Creative Writing

Join us at the top of the biggest bookshop in Europe to work in company on your own writing, be it a book, blog, screenplay, dissertation, poem, song, coursework, memoir, play, journal, travel writing, work stuff or anything else. Newcomers always welcome. No one will see what you're writing or give you unsolicited advice. Now that our regular Saturday events are filling all the seats we're adding some Sundays when we're able to - check Meetup for dates. Same format but an hour later. WHERE? FIFTH FLOOR CAFÉ, Floor 5, Waterstones, 203-206 Piccadilly, W1J 9LE TIMINGS:- 12.00 - Shop and café open 12:30 - Host will be there. Say hello, especially if you’re new. 12.40 - Brief introductions from everybody - your name and what you’re working on 12:45 - Timer starts: write for 45 minutes 13:30 – Break, chat to your neighbours if you like 13:45 - Timer starts: write for 45 minutes 14:30 - The End…feel free to stay and keep writing or chat some more. Bring whatever you need to be able to write. It’s a café, there’s some noise so earbuds/headphones/earplugs are handy. There’s very few mains sockets so charged-up laptops are a good idea too. And please remember everybody, thank our venue by buying a drink or food, and don’t consume anything from outside while you're here. We’re looking forward to writing with you, your hosts, Sarah, Nick, Laura, Anna, Solitaire and John

Songwriters, come to our 3rd Sunday face-face songwriters' open mic at the Plough near the British Museum. STOP PRESS 6/4/26 - this open mic is still running but the ability to book slots in advance has disappeared - sorry. You can access info about it here though: [https://www.greeneking.co.uk/pubs/greater-london/plough/whats-on ](https://www.greeneking.co.uk/pubs/greater-london/plough/whats-on) The Plough is a nice pub, good food and the host is keen on original songs – I often go and can tell you it will be a fun evening Hope to see you there, Stu PS remember open mics can be a bit informal and do occasionally get cancelled at short notice. I'll update attendees if I here anything...

You are invited to this joint event of Association of Black Humanists and Unruly Beauty. **Overview** Can a life without traditional religious meaning still feel sacred or whole? Grief is often associated with the loss of a person, but many of us carry quieter, less recognised forms of grief. This workshop creates space to explore the grief that can arise after losing a community, a shared purpose, or a spiritual framework, especially in the aftermath of leaving a religious tradition or belief system. Together, we will gently examine what it means to grieve not only *what was*, but also *what was promised*: belonging, certainty, identity, and a sense of divine connection. Participants are invited to reflect on how loss of faith or religious community can affect meaning-making, relationships, and one’s inner life, often in ways that are invisible or misunderstood by others. You do not need to identify as spiritual or religious to attend. This space honours doubt, curiosity, longing, anger, relief, and hope, (without pushing answers or beliefs). This is not about fixing grief, it is about witnessing loss, honouring transition, and making room for new forms of connection, within yourself and with others. Whether you are newly navigating life after religion or years into rebuilding your sense of self, you are welcome here. All Unruly Beauty events are open to ALL BODIES and ALL IDENTITIES! We affirm the inherent worth and dignity of every person, and are committed to cultivating a space that is inclusive, affirming, and psychologically safe for all. Please get your ticket at: [A Conversation on Grief : Belonging, Identity, and Loss After Religion Tickets, Sunday, Apr 19 from 2 pm to 6 pm | Eventbrite](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/a-conversation-on-grief-belonging-identity-and-loss-after-religion-tickets-1983653963403?aff=ebdsshsms&utm_share_source=listing_android&sg=41dc7852e3c2c15abff109e6d60c35ae41b4d315c9aaf13ae99fadc159dd4742c404b715e2e5b679ea51461ecf7d9b293310945233892b469142c37487084052265edc7df3f422ec4d0ab644db) **(If the cost of a ticket feels like an obstacle, please send us a message. We welcome you and want you to be part of this space.)** ### Location ### The Advocacy Academy 2 Beehive Place London SW9 7QR

