February Newsletter

12 February 2026

News and Opportunities for Solent Writers and Writing

Writing and Activism
Friday 13 March 6:30 pm, Mayflower Studios

LitFest26: Day 1 - Friday 13 March - Keynote

Starting Litfest26 is a keynote that asks what kind of changes can activism achieve? And what role do writers play in making change happen? Join three academics from the University of Southampton to come at these questions from different angles.

Professor of Literature and Law, Stephanie Jones, speaks about lives of passionate intellectual protest. Associate Professor of Creative Writing, Toby Litt, a member of Writers Rebel, part of Extinction Rebellion, talks about his involvement with the group, culminating in arrest. Associate Professor of Environmental and Human Rights, Dina Lupin talks about Indigenous and feminist rewriting projects that take back and recreate the law.

To find our more or to buy a ticket, please click here

Acts of Resistance with Amber Massie-Blomfield, Louise Fazackerley and Toby Litt
Friday 13 March 8:15 pm, Mayflower Studios

LitFest26: Day 1 - Friday 13 March - Provocation

Louise Fazackerly and Amber Massie Blomfield talk wielding words and how that can be dangerous business, requiring courage and commitment to give voice to what modulates inside. Louise Fazackerley’s poem I Want my Country Back went viral in 2025 in response to flag-waving patriotism, while Amber Massie-Blomfield’s recent publication Acts of Resistance detailed art's capacity to subvert dominant ideologies.

This titular festival feature draws together readings and performances, culminating in a conversation chaired by Toby Litt.

To find out more or to buy a ticket, please click here

VERVE Poetry Showcase - The Queer Uni-Verse
Saturday 14 March 2:30 pm, Mayflower Studios

LitFest26: Day 2 - Saturday 14 March - VERVE Poetry Showcase - The Queer Uni-Verse

Day 2 of LitFest26 is bursting at the seams. Poets Gayathiri Kamalakanthan, Mukahang Limbu, Ellora Sutton, Bradley Taylor and ML WALSH bring a mixture of moving readings and noisy performances, all from the perspective of the queer poet, opposing bigotry, challenging so-called norms, delving into their unique experiences of queer life as they see and feel it – and delivering it all with astonishing and entertaining poetry!

VERVE Poetry Press is a prize-winning Birmingham-based independent publisher, making high-octane collections and verve-filled pamphlets. To discover more about VERVE please click here

To find out more or to buy a ticket, please click here

Myth Busting: The Poetry Publishing Landscape with Stuart Bartholomew
Saturday 14 March 4:30 pm, Mayflower Studios

LitFest26: Day 2 - Saturday 14 March - Myth Busting: The Poetry Publishing Landscape with Stuart Bartholomew

VERVE publisher and festival programmer, Stuart Bartholomew, provides poets and would-be poets with the opportunity to meet and hear from a publisher.

With advice and experience, Stuart will help writers understand the publishing landscape and understand the actions to take (and avoid) to give the best chance of getting poetry published.

Participants will be provided with everything they need to know to have the best chance of letting poetry do the talking when submitting work. There will also be discussions on how to deal with rejection and what a ‘no’ from a publisher really means (as well as what it doesn’t).

To find out more or to book a ticket, please click here

LifeJacket: An ArtfulScribe Podcast
Season 1, Episodes 1-8

LifeJacket Season 1, Episodes 1-8 are streaming on all platforms. A community-centred audio work and podcast featuring writers, performers and artists who have graced ArtfulScribe stages and airwaves in the Solent Region.

LifeJacket is produced by ArtfulScribe with support from Arts Council England. Hosted and sound designed by Antosh Wojcik. Stay buoyant.

To listen please click here

News from the Solent Region & Beyond
Events and Opportunities

Write a Note - Open Mic - 16 February | 7:45 pm | Mayflower Studios, 142, 144 Above Bar St, Southampton SO14 7DU

Creative Writing Group - 15 February | 11:00 am - 12:30 pm | Ventnor Exchange 11 Church Street, Isle of Wight

October Books Poetry Open Mic Night - Open Mic - 20 February | 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm | October Books, Portswood Road, SO17 2NF

Lit & Twisted - Pompey Poetry Party Live Performance & Open Mic - 20 February | 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm | Hunter Gatherer 249 Albert Rd, Southsea, Portsmouth, Southsea PO4 0JR

Exploded Moments with Sean Bennett - Hampshire Writers Society Workshop - 21 February | 10:30 am - 12:30 pm | The Arc, Winchester, SO23 8SB

Caitlin O'Ryan "At What Point" Poetry Tour - Poetry Performance | 25 February | The Attic, River Studios, 32 Winsor Road, Totton, Southampton. SO40 9HQ

Beneath and Beyond - Poetry Workshop & Film Screening - 6 March | 12:00 - 2:30 pm | SpudWORKS Art Centre Sway, New Forest SO41 6BA | To book contact: janalisonedwards@gmail.com

Poetry Marquee - Free Poetry Drop in Sessions | 25 & 26 April | 10:00am - 5:00 pm | Bournemouth Writing Festival | Horseshoe Common, Bournemouth, BH1 1JU

Pipeline Rapid Response - Performance | 20 May | 8:00 pm | Shearling Studio, Lighthouse Poole, 21 Kingland Rd, Poole BH15 1UG - Paid opportunity If you would like to participate in this event, contact: dorsetscriptwriters@gmail.com

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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