyshire.org.uk has various literary events throughout the year.
• Other events in February include: www.pitlochry.org.uk (late Jan / early Feb), www2.lse.ac.uk and www.vwc.org.uk (both mid-Feb), www.bathlitfest.org.uk and www.aldeburghbookshop.co.uk (both late February / early March)

MARCH

• The Writing School Leicester autumn / winter term programme is usually published in July.
• The London Writers’ Workshops latest programme is now available.
• http://www.leedsbookfair.com runs bi-monthly: Jan / Mar / May / July / Sept / Nov.
• The Oundle Literature Festival runs early-mid March.
• Crime novelist, short story author and interviewee Graham Smith runs a yearly crime workshop weekend mid March. Visit www.crimeandpublishment.co.uk, email crime@themill.co.uk or call +44 (0)1461 800344. I  hosted an editing session in 2017.
• Also around that time is a writing and yoga workshop in Suffolk, East England. See http://www.lezgrayyoga.co.uk/retreats/an-introduction-to-creative-writing-yoga for more details.
• The Greenacre Writers Spring Writing Retreat usually runs early March. Full board, Friday teatime until Sunday teatime at St Katharine’s Parmoor, near Henley on Thames at http://www.srpf.org.uk. Cost usually c.£200 per person. (Writers can keep their rooms until 4pm Sunday). If you would like to book the retreat, let Rosie know via email as she has to confirm numbers. Send Name, Address, Telephone number and a £40 deposit PAYABLE TO St Katharine’s. c/o Rosie Canning, 25 Chislehurst Avenue, London N12 0HU.
• North London Literature Festival runs late March.
• The Sunday Times Oxford Literary Festival runs late March / early April yearly.
• Liars’ League run a series of short fiction readings held at The Phoenix, 37 Cavendish Square, London W1G 0PP ((5 mins from Oxford Circus tube – Victoria, Bakerloo & Central lines)) on the second Tuesday of every month (except January) at 7pm for 7.30pm.
• Loose Muse runs on the second Wednesday of every month. at the Poetry Cafe, 22 Betterton Street, London WC2H 9BX (closest tube = Covent Garden). This is London’s only regular event for women writers of all genres, with a generous open mike sharing session plus two featured writers each month. The night starts at 8.00 p.m. Cost: £5.00 / £3.00 concessions.
• Towcester Writers’ Group meets every third Wednesday of the month. 7.30 – 9.30pm. Cost £3 includes refreshments. Towcester Library, Richmond Road, Towcester, Northants NN12 6EX.
• Buxton’s Word Wizards slam poetry competition runs in the coffee lounge at the Buckingham Hotel, Buxton, Derbyshire, UK at 7:30pm on the last Tuesday of every month. Entry is £2.50. More info can be obtained by e-mailing Rob at: poetryslamUK@aol.com.
• BookSlam reports to being “London’s best literary club night” and usually (but not always) takes place on the last Thursday of the month.
• http://www.artsderbyshire.org.uk has various literary events throughout the year.
• Other events in March include: www.bathlitfest.org.uk (late February / early March), www.dublinbookfestival.com, www.stanzapoetry.org and www.ennisbookclubfestival.com (all early March), www.ayewrite.com and www.wayswithwords.co.uk (early-mid March), www.lynnlitfests.com (mid-March), www.kslitfest.co.uk (mid-March), www.stanzapoetry.org (mid-March), www.essexbookfestival.org.uk (all March), www.cheltenhampoetryfest.co.uk (late March / early April)