# AGAINST THE FLOW - A Free Walk Along The Thames For Spiritually-Minded Men By [The Seekers](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/against-the-flow-a-free-walk-along-the-thames-for-spiritually-minded-men-tickets-1986443758756?aff=ebdssbdestsearch#organizer-card) [Barnes Bridge, London](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/against-the-flow-a-free-walk-along-the-thames-for-spiritually-minded-men-tickets-1986443758756?aff=ebdssbdestsearch#location) Sunday, April 19 • 2 PM - 3:30 PM Escape the noise and distractions of modern life and join a friendly group of spiritually-minded men on a mindful walk along Thames THE SALMON SWIMS upstream, against the current, returning to its source… In a similar spirit, our inaugural walk invites men to step out of the rush of modern life and walk together, in silence and in conversation, along the river. This is not therapy or a workshop. It is simply a space for thoughtful connection and interactions with fellow seekers about life, work, meaning, and spirituality while walking beside the Thames. This special event could be for you if: * Your search is drawing you ‘upstream’... * You find yourself thinking more deeply about who you are and your place in the world… * You're at a point in life where the deeper questions are starting to matter. Perhaps something in you is looking for more but you're just not sure what… The walk will begin at **BARNES BRIDGE**, taking the Thames path upstream and will last approximately one hour. It will end at a nearby pub for those who wish to continue the conversation informally. There is no obligation to stay. If something in this invitation speaks to you, please come and join us! To express your interest in attending, please email theseekerswalk@gmail.com. Meeting Point: from 1:45pm at The Old Ticket Office, Barnes Railway Bridge, The Terrace, London SW13 0NP

**You are invited to join a deep healing group process that extends beyond us as individuals into the wider 'field' of historical/ancestral influences, where our family's past traumas are seen, acknowledged, and attended to, so that they do not limit our well-being today.** In these **short videos, our facilitator Illi Adato** explains the key aspects of the Systemic and Family Constellation approach to therapy and healing: [https://www.facebook.com/LondonFamilyConstellations/videos](https://www.facebook.com/LondonFamilyConstellations/videos) We shall meet at The Kailash Centre in St. Johns Wood, London NW8 for this month's group session, **open to all**. Issue Holder and Representative spaces are available: **For Representative (Participant) Booking £45:** **[https://calendly.com/illiadato/in-person-constellations-representative](https://calendly.com/illiadato/in-person-constellations-representative)**[ ](https://calendly.com/illiadato/in-person-constellations-representative) **For Issue Holder (Client) Booking £175:** If you wish to attend as an Issue Holder at this workshop and have your own Constellation done please email your request to: [ih@londonconstellations.uk](ih@londonconstellations.uk) **Please Note:** There are limited issue holder spaces available, please book early to avoid disappointment and wait for a confirmation email of your booking. This workshop provides a perfect opportunity to experience the deep and insightful Systemic Constellations process. A unique and powerful therapeutic method for self-exploration, understanding core behaviors, removing blocks, and reintroducing movement and growth. It is used as a major resource in working through trauma and it can assist in depression treatment. To read comments from participants in previous workshops click this link [https://bit.ly/33Asprs](https://bit.ly/33Asprs) **WHAT ARE SYSTEMIC CONSTELLATIONS?