Blogging Groups London

Her Sound in Bloom

**Her Sound in Bloom** is an in-person networking event in London for women aged 35 and over who work in music or are finding their way into it. **We’re not ageing, darling — we’re blooming! 🌸** Your voice deserves to be heard, and your creativity deserves space to grow. Organised and led by **singer-songwriter and entrepreneur Freya Alley**, 'Her Sound in Bloom' brings together women aged 35 and over to meet, share experiences and support each other in music. Whether you’re an established artist, returning after a break or finding the courage to begin, you are welcome here. **Our first gathering is on 9 November, Monday** under the New Moon — a beautiful moment for new beginnings, friendships and projects! **🌙** **Dress up, put your lipstick on and join us in full bloom for a beautiful evening in London — just because we deserve it! 💋** Join us for relaxed networking and honest conversations about creativity, confidence, ambition and pursuing music on your own terms. Meet potential collaborators, make new friends and connect with women who understand the journey. **I have big dreams and plans for us!** This first event is just the beginning, and I can’t wait to see the friendships, collaborations and opportunities we’ll create together. Let’s start a ***movement*** and break the stereotypes about age and music. There’s no “too late” to create, take the stage or chase your dreams, and together, we’ll make room for more women to be seen, heard and celebrated. A little wisdom, a little mischief and absolutely no expiry date on your dreams. **London venue to be confirmed, depending on the number of attendees.** **We’ve got experience, we’ve got stories— and we’ve still got plenty to say / SING.**

30-Day Writing Challenge (*PLEASE READ CAREFULLY, RE: DATES)

