Fiction Writing London

Fiction Feedback Workshop

In our regular feedback workshops, we have three writers sharing a sample of their writing for immediate feedback, advice and encouragement. Critique is led and moderated by your host. You learn more by listening to the writing of others and the feedback their piece receives on the night than you can imagine. We've been running these sessions since 2010 and there's a reason they fill up so fast! For reading samples, pieces must be **3,500 words or less** as you'll have about 45mins for reading and discussion on your excerpt from around the table. Most people bring an excerpt from their novel or a short story of all genres and styles. You must have booked your place before making a request to read. If you'd like to read, book your seat first and post a comment below with ***'I'd like to read'*** and I will confirm. It's a first request, first reading system so do check if there have been three requests made already. If this one has no reading spots left, you might like to book early for the next upcoming session. Reading spots go FAST but there are always more to come. That said, we don't allow the same people usually to share work in consecutive sessions. If you are reading, **please bring enough printed copies (at least 10)** of your pages so members can make additional feedback/editing notes for you during the reading. All copies will be returned to you after the feedback has concluded. New members are always welcome in these groups. Most people come along to a few sessions before offering feedback, commenting or requesting to read but it's up to you. If you want to read right away, great, but if you want to come along and see how we roll first, that makes sense too. Again, you'll be surprised by how much you can learn from others by listening to the pieces and their feedback. Most sessions have 50/50 split on new members vs regulars. After the workshop, most of us head to the bar for a social drink or two and extended conversation about the joys and woes of writing. **TICKETS:** £15.00 for venue arrangements, organising and hosting. Please follow the steps to pay via PayPal when you RSVP. **PLEASE NOTE:** **Refunds or credits will only be provided if the meetup is cancelled or rescheduled.** We cannot offer refunds or credit for another session if you decide not to attend on the day. Please change your RSVP if you no longer plan to attend. We often have people on the waiting list and we'd hate for others to miss out. Failing to show up means you'll be flagged as a 'no show' and potentially removed from the group if this happens frequently. It takes only a minute to change your RSVP before the meeting starts. Manners cost nothing, folks. Location: **Williamsons Tavern** is located in a tiny courtyard off Bow Lane in Cheapside, closest tube station is Bank. Address: 1 Groveland Ct, London EC4M 9EH. Grab a drink and come to the private room downstairs. We start promptly so please try and be on time. Try the official Meetup app to receive last-minute updates and notifications about our events as they happen to your phone. [Download it now](https://www.meetup.com/apps/). These workshops are hosted by me - Lisa Goll, Boss Lady at London Writers' Cafe - I'm a publishing professional with more than twenty years of working within the publishing industry. Added to that, I've been leading LWC workshops for writers since 2010 too. See more about [me on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisagoll/) or Insta me @LisasShare @LondonWritersCafe Question? Post a comment below.

The Colorado Kid (Pub Meetup)

Finally, we are about to start delving into King's crime era! Book blurb follows: On an island off the coast of Maine, a man is found dead. There's no identification on the body. Only the dogged work of a pair of local newspapermen and a graduate student in forensics turns up any clues. But that's just the beginning of the mystery. Because the more they learn about the man and the baffling circumstances of his death, the less they understand. Was it an impossible crime? Or something stranger still...? No one but Stephen King could tell this story about the darkness at the heart of the unknown and our compulsion to investigate the unexplained. With echoes of Dashiell Hammett's The Maltese Falcon and the work of Graham Greene, one of the world's great storytellers presents a surprising tale that explores the nature of mystery itself... The meeting will probably last about 2-3 hours including drinks breaks. Please look out for any great second hand versions, there are a load of great covers out there - do post them on here and/or bring them along to the meeting! We will be meeting upstairs at the Prince of Wales pub (though please check this nearer the time in case plans change). Please do not bring in your own food or drink from outside as we rely on the pub letting us book the private room at no cost. The second session on Thursday will be on Zoom so if you are not able to attend in person in London then please RSVP to the second session.

Write-in at the Mitre: work on your own material in convivial company

**We will be at The Mitre pub in central Greenwich.** This meetup is free and casual. We just sit around for a few hours and write together. Bring a laptop, or use a pen and paper or clay tablet and stylus if that's what works for you. The structure of the session is roughly: 2pm: chat 2:20–3:25: writing time 3:25: chat/coffee break 3:40–4:45 writing time 4:45: chat But our Saturdays are very casual, so feel free to drop in and out. **This is usually in the meeting room at the Mitre. If you arrive a bit later, you may need to ask the bar staff to show you through to the room.**

Evening critiquing session

Write-in at the Mitre: work on your own material in convivial company

**We will be at The Mitre pub in central Greenwich.** This meetup is free and casual. We just sit around for a few hours and write together. Bring a laptop, or use a pen and paper or clay tablet and stylus if that's what works for you. The structure of the session is roughly: 2pm: chat 2:20–3:25: writing time 3:25: chat/coffee break 3:40–4:45 writing time 4:45: chat But our Saturdays are very casual, so feel free to drop in and out. **This is usually in the meeting room at the Mitre. If you arrive a bit later, you may need to ask the bar staff to show you through to the room.**

