Writing Groups
Writing Groups Information collated by Allen Ashley, Special Projects
In my survey and article “Calling Up The Groups” (published in “BFS Journal 17”), I set out many of the benefits of belonging to a writing group. Further to that piece, I put together this resource – a list of writing groups run by BFS members or associates. I have now revised and updated this information. To the best of my knowledge, all information is correct at time of going to press (April 2019). If you have any amendments, comments or updates to offer – or if you know of a group not listed here – please get in touch with me via email: projects@britishfantasysociety.org
These are brief notes and contact addresses for each group. Please make any enquiries direct to the person or organisation listed, not via me! (Except for Clockhouse London Writers – which is run by me). Good luck – Allen
Regular Groups
Middle Oak
Smaller, more personal participatory writing group based in Barnet, Greater London. Send an enquiry to Sandra Unerman on sandraunerman@gmail.com
Northwrite
Participatory group based in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire.
Website: http://www.northwriteSF.com
All enquiries to Jacey Bedford: jacey@jaceybedford.co.uk
Milford SF Writers’ Conference
Annual, high-quality critiquing / networking residential week. British version of “Clarion”.
Web: http://www.milfordSF.co.uk
Or email Jacey Bedford on: jacey@jaceybedford.co.uk
Glasgow SF Writers’ Circle
Critiquing, participatory group based in… Glasgow!
Enquiries to: glasgowsfwriters@gsfwc.co.uk
Renegade Writers
Participatory, critiquing group based in Newcastle-under-Lyme
Renegade Writers website: https://renegadewriters.wordpress.com/
Contact Peter Coleborn on: renewriters@gmail.com
The Speculators
Based in Leicester. Critiquing and writing.
Website: https://leicesterspeculators.wordpress.com/about/
Address all membership and attendance enquiries to Selina Lock on: selina.lock@googlemail.com
Clockhouse London Writers
Participatory writing group based in north London. Meets every six weeks.
Website: http://clockhouselondonwriters.wordpress.com/
Contact Allen Ashley on: clockhouselondonwriters@hotmail.co.uk
Cannon Hill Writers’ Group
Critiquing and workshop group based in Birmingham.
Web address is: https://cannonhillwriters.wordpress.com
Contact Pauline Morgan on: Pauline@PandCMorgan.demon.co.uk
Chalk Scribblers
Meets in Costa, Belsize Park, London every Saturday from 10am. Friendly, welcoming, active writing group. Suitable for all levels. Free. Enquiries to: David: cockburndj@gmail.com or Olga: design.green@gmail.com
Orbit groups
Online critiquing / mentoring SF groups overseen by Ms Terry Jackman.
Contact Terry Jackman on Terry@terryjackman.co.uk
Vale Royal Writers’ Group
Participatory group meets first Monday of month 7.30pm at Blue Cap Pub on the A556 at Sandiway, near Northwich, mid-Cheshire.
Contact: Bob Barker (chair) info@vrwg.co.uk
Info: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ValeRoyalWritersGroup/
North Bristol Writers
Participatory group meets fortnightly in Bristol. Active in local scene – SF, horror, general literature.
Contact: Peter Sutton on northbristolwriters@gmail.com
CWIL – Cambridge Writers of Imaginative Literature
Meet alternate Thursdays at 7.30 at Scholars Cafe, Cambridge Youth Hostel on the corner of Devonshire Road. SF and fantasy. Helpful, encouraging critique offered by members, many of whom have been published. This is believed to be the only specifically genre focused writing group in the whole of East Anglia.
Contact them at: CWIL@groups.io for further info and date of next meeting.
Talliston Writers’ Circle
Meets monthly at Talliston House & Gardens, Newton Green, Great Dunmow, Essex CM6 1DU.
Critiquing; also market information and other support.
Contact: John Tarrow on: jetx@aol.com
Swindon Free Writers
Based in Swindon. Meet on first Saturday of month. Space to write, discuss, ask writing related questions, etc.
Contact: Nick Hembery on mail@swindonfreewriters.com
Greenwich Writers
Meet in Woolwich Equitable Pub, Woolwich, London.
Mainly a critiquing group – Fortnightly Every other Wednesday; also writing sessions – Fortnightly Every other Saturday.
Contact: George Patrick on Gpatrick66@hotmail.com
Derby Scribes
Run under the aegis of Writing East Midlands. Writing and critiquing group for writers of all styles, genres, and levels of experience. Meet on the 1st and 3rd Monday of every month, in the Royal Room upstairs at The Tap on Derwent St, 7.30-9.30pm.
Contact: email – derbyscribes@gmail.com or visit: www.facebook.com/derbyscribes
The T Party
Active, participatory group based in London and South East.
Web: https://tpartywriters.wordpress.com/members/becoming-a-member/
Or send an enquiry via their web page: https://tpartywriters.wordpress.com/contact/email-us/
Allen’s note on |The T Party:
The website seems moribund and is two years out of date. I have heard rumours that they are re-branding as “Gravity’s Angels”. If I get any updates, I will post here. In the meantime, for London / South East – contact Clockhouse or Talliston or CWIL or Greenwich Writers.
Courses and Cumulative Workshops
University of Bedford
The Creative Writing degree option at the University of Bedfordshire based in Luton offers several genre modules such as “Writing Horror and Dark Fantasy”.
Contact Lesley McKenna on: lesley.mckenna@beds.ac.uk
The Writers’ Greenhouse
Based in Oxford. Run by Megan Kerr. Offers several term-length participatory courses in genre fiction such as “Story Elements”.
The Writers’ Greenhouse website: http://www.thewritersgreenhouse.co.uk/
Contact Megan Kerr on: megan@thewritersgreenhouse.co.uk