**[FOR ACCESS TO OTHER "TIERS", BOOK DIRECTLY VIA OUR WEBSITE HERE: https://www.writeandpint.com/events/30-day-writing-challenge-2026** ... **30-Day Writing Challenge 2026** *Hosted by A Write & a Pint* Do you miss NaNoWriMo? We do too! 💭 This is our second year hosting A Write & a Pint’s 30-Day Writing Challenge, an exciting alternative to NaNoWriMo but in the same tradition! Last year, we had just over 30 people join us to make progress on their writing. This year, well, we're ready for however many want to be part of the challenge! If you’d like to join us throughout November 🍂, you’ll build momentum on your writing project in community with others 🤝. We’ll have live weekly online workshops 💻, workshop recordings 🎥, online accountability 📲, and social events 🎉 with other writers to help hone your skills and focus on your writing. ### **Who is this for?** 🤔 If you’re a writer or would-be writer working on a book of prose, poetry, or just any writing project, this is for you! It might be fiction ✨, memoir 📝, biography 👤, autofiction 🔄, autoethnography 🌍, a collection of short stories or poems 📚, or anything in between. You just need something to work on that you want to make tangible progress on over 30 days 📆, with support and in community 🌟. ### **What is the challenge?** 🎯 The challenge – if you choose to accept it – is just like NaNoWriMo, and to write a full, 50,000+ word manuscript 🖊️ in 30 days (wild, we know! 😅). And for anybody who makes it to **at least 10,000 words**, we invite you to submit your favourite 500-word excerpt ✨ to our competition. The author of our favourite piece will win a **Penguin Mini Classics Box Set** 🎁 🐧 (RRP £100). *Note: organisers Sean and Shimrit + 2 × guest judges will be reading each piece and whittling them down to a short list before choosing a winner.* That said, if you just want to join to be able to make meaningful progress on your writing in community, without needing to track wordcount, you are still very much welcome to join us! This is for anyone who wants to spend November committed to their writing, alongside others doing the same, and with support.  ### **How it works** ⚙️ Through November, you’ll join **8 live, online sessions** (1.5 hours each, twice a week) 🗓️. In the first half hour, we’ll work through practical exercises to hone your writing skills. We’ll then have an hour of shared, quiet writing time, where you can actively focus on your work. The sessions will cover topics such as **arc, plot, style, tone, character, dialogue, pace, and perspective** 🎭, and give you practical techniques and inspiration you can put to work straight away. Depending on the tier you sign up for, you might also participate in: * An all-day kick-off workshop at a London location 🍵 🥐 (with brunch + tea/coffee included) * An online midway-point check-in 💬 * A final “Read & Pint” social at a London location 🍷 📖 (with a drink included) * A 1.5-hour, one-to-one coaching session 🎓 to dive deeper into your writing * Editorial feedback on up to 1,500 words ✍️ 📝 You’ll also have the option of joining a dedicated **WhatsApp group** of fellow writers who are participating in the challenge 📲, for daily inspiration and accountability. Once you’re part of the WhatsApp community, there may also be people who want to commit to additional shared quiet writing time, or to self-organise writing meet-ups with others. The adventure is yours to craft! 🌟 ### **Total Value at a Glance 📌** * **12 hours** of live online workshops and focused writing time (All Tiers) * **Midway online “check-in”** gathering, to share challenges and progress (All Tiers) * **Designed journal** to accompany you through the month, including word tracker, worksheets, and daily pages (All Tiers) * **Facilitated WhatsApp group**, for daily support (All Tiers) * **1 full-day** in-person kick-off workshop in London, including brunch and a drink (Tiers 2 and 3) * **Final “Read & Pint”** in-person social with a drink, in London (Tiers 2 and 3) * **1.5-hour 1:1 coaching session** + feedback on up to 1,500 words (Tier 3) All participants will also be given a \*\*50% discount code to join our [Wake Up, Write membership ](https://www.writeandpint.com/pricing-plans/list)\*\*for the month, giving you access to our Morning Sessions up to three times a week, as an additional quite space to focus on your writing (All Tiers) ### **Pricing & Tiers** 💷 **Tier 1 – Weekly Online Workshops (£85)** * 8 x 1.5-hour live online sessions (twice a week) led by our facilitators, including skill-building exercises and focused writing time * Mid-point online check-in: gather with others and our facilitators to share and work through your challenges, progress, and successes so far * Dedicated journal to accompany you through the month * Accountability and community with fellow book writers * Membership of the WhatsApp group **Tier 2 – Weekly Workshops + Kick-Off and Finale (£130)** Everything in Tier 1, plus: * Kick-off (London venue): an all-day, in-person deep-dive to launch your month with momentum. Includes tea/coffee and brunch. * Final “Read & Pint” (London venue): a celebratory day of reflection, connection, and (if you’d like) the opportunity to share your words. Includes a drink of your choice (beer, wine, or soft) 🍻 **Tier 3 – Weekly Workshops, Kick-Off, and Finale, + Coaching (£205)** Everything in Tiers 1 and 2, plus: * **1.5-hour one-to-one creativity coaching** with Sean 🎓 * **Editorial feedback** on up to 1,500 words of your project ✍️ ### **Why is there a fee?** 💡 While NaNoWriMo was largely self-led, this challenge is built around **live, expertly designed workshops**, and (if you choose) a **day-long, in-person kick-off** (with food and drink included), a **community celebration**, and **personal coaching with editorial feedback**. So, unlike the self-governed NaNoWriMo, you’re investing in **teaching, handouts, structure, feedback, a month-long stable community, and peer support** that will help you move forward with your book. ### **Which tier is right for me? 