ArtfulScribe Newsletter January 2024

08 January 2024

News and Opportunities for Writers and Writing

ArtfulScribe LIT FEST 2024
8th - 10th March I In-Person
MAST Mayflower Studios

ArtfulScribe presents LIT FEST 2024, at MAST Mayflower Studios, in partnership with the Department of English at University of Southampton, and supported by Arts Council England.

Featuring a diverse, community-focused programme of showcases, workshops, open-mics and free events including a celebration for International Women's Day featuring Joelle Taylor, with Fran Lock, Hannah Lavery and Safiya Kamaria Kinshasa. Visiting presses include Seren, Verve, and Modern Poetry in Translation. There will also be workshops from Joelle Taylor, Elizabeth Parker (Seren), Stuart Bartholomew (Verve), and Sunday Wordship with On Being and Poetry Unbound's Pádraig Ó Tauma.

Be sure to save the date. Tickets will go on sale towards the end of January.

Regular Creative Writing Groups
Our core offers for writers based in the Solent Region

SO:Write Women: 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.

Next sessions:

Online: Thursday 11th January.

In-person: Saturday 20th January, Southampton Central Library.

Register for tickets here.

Writing for Wellbeing: an online creative writing group led by Joanna Barnard, gathering to explore mental and emotional wellbeing. Poetry, prose and journals are used as forms for capturing joy.

Next session: Thursday 11th January, online.

Register for tickets here.

Writing for Page and Stage: in partnership with MAST Mayflower Studios, ArtfulScribe presents an online group for writers aged 18+, led by Tabitha Hayward. Explore the craft of writing for page and stage, create new work, connect, collaborate and share with a group of like-minded creatives who are passionate about words and expression.

Next Session: Monday 8th January.

Register for tickets here.

Write A Note

Winter/Spring Season | 7:15pm Sign Up for 7:45pm Start
Open Mic & Spoken Word, supported by ArtfulScribe
In-Person | FREE | MAST Mayflower Studios, Southampton

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: Mon 8th Jan | Mon 19th Feb

Running Time: 2 hours approx.

Age Advice: 14+

Play On Words: Open Mic

Play On Words offers a monthly platform for poetry, spoken word, and live literature to find new audiences in a warm, and supportive environment at Forest Arts Centre, New Milton. An ideal space to trial new work or perfect delivery of existing material.
Tuesdays, Monthly | 23th Jan | 20th Feb | 26th Mar | 7:30-9:30PM

Sessions: Tuesday 23rd January | 20th February | 26th March

7.30pm-9.30pm

Register for tickets here.

Creative Writing Groups for Young People
Our core offers for young writers in Hampshire and Dorset.

Autumn term has officially begun. Our usual Saturday morning writing workshops are running on a weekly basis during term times. All workshops offer a safe, supportive environment, encouraging young writers to share work and to give and receive feedback in a respectful way that empowers voices in the workshop community.

Lighthouse Junior and Young writers held at Lighthouse, Poole.

Lighthouse Junior Writers: 7-10 year olds, Sat, 9:30-10:30
Lighthouse Young Writers: 11-14 year olds, Sat 10:30-12:00
Lighthouse Young Writers: 15-18 year olds, Sat 12:00-13:30

Forest Arts Junior Writers held at Forest Arts Centre, New Milton.

Forest Arts Junior Writers: 7-10 year olds, Sat, 9:30-11:00

Forest Arts Young Writers: 11-14 year olds, Sat, 11:30-13:00

Mayflower writing groups held at MAST Studios, Southampton.

Mayflower Junior Writers: academic years 3-6, Sat, 9:30-11:00

Mayflower Young Writers: academic years 7-9, Sat, 11:30-13:00

Mayflower Creative Writers: academic years 10-13, Tues, 18:00-19:30,

ONLINE

'ArtfulScribe Afterschool Club': an online writing group for ages 11-18, led by Tabitha Hayward. Enjoy writing after school, in a relaxed and welcoming environment filled with games and conversation.
Register your interest with Tabby: youngwritersonline@artfulscribe.co.uk

'Junior Writers' Club': A free online offer for children under 10 led by Susmita Bhattacharya featuring fun activities and exercises to generate new material, participate in writing competitions and work towards end of term publications and performances.
Register you interest with Susmitta: juniorwritersclub@artfulscribe.co.uk

News from around the Solent Region
Events and Opportunities in Hampshire and Dorset

Hampshire Writers' Society - Tuesday 9th Jan I £10 - Join writers Antosh Wojcik and Dr. Kane Holborn at Tower Arts Centre for an evening of critical conversation.
Wojcik's talk: Creative Fusions: Collaborative & Multi-Disciplinary Approaches to Writing.
Dr. Holborn's talk: exploring looking behind the canvas: repairing notions of (dis)ability through the tool of (in)verse ekphrasis – enacting art through description.

October Books Open Mic Night - Friday 19th Jan I £5 - Whether you're a poet, playwright, essayist or novelist, reading your own work or someone else's, all are welcome!

Wire Wool presents...Placeholder Poetry - Thursday 25th Jan I 7pm I £5 - Wire Wool Events is collaborating with Placeholder for the first time to bring Kat Addis, Joanna Nissel and AJ Hardingson to the bookshop alehouse in Southampton.

Literature Works' annual talent development programme - Application Deadline: Sunday 28th Jan 2024 - Word Space is delivered online, combining mentoring, workshops, regular sessions with industry professionals and an online space to support each other.

UOS Music Presents The Driver by Luke Wright and Benjamin Oliver - 1pm I Monday 5th Feb I FREE I Turner Sims - The Driver narrates his life from behind the wheel, taking in his surroundings. As he drives, he keeps an eye on the past through the rear-view mirror.

Hampshire Poet Laureate programme - Application Deadline: Wed 31st Jan - The position of Hampshire Poet provides the opportunity for a Hampshire based poet (resident in and/or working in the county) to undertake commissions,lead workshops and give readings and talks throughout the county, and to act as an advocate for poetry and poets.

PLEASE SUPPORT US BY DONATING
We work with people from primary years to life's later stages. Help us help others make the most of life's opportunities by contributing to our cause to improve literacy levels in Hampshire and Dorset. Thank you.

DONATE

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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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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ArtfulScribe Newsletter January 2024

Write A Note

Play On Words: Open Mic

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