Essex Writers House

Metal, Chalkwell Hall, Chalkwell Park, Southend-on-Sea, SS0 8NB

3-28 June 2024

This June, Metal Southend will become a house for writers to read, to write overlooking the Thames Estuary, to get help and feedback on your work or to have lively, meandering conversations with other writers. You can book a writing desk, join a writing group for sharing and solidarity, meet our writers in residence or have an advice session with Metal and our associate writers.

This is the seventh edition of Essex Writers House and we’re always amazed by the connections made and the ideas that come up when writers take over this special building

For full event listings, visit metalculture.com/projects/essex-writers-house-2024/

Photo of Essex Writers House © Metal

 

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Programme highlights include:

Writers Hot Desks

Book a free desk in our Attic Studio and take some time to focus on your work. Whether you’re on the east or west side of the building, you are guaranteed a changing view across the Estuary, along with some space to think.

Photo of writers desk © Mark Massey

Writers in Residence

Joining us in residence will be Essex-based writers as well as wordsmiths from further afield. Keep up to date via our social media channels to see who is coming to stay.

Open Advice Sessions

These free sessions are available for Essex writers of all genres and experience levels. Book an hour-long slot, with a panel of the Metal team and our associate writers, to discuss your writing practice, talk through ideas, find signposting to references and opportunities or simply get feedback on your works in progress. Book your Open Advice Session at eventbrite.co.uk.

Get A Room

Led by special guests, we’ll be holding space for different writers to find new connections and solidarity. In these precarious times, writers can gather at Essex Writers House to enjoy talking, sharing and eating together, whilst finding new ways to explore supported and fruitful conversations. Who knows, you might form a new collective while you are at it!

Extracts

If you are looking to share your written work aloud with an audience, this is your chance! With 3 minutes on the clock, anything goes. Find kinship and confidence through the magic of a creative community. There will be a host on the night who can read your work for you, if you’d rather it be shared through another voice. This event will be BSL interpreted. We also welcome sharings in BSL on the night. If you have any queries please do get in touch.

Open Mic photo © Metal

 

Hosted At Metal

Readers, writers and those in between will be popping up at Chalkwell Hall during the month to host events. Keep an eye on our website listings to see what else we’ve got coming up!

Photo of Chalkwell Hall © Mark Massey

 

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Wednesday 12 June, 7.00pm
Stand Up for Diversity

An evening of three-minute mini-talks and short soap-box shout-outs that put a spotlight on diversity, writing, words and storytelling. Hosted in partnership with Essex Cultural Diversity Project at Metal, Chalkwell Hall on Wednesday 12 June, as part of Essex Writers House.

Find out more about Stand Up for Diversity here.

 

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Saturday 15 June, 11.00am – 1.oopm
How To Start Your Novel And How To Keep Going with Louise Doughty

A two-hour workshop with Louise Doughty on the basics of novel construction, plus writing exercises and top tips.

Find out more and book tickets here

 

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Saturday 15 June, 3.00 – 5.00pm
Blood and Belonging Panel Discussion

Raine Geoghegan, Richard O’Neill & Damian Le Bas (writers from a variety of Romany Traveller backgrounds), chaired by Louise Doughty

Raine Geoghegan, Richard O’Neill and Damian Le Bas: three different writers from a variety of Romany Traveller backgrounds come together for a reading and event chaired by Louise Doughty. Blood and Belonging is the title of Louise’s Guest Edition of the online writing magazine Writers Mosaic. Raine, Richard and Damian will be reading from their contributions and talk about the importance of their GRT ancestry – how does a blood lineage give you a sense of belonging? Is there any such thing as a GRT community when so much of it is so diverse? Join us for discussion and celebration of what we have in common.

Find out more and book tickets for Blood and Belonging Panel Discussion here

 

For full event listings, visit metalculture.com/projects/essex-writers-house-2024/