Be kept up-to-date on workshops and other events by joining my mailing list here. For more information about the Ilkley Write-In, see here.
UPCOMING WORKSHOPS
Perfect Your Pitch – Writing workshop – Saturday 23 May 2026
Life’s a pitch… and then you get a request for a read. Yes, the lovely and brilliant short fiction writer Emily Devane and I are co-hosting another morning workshop in the beautiful Yorkshire Dales town of Ilkley – and this time the focus is pitching and submitting your writing project.
So whether you’re ready to send your writing project out in the world now or are aiming for that in the future, join us for a practical and inspiring morning to help you make your submission the best it can be.
We’ll be sharing advice and tips on where and how to submit (and how to find submissions opportunities), crafting great loglines and synopses, pitching to agents, submitting to competitions, journals and writing schemes… and more.
As always with our Write Away workshops, it’s open to everyone 18+, no matter what kind of writing you do – everything from novels to screenplays, short stories to poetry.
The workshop runs 10am to 1pm and we’re keeping numbers small (maximum 20 people) for the best experience. Our first two workshops sold out, so we recommend securing your spot soon!
Find out more and book your place here: Perfect Your Pitch: A Practical Workshop on Submitting Your Writing Tickets.
PREVIOUS WORKSHOPS
Find Your Writing Voice workshop – Saturday 24 January 2026
Write Away is back!*
Brilliant short fiction writer Emily Devane and I are hosting another writing workshop in beautiful Ilkley – and our theme this time is finding your writing voice.
We’ll be digging into what people mean by ‘voice’, how to find yours, how to use it on the page and how to develop it.
Expect a morning full of advice, encouragement, inspiration – and plenty of interactive writing exercises,
The workshop is on Saturday 24 January, 10am-1pm. Find out more and book your spot here on Eventbrite.
*working title: Write Away 2: 2Fast2ManyBiscuits
Testimonials: What people have been saying about Write Away workshops
‘Great tutors, great setting. Very positive and pragmatic approach – demystifies writing, brings it down to earth.’ Murna
‘Thank you for a really enjoyable and inspiring workshop! Came away with lots of very useful info, tips and ideas.’ Marie
‘Loved the workshop. Excellent overview – great for beginners and people who have written lots before!’ Helen
‘Helped to remind me how to get back to the heart of why I write and how to move on when stuck or struggling. Great fun!’ Alice
‘Simply put, it was great!’ Tony
Write Away writing workshop – Saturday 8 November 2025
I’m delighted to be joining forces with the lovely and brilliant short fiction writer Emily Devane to host a writing workshop in our hometown of Ilkley. Scroll down for more details – and click here to reserve your spot!
Are you a writer who never seems to find the time to write? Or perhaps you’re struggling to get started with a writing project – or see one through to the end? You might even want some guidance about what your idea could become. Seeing a piece of writing through from start to finish can be a daunting prospect.
Write Away is your opportunity to dedicate some time to your writing, with tips and strategies on how to get started, how to keep going and how to finish a writing project, whatever that might be.
Over three interactive sessions, we’ll cover:
– Beginnings: Getting Started. We’ll explore where inspiration comes from, the fear of the blank page, how to get ready for writing, and where in the story to begin.
– Middles: How to Keep Going! We’ll look at ways to maintain momentum, the hurdles that get in the way and how to tackle them, and how story beats can help move the your? story along.
– Endings: Knowing When It’s Done and What Next? We’ll consider what makes a brilliant ending – and how to get there – as well as sharing work for feedback and knowing when it’s submission ready
When? Saturday 8 November, 2025 – 10am-1pm
Where? Church House, All Saints Church, 4 Church Street, Ilkley, West Yorkshire LS29 8DS (Google Maps link)
Find out more and buy your workshop ticket on our Eventbrite page here.