🧭** * **Tier 1** – Best value if you simply want structured weekly workshops with focused writing time, and accountability. * **Tier 2** – Best value if you want the full community experience with the London kick-off and finale. * **Tier 3** – Great value if you want deeper, more personalised coaching from a professional editor (Sean) with hands-on feedback and lots of clarity around the direction you're taking. ### **Dates for your diary** 🗓️ **All tiers (online):** * **Saturday 1st November:** The challenge begins! * **Tuesday 3rd:** Workshop 1, on Arc * **Thursday 5th:** Workshop 2 on Plot * **Tuesday 10th:** Workshop 3 on Style * **Thursday 12th:** Workshop 4 on Tone * **Saturday 14th (2pm to 3:30pm):** Midpoint check-in circle * **Tuesday 17th November:** Workshop 5 on Character * **Thursday 19th November:** Workshop 6 on Dialogue * **Tuesday 24th November:** Workshop 7 on Pace * **Thursday 26th November:** Workshop 8 on Perspective * **Tuesday 1st December:** The challenge ends! Celebrate the month just passed together in our WhatsApp group, the milestone reached, and share your ongoing plans ✅ *All weekly workshops are from 6:30 to 8pm (UK), with themes subject to change. Each weekly workshop includes up to an hour of focused quiet writing time.* **Tiers 2 and 3:** * **Saturday 24th October, 11:00 am–5:00 pm (London venue):** Kick-off all-day workshop, to help you prepare for the challenge starting 🍵 🥐 * **Saturday 5th December, 11:00am to 5:00 pm (London venue):** A celebratory “Read & Pint” social to reflect, connect, plan forward, and (if you’d like) share your writing 🎉*Note: This final in-person session is where we will announce our competition winner and award the prize, a full box set of Penguin Mini Classics (and don’t worry, no speech required unless you want to!).* 🐧 🎁 **Tier 3:** * Your **1.5-hour one-to-one coaching session** can be booked with Sean at any point during November. You’re welcome to share up to **1,500 words** for editorial consideration and feedback ✍️ ### **Meet your hosts! 👋** **About Sean:** Sean is the founder of A Write & a Pint and is a huge fan of fiction, screenwriting, poetry, memoir, and all manner of other literary forms. He works occasionally as a copywriter for Oxford University Press and a copy editor for ETH Zurich in Switzerland. Over the years, he’s studied with Curtis Brown, Scriptwriters & Co., and MetFilm, and regularly coaches novelists, poets, screenwriters, and memoirists. Sean’s favourite genres are modern, postmodern, existential, and literary fiction – but he’s a big fan of everything from sci-fi and fantasy to thriller and comedy as well. 👨‍🏫 **About Shimrit:** Shimrit is a writer, poet, facilitator and researcher, and member of the A Write & a Pint team, co-hosting Wake Up, Write and writing retreats with Sean. She is co-author of *Nature of Work: The new story of work for a living age* (2021), which blends storytelling and research to explore what we can learn from nature to create healthier working environments. Since then, she’s taken her love of literature, poetry, and nature deeper into her own creative practice, and is currently working on a verse novel exploring what it means to remember ourselves as of nature. **Ready to commit a month to writing?** **🚀** Pick your tier and join us for **The A Write & a Pint 30-Day Writing Challenge**! 🎉 **Testimonials from the 30-Day Writing Challenge 2025** *"I loved participating in this 30 day writing challenge. I discovered so many unexpected and lovely things about how I like to write and what I would like to explore. I loved the learning aspect of the sessions as well as time to experiment and write together. All in all a wonderful experience, thank you!”* *"I’ve really enjoyed the 30 days challenge. It’s been incredibly nice to meet different people and listen to their brilliant ideas, including what they might be working on. I especially liked the varying workshops, which were delivered twice weekly – nothing like an extra arrow in one’s quiver. One of the main benefits for me, I felt, was that it almost forced me to make time to write so I’d have something to share with all. I would certainly recommend anyone to join the challenge, as its open to all people, no matter what standard you are. Sean and Shimrit are excellent and easy going hosts, who love what they do.”* *"Thank you for bringing me into this lovely, supportive community of writers brought together by the fantastic Sean and Shimrit. My creativity has been nurtured and my thinking stimulated - taking part in this challenge has genuinely accelerated and levelled up my writing and I’m so excited to see where I go with it next!”* *“The month nourished my creativity and was super helpful to get me writing again. We had lovely sessions (I took part online and in person) and I am already missing the community and gentle encouraging support to keep going!”* *“I've really loved this challenge and can't thank you both enough for reaching out and encouraging me to take the plunge on things. Even though I wasn't able to be as involved with sessions or the group because of my work (I could have done so much more writing); I've really benefited from having the group education, support and community. I've been going through a really hard time recently, I was even feeling dejected by writing which has always been my safe space. This challenge and community has helped me regain my confidence tenfold and has really encouraged me to keep doing what I love. The relaxed and down to earth nature of how you have run the challenge has been a breath of fresh air. I've been put off so many times by high costs and pretentiousness making me lesser because of being from a working class background. W&P has changed that for me and I am incredibly grateful.”* *“It was an amazing experience and would love to do it again.”* *“The W&P community is a precious pearl, holding in care so many diverse writers and creative thinkers. Sean and Shimrit gently, kindly inspire and support all of us to do the same for one another. It is, by far, filled with the best people I have had the privilege to know, and has had a genuine and lasting impact on my ability to move my writing forward thanks to the support of everyone.”* *“The challenge was perfect for me this month. Rather than the big, unachievable goal I had of 'finish the book', I have achieved the challenge of writing 10,000 words of my book in a month. It's a digestible, achievable goal which helped me recommit to my writing rather than it just feel like a huge unachievable burden. And I could start enjoying it again. The workshops were great and I enjoyed the different styles. I especially like the quiet writing opportunities in community, which really helps me get things done and in the zone. It was a pleasure to meet so many fellow writers and I loved hearing other people's contributions and what they are passionate about. I learnt so much from the community and they have inspired me. This month has been important for me to slow down, reengage with my passions and cosy up in my writing blanket. I've really appreciated the challenge and space."* 