APRIL

• The Writing School Leicester spring / summer programme is now available.
• The London Writers’ Workshops latest programme is now available.
• The yearly one-day (Saturday) Get Writing Writers’ Conference run by the Verulam Writers’ Circle, Hertfordshire, England has moved from their usual February schedule to mid-April. They’re also on Twitter and Facebook.
• The yearly Chipping Norton Literary Festival runs mid-April. You can also follow the festival news on Twitter.
• Cambridge-based Wordfest Spring Festival also runs every April.
• The London Book Fair runs early/mid April at Earls Court, London.
• Alt Fiction is a science-fiction, fantasy and horror weekend in Leicester and runs every April.
• Oadby Library, Leicestershire, England runs a Get Creative Fortnight mid-late April. Click here for Oadby Library opening times and directions.
• Liars’ League run a series of short fiction readings held at The Phoenix, 37 Cavendish Square, London W1G 0PP ((5 mins from Oxford Circus tube – Victoria, Bakerloo & Central lines)) on the second Tuesday of every month (except January) at 7pm for 7.30pm.
• Loose Muse runs on the second Wednesday of every month. at the Poetry Cafe, 22 Betterton Street, London WC2H 9BX (closest tube = Covent Garden). This is London’s only regular event for women writers of all genres, with a generous open mike sharing session plus two featured writers each month. The night starts at 8.00 p.m. Cost: £5.00 / £3.00 concessions.
• Celebrating its 10th year in 2017, The Stratford-upon-Avon Literary Festival runs from late April / early May and is an exciting mixture of debate, ideas, celebrity author events, workshops and humour. Alongside this is a programme of education events in Stratford and local schools involving favourite authors, poets and illustrators, entertaining and inspiring children from 2 to 18. The Stratford-upon-Avon Literary Festival is the highlight of the regional calendar and one of the most significant literary festivals in the UK, attracting thousands of people who share one passion: a love of books, writing and reading. Email: info@stratfordliteraryfestival.co.uk, Web: www.stratfordliteraryfestival.co.uk.
• Towcester Writers’ Group meets every third Wednesday of the month. 7.30 – 9.30pm. Cost £4 includes refreshments. Towcester Library, The Forum, Moat Lane, Towcester, Northants NN12 6AD.
• Buxton’s Word Wizards slam poetry competition runs in the coffee lounge at the Buckingham Hotel, Buxton, Derbyshire, UK at 7:30pm on the last Tuesday of every month. Entry is £2.50. More info can be obtained by e-mailing Rob at: poetryslamUK@aol.com.
• BookSlam reports to being “London’s best literary club night” and usually (but not always) takes place on the last Thursday of the month.
• http://www.artsderbyshire.org.uk has various literary events throughout the year.
• Other events in April include: www.cheltenhampoetryfest.co.uk (late March / early April), www.sundaytimes-oxfordliteraryfestival.co.uk (early April), www.galwayartscentre.ie/cuirt.htm (mid April), www.scarboroughliteraturefestival.co.uk (mid April), www.stratfordliteraryfestival.co.uk (late April / early May), www.wenlockpoetryfestival.org (late April / early May), www.hexhambookfestival.co.uk (late April – mid May), www.shrewsburybookfest.co.uk (late April – mid May)

MAY

• The Writing School Leicester spring programme is now available.
• The London Writers’ Workshops latest programme is now available.
• http://www.leedsbookfair.com runs bi-monthly: Jan / Mar / May / July / Sept / Nov.
• Story A Day May is a similar concept to NaNoWriMo but instead of a 50,000-word novel every November, the site provides a different prompt per day during May. I’ve done it three times May 2011, 2012 and 2013.
• The High Tide Festival runs early to mid-May but also assists playwrights.
• The Fowey Festival runs from early to mid-May.

  And see details of their April-deadline short story competition here.

• Poetry-Next-To-The-Sea’s 16th Annual Festival runs mid–May at The Maltings, Wells-next-the-Sea.
• The St Ives Literature Festival runs mid-May.
• The Finchley Literary Festival runs late-May or early June. See http://finchleyliteraryfestival.blogspot.co.uk. They also run a yearly short story competition (deadline end March).
• The Charleston Festival runs mid to late-May.
• Auckland Writer’s and Reader’s Festival, New Zealand runs mid-May.
• The Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America host Nebula Awards Weekend mid-May.
• Sydney Writer’s Festival, Australia runs late May.
• Liars’ League run a series of short fiction readings held at The Phoenix, 37 Cavendish Square, London W1G 0PP ((5 mins from Oxford Circus tube – Victoria, Bakerloo & Central lines)) on the second Tuesday of every month (except January) at 7pm for 7.30pm.
• Loose Muse runs on the second Wednesday of every month. at the Poetry Cafe, 22 Betterton Street, London WC2H 9BX (closest tube = Covent Garden). This is London’s only regular event for women writers of all genres, with a generous open mike sharing session plus two featured writers each month. The night starts at 8.00 p.m. Cost: £5.00 / £3.00 concessions.
• Towcester Writers’ Group meets every third Wednesday of the month. 7.30 – 9.30pm. Cost £4 includes refreshments. Towcester Library, The Forum, Moat Lane, Towcester, Northants NN12 6AD.
• Buxton’s Word Wizards slam poetry competition runs in the coffee lounge at the Buckingham Hotel, Buxton, Derbyshire, UK at 7:30pm on the last Tuesday of every month. Entry is £2.50. More info can be obtained by e-mailing Rob at: poetryslamUK@aol.com.
• BookSlam reports to being “London’s best literary club night” and usually (but not always) takes place on the last Thursday of the month.
• http://www.artsderbyshire.org.uk has various literary events throughout the year.
• Other events in May include: www.stratfordliteraryfestival.co.uk (late April / early May), www.wenlockpoetryfestival.org (late April / early May), www.hexhambookfestival.co.uk (late April – mid May), www.shrewsburybookfest.co.uk (late April – mid May), www.ullapoolbookfestival.co.uk (early May), www.mayfieldfringe.co.uk (early-mid May), www.swindonfestivalofliterature.co.uk (early-mid May), www.lincolnbookfestival.co.uk (mid-May), www.abdn.ac.uk/word (mid-May), www.crimefest.com (mid-May), www.dumaurierfestival.co.uk (mid-late May), www.hayfestival.com (late May / early June).