** The Systemic Constellations method is a unique therapeutic process of exploration of the forces that move us in life. Such forces often appear as difficulties or a sense of being 'stuck' in life, affecting our behavior, relationships, career, health/wellbeing, or even financial circumstances. This method provides a three-dimensional ‘map’ of one’s life as it is at present. It is a simple yet powerful way to explore entanglements and blockages in our personal life and in our family history. The method brings awareness and clarity into personal challenges by focusing the client on the root cause of such difficulties. Constellations provide an opening for a positive life shift and present ways for deep healing processes to occur. **WHAT HAPPENS IN A CONSTELLATION SESSION?** In Constellations work the ‘client’ is referred to as the ‘Issue Holder’. The method uses workshop participants as ‘Representatives’ to stand in for key people in the client’s life such as family members, colleagues, partners, ex-partners etc., sometimes ‘abstract’ concepts such as an emotion, country of origin, religion, or destiny are also represented. All participants are invited to take part as Representatives. Workshop participants often report (see reviews: [https://bit.ly/33Asprs](https://bit.ly/33Asprs)) experiencing profound insights into their own lives by simply witnessing the process, regardless of how they choose to take part. **WHY DOES THIS WORK?** Scientific research shows that the experiences of your ancestors can determine your behavior today and affect future generations.\*\* Recent scientific research into DNA reveals that a component named epigenetics is embedding the effect of a traumatic experience by altering the genetic structure. It means that some of our behavior patterns can be attributed to traumatic events in your family history. This notion has always been one of the guiding principles of Systemic / Constellations Therapy, a form of work that is dedicated to exposing and dealing with issues emerging from our family system. Our group provides a **safe space** where deep personal work is done and where maintaining confidentiality and respect for each other's privacy is paramount. **\*\* DNA research paper and news article links:** Discover - Grandma's Experiences Leave a Mark on Your Genes [https://bit.ly/3dLwEkK](https://bit.ly/3dLwEkK) BBC News - "Memories" pass between generations [http://bbc.in/1dNShPe](http://bbc.in/1dNShPe) **Facilitated by Illi Adato** MA Lon\. Inst\. SQHP\. Crt\(HYP\)\. Crt\(COACH\)\. C\-h\-a\-n\-g\-e\.co\.uk \- Systemic\, Organisational & Family Constellations member of ISCA \| Hypnotherapy Senior Member GHR \(UK\) & IHF \(USA\) \| Tune\-In Counselling \| Advanced NLP Therapeutic Specialist™ \| Looking forward to another moving encounter! ###### 💬**Personal one-to-one counseling** can be combined with group work. **Book here: [https://calendly.com/illiadato/1st-personal-session](https://calendly.com/illiadato/1st-personal-session)** **VIDEO COURSES** 📌 Watch anytime \| 📩 Instant access after payment Find all the videos here: https://www.meetup.com/london-family-constellations/events/ **Becoming a Bridge - Working with Death As a Key Resource In Constellations** £19 Explore the transformative power of death in Systemic Constellations with Illi Adato in this recorded 1.5-hour video course. Designed for facilitators, practitioners, and those drawn to deep experiential learning, this session offers practical insights into holding space for loss and transition. **Constellations, Systemic Principles & How They Affect Us - Video Crash Course** £6 Explore the hidden forces shaping your life with this **recorded mini-course** by Illi Adato. Learn the **Orders of Love**, uncover deep-rooted patterns, and experience a guided **HypnoConstellations™** process for personal healing. Have questions? Reach out: office@londonconstellations.uk