Unapologetically Childfree @ Mercato Metropolitano, London, UK

🎉 **Hey London & Southern England Childfree Friends!** 🇬🇧 📅 **Date:** last Saturday of the Month 🕖 **Time:** 15h/3 PM - Whenever 📍 **Location:** Mercato Metropolitano, 42 Newington Causeway, SE1 6DR I'm so excited to announce that even though I'm back in Portugal, the Londoners are keeping the childfree meetup momentum going—something I’m incredibly thrilled about! 🥳 **This is an ongoing monthly meetup without me physically present and run by y'all**, and I couldn't be prouder of our community! 👯‍♀️✨ **Event Details:** * 🤝 **Who:** This meetup is for **childfree individuals, meaning anyone who doesn’t have or wants kids**. It’s the perfect opportunity to find like-minded people, share stories, and build lasting friendships. Whether you're a local or just passing through, everyone is welcome! 🫶❤️ * 🍕 **What:** Dinner, drinks, and great company at Mercato Metropolitano, an iconic market in London known for its vibrant atmosphere, diverse street food, craft beer, and artisanal shops. With plenty of food and drink options, there’s something for everyone—**including vegan and vegetarian options!** 🍻🍽️ * 📍 **Where:** Mercato Metropolitano offers plenty of space for large groups, making it the ideal spot for our gathering. You can explore its variety of stalls or simply relax and enjoy the evening. [Website: MercatoMetropolitano](https://mercatometropolitano.com). * 📓 **Please Note:** The meetup is free, but you'll be responsible for any food or drinks you purchase during the event. 💸 * 🎉 **Why You Should Join:** If you're ready to enjoy a casual evening with people who share the childfree lifestyle, this is the perfect opportunity. Our meetups are all about having fun, connecting with new people, and building a supportive community. 💫💬 * ⏰ **Arrive & Leave:** Feel free to arrive and leave as it suits you. Come for the entire evening or just pop by for a drink—no pressure! 🍷✨ * 📱 **Join the WhatsApp Group:** Stay in touch with the group and make it easier to connect on the day of the event. It’s also a great way to keep the conversation going afterward. 🔗 (You just need jump on my email list and you'll get access to all the Unapologetically Childfree™️ WhatsApp Groups: [https://maggiedickens.com/childfree-group-chat](https://catharticcounseling.com/childfree-group-chat)) **Unapologetically Yours** 🫶 **Maggie Dickens** **Host of the Unapologetically Childfree Community + Podcast** **Instagram: @MaggieGetsREAL** 📣 🚨 **Important: Event Participation Agreement** This Event Participation Agreement ("Agreement") is entered into by and between Maggie Dickens, owner of the Unapologetically Childfree™️ Community ("UCC"), and the Participant ("Participant"). By attending the event, the Participant agrees to the following terms: 1\. Disclaimer of Affiliation and Liability 1.1 No Affiliation with Third-Party Vendors: The UCC has no affiliation with third-party vendors at the venue. Participation in any activities or purchases from vendors is at the Participant's own discretion and risk. 1.2 No Financial Remuneration: No member of the UCC receives financial compensation from third-party vendors, and this is subject to change without notice. 1.3 Waiver of Liability: The Participant agrees to waive all liability and hold Maggie Dickens and the UCC harmless from any claims or damages arising from participation, including physical injuries, property damage, or financial loss. 2\. Voluntary Participation and Assumption of Risk 2.1 Participation is entirely voluntary, and the Participant assumes all risks, including any injuries or losses. 3\. Photography and Marketing Consent 3.1 The Participant consents to being photographed or recorded during the event for marketing purposes. 3.2 The Participant grants the UCC the right to use their likeness for promotion without compensation. 4\. General Provisions 4.1 The Participant is responsible for any costs incurred during the event. 4.2 This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement and can only be modified in writing. 4.3 This Agreement is governed by applicable laws.