JUNE

• The Writing School Leicester April to August programme is now available. Their autumn / winter term programme is usually published in July.
• The London Writers’ Workshops latest programme is now available.
• Book Expo America runs early June.
• Ireland’s Listowel Literary Festival is also early June.
• Reading Poetry Festival runs early June.
• The Stoke Newington Literary Festival, London, N16 also runs early June.
• Worcestershire Literary Festival ran mid-June with talks, book signings, poetry readings and much more…
• The Althorp Literary Festival in Northamptonshire, England runs mid-June.
• Curry Mallet History Festival runs mid-late June. Also see http://www.currymallet.org/short-story-competition which ends mid-May.
• The Lowdham Book Festival runs mid-late June.
• National Flash Fiction Day runs mid/late June and had events online and in Bristol, Dublin, Hartlepool, Edinburgh, Cardiff and Shrewsbury.
• Winchester Writers’ Conference runs from late June.
• Ledbury Poetry Festival runs from late June to early July.
• Scotland’s International Crime Festival Bloody Scotland runs from mid-September. They have a short story competition (deadline late June) – see my Competitions Calendar.
• Liars’ League run a series of short fiction readings held at The Phoenix, 37 Cavendish Square, London W1G 0PP ((5 mins from Oxford Circus tube – Victoria, Bakerloo & Central lines)) on the second Tuesday of every month (except January) at 7pm for 7.30pm.
• Loose Muse runs on the second Wednesday of every month. at the Poetry Cafe, 22 Betterton Street, London WC2H 9BX (closest tube = Covent Garden). This is London’s only regular event for women writers of all genres, with a generous open mike sharing session plus two featured writers each month. The night starts at 8.00 p.m. Cost: £5.00 / £3.00 concessions.
• The  Greenacre Writers Early Summer Writing Retreat is aimed at writers who want to spend time on their writing. Writers meet at mealtimes and can choose to discuss their writing if they wish. In the evening there is the chance to meet in the library and chat or have readings of work-in-progress. This runs mid-June. Places allocated on a first come, first served basis. Contact Rosie via greenacrewriters@gmail.com, Greenacre Writers Blog or Twitter.
• Towcester Writers’ Group meets every third Wednesday of the month. 7.30 – 9.30pm. Cost £4 includes refreshments. Towcester Library, The Forum, Moat Lane, Towcester, Northants NN12 6AD.
• Buxton’s Word Wizards slam poetry competition runs in the coffee lounge at the Buckingham Hotel, Buxton, Derbyshire, UK at 7:30pm on the last Tuesday of every month. Entry is £2.50. More info can be obtained by e-mailing Rob at: poetryslamUK@aol.com.
• BookSlam reports to being “London’s best literary club night” and usually (but not always) takes place on the last Thursday of the month.
• http://www.artsderbyshire.org.uk has various literary events throughout the year.
• Other events in June include: www.yellow-lightbookfestival.com (early June), www.brightonbookfestival.com (early June), www.bridlington-poetry-festival.com (mid June), www.oxfringe.com (mid-June), www.bordersbookfestival.org (mid-June), www.nationalcrimewritingweek.co.uk (mid June), www.broadstairsdickensfestival.co.uk (mid/-late June).