We will be meeting at The Racketeer! We will divide into smaller groups to discuss this month's book. It will be very obvious when you arrive to the pub, where our group is, but please feel free to give me a call if you are struggling to find us. For new members, shoot me a message on meetup and I will send through my phone number!

In April's first meeting, we will read Percival Everett's 2024 book, *James.* The award-winning novel received both the Booker Prize in 2024 and the Pulitzer Prize in 2025. It is a fascinating retelling of a famed Mark Twain novel that many Americans read at school. 'A breathtakingly accomplished retelling of *The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn* from the point of view of the enslaved Jim, Everett's tour de force reclaims the character's voice from the literary margins with power, precision and dazzling wit.' -Waterstones 'A captivating response to Mark Twain’s classic that is both a bold exploration of a dark chapter in history and a testament to the resilience of the human spirit' -Booker Prize judges https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/173754979-james The meeting will take place at the Big Easy - Canary Wharf. So come along for some down-home American cooking as we delve into this acclaimed novel. N.B. We will be charging an event fee of £3, non-refundable, to discourage no-shows and contribute to the running costs of the group. Please only sign up if you intend to come along as space is limited to make for an effective discussion!

*Etre ici est une splendeur* de Marie Darrieussecq est la biographie de Paula M. Becker. (160 pages) Réfléchi, saisissant et nécessaire. Un livre sur une artiste qui devient une œuvre d’art en soi, et qui attire l’attention sur la persistance de l’altérité et de l’exclusion dans lesquelles évoluent les femmes artistes. Intéressé à la lecture en espagnol, en anglais ou à la littérature perse ? : -www.meetup.com/gaia-books -www.meetup.com/gaia-libros -www.meetup.com/persian-culture -French Art Group (envoyez-moi une demande) -Instagram: @persian_culture_

Spanish Spring Weekend Fermín, an abstract painter facing a personal and financial crisis, lives in his friend’s studio in Madrid. He hides a tremor in his hand and initially refuses to enter a competition. However, he changes his mind after receiving a foreclosure notice and with the unexpected arrival of his son. Together, they will try to overcome their differences to create a modern version of Bosch’s The Garden of Earthly Delights. Considered one of the masters of contemporary Spanish comedy, Fernando Colomo wrote the script with his son Pablo, taking as a starting point their own father-son relationship, in a film they describe as a sort of “autofiction”. We will go for a drink to discuss the film.

Time is precious. Here we value non-boring valuable chats and interactions that are fully engaging, soulfully enriching, inspiring, and leave you a bit wiser than when you arrived. In that spirit, today’s hosted laid back social coffee chat will offer a perfect haven for the inquisitive & curious to share views on the following intriguing observation. Growing up in the west - before the 2020s - Friday and Saturday nights meant going out with your mates for highly sociable enjoyable fun things like music, dancing/clubbing, drinking, eating, comedy, singing, being silly random conversations and banter with strangers you'd meet out and about 100% organically. Taking drugs even. Tuesdays and Thursdays was about doing the same stuff but with work collegues hence the workplace was a place to make new lifelong friends. Weekend daytimes were for doing healthier but socially fun stuff like playing sports, pub lunches, visting galleries/museums, theatre and watching movies together at the Cinema or around a mate's house. Fast‑forward 2026 - it feels like everything changed: Despite public transport running all night (it wasn't when I was in my teens/early 20s yet my peer group stayed out proper late most weekends) - on a Sat night "young" people head home at 10.30pm, skip the dance floor for board games, avoid bar banter, jokes and rarely engage in organic spontaneous chats with strangers. Whatsmore the stats are wild — data show virginity rates among men hitting record highs by age 30, social anxiety and social skills off-the charts. So what's happened? We’ll explore questions like: * Is this just nostalgia talking, or has something genuinely shifted? * Why has typical multi generational fun pastimes (1950s to 2010s) lost its spark for the 20‑somethings? * How much does health, economics, mobile phones, social media and gaming explain the trend? * Are certain professions (like tech/IT) changing the social landscape, or just attracting already‑very introverted people? * Why are some stats so **contradictory**? Think higher reported male virginity rates by 30 alongside rising STI rates in young people. Despite tanking alcohol sales - UK alcohol related death rates per capita are still rising. What's going on? * Target audience demographics for mainstrream commericial pop music radio stations (Capital, Kiss etc) is still 18 to 24 suggesting young people still consume music and other popular culture but are not going out to enjoy it. Why? * Is it harder for younger people to make genuine friends today and if so why? * Dancing is natural to all of us - every kid moves instinctively to music. So beyond a less joyous social life what happens when these innate behaviours get suppressed as adults? What has this healthy exercise and creative expression been replaced with? * AI is predicted to take over technical job and tasks - the most future‑proof skills will be things like interpersonal skills & emotional intelligence built through real‑world socialising. Employers already complain that young people lack these skills. How will they get non-AI jobs? * Levels of emotional intelligence and self-awareness - particularly amongst men - are at an all time low. Wiill social anxiety worsen further as the introversion trend accelerates? * What does all this mean for dating, relationships, and starting families? Expect lively debate, sharp humour, and a host (a former news journalist) that isn’t afraid to ask awkward questions. Bring your curiosity, your stories, and your caffeine tolerance — we’ll stir the coffee pot on whether the young have really become more boring or have they’re just discovered new fun activities - if so what are they? And if you are in your 20s - I would love to hear your views! Oh BTW - Lucy Pearson - the blondie whose friends have become boring - she's a British journalist Lucas - The alcoholic 3am Eternal singing break-dancing geriatrics

