Creative Writing London

[UPDATED TIME] Shut Up & Write!® @Camden Art Centre Café

**[UPDATED TIME]** Due to popular demand, **this event will now run from 3PM to 5.30PM.** This will allow us to have more time for writing and (hopefully) to avoid cutting it too close to the café's closing time. * **I can't make 3PM. Can I still join at 4PM?** The break between the focused writing sessions will fall at 4PM, so if you want to join then (as per usual), you're welcome to! Just be mindful that your fellow writers might be still focused on their work, so be quiet :) All writers and all experience levels are welcome and don’t worry, no one will see what you've written. We don’t host critiques or readings. These events are a safe space for writers of all skill levels and genres to work on their craft, so no one will read or critique your writing. **Event info** 1. When you show up, say hello and **please buy something from the café**, as this is a public space that kindly allow us to work on our laptops for prolonged periods of times. 2. Once everyone’s arrived, we'll have a **short intro, then we'll set the timer** for our quiet and focused writing session. 3. We'll have a **break at 4PM**, if you need a leg stretch, but this is not school: you can leave at any point as long as you don't disturb who is writing. 4. We’ll have **time to chat** and get to know each other (or to keep writing, if you feel inspired) at the end. **Venue info:** * We meet in a public café, so expect some noise around you. **Please bring your headphones**. * While some plugs are available, they might not be free while we are there. **Please charge your laptop beforehand**. * Since we're going to occupy a table for a while, **please buy something if you can (even a cup of tea will do)**! * Be mindful that the café closes at 6PM, so let's try to leave in a timely manner. **Travel info: Closest public transport stops** \- Finchley Road & Frognal \(Overground\)\, 1 min away \- West Hampstead Thameslink \(train\)\, 10 min away \- West Hampstead \(Overground\)\, 10 minutes away \- West Hampstead \(Underground\, Jubilee line\)\, 12 min away \- Bus stop FB \(bus 13\, 113\)\, 1 min away \- Bus stop FF \(bus 13\, 113\)\, 1 min away

[UPDATED TIME] Shut Up & Write!® @Camden Art Centre Café

**[UPDATED TIME]** Due to popular demand, **this event will now run from 3PM to 5.30PM.** This will allow us to have more time for writing and (hopefully) to avoid cutting it too close to the café's closing time. * **I can't make 3PM. Can I still join at 4PM?** The break between the focused writing sessions will fall at 4PM, so if you want to join then (as per usual), you're welcome to! Just be mindful that your fellow writers might be still focused on their work, so be quiet :) All writers and all experience levels are welcome and don’t worry, no one will see what you've written. We don’t host critiques or readings. These events are a safe space for writers of all skill levels and genres to work on their craft, so no one will read or critique your writing. **Event info** 1. When you show up, say hello and **please buy something from the café**, as this is a public space that kindly allow us to work on our laptops for prolonged periods of times. 2. Once everyone’s arrived, we'll have a **short intro, then we'll set the timer** for our quiet and focused writing session. 3. We'll have a **break at 4PM**, if you need a leg stretch, but this is not school: you can leave at any point as long as you don't disturb who is writing. 4. We’ll have **time to chat** and get to know each other (or to keep writing, if you feel inspired) at the end. **Venue info:** * We meet in a public café, so expect some noise around you. **Please bring your headphones**. * While some plugs are available, they might not be free while we are there. **Please charge your laptop beforehand**. * Since we're going to occupy a table for a while, **please buy something if you can (even a cup of tea will do)**! * Be mindful that the café closes at 6PM, so let's try to leave in a timely manner. **Travel info: Closest public transport stops** \- Finchley Road & Frognal \(Overground\)\, 1 min away \- West Hampstead Thameslink \(train\)\, 10 min away \- West Hampstead \(Overground\)\, 10 minutes away \- West Hampstead \(Underground\, Jubilee line\)\, 12 min away \- Bus stop FB \(bus 13\, 113\)\, 1 min away \- Bus stop FF \(bus 13\, 113\)\, 1 min away

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.