JULY

• The Writing School Leicester April to August programme is now available. Their autumn / winter term programme is usually published in July.
• The London Writers’ Workshops latest programme is now available.
• http://www.leedsbookfair.com runs bi-monthly: Jan / Mar / May / July / Sept / Nov.
• The Ledbury Poetry Festival runs from mid-June to early July.
• The Frome Festival (Somerset, UK) runs from early-mid July.
• Derbyshire’s Buxton Festival runs early-late July. Their literature events are listed here.
• Theakston’s Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival runs mid-late July. http://www.harrogate-festival.org.uk lists a variety of events in the area.
• The Wirral Festival of Firsts runs early/mid July. They also ran a 1st June deadline poetry competition (see Events or their website: www.festivaloffirsts.com.
• Edge-Lit 2 presents another superb day of science-fiction, fantasy and horror writing. With an incredible selection of panels, readings and workshops to choose from, all for one ticket price, there’s bound to be something for any fan, reader or writer of genre fiction! Whether you want to find out more about the world of publishing, learn tips and tricks from masters of the craft or just find out more about the fascinating range of books and writers out there, Edge-Lit 2 is the day out for you! Runs mid-July. QUAD, Market Place, Derby Tickets £25 including access to all events Booking from QUAD Box Office on 01332 290606 or at http://www.derbyquad.co.uk/film/edge-lit-2.
• Festival at the Edge runs mid-July, and 2017 will be the 26th storytelling festival based in Shropshire, UK.
• Writers’ Holiday run their weeklong retreat from late-July to early-August at Fishguard. They also do a weekend retreat mid-February.
• Kidwelly E Festival “is all about technology, literature and family entertainment” usually runs late July.
• http://www.leedsbookfair.com runs bi-monthly: Jan / Mar / May / July / Sept / Nov.
• Liars’ League run a series of short fiction readings held at The Phoenix, 37 Cavendish Square, London W1G 0PP ((5 mins from Oxford Circus tube – Victoria, Bakerloo & Central lines)) on the second Tuesday of every month (except January) at 7pm for 7.30pm.
• Loose Muse runs on the second Wednesday of every month. at the Poetry Cafe, 22 Betterton Street, London WC2H 9BX (closest tube = Covent Garden). This is London’s only regular event for women writers of all genres, with a generous open mike sharing session plus two featured writers each month. The night starts at 8.00 p.m. Cost: £5.00 / £3.00 concessions.
• Towcester Writers’ Group meets every third Wednesday of the month. 7.30 – 9.30pm. Cost £4 includes refreshments. Towcester Library, The Forum, Moat Lane, Towcester, Northants NN12 6AD.
• Buxton’s Word Wizards slam poetry competition runs in the coffee lounge at the Buckingham Hotel, Buxton, Derbyshire, UK at 7:30pm on the last Tuesday of every month. Entry is £2.50. More info can be obtained by e-mailing Rob at: poetryslamUK@aol.com.
• BookSlam reports to being “London’s best literary club night” and usually (but not always) takes place on the last Thursday of the month.
• http://www.artsderbyshire.org.uk has various literary events throughout the year.
• Other events in July include: www.bromleylitfest.co.uk (late June / early July), www.southbankcentre.co.uk/literaturefestival (London, early/mid July), www.beyondtheborder.com (Wales, early July), www.poetry-festival.com (Ledbury, early/mid July), www.johnclare.org.uk (Cambridgeshire, early/mid July), www.festivalattheedge.org (Shropshire, mid July), www.littlegiddin.org.uk/eliotfestival (Cambridgeshire, mid July).

AUGUST

• The Writing School Leicester autumn / winter term programme is usually published in July.
• The London Writers’ Workshops latest programme is now available.
• The Swanwick Writers’ Summer School runs in Derbyshire mid-August.
• St Hilda’s College, Oxford Crime Writers Workshop (weekend) runs mid-August – see http://www.sthildas.ox.ac.uk/alumnae-friends/events-and-reunions for details.
• The great Edinburgh Book Festival runs mid/late Aug.
• The Helmdon (Northamptonshire)-based Bookmarks Festival takes place late August

  . Details on http://www.bookmarksfest.moonfruit.com.

• Ramsgate’s Got Writing Talent ran on the Bank Holiday Monday 26th August 2013, lead by Jane Wenham-Jones. See the winner of GWT2012 on http://wannabeawritertvshow.com. It didn’t run in 2014-17 but may be back in 2018. In the meantime, there may be a November event, details t.b.a.
• NAWG’s Festival of Writing the first weekend of September. Full details: http://www.nawg.co.uk or contact: pamfish@ntlworld.com.
• Liars’ League run a series of short fiction readings held at The Phoenix, 37 Cavendish Square, London W1G 0PP ((5 mins from Oxford Circus tube – Victoria, Bakerloo & Central lines)) on the second Tuesday of every month (except January) at 7pm for 7.30pm.
• Loose Muse runs on the second Wednesday of every month. at the Poetry Cafe, 22 Betterton Street, London WC2H 9BX (closest tube = Covent Garden). This is London’s only regular event for women writers of all genres, with a generous open mike sharing session plus two featured writers each month. The night starts at 8.00 p.m. Cost: £5.00 / £3.00 concessions.
• Towcester Writers’ Group meets every third Wednesday of the month. 7.30 – 9.30pm. Cost £4 includes refreshments. Towcester Library, The Forum, Moat Lane, Towcester, Northants NN12 6AD.
• Buxton’s Word Wizards slam poetry competition runs in the coffee lounge at the Buckingham Hotel, Buxton, Derbyshire, UK at 7:30pm on the last Tuesday of every month. Entry is £2.50. More info can be obtained by e-mailing Rob at: poetryslamUK@aol.com.
• BookSlam reports to being “London’s best literary club night” and usually (but not always) takes place on the last Thursday of the month.
• http://www.artsderbyshire.org.uk has various literary events throughout the year.