The Writers Corner (in-person session)

Join our group for under-represented writers who want more time to write, feedback on their work, and tips on developing their craft. \*\* Please come to the Reading Room on the 2nd floor at The Wellcome Collection and look out for the Writer's Corner sign \*\* The Writers' Corner is a peer support community for under-represented writers, with bi-monthly meet-ups both online and in-person. Join us if you want more time and space to write, get feedback on your work or to develop your craft. We welcome all writers who tend to get overlooked by the publishing industry, or struggle to afford the costs of other writing courses and groups. We'll let you self define, but we particularly welcome writers of colour, those from the LGBTQ+ community, disabled writers, unpaid carers, low income writers and anyone who self-defines as a woman. While we have done our best to pick venues that are accessible to all, if you have any specific accesss requirements please send us a message so we can discuss how we can meet your needs. That includes anyone feeling anxious about attending a group for the first time (very happy for you to come a bit early, before everyone else, if that helps). The session will work as follows: 1\. Introductions 2\. Warm up exercise 3\. Writing time \(work on your own project or get a prompt\) 4\. Feedback 5\. Set writing goals for the next month

The Writers Corner (online)

Join our Zoom for under-represented writers who want more time to write, feedback on their work, and tips on developing their craft. Join via the Zoom link: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/SusVpCPwTByr0k6w9QkJCA The Writers’ Corner is a peer support community for under-represented writers, with bi-monthly meet-ups both online and in-person. Join us if you want more time and space to write, get feedback on your work or to develop your craft. We welcome all writers who tend to get overlooked by the publishing industry, or struggle to afford the costs of other writing courses and groups. We’ll let you self define, but we particularly welcome writers of colour, those from the LGBTQ+ community, disabled writers, unpaid carers, low income writers and anyone who self-defines as a woman. If you have any specific access requirements please send us a message so we can discuss how we can meet your needs. That includes anyone feeling anxious about attending a group for the first time (very happy for you to come a bit early, before everyone else, if that helps). The session will work as follows: 1\. Introductions 2\. Warm up exercise 3\. Writing time \(work on your own project or get a prompt\) 4\. Feedback 5\. Set writing goals for the next month

Flash Fiction - Once Upon a Pub!

YOU CAN ALSO BOOK DIRECTLY VIA OUR WEBSITE HERE: https://www.writeandpint.com/events/flash-fiction-once-upon-a-pub-a-free-book . Hi there! For this session, we'll be using a single tarot card draw to spark fast, instinctive fiction — no deliberating, no second-guessing, just you and the story that lands. The session will be hosted by published fiction writer, editor, and general story lover, Annie Percik. If you're already writing something, great! And if you're approaching the page for the very first time — that's great, too! **Whoever you are, we'd love you to come and join us.** When you arrive, please feel free to buy yourself a drink at the bar, then come and join us in the upstairs function room and say hello to some new, friendly faces before we begin. \*\*\*No experience of creative writing is necessary. \*\*\*No pressure to read your work in front of the group. **For this session, we'll be working in the spirit of flash fiction** — tight time limits, very short pieces, and a single card draw to get you going. You'll write to a prompt, trust your first instinct, and see what emerges when you don't give yourself time to overthink it. Fast, focused, and surprisingly revealing. You're welcome to use the session to develop something you're already working on, but if you're just starting out, the constraints of flash are actually a brilliant place to begin. We've been hosting writing workshops, social events, retreats, and courses for 10+ years now and we strive to make our events inclusive, friendly, informative, and highly creative. If you have **any questions whatsoever, you're very welcome to text 07891948039** and we'll answer as soon as possible! Otherwise, please RSVP, book the date in your diary, and join us for this exciting event. Cheers! Write & a Pint

The Writers Corner (online)

Join our Zoom for under-represented writers who want more time to write, feedback on their work, and tips on developing their craft. Sign up via Evenbrite to get the Zoom link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-writers-corner-online-tickets-1989203049870 The Writers’ Corner is a peer support community for under-represented writers, with bi-monthly meet-ups both online and in-person. Join us if you want more time and space to write, get feedback on your work or to develop your craft. We welcome all writers who tend to get overlooked by the publishing industry, or struggle to afford the costs of other writing courses and groups. We’ll let you self define, but we particularly welcome writers of colour, those from the LGBTQ+ community, disabled writers, unpaid carers, low income writers and anyone who self-defines as a woman. If you have any specific access requirements please send us a message so we can discuss how we can meet your needs. That includes anyone feeling anxious about attending a group for the first time (very happy for you to come a bit early, before everyone else, if that helps). The session will work as follows: 1\. Introductions 2\. Warm up exercise 3\. Writing time \(work on your own project or get a prompt\) 4\. Feedback 5\. Set writing goals for the next month

Writing Retreat - 9th to 13th July!