Idealism | Veins of London | Farringdon

**Philosophy of Being** **Wednesday the 21th of October** **21/10/26** **7:00PM** **- 9:00PM** **The Castle Farringdon** **34-35 Cowcross St, Greater London** **EC1M 6DB** **(We will be upstairs ask for Camden Bassett)** **Veins of London is a group for poets, beatniks, academics, writers, philosophers, artists, musicians, flâneurs and revolutionaries. You can find us in smoky back rooms or sat in picnics. We make the most of London’s rich ideas, history and culture.** **This week’s session is on Idealism, the metaphysical position, not just thinking in a utopian way. No prior philosophical experience required, it will all be made quite accessible. All of London, is invited.**

Fiction Feedback Workshop

Writers, learn more about writing fiction well through our constructive feedback, comradery and lively discussion. You'll be amazed at what you can learn by listening, and sharing your own words once you feel ready. No pressure. 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 Lisa Goll. Listening to the writing of others and the feedback their piece receives on the night is how we learn. We've been running these sessions since 2010 and there's a reason they fill up so fast! Usually, our workshops are limited to a group of 15 writers in total. Three reading; the rest listening, commenting and giving feedback. For people reading, 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 3,500 words from their novel or a short story of all genres and styles. If you'd like to read, please **post a comment below**. ***You must have booked your place before making a request to read.*** 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. After the workshop, most of us head to the bar for a social drink or two and extended conversation about the highs and woes of writing. **TICKETS:** £15.00 and please follow the steps to pay via PayPal when you RSVP. Ticket price pays for workshop fees, planning, hosting and organising which involve time and effort. A community of 4,500+ writers takes time to manage. PLEASE NOTE: Refunds or credits will only be provided if the workshop is cancelled by us. 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. Location: **The Sutton Arms EC1,** 6 Carthusian St, Barbican, London EC1M 6EB. Closest stations are Barbican, Farringdon and Moorgate. Use the official Meetup app to update your RSVPs, check what's on and last-minute 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.

A Sci Fi/Fantasy “Open Mic” Night

Join us for a relaxed and inspiring evening of storytelling! At this Open Mic Night, sci-fi and fantasy writers will share 5–10 minutes of their work—whether it’s a draft in progress or a polished piece. After everyone has read, **the audience will vote for one writer to take home a £20 Amazon Gift Card!** **You don’t have to read to attend**. If you’d rather just listen, support your fellow writers, and soak up the creativity, that’s absolutely welcome. This is a friendly, low-pressure environment for both readers and listeners. All we ask is that you please support the venue by buying drinks and snacks! **Want to read? We need at least 4 readers (maximum 6) for the event to go ahead. To sign up please join our WhatsApp group and look out for the call for readers in the main chat a few weeks before the event.** Come along, grab a drink, and let’s celebrate sci-fi and fantasy storytelling together!

Screenplay Critique - Alone Again Actually

A Sci Fi/Fantasy Authors Winter Social & Book Swap

Join us for our final event of the year! A London Sci-Fi/Fantasy Authors Winter Social! This casual gathering is for aspiring and published writers to share ideas, discuss their work and journeys, and connect with other like minded creatives in a relaxed and welcoming environment. **To celebrate the season and end of the year we will doing a "secret santa" style book swap at the social! If you want to take part then please bring a gift wrapped sci fi or fantasy novel (can be secondhand, paperpack, whatever you please) and pairs will then be given on the day to swap books!** \*TAKING PART IN THE BOOK SWAP IS TOTALLY OPTIONAL BUT ENCOURAGED haha.\* We’ll be meeting in the upstairs room of Craft Beer Co. Brixton for this social, so please support the venue by buying food and drinks to thank them for their support of the group this year! See you there!

Write Together Social (Holborn)

**Write together with other writers. If you write more surrounded by others, I hope you'll join these new sessions.** Starting up regular Saturday sessions where we writers will gather to write in the same space. There will be plenty of time for you to push forward your own individual projects, but I can provide a writing prompt, short exercise or challenge to anyone who needs them. You can book a spot for a guest with your ticket if you want to bring a writing friend with you. They don't have to be a member of our group. Timing: From **12:30** grab a drink, a table and set up **12:35** individual writing time\* *\*if you'd like a prompt or writing exercise, please ask when you arrive.* **13:15** take a breath (stand up, stretch, look out window, tea, wine etc) **14:00** end of writing time **14:00** we'll gather at the same table to say hello, compare notes and how we got on with our projects in the session **15:00(ish)** end of session I'm hosting this in the main public area of the pub so you can come and go as you please. You can come to write for a short time or the whole thing. I've allowed two hours for the session but you can easily stay on longer if you wish. I will be there for 12pm when the pub opens to grab us the horseshoe of tables (pictured above) so most of us can be sitting in the same vicinity together. That said, it's a spacious pub so if you want to spread out and choose your own spot, feel free. Manners suggest that you'll buy a drink and perhaps a snack or two from the pub as a part of using their table. Please don't bring your own drinks from elsewhere (water bottles included) as the pub will never let us back in. See their menu on the website for more info. Location: The Square Pig, 30-32 Procter St, London WC1V 6NX. Closest tube is Holborn. Timing: Doors open 12pm for a 12:30pm start and we'll finish the main session by 3pm at the latest. Cost: £10 for hosting, venue arrangement, writing task prep etc. Please follow the steps to pay via PayPal when you RSVP. Refunds or credits will only be offered if the meetup is cancelled by admin. If you change your mind after booking, please change to RSVP to 'not going' as we often have people waiting. Download the Meetup app (check the app store) to manage your RSVPs on the go and be notified about new workshops. Questions or concerns? Please post a comment below and I'll respond. I'm looking forward to it already!