SEPTEMBER

• The Writing School Leicester autumn / winter term programme is usually published in July.
• The London Writers’ Workshops latest programme is now available.
• AWG’s Festival of Writing the first weekend of September. Full details: http://www.nawg.co.uk or contact: pamfish@ntlworld.com.
• Edinburgh University’s new part-time learning postgraduate opportunity in Creative Writing starts early September.
• The yearly Festival of Writing will take place early/mid September at the University of York. See http://www.writersworkshop.co.uk/events.html for info.
• Northampton’s second booQfest ran as a one-day or weekend event in September / October. Details t.b.a. for future events.
• Scotland’s second International Crime Festival Bloody Scotland runs from mid-September at Stirling. They have a short story competition (deadline late June) – see Competitions Calendar.
• Birmingham (UK) festival Pow-Wow runs mid-September and includes workshops and author talks.
• The Historical Novel Society’s conference runs late September – details not advised yet, see here.
• Charleston’s Small Wonder is the UK’s only literary festival dedicated to short stories which runs from late September. I’ve not been… yet.
• http://www.chez-castillon.com runs a variety of courses in the South of France by tutors including Jane Wenham-Jones with her ‘Wannabe a published writer?’ workshops in April and September most years.
• Shoreham WordFest is a two-week event running late September to early October, celebrating words in all their forms: spoken, written and sung. The festival’s website is http://www.shorehamwordfest.com.
• The Wigtown Book Festival runs from late September to early October. For further details, and rules and entry form for their poetry competition, visit: www.wigtownbookfestival.com.
• http://www.leedsbookfair.com runs bi-monthly: Jan / Mar / May / July / Sept / Nov.
• Liars’ League run a series of short fiction readings held at The Phoenix, 37 Cavendish Square, London W1G 0PP ((5 mins from Oxford Circus tube – Victoria, Bakerloo & Central lines)) on the second Tuesday of every month (except January) at 7pm for 7.30pm.
• Loose Muse runs on the second Wednesday of every month. at the Poetry Cafe, 22 Betterton Street, London WC2H 9BX (closest tube = Covent Garden). This is London’s only regular event for women writers of all genres, with a generous open mike sharing session plus two featured writers each month. The night starts at 8.00 p.m. Cost: £5.00 / £3.00 concessions.
• Towcester Writers’ Group meets every third Wednesday of the month. 7.30 – 9.30pm. Cost £4 includes refreshments. Towcester Library, The Forum, Moat Lane, Towcester, Northants NN12 6AD.
• Buxton’s Word Wizards slam poetry competition runs in the coffee lounge at the Buckingham Hotel, Buxton, Derbyshire, UK at 7:30pm on the last Tuesday of every month. Entry is £2.50. More info can be obtained by e-mailing Rob at: poetryslamUK@aol.com.
• BookSlam reports to being “London’s best literary club night” and usually (but not always) takes place on the last Thursday of the month.
• http://www.artsderbyshire.org.uk has various literary events throughout the year.
• Other events in September include: www.islaybookfestival.org.uk (early Sept), www.shetlandarts.org (early Sept), www.milngaviefestival.org.uk (early Sept), www.poetrycan.co.uk (Bristol Poetry Festival, mid Sept), http://georgeorwellfestival.org (mid/late Sept), http://penfrobookfestival.info (mid Sept), www.lynnlitfests.com (late Sept), www.athloneliteraryfestival.com (late Sept), www.budlitfest.org.uk (late Sept), www.swwj.co.uk (late Sept), www.booksandboots.org (late Sept / early Oct), www.bathkidslitfest.co.uk (late Sept / early Oct), www.wigtownbookfestival.com (late Sept / early Oct), www.appledorebookfestival.co.uk (late Sept / early Oct), www.henleyliteraryfestival.co.uk (late Sept / early Oct), www.ilkleyliteraturefestival.org.uk (late Sept / early Oct).

