Writing West Midlands

14/02/2025

📚 Treat yourself to a Poetry Spa Day on Saturday 22 Feb with host Roz Goddard & guest poet Roy McFarlane at Bantock House . An immersive, mindful reading & poetry experience. Your ticket includes a book & refreshments.

🔗 https://buff.ly/3BmgGgZ

14/02/2025

📣 We have an array of short courses and workshops this spring for those interested in creative writing.

From creative practitioner funding, writing a radio drama in 5-weeks, navigating self or traditional publishing to understanding the different stages of editing a novel.

These courses provide key, insightful and valuable information you will need for your author journey. Visit our website for more information!

14/02/2025

🎊 Last year, Birmingham Literary Festival Harriet Wistrich discussed women and their experiences with the criminal justice system, alongside KC Wendy Joseph. We are pleased to hear Sister in in-Law has been longlisted for the Women's Prize non-fiction category.

13/02/2025

📩 Funding for writers and other creative professionals. Jonathan Davidson Chief Executive of Writing West Midlands discusses DYCP funding - Arts Council England's funding offering for creative practitioners.

13/02/2025

The Government recently launched a consultation on AI and copyright. Now is the time to have your say and make sure that legislators hear the concerns of creators. The Government is trying to introduce an act that could affect copyright laws. They are proposing to introduce a copyright exception for the use of works to train AI models, with the ability of rightsholders to “reserve their rights” or “opt their works out”.

Make sure to submit to fill in the consultation before the deadline on the 25th of February. If you head to the ALCS website for guidance on the consultation and resources to write to your MP.

https://buff.ly/4hW9Eir

12/02/2025

Mark Edwards writes psychological thrillers about scary things happening to ordinary people. He has sold more than five million copies of his books and topped the bestseller lists numerous times. Starting with no industry contacts or knowledge of publishing, but with a background in marketing, Mark first achieved success through self-publishing, then traditional publishing.

Following on from the very popular course and workshop Mark ran for Writing West Midlands last year, in April he will return to teach his five-week online course called Everything But The Book, sharing his wealth of experience to help writers lay the groundwork for success from day one.

Make sure to follow him and check out his work!

12/02/2025

🖊️ Across five Zoom sessions, Alison May will share the skills to revise and edit even the messiest first draft into a finished manuscript!

📆 Thursdays 17th of April - 15th May 2025
⏰ 7-9pm

👆 Head to the 'Get Tickets' Button at the top of our page.

11/02/2025

🎙️ Join Helen Cross for live Zoom classes on Tuesdays, 7–9 PM, starting 4th March 2025. Over 5 weeks, you'll craft a 45-minute drama while learning the ins and outs of writing for radio! Don’t miss this chance to develop your skills and explore exciting opportunities in the growing audio drama industry!

🔗 https://buff.ly/4jaEEwx

10/02/2025

Across 5 live Zoom sessions, established and successful author Mark Edwards will share his wealth of experience and help you learn how to find an audience for your work, avoiding all the most common mistakes.

📅 Wednesdays 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd & 30th April 2025
⏰ 19:00 – 21:00 BST
📍 Live Online Zoom Sessions
🔗 https://buff.ly/42kJlhv

10/02/2025

📣Tickets for the National Writers Conference 2025 are now on sale!📣

Join us for a day of insightful presentations, engaging panel discussions and invaluable networking opportunities with a friendly community of writers.

Leading writers, publishers and other industry experts will present on topics to supercharge your writing career, such as:

🖊️Digital Promotion - using TikTok, Instagram and other digital platforms to promote your writing.

🖊️Funding for Writers - advice & guidance from organisations, including Arts Council England

🖊️Writing for Audio - finding routes to getting your work on the BBC and beyond

🖊️The Future for Writers – what accelerating change might mean for all of us

Date: 31st May 2025

Time 10am – 4pm (registration from 9.15am)

Location: Bramall Music Building, University of Birmingham.

08/02/2025

: Use your body and sensory experiences to create an immersive experience for your audience. ✨

07/02/2025

Are you a writer/creative professional ready to sharpen your skills and take your craft to the next level?

An Arts Council England’s Developing Your Creative Practice (DYCP) award gives writers, storytellers and performers the time and funding they need to develop their creativity.

With DYCP Round 23 opening in early March 2025, this engaging two-part workshop is designed to help you work out how you want to develop your creative practice, define your goals and shape a compelling application.

🔗 https://buff.ly/4aex6Vv

06/02/2025

Alison May is an established author, writing mentor, and freelance editor. Across five zoom sessions she will share the skills to revise and edit even the messiest first draft into a finished manuscript.

Her past students and mentoring clients have gone on to achieve agent representation, publication with traditional publishers – including Avon, Boldwood, Bookouture, Fourth Estate, Headline, Head of Zeus and HQ – and to self-publish successfully.

Head to our website to secure your place and start your editing journey.
🔗 https://buff.ly/3Ch7D1l

05/02/2025

Learn how to publish your books and build a fanbase of readers across 5 live and interactive online sessions with expert Ken Preston!

⏰ Thursdays 19:00 - 21:00 GMT
📅 13th, 20th, 27th February, 13th March and 20th March 2025.
🔗 https://buff.ly/4fpHyeJ

Learn the variety of ways in which you can self-publish, and get your work in front of readers.

04/02/2025

🎙️ Write your audio drama!

Join Helen Cross for live Zoom classes on Tuesdays, 7–9 PM, starting 4th March 2025. Over 5 weeks, you'll craft a 45-minute drama while learning the ins and outs of writing for radio.

Secure your place today:
🔗 https://buff.ly/4jaEEwx

03/02/2025

Across 5 live Zoom sessions, established and successful author Mark Edwards will share his wealth of experience and help you learn how to find an audience for your work, avoiding all the most common mistakes.

📅 Wednesdays 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd & 30th April 2025
⏰ 19:00 – 21:00 BST
📍 Live Online Zoom Sessions
🔗 https://buff.ly/4hgfPy0