London Write Publish Earn with AI

✍️ **Launch Your AI Ebook Business – Workshop** Turn your knowledge into sellable ebooks with AI doing most of the work. ⚠️ Register below to confirm your place — RSVP is not your ticket in. ### [🔗 CLAIM YOUR PLACE](https://aiventurelab.org/product/AIEbookBusiness?city=London&groupurlname=voltage-controlled-dreams-analog-synth-collective&startgmtdatetime=2026-10-18T16:15:00Z) --- What's covered: - Scale to multiple titles without burning out - Format and list ebooks so they actually sell - Write full ebooks with AI in hours, not weeks *Write once. Earn forever.* 📚

Practise Public Speaking at Bloomsbury Speakers London (Toastmasters)

This is our regular club meeting with prepared speeches, speech evaluations and "Table Topics" - a chance to practice impromptu speaking. Please arrive from 6:35pm for a prompt 6:45pm start. **Guests are always welcome and it's completely free**, but we do request that you buy drinks at the bar on arrival and during the break to support the venue. ABOUT BLOOMSBURY SPEAKERS Hello! Bloomsbury Speakers is a fun and friendly Toastmasters club near Farringdon in central London. We meet twice a month to improve our communication and public speaking skills by practising in a safe and supportive environment. New guests are always welcome and it's completely free. No need to book in advance (other than to receive a helpful reminder) - just show up on the evening! TYPICAL MEETING AGENDA A typical meeting agenda is as follows: 6:35 Doors open - meet and greet 6:45 Welcome from Club President 6:50 Introductions from Toastmaster and other meeting roles 7:00 Prepared Speeches (from club members) 7:40 Guest Introductions (a quick hello from the guests) Short break for refreshments 8:00 Speech Evaluations (of earlier speeches) 8:15 Table Topics (impromptu speeches of 1-2 minutes each) 8:35 Table Topics Evaluations 8:40 Reports and General Evaluation (of the meeting) 8:55 Awards (best speech, best evaluator, etc.) and announcements 9:00 Meeting close - retire to the bar! COME ALONG TO FIND OUT MORE! Visit our website for more information: https://www.bloomsburyspeakers.org.uk Toastmasters has helped thousands of people overcome nerves and improve their speaking confidence. Come along and find out how! Find your voice at #BloombsurySpeakers!

Evening critiquing session

Blood on the Clocktower @Three Crowns, Stoke Newington

🩸 Blood on the Clocktower is a game of murder and mystery, packed with bold lies, sharp logic, and just enough chaos to keep everyone guessing. **Walk-ins are welcome.** **Please note that the event is NOT limited to 10 attendees.** For anyone new to the group, a quick note: being on the **waiting list** does not mean you can’t attend on the day. The event is currently capped at 10 people because the Meetup app limits attendance numbers on the free subscription plan. As always, our events are completely free, we don’t ask for donations or charge for attendance, but unfortunately the app restrictions mean we have to keep the listed capacity limited. 🧠 Beginner-friendly, queer-friendly, and neurodivergent-friendly. Want to know how it works? 🎥 Watch this intro video: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M-aZP47Nm9g&t=58s](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M-aZP47Nm9g&t=58s) Want to see the chaos in action? 👀 Watch real games here: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Xhk7UmR9Qs&list=PLQBGXhGots83LIf1qY4Zg0Mp9qU1Kr2Hv](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Xhk7UmR9Qs&list=PLQBGXhGots83LIf1qY4Zg0Mp9qU1Kr2Hv) Come for the mystery. Stay for the lies. Trust no one. 😈🕰️

Feedback session in New Cross (message GRAIG for location.)