OCTOBER

• The Writing School Leicester autumn / winter term programme is usually published in July.
• The London Writers’ Workshops latest programme is now available.
• Shoreham WordFest is a two-week event, from late September to early October, celebrating words in all their forms: spoken, written and sung. The festival’s website is http://www.shorehamwordfest.com.
• Birmingham Literature Festival runs early October. Run by Writing West Midlands, the Festival has been a staple of the city’s autumn calendar for fifteen years. Celebrating the opening of the new Library of Birmingham this year, the Festival has enjoyed a rebrand*, bringing you a new look and a fresh programme.
• Founded in the late 1940s, the Cheltenham Literature Festival runs from early-mid October. Full programme available early August and tickets purchasable later in the month.
• New Writers UK Book Festival: New Writers UK is a Nottingham-based group (though with members from farther afield) who have all self-published. Thus the organisation offers a wealth of advice and support if you are thinking of going down that route. Their annual festival is usually the first Saturday of October. Admission is free. Find out more at http://www.newwritersuk.co.uk.
• Liars’ League run a series of short fiction readings held at The Phoenix, 37 Cavendish Square, London W1G 0PP ((5 mins from Oxford Circus tube – Victoria, Bakerloo & Central lines)) on the second Tuesday of every month (except January) at 7pm for 7.30pm.
• Loose Muse runs on the second Wednesday of every month. at the Poetry Cafe, 22 Betterton Street, London WC2H 9BX (closest tube = Covent Garden). This is London’s only regular event for women writers of all genres, with a generous open mike sharing session plus two featured writers each month. The night starts at 8.00 p.m. Cost: £5.00 / £3.00 concessions.
• Towcester Writers’ Group meets every third Wednesday of the month. 7.30 – 9.30pm. Cost £4 includes refreshments. Towcester Library, The Forum, Moat Lane, Towcester, Northants NN12 6AD.
• Buxton’s Word Wizards slam poetry competition runs in the coffee lounge at the Buckingham Hotel, Buxton, Derbyshire, UK at 7:30pm on the last Tuesday of every month. Entry is £2.50. More info can be obtained by e-mailing Rob at: poetryslamUK@aol.com.
• BookSlam reports to being “London’s best literary club night” and usually (but not always) takes place on the last Thursday of the month.
• http://www.artsderbyshire.org.uk has various literary events throughout the year.
• Other events in October include: www.booksandboots.org (late Sept / early Oct), www.bathkidslitfest.co.uk (late Sept / early Oct), www.wigtownbookfestival.com (late Sept / early Oct), www.appledorebookfestival.co.uk (late Sept / early Oct), www.henleyliteraryfestival.co.uk (late Sept / early Oct), www.ilkleyliteraturefestival.org.uk (late Sept / early Oct), www.beverley-literature-festival.org (early Oct), www.manchesterliteraturefestival.co.uk (mid Oct), www.historicalnovelsociety.org (conference mid-Oct), www.guildfordbookfestival.co.uk (mid-Oct), www.chesterfestivals.co.uk (mid / late Oct), www.literaturefestival.co.uk (Durham, mid-late Oct), www.poolelitfest.com (mid-late Oct).

NOVEMBER

• The Writing School Leicester autumn / winter term programme is usually published in July.
• The London Writers’ Workshops latest programme is now available.
• http://www.leedsbookfair.com runs bi-monthly: Jan / Mar / May / July / Sept / Nov.
• The yearly National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) runs every 1-30 November. The idea is you can plot as much as you like beforehand but can only start writing (ave. 1,667 words a day) until the end of the month when the target is to have written at least 50,000 words. I done it and ‘won’ it (completed) four times.
• Ways With Words runs a Southwold (UK) Literary Festival every November. See http://www.wayswithwords.co.uk/festivals/southwold-19 for details.
• National Short Story Week takes place every November. Click here for their events page. If you live near Hertfordshire, UK you might be interested in this.
• The Chorleywood Literature Festival runs every November.
• The Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) British Isles fifth annual conference for writers and illustrators is November. Conference booking enquires should be emailed to Jeannette Towey. Thank you to The New Writer magazine for the info.
• Liars’ League run a series of short fiction readings held at The Phoenix, 37 Cavendish Square, London W1G 0PP ((5 mins from Oxford Circus tube – Victoria, Bakerloo & Central lines)) on the second Tuesday of every month (except January) at 7pm for 7.30pm.
• Loose Muse runs on the second Wednesday of every month. at the Poetry Cafe, 22 Betterton Street, London WC2H 9BX (closest tube = Covent Garden). This is London’s only regular event for women writers of all genres, with a generous open mike sharing session plus two featured writers each month. The night starts at 8.00 p.m. Cost: £5.00 / £3.00 concessions.
• Towcester Writers’ Group meets every third Wednesday of the month. 7.30 – 9.30pm. Cost £4 includes refreshments. Towcester Library, The Forum, Moat Lane, Towcester, Northants NN12 6AD.
• Buxton’s Word Wizards slam poetry competition runs in the coffee lounge at the Buckingham Hotel, Buxton, Derbyshire, UK at 7:30pm on the last Tuesday of every month. Entry is £2.50. More info can be obtained by e-mailing Rob at: poetryslamUK@aol.com.
• BookSlam reports to being “London’s best literary club night” and usually (but not always) takes place on the last Thursday of the month.
• http://www.artsderbyshire.org.uk has various literary events throughout the year.
• Other events in November include: www.richmondliterature.com (most Nov), www.lennoxlovebookfestival.com (early Nov), www.linlithgowbookfestival.org (early Nov), www.thepoetrytrustorg (early Nov), www.folkestonelitfest.co.uk (early-mid Nov), www.ncbf.co.uk (most Nov), www.readingfestivalofcrimewriting.org.uk, www.waysworthwords.co.uk (Southwold Lit Fest, mid-Nov), www.bridport-arts.com (mid-late Nov), www.thepoetrytrust.org (Aldeburgh Poetry Festival, early Nov), www.cwlitfest.org (mid Nov), and www.richmond.gov.uk/arts (Nov).

