What we’re about
This is a group for writers of all levels (from beginners through to experienced authors), who would like to meet other writers and hear and critique each others work, as well as write together and discuss literature.
I run similar groups in Sevilla and Madrid in Spain, but as I'm going to be spending the summer in Leeds, I thought I would start a group here!
I'm planning on the group including the following:
Critique sessions - where you can read poetry, prose, novels, blogs, scripts, non-fiction and receive feedback on your writing.
Any book book club - this is hugely popular in Seville! Each time we have a theme and you just bring a book that you enjoyed to recommend. You don't all have to read the same book!!
Writing Labs - 3 hour workshops to deep dive into a particular writing topic. These are paid events and places are limited.
Why join?
Get feedback on a work in progress and/or the state of a new piece. You don't have to listen to everything everyone says, but if a few people say the same thing, where there's smoke, there's likely fire!
Practice presentation and speaking abilities. Reading your work in front of others, even without feedback, will help you find the areas you need to rewrite.
Meet other writers-- maybe learn something from them! Find the people who you can bounce ideas off, the people who'll beta-read your novel, the people who will see your piece improve over time and get to know you as a writer.
Productivity: plan to come regularly so you will have a deadline for a new/edited piece.
Get book recommendations in the Any Book Book club sessions
Hone your writing!
I'm a best-selling author myself, and live between Spain and France and travel extensively too (I'm originally from the UK but grew up in NZ). For more about me just visit angela-atkins.com
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- Any Book Book ClubThe Soap Factory, Leeds LS1 4HR
Come and join us at the Any Book Book Club!
Starting at 11am - we meet to discuss great books. Bring along a book recommendation - of something great you've been reading or a book you love - to share the details with everyone. You'll hear about some books and authors you might not know and perhaps have a great discussion about literature.
This is not like usual book clubs - there's no book you have to read, it's about sharing books you've already read!THEME: For our first book club of the summer just bring a book that you love and have read more than once!!
Timing: I'll be there from 10.30am to start at 11am and we'll finish around 12.30pm. Please try and be on time! It just means we're not constantly interrupted once we get started with people arriving.
Cost: The event is free.
Contact: If you have any questions, just let me know through meetup chat. We do have a whatsapp group too that you can join once you've attended.
As for me? I'm a best-selling author (and a total bookworm) and run writing groups and book clubs in Sevilla and Madrid. I'm spending the summer in Leeds so wanted to run what is our most popular event in Spain! We always have a lot of fun, find out about books and authors we didn't know about, and I've made some great friends through this group. So I hope you can be part of it!
Any questions let me know.
For more about me, just visit Angela-Atkins.com - Writing Lab 1: Brilliant Plots and starting offThe Edge , Leeds
This first Writing Laboratory of the summer focuses on how you can plot out your novel, memoir or non-fiction book and leave with a story plan to start work! We'll also deep dive into how you START your story (because there are a million ways so which do you pick?).
You'll also be able to ask any burning questions you have about your own writing, and get an honest answer.
The Writing Lab will cover:
Understanding what makes a great story arc (even in non-fiction!)
Whether you're a pantser and hate planning, or a full outliner, you should know what the key things are that make a great story arc in fiction, or an engaging book if you're writing non-fiction or a memoir. So in this first section we'll discuss these. If you've already written something you can check back that you have the right elements and know what might need changing.Methods to plotting
Next we look at the different methods out there to use to plot out your book. We'll discuss the challenges and things that might be difficult for you. I'll also go into my quick and dirty plot tool - which has got several people over the hump of not really knowing what their story is about and suddenly setting them free to start writing their story!Fabulous First pages
We then look at what makes a great first page or two that grabs your reader and reflects or foreshadows what's going to happen in the story. You'll get to try honing your skill with a first page exercise!
Your story or book idea
Lastly we deep dive into your own story or book idea so that you can have that a-ha moment knowing where your road map is!Who should attend?
You can attend whether you are an experienced writer, or just starting on your writing journey. My workshops are a safe environment for you to try some writing and get some positive feedback on what you've done well, and some positive suggestions on things you could try to hone your writing. I've had people come along who are VERY nervous about writing and reading something out loud, and if you don't want to, you don't have to - but several people have overcome their fear and been so excited and proud afterwards. And that's why I do this. Seeing people having life changing moments in their writing journey!This Writing Lab is one of four, which I will be running over summer.
The other 3 cover characters and dialogue, structure and editing, and lastly paths to being published and the skills you'll need!Cost
I've removed the set fee for this workshop and am asking for a donation instead. I'm going to share theories, tools and techniques and practical advice from my years of writing. Those who have attended have said it has really helped their writing skills, so I'll leave it up to you to assess the value you've got from the session!About me: I've trained thousands of people over my career, and I don't only share practical tools and techniques that are proven to work in the real-world, but I'm also passionate about making training fun! If you're serious about being a writer, then this workshop is essential.
I've been writing since I was fourteen, and I'm the author of the best selling Management Bites - first published in 2009 by HarperCollinsNZ, and then 3 further bites books. I've also written many novels, and am currently working on a book about writing.
I've also studied creative writing at Auckland University and I will share real examples from being a best selling author with HarperCollins, to working with agents and indie publishers.
My husband and I split our time between France, Spain and London and travel a lot in between!
For more about me, visit www.angela-atkins.com - Writing Challenge and Critique SessionThe Brewery Tap, Leeds
This session is for writers of all levels, from beginners to experienced authors, who write fiction.
How it works: After introductions, we spend the first hour doing a writing exercise. These are informal with positive discussion on what worked well. And they are great to see the different ways people write!
Then we see who wants to read something and get feedback. You don't have to share, you can just come along and discuss the readings and meet other writers but you must participate and give feedback.
Each person gets 10 minutes to read, and 5 - 10 minutes for feedback and discussion (timing depends on how many people are reading that evening).Timing: The session starts at 5.30pm and runs to 7.30pm. Please arrive a few minutes before the group starts so that you don't miss out on introductions!
Cost: The event is free.
Your host: Hi I'm Angela Atkins. I'm a best-selling author (and a total bookworm) and run writing groups and book clubs in Sevilla and Madrid. I'm spending the summer in Leeds so wanted to help writers with their journey. I also run 3 hour writing labs (check out the listings for all the details), and mentor authors who are starting out.
Any questions let me know.
For more about me, just visit Angela-Atkins.com - Writing Challenge and Critique SessionThe Brewery Tap, Leeds
This session is for writers of all levels, from beginners to experienced authors, who write fiction.
How it works: After introductions, we spend the first hour doing a writing exercise. These are informal with positive discussion on what worked well. And they are great to see the different ways people write!
Then we see who wants to read something and get feedback. You don't have to share, you can just come along and discuss the readings and meet other writers but you must participate and give feedback.
Each person gets 10 minutes to read, and 5 - 10 minutes for feedback and discussion (timing depends on how many people are reading that evening).Timing: The session starts at 5.30pm and runs to 7.30pm. Please arrive a few minutes before the group starts so that you don't miss out on introductions!
Cost: The event is free.
Your host: Hi I'm Angela Atkins. I'm a best-selling author (and a total bookworm) and run writing groups and book clubs in Sevilla and Madrid. I'm spending the summer in Leeds so wanted to help writers with their journey. I also run 3 hour writing labs (check out the listings for all the details), and mentor authors who are starting out.
Any questions let me know.
For more about me, just visit Angela-Atkins.com
