Writing Groups & Courses

The idea is simple: show up and start writing. Writers of all types; fantasy, fanfic, freelancers, whatever you're into. The plan is to meet up at a cafe fortnightly on Sundays from 11-1, after which we'll have a chat over a drink. Info here (You may need to join Meetup to access)

Calling all poets … we’ve started a new monthly live music and spoken night in Cheltenham.  If you want a slot to showcase your talents contact us here More about Raggedy Man Press here

Do you enjoy listening to the spoken word read live? Would you like to read your own work or a favourite piece in the open mic? If so, then please join us at Cirencester Library on the second Monday of the month at 2 - 3 pm Tea and coffee available. For more information, contact… Continue reading Writers in the Library

8 weeks, starting Tuesday 4th July 2023 to Tuesday 29th August, 7.00pm to 9.00pm every Tuesday evening in The Cleeve Bookshop, 2, Mill Parade, Church Road, Bishops Cleeve, Cheltenham, Glos., GL52 8RL. (There will be no workshop on Tuesday 8th August).   There will be generative content to the workshops, i.e. we’ll write some new… Continue reading Writing Workshops at The Cleeve Bookshop, Bishops Cleeve, summer 2023 hosted by Steven John

Gloucester Storytelling Cafe is held on the first Thursday of every month, 7 pm for 7.30 pm start at The Folk of Gloucester, 99-103 Westgate Street, Gloucester. Guest storyteller and Open Mic.  Share your stories with us.

Cheltenham Library Poetry Cafe runs on the last Friday of the month except for December, between 1 and 2 pm. You are free to read one poem that you have written or a favourite from another poetry book.  Or just sit back and enjoy listening to some wonderful poetry. 2024 Programme January 26th     … Continue reading Cheltenham Library Poetry Cafe

Saturday 20th May 9.30 am - 1 pm, Downend Folk House, Lincombe Barn, Downend, BS16 2RW, Cost £28 Come along with a writing project or choose from a list of prompts provided to help inspire ideas. Drinks, croissants and pastries for motivation. For booking information email mariedaywriting@gmail.com, Facebook:  Begin Writing, Twitter: @mariedaywriting

A small Cheltenham-based group that meets monthly to write poetry together. First Thursday of month 2-4pm. Contact Clair Chilvers clair_chilvers@hotmail.com or 07770666601.

Gloucester Library's Poetry Cafe is held on the last Tuesday of the month 12.30-2.00pm.  Come & join us. Bring a poem to share. Gloucester Library,  Brunswick Rd, Gloucester GL1 1HT.    

Come and explore the benefits of creative raw expression through writing and sharing. With deep storytelling, creative writing exercises and  soul connection we will explore our inner landscape. This can help nurture our creative practice, see things differently, and embolden our self-expression. All you need is a pad and pen and a desire to write,… Continue reading Burning to Tell - online storytelling and writing workshop with storyteller Sarah Mooney

At our meetings, members have the opportunity to read their work in a positive and helpful environment. The work may be inspired by the optional ‘homework’ which is designed to help the creative juices flow, or be the next few pages of your novel or your poem or short story. Meetings are also a time… Continue reading Dean Writers Circle, Forest of Dean

Mentoring for writers: poetry, fiction, non-fiction and hybrid with our award-winning poets and authors. POA, www.dialect.org.uk/grow-mentoring [please note this site won’t be live until w/c 17th April] Writing retreat for busy people, Friday 19th May at The Hide, Pinfarthings, nr Nailsworth, 9.30am – 2.30pm, hosted by JLM Morton, £35.  Info here Tuning In: nature based practices… Continue reading Dialect Courses April - June

THE POETRYKIT SHORT COURSES FOR MAY 2023 – 8TH TO 29TH MAY 2023 This three-week course will be looking at Journeys and how they can inform all aspects of poetry.  From actual journeys to new places, through embodying journey as a metaphor to engaging with the journey through life.  There are many ways to approach… Continue reading Poetry Kit course on theme of Journeys led by Jim Bennett

A 6 week course for beginners or those wanting to start writing again, run by Marie Day at the Downend Folk House, Lincombe Barn, BS16 2RW from 23rd February - 30th March, 1.00 - 2.30 pm Email mariedaywriting@gmail.com    

Buzzwords meets regularly for a poetry reading, open mic and workshopping session on the second Sunday of each month (except for August) upstairs at the Exmouth Arms in Bath Road, Leckhampton, Cheltenham. Start time 7pm for the workshop or 8pm for the poetry reading. Finish time is 10pm. More info here  

  8 weeks, starting Tuesday 4th July 2023 to Tuesday 29th August, 7.00pm to 9.00pm every Tuesday evening in The Cleeve Bookshop, 2, Mill Parade, Church Road, Bishops Cleeve, Cheltenham, Glos., GL52 8RL. (There will be no workshop on Tuesday 8th August).   There will be generative content to the workshops, i.e. we’ll write some… Continue reading Writing Workshops at The Cleeve Bookshop, Bishops Cleeve, summer 2023 hosted by Steven John

We are a friendly creative writing group based in Cheltenham. We are open to anyone who wants to write and improve their writing through feedback. We write stories, poems, articles, drama and anything else that appeals. Each Sunday morning at 10.30, each person brings along something to read out, but you are welcome to attend… Continue reading Cheltenham Stories - write, perform, listen, swap, enjoy!