DECEMBER

• The Writing School Leicester autumn / winter term programme is usually published in July.
• The London Writers’ Workshops latest programme is now available.
• The Hay Festival Winter Weekend runs early December.
• Liars’ League run a series of short fiction readings held at The Phoenix, 37 Cavendish Square, London W1G 0PP ((5 mins from Oxford Circus tube – Victoria, Bakerloo & Central lines)) on the second Tuesday of every month (except January) at 7pm for 7.30pm.
• Loose Muse runs on the second Wednesday of every month. at the Poetry Cafe, 22 Betterton Street, London WC2H 9BX (closest tube = Covent Garden). This is London’s only regular event for women writers of all genres, with a generous open mike sharing session plus two featured writers each month. The night starts at 8.00 p.m. Cost: £5.00 / £3.00 concessions.
• Towcester Writers’ Group meets every third Wednesday of the month. 7.30 – 9.30pm. Cost £4 includes refreshments. Towcester Library, The Forum, Moat Lane, Towcester, Northants NN12 6AD.
• Buxton’s Word Wizards slam poetry competition runs in the coffee lounge at the Buckingham Hotel, Buxton, Derbyshire, UK at 7:30pm on the last Tuesday of every month. Entry is £2.50. More info can be obtained by e-mailing Rob at: poetryslamUK@aol.com.
• BookSlam reports to being “London’s best literary club night” and usually (but not always) takes place on the last Thursday of the month.
• http://www.artsderbyshire.org.uk has various literary events throughout the year.

ONGOING / GENERAL EVENTS:

