January Newsletter

09 January 2026

News and Opportunities for Solent Writers and Writing

LitFest26: Acts of Resistance
Mayflower Studios
Friday 13th - Monday 15th March

Introducing LitFest26: Acts of Resistance

LitFest26 shines a light on writing’s capacity to call for action or inspire change through performance, poetry and prose. Featuring keynote talks, workshops, showcases, panel discussions, and readings, explore the kind of world a heart knows is possible through written and spoken word.

This festival will explore where words become action, spotlighting writing’s power to inspire change and imagine possible futures for people and the planet.

Festival guests include Jonny Fluffypunk, Louise Fazackerley (I Want my Country Back viral poem), Amber Massie-Blomfield (Acts of Resistance: The Power of Art to Create a Better World), Ellora Sutton, Papia Ghosal and VERVE Poetry Press, including Bradley Taylor, Max Wallis, ML Walsh and Mukahang Limbu. For the full festival line-up, bios, event details and to book tickets click here.

Mask Off: Creative Writing for Neurodivergent Women
16 January 2026 - 27 March 2026

Join neurodivergent & queer writer Susan L. Edser to develop skills and confidence in creative writing in community, and to write about lived experience or to create fictional stories. These workshops are for anyone who identifies as a neurodivergent woman or who is non-binary and comfortable in a space centred on women's experiences, who would like to connect with like-minded people and tell their own stories on their own terms.

You do not need to be formally diagnosed to attend, nor do you need experience in creative writing. Simply follow where the writing leads in a safe and supportive environment.

Sessions will be running on Friday mornings, fortnightly 10:00 am - 12:00 pm at October Books, Portswood Road, SO17 2NF, Southampton | B ook here.

Workshops for Young People Across the Solent
Spring Term 2026

A new term gets underway with writing workshops for children and young people aged from seven and up to develop skills and become more confident using words on paper as well as out loud, in a safe and supportive environment.

Workshops at Mayflower Studios, Southampton:

Mayflower Junior Writers - Ages 7-10
Saturday 10 January - 9:30 am - 11:00 am | Book here
Mayflower Young Writers - Ages 11-14
Saturday 10 January - 11:30 am - 1:00 pm | Book here
Mayflower Creative Writers - Ages 14-18
Tuesday 13 January - 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm | Book here

Mayflower workshops online:

Writing for Page and Stage 18 +
Monday 12 January - 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm | Online | Book here

Workshops at Forest Arts, New Milton:

Forest Arts Junior Writers - Ages 7-10
Saturday 17 January - Saturday 10 January - 9:30 am - 11:00 am | Book here
Forest Arts Young Writers - Ages 11-14
Saturday 17 January - Saturday 10 January - 11:30 am - 1:00 pm | Book here

Workshops at Lighthouse, Poole:

Lighthouse Young Writers - Ages 11-14 or 15-18 - Saturday 10 January | Book here
Lighthouse Junior Writers - Ages 7-10 - Saturday 10 January | Book here

What Women Write
Celebrating Jane Austen 250

What Women Write is a Southampton-based series of free writing workshops celebrating women's voices to mark Jane Austen's 250th birthday with three final workshops taking place this January.

Open Access Session

Offering anyone who identifies as a woman the opportunity to reflect on contemporary life and share unique perspectives, with no writing experience required.

Led by Susmita Bhattacharya and Cathryn Spiller.

1:00 - 3:00 pm | Saturday 10 January | Shirley Library | Book here

For mothers with babies aged 0-12 months
A gentle invitation for mothers to connect with aspects of self, exploring quick, expressive ways to write and find inspiration in the small, beautiful mundanities that combine to make the story of a day. Mothers are welcome to attend with or without their baby.

Led by Adeola Sheehy and Liz Garland

News from the Solent Region & Beyond
Events and Opportunities

Introduction to Playwriting - 5 Week Course - 11 January - 8 February | 11:00 am - 12:30 pm | Ventnor Exchange, 11 Church Street, Isle of Wight | Tickets £60 | Booking is Advised

Write a Note - Open Mic - 12 January | 7:45 pm | Mayflower Studios, 142, 144 Above Bar St, Southampton SO14 7DU

Play on Words - Open Mic - 12 January | 7:30 pm | Forest Arts Centre, Old Milton Rd, New Milton, BH25 6DS

Festival Residency Callout - SOUND: Plymouth Poetry Festival is seeking a poet-in-residence to work with families from underrepresented communities across three days of the festival. Applications close Friday 16th January. Applicants don’t need to be based in Plymouth. You can find information about the residency here

October Books Poetry Open Mic Night - Open Mic - 16 January | 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm | October Books, Portswood Road, SO17 2NF

Pipeline Social - Monthly socials for writers and actors - 21 January | Shearling Studio, Lighthouse Poole, 21 Kingland Rd, Poole BH15 1UG

Read Easy New Forest offers free, one-to-one coaching for adults learning to read. Simply call 07392 517334 or email southamptoncoordinator@readeasy.org.uk.

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

Newsletter May 2025

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in the New Forest

ArtfulScribe Newsletter - JULY 2023

Writer/Facilitator Wanted: Writing for Performance 15-18

Writer/Facilitator Wanted: Mayflower Young Writers & Mayflower Junior Writers

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