*Please ensure that you have READ THE SUBMISSIONS before attending the session. Contact Graig in advance for the submissions document and the exact location in NEW CROSS.* This session will focus on FEEDBACK for members' writing. We ask that people attend two meetings before submitting their own work. Read, read, read- and be ready to give thoughtful and detailed feedback at our meeting! We aim to finish at 10 each session, but several of us will often continue to socialise with a drink or two.

Cuppa/drinks at The Savoy.

Join me for a cuppa/drinks and nibbles at The Savoy. Please do not sign up and forget about this. I will ask for reconfirmation a week before otherwise I will give your place to someone else in the waiting list.

A Charlotte Street treat.

Join for a delicious Eastern Mediterranean lunch at Gallio, ([https://www.gallio.uk/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=google_business_profile&utm_term=Charlotte-Street](https://www.gallio.uk/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=google_business_profile&utm_term=Charlotte-Street)) Charlotte Street followed by a cuppa/drinks in the beautiful Charlotte hotel. As these are booked for 8 people only, please do not sign up and forget about it. Please remove yourself if you can no longer go.

Solo Travel Social

**Solo Travel Social.** Whether you’ve backpacked across Asia, taken solo city breaks around Europe, or are just planning your first independent trip, everyone is welcome! It’s a chance to chat about places you’ve been (or want to go), swap travel stories, share tips and recommendations, and hopefully meet some new people along the way. If solo travel is your thing, or you’re thinking about giving it a try, you’ll fit right in! Please feel free to bring friends! Location to be confirmed (it depends on the size of our group as we're **growing!**). It will be in Central London and I will update the event nearer the time. Also follow @Trusttrip.travel on Insta for more updates, and to continue sharing travel stories! [A place to share and discover real experiences, reviews and recommendations from our community.](https://www.instagram.com/trusttrip.travel)

A Sci Fi/Fantasy Feedback Session

Join us at Craft Beer Co. Brixton for our structured Sci-Fi & Fantasy Feedback Session. A supportive, focused space where writers can share their work and receive constructive, thoughtful critique. These sessions are designed not only to help authors refine their writing but also to strengthen our community. Giving feedback is as valuable as receiving it: by learning to critique effectively, we sharpen our own editorial instincts and deepen our understanding of craft. Whether you’re submitting work or attending as a reader, this is a collaborative, growth-focused environment. **FOR THOSE SUBMITTING WORK** **We select up to 4 submitted pieces for feedback each month. In order to submit please RSVP and send your submission to** **scififantasyauthors@gmail.com no later than the Friday prior to the session** to give organisers time to review submissions and arrange critique groups in advance. *Priority for submission slots is given to those who have attended a previous session.* To ensure quality and fairness, submission guidelines are as follows: * **A short introduction (2–3 paragraphs max.) explaining:** * The context and status of the piece (early draft? polished?) * What kind of feedback you’re looking for * **A novel chapter or short story of up to 4,000 words** * Strict word-count cut-off * Novel chapters do not necessarily need be the first chapter - just whatever you feel like would be most informative to receive critique! **FOR THOSE PROVIDING FEEDBACK** * Please RSVP and read the “How to Give Feedback” document that will be shared prior to attending. * You will be split into small groups and assigned one of the submitted pieces to provide feedback on. * Make sure to bring a device suitable for reading. A QR code to gain access to the pieces selected for feedback will be provided on the day. * There is no expectation to read anything in advance. All reading takes place during the session itself. We begin with dedicated silent reading time, ensuring that everyone engages with the piece equally and no one feels pressure to prepare outside the session. Just show up ready to read, think, and contribute. **SCHEDULE** Attendees will be placed into small critique groups of 4-5 people, each with an experienced facilitator to guide discussion and manage time. **6:30–6:45pm** – Arrival, drinks & group seating **6:45–7:30pm** – Silent reading & note-taking **7:30–8:00pm** – Structured feedback delivery **8:00–8:30pm** – Open roundtable discussion & author questions Each participant will have up to 5 minutes to share feedback during the structured critique section. Authors listen without interruption, with space for clarifying questions later in the roundtable. Whether you’re looking to polish a chapter, test an opening, or strengthen your editorial instincts, these sessions are an opportunity to grow together. RSVP early, as places are limited to ensure productive group sizes. If you can no longer attend, please update your RSVP.