7pm 26th January - online Writing Stillness by donation via eventbrite here 7pm 16th February - online Writing Ourselves into Love £24 via eventbrite here 7pm 16th March - online Cracking the Egg Storytelling and Alchemical writing £24 via eventbrite here

'Developing Short Stories' is run by Marie Day and Anna Giangiordano, Friday 6th Jan to Fri 10th Feb, 1pm to 2.30 pm at Under the Edge Arts. £45. We will look at different aspects of short fiction, use writing prompts to create our own stories and critique each others' work in fortnightly workshops. Please email… Continue reading Writing Course, Wotton-under-Edge

Dean Writers was formed in 1978.   Its object is to support and encourage local writers.  More information here    

This new group welcomes any SoA members to give it a try! The next meeting is on Thursday 19 January, 2.30-4.30, in the Library Room at the Stonehouse Court Hotel, between Stroud and the M5 exit 13. There is no payment, but coffee, tea and other refreshments are on sale from the bar. Please register… Continue reading Gloucestershire Society of Authors group meeting

Storyteller and writer Sarah Mooney is holding an online writing workshop on 18th December, 19.00 - 21.30. You can find out more about Sarah here You can buy tickets here

Storyteller and writer Sarah Mooney is holding an online writing workshop on the 17th November, 19.00 - 21.30. You can find out more about Sarah here You can buy tickets here

Tell Tales writing group was established in 2017 with monthly meetings, first Wednesday of the month, and occasional public performances. Contact: Tony Anhoury 07879 631141 or tony.anhoury@hotmail.com

A Poetry Writing Club led by Claire Thelwell starts Wednesday 5th October in The Cleeve Bookshop, Bishops Cleeve.  More info here

A new prose workshop led by Steven John is running Tuesday evenings from 18 October at Cleeve Bookshop in Bishops Cleeve.  More info here  

Thursday Evening Writers’ Group members meet every Thursday evening between 7 and 9 pm (with breaks for holiday periods). The venue is a short walk from Cirencester town centre; free on-site parking is available. It is an informal and friendly group, writers of poetry and verse, short and longer fiction, and memoir are all represented. … Continue reading Thursday Evening Writers' Group, Cirencester

Gloucestershire Poetry Society holds online poetry events featuring headline poets and open mic.  More information here    

An online course offering six sessions on Wednesday evenings 12th Oct - 16th Nov 7-9pm which include three short offbeat writing exercises (one with a wellbeing theme); appreciating each other's responses; some cheerful laughter to finish the session. Suggested price £10 per session - please pay less if you wish. Aims: creative expression, playfulness, pausing… Continue reading Quirky Writing Towards Wellbeing

Evesham Festival of Words celebrates words in all their forms, written, spoken or sung and put on regular events including poetry open mic and writing workshops.  To find out what's going on, check their website here

The Writers' and Directors' Workshop (part of the Natura Contemporary Theatre) based in Gloucestershire have a long established reputation for delivering high quality bespoke writing workshops for groups and organisations, as well as for individual writers requiring one-to-one feedback, and a dramaturgy service for scripts going into production. We cover scriptwriting for the theatre, radio,… Continue reading The Writers' and Directors' Workshop Courses

Montpellier Writers Group was established in 2006 and founded by Liggy Webb. The group meets monthly at The Strand in Cheltenham High Street. We welcome anyone who would enjoy being part of an informal group that allows creative juices to flow and provides a relaxed and friendly atmosphere to write. For more information email liggy@liggywebb.com

The group that used to meet at the Suffolk Anthology has had a change of name and now meets on Zoom on Tuesday afternoons once a month. You can sign up for the sessions via Meetup (www.meetup.com). The group is now administered by John Lynch. The meetings are especially useful for writers who’ve been working… Continue reading Alliance of Independent Authors

Wotton Writers Group meets monthly in and around Wotton-under-Edge.  They are a small group of writers with wide-ranging interests and experience, from complete beginners to published authors.  You can find out more about them and what they offer here  They also have a Facebook page here

Creative Writing Courses at Chipping Norton Theatre led by Helen Yendall   Tickets: £85    Times: 10.30am - 12.30pm Dates: Mon 5th Sept - Mon 14th Nov (exc. Mon 24th Oct)  Courses are also offered from 1 - 3pm    More information here Keep an eye on the website for future courses here

Dialect provides immersive learning, sharing and publication opportunities to writers in rural/small town/remote areas. More details about their courses here   

On the second Saturday of every month, Crumps Barn Studio hosts an online writing group for authors of poetry, memoir and fiction. It is ideal for both established authors who are looking for some support, and for those who are new to writing who are looking for some tips to help you get started. Joining… Continue reading Crumps Barn Studio

This group was set up by Leonard Custard, apprentice clown, Maggie Clutterbuck, Forest Bard & variety star Darren Hoskins who decided there was a gap in the Forest of Dean for writers, poets, performers, story tellers etc. The Bream Coffee shop agreed to host a regular monthly evening and since then they have enjoyed healthy… Continue reading Oh Crumbs

The Phare holds a writing group which is free to attend. Writers work for half an hour either to write to a prompt or to work on their own pieces. At the end there is opportunity to read out your work if you want to. They also run workshops with feedback for writers on their… Continue reading The Phare

New Bohemians have a programme of events including music, poetry performances, open mic, generally every two months. Their Summer 2022 party on Friday 19th August will feature the Cheltenham launch of Alison Brackenbury's new poetry collection 'Thorpeness' together with music from Johnny Copin and Geoff March Ticket £8 to include drinks and party fare. Time: … Continue reading NewBohemians@CharltonKings

Our group was created about six years ago and meets, now on-line, every Wednesday afternoon. Our work covers poetry novels, short stories, drama, including radio plays on Corinium Radio and commissioned plays. We created and produced for loal radio six episodes of The Inn on the Green, very loosely modelled on The Archers. Our writers… Continue reading Somewhere Else Writers Group, Cirencester