READ AND FEEDBACK WORKSHOPS –

Saturday 20th June 4pm-6pm

Tuesday 23rd June 6pm-8pm

Sunday 28th June 4pm-6pm

Tuesday 30th June 6pm-8pm

“There’s something about the relaxed atmosphere they create which helps to loosen the anxieties of writing”

We are the team at Creative Writing Workshops London (prize-winning author, Diane Chandler, and author turned publisher, Stephanie Zia of Blackbird Digital Books). We have been running small group Creative Writing Workshops in West London since 2017. Nearly two hundred students have sat around Diane’s kitchen table and unleashed their imagination through a series of fun and simple exercises. See our recent feedback below. Given the difficulty of social distancing around a kitchen table, our workshops are currently on hold. Instead, we are running a series of Read and Feedback Workshops on Zoom for writers to read out their work and receive critical feedback from all present.

Each workshop lasts for up to two hours via a Zoom meeting (link provided on booking). Each one allows for a maximum of four people to read out up to 3,000 words of their work and receive critical feedback – both from Diane and Stephanie, and from the other participants present. A minimum of two people will be required for the workshop to proceed – and the session will be shorter if fewer than four people attend. Those participants who remain until the end of the workshop will also receive written feedback from both Diane and Stephanie. NB. This written feedback will only apply to those who remain until the end of the workshop, to ensure that all participants present receive full feedback from all.

We will begin each workshop by sharing our guidelines for both receiving critical feedback and giving feedback to others. Each participant will then have ten to fifteen minutes to read out their work and a further ten to fifteen to receive feedback, depending on the number of participants present. As a rule of thumb, one A4 page of 1.5 line spacing will consist of about 500 words and take about two minutes to read out. You will have emailed us your piece (so, max 6 pages of A4 with 1.5 line spacing) in advance of the workshop and we will have distributed this anonymously to all participants by email. The fee for each workshop is £40..

Recent feedback for our Creative Writing Workshops:

"An absolutely brilliant course! Concise, clear and full of humour."

"Exceeded my expectations.. cosy, intimate, yet professionally run."

"You both created a nurturing, productive and inclusive environment... though you made it seem effortless it was an extremely well-planned and considered workshop and I learnt a lot whilst thoroughly enjoying myself, which is rare"

“I have been to several of Diane and Steph’s classes and each one has been both a fun and thought-provoking experience. There’s something about the relaxed atmosphere they create which helps to loosen the anxieties of writing and I have found that effect continues well after the course.”

"Friendly and welcoming atmosphere... no pressure to share"

"Became aware that I have more imagination than I thought, an extraordinary discovery. Felt safe to share."

"Inspired me to write again"