Join us for an hour of writing! We’ve discovered that it’s strikingly helpful to write with other writers. See if it’s true for you at 7:00pm on Wednesday, April 22 at Streetlight Guild. Be it a book, blog, script, essay, dissertation, resume, melody, poem or just plain work stuff, you are invited to write it with us. No one will see what you've written or give you unsolicited advice. Instead of just thinking about writing, come and get some real writing done. **SCHEDULE:** 6:45ish - Quick introductions 7:00 - Timer starts: write for 1 hour 8:00 - The End **OPTIONAL SOCIALIZING** happens before and after the writing hour. Writing is very solitary. Connecting (and sometimes even commiserating) with other writers is a cool thing. **BEING LATE IS OKAY:** just show up and get settled! If you were on time, please be willing to make room for the friendly latecomer. Happy writing & I look forward to seeing you at Streetlight Guild! **WHAT SHOULD I BRING?** Whatever you need to be able to write! You're welcome to bring earplugs/headphones if noise will bother you! **OTHER IMPORTANT DETAILS:** * **RSVP:** Please RSVP by 6:00pm the evening of the meeting. This helps me know how many to expect, and if we'll need additional space! * **COVID:** While masks are not required, please be mindful of the other writers around you and their comfort levels. * **WIFI/OUTLETS:** Outlets are limited, so please ensure your devices are charged when you come! But Streetlight Guild does have free WiFi! Yay! * **PARKING:** There is free public parking at Streetlight Guild.

We'll meet at The Capital One Café, 167 Easton Town Center, Space A-103. This is in the main mall where the Microsoft store used to be, on your left if you're standing at the bottom of the AMC Theater escalator. Join us on Saturday for an hour of uninterrupted wordmaking! • What we'll do Join us for an hour of writing! We’ve discovered that it’s strikingly helpful to write with other writers. See if it’s true for you at 10AM on Saturday mornings. Be it a book, blog, script, essay, dissertation, resume, melody, poem or just plain work stuff, you are invited to write it with us. No one will see what you've written or give you unsolicited advice. Instead of just thinking about writing, come and get some real writing done. SCHEDULE: 10:00 - SESSION 1: quick intros. 10:10 - timer starts: write for 1 hour. 11:10 - chat / take off / keep writing. OPTIONAL SOCIALIZING happens at 11A-11:30ish. Writing is very solitary. Connecting (and sometimes even commiserating) with other writers is a cool thing. BEING LATE IS OKAY: just show up and get settled, then check-in with me after the session. (I’ll be the person with the Shut Up & Write! sign.) If you were on time, please be willing to make room for the friendly latecomer. Happy writing and I look forward to seeing you! • What to bring Whatever you need to be able to write! Bring earbuds/earplugs if you want to block noise or the occasional conversation by other patrons. Electrical outlets are limited, so charge your devices before whenever possible. See you at The Café on Saturday!

Greetings writers! Come down and join your fellow wordsmiths for one hour of uninterrupted writing time in the upper level of the Market District Supermarket in Upper Arlington. The main entrance of the shopping center opens onto stairs/elevator leading up to the 2nd floor cafe section where we will have a table displaying a sign with the Shut Up & Write logo. Writing is largely a solitary craft. Practicing with others in a community setting may be the thing you need to fire your own routine. We’ll meet on Wednesday evenings, starting the clock at 6:30, following a brief period of introductions. This is solid writing time and all inclusive. Any project is acceptable, be it fiction, non -fiction, work or homework assignment. All is welcome and will remain private to you. The market boasts a Starbucks, a full service bar and various affordable food options. Parking is plentiful, free Wifi is provided as well as outlets for charging your devices, though they are somewhat limited, so plan accordingly. Show up as early as you like, or stay late. This group tends to socialize some, both before and after the alloted time, but this is not mandatory to you. Feel free to come and go as you please and late arrivals are welcome. The cafe may be noisy on occasion so headphones/ earbuds are reccommended as you see fit. Please try to RSVP if possible so that we may grab enough seats for all—the venue can be busy at times. Feel free to message me privately wth any questions and/ or concerns you may have. Happy writing!

**We are expanding our creative programming opportunities with Queer Quills, a quiet writing and sharing space. Queer Quills features some prompts, supplies and friendly faces to help get some inspiration or feedback for your writing. Hope to see you there!**