'Writing for Queer Joy' is a series of workshops, podcast interviews and a showcase, in celebration of LQBTQIA+ writers over Pride Month in June 2023.

Delivered in partnership with Stage Door and supported by Arts Council England, this project supports writer and performer, Ri Baroche, in showcasing and supporting queer writers in the region. The project aims to empower safe spaces to create new work, nourish the thriving local scene and spotlight the creativity of this community.

Writing for Queer Joy #1 with Ri Baroche and CJ Turner McMullan - a day of workshops exploring queer joy | 10th June | 10-4PM | Southampton Central Library | Pay-What-You-Can-Afford

Writing for Queer Joy #2 with Caleb Parkin - an online poetry workshop exploring queer-kin, happiness & ecosexuality | 21st June | 7-9PM | Online | Pay-What-You-Can-Afford

Queer Joy: Writers Showcase - an evening celebrating LGBQTIA+ writing from the region, bringing together the people to speak their joy loud and proud | 28th June | 7:30PM | The Stage Door, Southampton | Pay-What-You-Can-Afford

Write a Note is a monthly open mic and platform for poetry, spoken word, and live literature, hosted by Anita Foxall. Entry is free and booking is essential. Donations are encouraged on the night to support the featured guest.

Forthcoming dates: Sat 17 June, Mon 10 July, Mon 18 Sept

Running Time: 2 hours approx.
Age Advice: 14+

Register here for tickets.

• Stories From Our Streets are creating a story map to celebrate the voices of our diverse communities across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole. Every voice matters. Every story matters. We want to hear yours. Regular story writing workshop and event updates here.
   
• SO:Write Women with Susmita Bhattacharya 
  Author Susmita Bhattacharya leads this supportive group for women to develop skills and confidence in Creative Writing, inspiring new writing through workshop prompts, reading choices, and life experiences.
  
  Online via Zoom: Thursdays | 6th JUL | 11:00 - 1:00. Booking here.
  
  In Person at Southampton Central Library: Saturdays | 17th JUN | 22nd JUL | 11:15 - 1:15. Booking here.
   
• Writing for Wellbeing with Joanna Barnard
  In a supportive and welcoming environment, the group will be using poetry, prose and journal forms to explore mental and emotional wellbeing, reflect, and find joy. The aim of the programme is to generate a body of work, both individually and as a group, that may be shared to encourage others to discover the impact of writing for wellbeing.
  
  Online via Zoom: 15th JUN | 29th JUN | 13th JUL | 11:00 - 1:00.
   
• Writing for Performance: a NEW online offer for academic years 10-13 on Saturday mornings from 10.00 - 11:30 at MAST, led by Lydia Rynne.
   
• Writing for Page and Stage: a NEW online offer for ages 18+ on Monday evenings, 7:00 - 8:30pm, led by Tabby Hayward.
   
• Our weekly creative writing groups for ages 7-10 and 11-14 year olds at MAST Mayflower Studios & Lighthouse Poole. Instances are listed on our events page.
   
• Lighthouse Junior Writers: a weekly creative writing group for 7-10 years,  Saturday mornings during term-time, at Lighthouse Poole

The Commission

Soup and a Story is a commission for £1,000 to create a soup recipe (or idea) responding to food and/or the land story of Wild Woodbury and/or the wider Dorset AONB, with a contextual story/narrative to be shared live with the Inside Out Dorset audiences, of approximately 15 – 20 minutes.

The Details

When: Sharings will take place between 20 & 24 Sept 2023. Soup & a Story may happen several times throughout the day, and sometimes on multiple days.

Deadline: Friday 14^th July 2023

Notification: Friday 28^th July 2023

Submission: Friday 1^st September 2023

Payment: £1,000 per commission

Open Evening: We will be holding an informal online Open Evening on Monday 19^th June from 6.30pm – 7.30pm on zoom for anyone who wants to chat about the opportunity: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84302552500?pwd=YS81SnRJazJBaXh6TjBMM1ExNysvdz09

Meeting ID: 843 0255 2500

Please contact us if you have any access requirements and plan to attend.
Commission brief and further info available here.

• October Books - Author talks, Spoken Word, meetings and community groups from Southampton's Premier Independent Bookshop
   
• Putting a Poetry Pamphlet Together – with Caleb Parkin - New Writing South | £75 | This new self-paced course written by practising poet Caleb Parkin, will clarify the creative process of the process of putting a pamphlet together. 
   
• Hampshire Writers' Society - Book Fair & Author Talk - My Path to Publication - Della Galton | JUN 13th | 6.30PM | Tower Arts Centre, Winchester | £10 for non members, £2 for students
   
• Bourn Mouthy GOES FERAL - Inclusive poetry & spoken word event with the theme of animals | JUN 8th | 8 - 10:30PM | Obsidian, Boscombe | £3 - £5
   
• Winchester Poetry Prize 2023 - ​Judge: Zaffar Kunial | Entry fee: £6 for first poem, £5 for subsequent poems | Closing Date: 31 July 2023 (11:59pm)
   
• Rowan McCabe's Door-to-Door Poetry: Nationwide at Bridport Arts Centre | JUN 8th | 7:30PM | £5-10
  The story of Rowan's final outing as a Door-to-Door Poet - a show about trust, class & community, a funny, thought-provoking mix of theatre and spoken word.
   
• Wordmakers Summer Bash featuring Dizraeli, Toby Thompson & Dead horse Bay at The Vault, Bournemouth | JUN 20th | 7PM | £25
  The Wordmakers Team are having a Summer Bash and have invited their favourite wordsmiths and troubadours: globally-touring act Dizraeli, launching Animal Noises, his collection of lyrics, diary entries & experimental writings, fringe-favourite Toby Thompson and local support poetry band, Dead Horse Bay.