Essex Writers House

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  • Chalkwell Hall

    Essex Writers House

    Metal at Chalkwell Hall Chalkwell Avenue, Southend-on-Sea

    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.

  • Essex A County of Contrasts

    Essex – A County of Contrasts

    Metal at Chalkwell Hall Chalkwell Avenue, Southend-on-Sea

    A fast moving programme not to be missed - Author talks,interviews,video shorts and poetry readings. Part of Essex Writers House.

    £3
  • Louise Doughty

    How To Start Your Novel And How To Keep Going

    Metal at Chalkwell Hall Chalkwell Avenue, Southend-on-Sea

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

    £12
  • Raine Geoghegan, Richard O'Neill, Damian Le Bas and Louise Doughty

    Blood and Belonging Panel Discussion

    Metal at Chalkwell Hall Chalkwell Avenue, Southend-on-Sea

    Three different writers from a variety of Romany Traveller backgrounds come together for a reading and event chaired by Louise Doughty. Join us for discussion and celebration of what we have in common.

    Free

  • Person standing at microphone reading from a notepad in front of a seated audience

    Essex Writers House 2025

    Metal at Chalkwell Hall Chalkwell Avenue, Southend-on-Sea

    Throughout June, Metal Southend will become a home for Essex writers to share, forge ideas, make connections, gossip, read and write.

  • How to Approach an Island: Walking the Broomway

    Metal at Chalkwell Hall Chalkwell Avenue, Southend-on-Sea

    Join us for a fun and informative session with Helen Galliano on mastering the art of approaching an island the Broomway!

    £25

  • Write Around The Island: A Day of Estuary Exploration 

    Leigh On Sea Station Belton Way, Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, United Kingdom

    Join artists and estuary philosophers Graham Harwood, Matsuko Yokokoji and Gerolamo Gnecci for a hands-on adventure and workshop along the atmospheric foreshore and on the water. This immersive day invites writers to explore the evocative edges where land meets water.

    £25

  • Wild Swim + Write: Sense the Estuary

    Saltwater Beach Cafe 111 Chalkwell Esplanade, Southend-on-Sea, Essex, United Kingdom

    Join us for a unique experience of wild swimming and creative writing by the estuary with artist and swimmer Angenita Teekens!

    £20

  • Creative/Critical Writing- Live Art Writers Network

    Metal at Chalkwell Hall Chalkwell Avenue, Southend-on-Sea

    All creatives welcome! This will be a gentle, participatory space for creatives with an interest in writing and performance, live art, poetry and all the weird and interesting spaces between.

    Free

  • Essex Writers House 2026

    Metal at Chalkwell Hall Chalkwell Avenue, Southend-on-Sea

    Chalkwell Hall opens its doors through June as a creative hub, offering a range of events from talks, open advice sessions and workshops to collaborative workspaces for writers, story tellers and book lovers of all levels.

  • Southend Wandering with Saira Niazi

    The Southend Forum Elmer Square, Southend-on-Sea

    Explore Southend’s hidden gems and stories on this social neighbourhood wandering.

    Free

  • Intertidal Walking and Writing Workshop with JR Carpenter and Sylak Ravenspine

    Metal at Chalkwell Hall Chalkwell Avenue, Southend-on-Sea

    Join artist mudlark J. R. Carpenter with local artist Sylak Ravenspine for an intertidal walking and writing workshop in the Thames Estuary. As we move between high and low tide, mud flats and marshland, fresh and salt water, we will navigate the creative space between noticing and noting, where writing happens.

    £25

  • Walk and Explore Prittlewell Greenway with Lora Aziz

    Metal at Chalkwell Hall Chalkwell Avenue, Southend-on-Sea

    Join artist Lora Aziz exploring the Prittlewell Greenway through landscape, observation and language. How can we pull inspiration from the backstreet places and welcome in wonders we might pass every day?

    Free

  • Walk and talk around Canvey Wick with Man About Country

    Canvey Wick Nature Reserve RSPB Canvey Wick, 276 Northwick Rd, Canvey Island

    Join James Lawrence, AKA Man About Country, for a special guided walk around Canvey Wick, one of Essex’s (and England’s) most fascinating nature reserves.

    £10

  • Writing and the Power of Language: Camilla Balshaw, Emily Abdeni-Holman and Boakye D. Alpha

    Metal at Chalkwell Hall Chalkwell Avenue, Southend-on-Sea

    Join us for an evening with the National Centre for Writing’s Escalator Writers Emily Abdeni-Holman and Boakye D. Alpha, in conversation with award-winning author Camilla Balshaw about writing and the power of language, with discussion rooted in cultural histories, oppression and identity.

    Free

  • A Poet in Every Port with the mobile National Poetry Library

    Metal at Chalkwell Hall Chalkwell Avenue, Southend-on-Sea

    The mobile National Poetry Library is coming to Southend-on-Sea. Be prepared for a mini programme of weekend activity for all ages to enjoy, with the opportunity to contribute prose, poetry and words to the Mobile Poetry Library.

    Free