Learn to creatively write compelling stories using your own life experience. Discover the heart of your story using your memories and experience. Write fiction grounded in truth. Overcome creative blocks and self-doubt. 

Getting published is all about stepping stones. Writing a manuscript. Polishing it. Submitting it to agents. And then, the hard work starts… Author GD Wright, agent Katie Fulford and editor Anna Nightingale will talk you through the process of getting published, from rough draft to book on the shelves.

Battling your inner critic, structuring your days, pitching for work, building new incomes streams and more. This session will develop the skills you need to survive and thrive as a freelancer. 

Drawing on his own work about Margate’s cultural history and ever-changing face, in this session Iain Aitch will give writers the tools and inspiration to interpret the town in new ways.  

Discover the art of creating stories that inspire and delight young readers with children’s author Tamara Macfarlane. This workshop explores the craft of writing for children aged 3-12, from nurturing your unique voice to navigating pathways to publication. The session will offer both inspiration and practical guidance. 

Award-winning poet Connor Sansby will look at building relationships between themes of ecology and confessional ‘I’ poetry. Starting with the contemporary eco-poetry movement, we’ll explore ways to weave these big picture ideas into first person poetry. We’ll talk about developing a style that roots humans in nature. This workshop is ideal for those just starting out with poetry and those looking to develop their existing practice alike.  

Learn the  fundamental skills of podcasting with podcast producer Dale Shaw. Explore how to generate an original podcast idea and develop a format. Discover some of the technical basics of podcast production, including recording, editing and sharing. And hear how to put together a compelling podcast script using techniques that will enhance your writing elsewhere. 

Don’t be afraid – that AI wolf isn’t going to get you! Let’s play together to learn how you can use it to be even more creative. Andreas Loizou and Paul Dornan will show you when to use it as a sounding board, script editor and a live help to build your story’s structure. And they’ll also cover when to avoid it.