• Book Group: https://twitter.com/marvellousread runs a reading group in Northampton, UK on the third Thursday of each month from 7.30pm to 9pm, based at the NNCafe, Guildhall Road.
• Chatroom: Jane Wenham-Jones‘ website chat room – every Sunday 10.30am and Wednesday at 7.30pm (UK times).
• Flash fiction: Nik Perring runs 6-part online courses for £111 – see here for more details.
• Mixed: Abri, Chateau Ventenac, Circle of Misse runs writing holidays and retreats in France.
• Mixed: Aegis Creative Training runs a variety of courses.
• Mixed: http://www.artsderbyshire.org.uk has various literary events throughout the year.
• Mixed: Arvon runs a variety of five-day residential creative writing courses.
• Mixed: Asia Pacific run courses in Australia and beyond.
• Mixed: BookSlam reports to being “London’s best literary club night” and usually (but not always) takes place on the last Thursday of the month.
• Mixed: Book Festivals has a list of worldwide book events (not just festivals :)).
• Mixed: Writer-producer Brendan Foley runs various workshops on scriptwriting, novels etc. More details from http://www.filmfoley.com/?page_id=461 and / or email londonwriter2001@yahoo.co.uk.
• Mixed: Cafe Society has a variety of live events and workshops based in and around Brighton, UK.
• Mixed: Cate Russell-Cole picks up festivals via her Twitter page.
• Mixed: Cheltenham has a variety of festivals, not just writing.
• Mixed: Chez Castillon runs a variety of courses in the South of France.
• Mixed: Spain-based courses include Almassera Vela. and Writers Retreat.
• Mixed: English Tourist Board’s forthcoming events can be found here.
• Mixed: Faber Academy runs courses in London.
• Mixed: Fire in the Head run a variety of workshops in Devon / Dartmoor (SW England).
• Mixed: France in Other Words runs a variety of cultural and writing courses… in France. 🙂
• Mixed: Half Moon host a variety of walking and writing holidays (sounds bliss :)).
• Mixed: http://www.harrogate-festival.org.uk lists a variety of events including the July Theakston’s Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival.
• Mixed: Kames Castle Cottages emailed me suggesting their accommodation as retreats – they look good to me. 🙂
• Mixed: Learn Writing runs weekend and 5-day courses on the picturesque Isle of Wight.
• Mixed: Liberato runs writing courses and weekend retreats in Suffolk, England.
• Mixed: The Literary Consultancy has a great list of events. Ditto this Literary Festivals Facebook group and http://www.literaryfestivals.co.uk who are also on Twitter. If you live in Australia or New Zealand there’s http://www.literaryfestivals.com.au.
• Mixed: The London Writers’ Club events page details their next events.
• Mixed: Lyric Lounge runs a series of live events around the Midlands area of England. You can also follow them on Twitter: @lyric_lounge.
• MIxed: New Writing South has retreats based on the south coast of England.
• Mixed: Oxford Author Courses runs courses in the Oxford area of England.
• Mixed: Plockton Gallery – see above.
• Mixed: Quite Literally Tours is a small, specialist and very personal literary tours company operating in the UK and on the Mediterranean http://www.quiteliterallytours.com.
• Mixed: Room to write and read runs different workshops in the UK.
• Mixed: Limnisa, Rhodes Writing Retreat and Skyros run writing workshops in Greece.
• Mixed: Other overseas courses include: www.spencerscott.co.uk (France), www.writersworkshop.co.uk, www.watermill.net (Italy), www.anneaylor.co.uk (Portugal)
• Mixed: London’s South Bank Centre has ongoing literature and spoken word events.
• Mixed: Silvia Haralambova is a Bulgarian contemporary artist, living and working in Pazardzhik, Bulgaria. She runs Artists and Writers Retreats, details on https://sites.google.com/site/artistwritersretreat.
• Mixed: Towcester Writers’ Group meets every third Wednesday of the month. 7.30-9.30pm. Cost £3 includes refreshments. Towcester Library, Richmond Road, Towcester, Northants NN12 6EX.
• Mixed: Ty Newydd and Tyn-y-coed run residential courses in Wales.
• Mixed: http://www.uea.ac.uk/litfest lists a variety of ongoing courses.
• Mixed: Devon-based Ways With Words has a variety of literary, photography (and more) events.
• Mixed: West Cork College is “a virtual hub of literature-based activities including online and local learning opportunities, customed course design, and exclusive literary holidays.
• MIxed: Whithorn creative writers retreat in Scotland. Other Scotland-based are Summer Isles, Cove Park and Moniack Mhor part of the Arvon stable. Arvon also run courses in Shropshire.
• Mixed: WordFire has various workshops based in California, USA.
• Mixed: Writers’ Centre Norwich: Visit http://www.writerscentrenorwich.org.uk/Events-all for more information on our events and on our upcoming workshops. Rowan Whiteside, Marketing Assistant, Writers’ Centre Norwich, 14 Princes Street, Norwich NR3 1AE, Tel: +44 (0)1603 877177 or email Rowan.whiteside@writerscentrenorwich.org.uk.
• Mixed: Writers’ Village runs free online master classes to improve your writing, regardless of your skill level. Subscribe to receive a free 7,000-word guide entitled ‘How to win writing contests for profit’. 🙂 Writers’ Village also runs quarterly short story competitions.
• Mixed: http://www.writersworkshop.co.uk/Creative-Writing-Courses.html details a variety of courses.
• Other ongoing courses / workshops / retreats: www.wordmeadow.com, www.peraltatuscany.com, www.euroscript.co.uk, www.chalkthesun.co.uk, www.scriptfactory.co.uk, www.malagaworkshops.co.uk, www.travelworkshops.co.uk, www.lfs.org.uk (London Film School), www.cinnamonpress.com/writers-services, www.lamuseinn.com, www.anamcararetreat.com, www.skyros.com, www.thebookdoctor.co.uk, www.fictionfire.co.uk, www.limnisa.com, www.paxoslife.com, www.oca-uk.com.
• Playwriting: The HighTide Festival Theatre has a yearly (May) festival but also assists playwrights.
• Playwriting: Be a Playwright.
• Poetry: Buxton’s Word Wizards slam poetry competition runs in the coffee lounge at the Buckingham Hotel, Buxton, Derbyshire, UK at 7:30pm on the last Tuesday of every month. Entry is £2.50. More info can be obtained by e-mailing Rob at: poetryslamUK@aol.com.
• Poetry: Loose Muse runs on the second Wednesday of every month. at the Poetry Cafe, 22 Betterton Street, London WC2H 9BX (closest tube = Covent Garden). This is London’s only regular event for women writers of all genres, with a generous open mike sharing session plus two featured writers each month. The night starts at 8.00 p.m. Cost: £5.00 / £3.00 concessions.
• Poetry: Poetry London’s events: http://www.poetrylondon.co.uk/frontend_dev.php/listing/events.
• Poetry: http://www.poetrykit.org/events.htm lists a variety of regular poetry events over the UK.
• Poetry: Poet In The City Events: http://www.poetinthecity.co.uk/poetry-events.
• Poetry: Scottish Poetry Library’s Events: http://www.spl.org.uk/events/other.html#events.
• Poetry: http://www.hphoward.demon.co.uk/campoetry/index.htm lists poetry events in the Cambridge (England) area.
• Poetry: National Poetry Day’s poetry events page: http://www.nationalpoetryday.co.uk/national-events.
• Poetry: UK poetry events courtesy of Cannon Poets: http://www.cannonpoets.co.uk/11957.html.
• Scriptwriting: Script Factory runs ongoing courses.
• Short stories: Women’s magazine short story authors Joanna Barnden has a variety of one-day and weekend courses in the UK.
• Short stories: Liars’ League run a series of short fiction readings held at The Phoenix, 37 Cavendish Square, London W1G 0PP ((5 mins from Oxford Circus tube – Victoria, Bakerloo & Central lines)) on the second Tuesday of every month (except January) at 7pm for 7.30pm.

Should you know of any others, feel free to email me and I’ll add the details to this page.