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.**

AUTUMN 2026 GARDEN OF ENGLAND IN-PERSON RETREAT WEEK

Early-bird price @ [http://www.londonsongwriters.org/songwritingretreats/](http://www.londonsongwriters.org/songwritingretreats/) 'One of the best weeks of my life!’ is a common testimonial & the affordable price is fully inclusive of food, accommodation & comprehensive songwriting facilitation. The fresh air & stunning views come with the location - on this occasion a spacious converted farmhouse in a small village amongst the Hop Farms around the River Medway! Whatever your songwriting experience, by attending the retreat you will: • immerse yourself in your writing without the distractions of everyday life • have a great time in lovely surroundings with like-minded people • increase the quantity & the quality of songs you write at the retreat & afterwards • increase your confidence as a songwriter • increase your songwriter connections & co-writing network • write at least one or two songs each day • get encouragement & valuable feedback on your current repertoire • learn &/or practise the essential songwriting 'tools' & 'rules' (& work out when you can break them) • have a songwriting holiday experience for less than the cost of holiday B&B/food alone To enquire go to: [http://www.londonsongwriters.org/songwritingretreats/](http://www.londonsongwriters.org/songwritingretreats/) From 2015 to 2026 a total of over 300 Songwriters from across the world have attended one of our twenty-three successful retreats in the countryside collaborating, writing, learning & using successful comprehensive songwriting tips, walking, going to country pubs & making new connections, which are still continuing to bear musical fruit. Each writer rated the experience 5 out of 5 & their testimonials are included below. It will consist of co-writing & solo-writing briefs, songshares, songcraft presentations, walks, pubs, perhaps an open mic…all in all an enjoyable & productive songwriting holiday break! Please fill out the form on the website if you are interested & we can contact you with further details: [http://www.londonsongwriters.org/songwritingretreats/](http://www.londonsongwriters.org/songwritingretreats/) In the previous participants’ own words: ‘The retreat was one of the best weeks of my life!’ ‘Loved every minute & learned a lot. Great to be able to share ideas & mix with some very talented people’ ‘I had a fabulous time & I am delighted with my new friendships & song output. It was a marvellous week.’ ‘Just back from a magical song-writing retreat with London Songwriters led by Murray Webster’ ‘I’ve come away with 5 songs – 3 of which I plan on releasing in the future, so THANK YOU! for making it happen’ ‘The guidance in the morning was excellent – focused, just the right amount of info, really important learning’ 'Perfect from start to finish’ 'I have just been on a really fabulous retreat for song-writers with Murray Webster. If you want a laid back but focused, friendly, supportive event to do some collaborative & /or solo songwriting & develop your skills, Murray's are the best out there at an affordable price.' ‘I thoroughly enjoyed the retreat spending time in lovely surroundings with lovely people. Was impressed with the facilities provided for writing & performing our songs and the overall support of Murray for the whole time. Can't wait 'til the next one!’ ‘Fun walks, meals and songwriting, singing and collaborating.’‘Fab environment for bringing out creative ideas and making songs happen, that otherwise wouldn't.’ ‘The exercises were interesting and challenging.’ ‘Thanks it was a great week!’ ‘The retreat was a great place to collaborate & meet like-minded people. It has since given me the momentum & new tools that I needed to get me songwriting more regularly & in a more structured way.’ ‘The scenery was amazing and I was glad to fit in a few walks during my stay.’ All the participants said they would love to do it all over again & would recommend it to others.