News and Opportunities for Solent Writers and Writing
Writing for Wellbeing in the New Forest 
Funding success from the National Lottery Community Fund 
Creative writing helps with mental clarity, self-esteem, improving attention, creativity and memory. Writing for Wellbeing offers a safe space for participants to explore their feelings and increase their confidence with the written word. ArtfulScribe are grateful to have become one of the many organisations that is supported by the National Lottery Community Fund, the largest funder of community activity in the UK, enabling the expansion of Writing for Wellbeing provision in the New Forest in 2026, in partnership with Solent Mind.
What Women Write 
Free workshops bringing women together as part of Jane Austen 250
Working in partnership with Southampton Forward, What Women Write is a series of free workshops celebrating women's voices across the city of Southampton to mark Jane Austen's 250th birthday. 

Led by local women writers, the project will explore the diverse voices and experiences of women in Southampton, focusing on neurodivergence, motherhood and marginalised women as well as wider reflections and perspectives on living as a woman in Southampton today. 

The workshops are for anyone who identifies as a woman; you don't need experience in creative writing nor to have read Jane Austen's work, though you're also welcome if you have! Currently scheduled sessions are as follows, with more to come in the New Year:

Open sessions led by Susmita Bhattacharya and Cathryn Spiller : Tuesday 18 Nov, 7-9pm online and Satuday 29 November, 1-3pm in Portswood Library.

Sessions for Asian women led by Lauren Alonso Miller and AJ Hardingson with Shakti Southampton: Friday 21 Nov and Saturday 13 Dec 11am-1pm, Freemantle and Shirley Community Centre.

Mask Off sessions led by Susan L. Edser and Lorna Digweed with Neurodivergent Arts C.I.C.: Wednesday 3 Dec 6-8pm and Friday 5 Dec 10am-12pm, October Books.

Your thoughts are welcomed on future sessions or how to get involved if you don't feel represented by this offer or are unable to access any of the workshops. To find out more about the project click here or email admin@artfulscribe.co.uk.
Solent Region Literature Development Network 
Wednesday 19th November 2025 
As part of a commitment to ensure best working practice and sustainable development, ArtfulScribe will be delivering a series of networking opportunities linking arts organisations and other groups with an interest in literature. These sessions enable a wider perspective of what's happening across the Solent region, encouraging new partnerships, resource sharing and organic sector growth. 

To find out more, or to attend, please email matt@artfulscribe.co.uk
University of Southampton: Call for Creative Writers
Wednesday 1st and Thursday 2nd July 2026, University of Southampton 
Creative Writers Wanted

Stories of ‘Separation’ and ‘Gathering’ in Legal and Creative Imaginaries: A Legal Humanities and Creative Writing Workshop

Wednesday 1st and Thursday 2nd July 2026, University of Southampton 

The University of Southampton invites creative writers and legal humanities scholars to submit ideas for presentations at an interdisciplinary workshop on the relationship  between fictional genre and legal thought. The workshop will explore critically and creatively how fictional genre contributes to thinking, imagining, and constructing legal ideas, concepts and characters.  

See HERE for more information, or email: agnes.woolley@soton.ac.uk;  d.gurnham@soton.ac.uk
News from the Solent Region & Beyond
Events and Opportunities 
IN HER OWN WORDS - Reading - 12 November | 7- 9 pm | Boojum and Snark, 105 High St, Sandown PO36 8AF

Write a Note - Open Mic - 17 November | 7:45 pm | Mayflower Studios, Above Bar Street, Southampton, SO14 7DU

Bournemouth Queer Writers - Social Gathering | 20 November | 7 pm |  Flirt Cafe Bar, 21 The Triangle, Bournemouth, BH2 5RG - FREE TO ATTEND - BOOKING ADVISED

October Books Poetry Open Mic Night  - Open Mic - 21 November | 7-9 pm | October Books, Portswood Road, SO17 2NF

Words like Music to Your Ears - Workshop - 22 November | 1 - 3 pm | John Hansard Gallery, 142-144 Above Bar Street, Southampton SO14 7BL - FREE TO ATTEND - BOOKING ADVISED

Art of Poetry 2 - Exhibition - 28 Oct - 22 Nov 2025 | Lighthouse, Poole's Centre for the Arts, 21 Kingland Rd, Poole BH15 1UG

Kettle Tales Monthly - Writing Group - 1 December | 1 pm | Community Kettle CIC, 62 High Street, Portsmouth, PO6 2PS