**For more information, please visit: https://www.writeandpint.com/events/to-be-continued-3-0-summer-writing-retreat-w-new-material-new-exercises** **...** **WE'VE ADDED AN EXTRA DAY SINCE LAST YEAR'S RETREAT BUT HAVEN'T INCREASED THE PRICE!** ***[IF YOU'RE THINKING ABOUT JOINING US, LET'S CONNECT FOR A 30-MINUTE DISCOVERY CALL - ASK US ANYTHING YOU LIKE - AND TOGETHER WE'LL MAKE SURE YOU GET THE ABSOLUTE MOST OUT OF THE EXPERIENCE](https://calendly.com/definingchapter/30-minute-discovery-call)*** Hi everyone! Welcome to our (late) summer writing retreat! Join us for 4+ days in Glastonbury Somerset to **write the work of your life**. **9th, 10th, 11th, 12th and 13th July** (Check in 3pm on the Thursday - check out 11am on the Monday + closing ceremony) Stay in luxury glamping lodges. Join us for BBQs and pizza making in woodfire ovens. Listen to the cows in neighbouring fields as you watch a stream of water trickle through the glamping site under the bridge. Before I tell you what the focus of the retreat will be, take a look at last year's experience - we'd love you to be there with us this time! **WATCH OUR VIDEO HERE ↓↓↓** **LOOK AT PICS FROM PREVIOUS YEARS' RETREAT ↓↓↓**                               **Focus of the retreat:** * Write the work of your life * Get 2 x 1.5-hour Creativity Feedback Coaching Sessions * Receive feedback on up to 3,000 Words * Make new friends * Learn about tone, dialogue, perspective, & narrative development * Join us for 7 x writing workshops * Settle into several silent writing sessions and create in your own time * Take part in a themed collage workshop * Eat, drink, nap, play, and... * Take walks in the countryside * * Make definitive plans, plots, outlines, and life arrangements to ensure you complete the work when the retreat is over! **Who you need to be:** * A person with an idea for a book! (That's all!) **What we'll provide:** * A beautiful, comfortable glamping lodge for your to sleep, eat, talk, socialise, and hangout in * Breakfast, lunch and dinner each day (\*including BBQ and pizza in the woodfire ovens - vegan and non-vegan both available) * 7 x professional designed writing workshops to help you with form, arc, narrative, character, tone and style * Games in the games room at night * A cowbell wake-up call/call to action for each workshop, so you don't nap through the opportunity (easily done)! * 2 x 1.5-hour, one-to-one support and feedback sessions for your creative work (\*one of these will take place prior to the retreat + one will take place after it). * Feedback on up to 3,000 words of your creative writing **What you need to bring:** * Yourself * A pen and pad * A laptop (if you like) * Any extra snacks or drinks (alcoholic or otherwise) **Who will be hosting the retreat?** My name is Sean. I've been hosting writing workshops for 10+ years and have worked as an editor, copyeditor, and writer for Oxford University Press, ETH Zurich, The Conflict Research Society, Savoo, and other entities. I'm a trained creativity coach with a diploma from Animas Coaching Institute, and a qualified existential coach, with a CPD from renowned author and trainer, Monica Hanaway. I'm also fortunate enough to have studied novel writing with Curtis Brown Literary Agency and screenwriting with MetFilm Academy (both of which for 6-month diplomas). Writing is a longstanding passion of mine. I care deeply about other people and their work, and my sole intention is to make sure you realise your potential as a writer! Whether you're writing Sci Fi, literary fiction, fantasy, thriller, romance, postmodern, or any other genre, I'm here to help and can't wait to meet you there! **What level should I be writing at?** * Beginners 100% welcome * Experienced writers 100% welcome * Supportive, nourishing, caring people only!! **How will I get all the way to Glastonbury?** Once we have our bookings in, we'll start a car-sharing / train journey companions email thread to make sure everybody is well looked after and knows how to get there. If in doubt, please text me on the number below for more information about this! **More about the venue:** **What if I have questions?** You're very welcome to text me on 07534 981 636 if you think you might like to join us but you have some questions about accommodation, food, alone time vs. being social, travel to the retreat centre, etc. -- or anything else!

Revealing Writing

**A space for exploring creative writing as practice and journaling for self reflection. There will the support of the group, suggested exercises, methods and forms. Space to share your words, space to choose not to. Share your struggles and surprises with your creativity. A space in your week to connect, drop deeper and breathe some life into some familiar and strange ideas.** **Writing can be a practice of journaling to get your thoughts and feelings onto the page and have some distance and perspective. There can be a sense of finding out something new through writing that brings up unexpected thoughts, stories and emotions. This can be a therapy of taking more care of yourself, mind and heart.** **Writing slows our words down, and gives us time to taste, observe and pay attention to the flow and receiving of words and language. Did I really say that? And who said that? Can be revealing questions and open new ways of being yourself with others. We can also be with our choices to share, not to share, exploring privacy and secrets in our communications. Our words often reveal what we are not able or willing to say and so we may ask ourselves, how is this true? And stay interested in the gaps, pauses and shadows of our descriptions.** I will be writing a case study on this group, I will anonymise everyone and anything that could identify the members of the group.

Camden Writing Group - 2h in-person