December Newsletter

11 December 2025

News and Opportunities for Solent Writers and Writing

SHED
Mayflower Studios, Tuesday 10 February 7:30 - 8:30 pm

Join Martin Figura for an unforgettable hour of poetry, storytelling and performance with this heartfelt tale of Jack's journey into solace, exploring how we hold on to love, grief, and the small rituals that make a life.

"Martin Figura’s show was one of the highlights of our festival this year. It had a very powerful effect on the audience; months later people still tell me how it has stayed with them." Eleanor Livingstone, Director StAnza International Poetry Festival

Get your ticket here

Word Space 2026-27
Application Deadline: Saturday 31 January

Applications for Word Space 2026-27 are now open. Word Space is Literature Works’ inclusive and diverse online talent development programme for developing new voices from around the South West region.

ArtfulScribe is one of Literature Works' regional partners again for this year's Word Space programme, and inclusive and diverse talent development programme for developing new voices from around the South West region.

Word Space 2026-27 will support a group of writers from across the South West (as defined by Arts Council England, including Southampton, Portsmouth, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight) to develop their work through mentoring from established writers, peer support, industry insight, advice sessions with Literature Works staff, and access to a growing network of writers. Most of the programme takes place online.

If accepted, there is a fee for participation of £660, or £330 for a concessionary rate, subsidised by Literature Works and supported by the Amazon Literary Partnership. Bursaries are available. Applications close on Saturday, 31 January.

Apply here: Word Space 2026-27 - Literature Works

Workshops for Adults Across the Solent
Spring Term 2026

Writing for Wellbeing - Join Joanna Barnard and a community of writers, gathered to share the feel-good factor of creating together.
15 January - 10:00 am - 12:00 pm | Alternate Thursdays | Online Book here

Solent Mind: Writing for Wellbeing - Thanks to new funding from National Lottery Awards for All, we are now offering weekly in-person sessions in Hythe & New Milton. Removing price barriers, these sessions are pay-as-you-feel.
19 January - 2:00 - 4:00 pm | Mondays | The Hollies, New Milton | In Person Book here
22 January - 2:00 - 4:00 pm | Thursdays | Marcella House, Hythe | In Person Book here

Writing as a Spiritual Practice - Join a group of fellow travellers on journeys into the unknown and the unknowable via creative writing prompts and discussions.
3 February - 10:00 am - 12:00 pm | Alternate Tuesdays | October Books | In person Book here

News from the Solent Region & Beyond
Events and Opportunities

Placeholder Poetry: Laurel Moore, Liz Amos, Ri Baroche - Performance Poetry - 11 December | 6:45 - 9:30 pm | The Bookshop Alehouse, 21 Portswood Road, Southampton, SO17 2ES | Tickets £5 | Booking is Advised

Getting Poetical Bournemouth - Open Mic + Special Guest Antosh Wojcik - 16 December | 8:00 pm | Chaplin's and the Cellar Bar, 529 Christchurch Rd, Boscombe, Bournemouth BH1 4AG

October Books Poetry Open Mic Night - Open Mic - 19 December | 7:00 - 9:00 pm | October Books, Portswood Road, SO17 2NF

Portland Advent(ure) - A trail of music, movement, story, and surprise unfolding across Portland - Multiple Dates | Ends 20 December | Various locations across Portland & Weymouth

Read Easy - Volunteering Opportunities - Helping Adults Learn to Read | Read Easy UK is the only national organisation in the country which provides a volunteer-led reading coaching programme for adults.  You can apply to become a volunteer here

PLEASE SUPPORT US BY DONATING
ArtfulScribe C.I.C. is a not-for-profit Community Interest Company, working with people from primary years to life's later stages. Help us to help others make the most of life's opportunities by contributing to our cause to improve literacy levels in the Solent region. Thank you.

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If you'd like your events or opportunities for writers in the region to feature in our newsletter or social media, please drop a line to admin@artfulscribe.co.uk

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