Creative Writing London

WRITE CLUB: one hour of silent writing (or reading) in the company of others

The first rule of WRITE CLUB is that you do not talk ***during*** WRITE CLUB. This very simple meetup is based on the premise that public and peer accountability enables more productive writing than sitting at home and getting distracted by the fridge. We will write/read for an hour in silence. (I will be writing thought experiments for my other meetup group: [THOUGHT EXPERIMENTS IN PUBS](https://www.meetup.com/thought-experiments-in-pubs)) If you'd like to hang out afterwards, or if you prefer just to hang out, I have another event immediately afterwards in the same place :-) You can find that here: [HANGING OUT AT THE SOUTHBANK](https://www.meetup.com/experimentsin/events/315134947) And if you'd like to finish the evening with a dance, there is a free social salsa meetup just outside The Southbank Centre just afterwards. More info [here](https://www.instagram.com/salserosfriends/). **This event will take place in the foyer of The Southbank Centre.** You can find us by looking out for: * A tote bag with WRITE CLUB sewn onto it * My T-Shirt, which will have HANGING OUT embroidered on the back of it * If I get away with it: a big red flag with THE SUNRISE CLUB emblazoned on it (though this clearly isn't THE SUNRISE CLUB! If you want to find out about that, you can do so [here](https://www.meetup.com/the-sunrise-club/).) * Other writers - who may be spread out across the centre. They will have white pieces of paper with the WRITE CLUB stamp at the top of the page. There are plenty of places to buy refreshments, but you can also bring your own if you prefer. [WHATSAPP GROUP](https://chat.whatsapp.com/BpMwnRev0H237KMx4uPnek) [INSTAGRAM](https://www.instagram.com/experimentsingroupwisdom) [SUBSTACK](https://experimentsingroupwisdom.substack.com/) Looking forward to meeting and writing with you :-) Bonny

Shut Up and Write! [London/Waterstones Piccadilly]

Join us at the top of the biggest bookshop in Europe to work in company on your own writing, be it a book, blog, screenplay, dissertation, poem, song, coursework, memoir, play, journal, travel writing, work stuff or anything else. Newcomers always welcome. No one will see what you're writing or give you unsolicited advice. \*\*We often fill the room, so you must RSVP below and please arrive by 11.40 at the latest. \*\*And if you can't make it change then your RSVP to "not going" ASAP to free it for someone else, thanks. WHERE? The Fifth Floor Cafe, Floor 5, Waterstones, 203-206 Piccadilly, W1J 9LE, right by Piccadilly Circus. TIMINGS:- 11.00 - Café starts serving 11:30 - Host of the day will be there - say hello, especially if you’re new. 11.40 - Brief introductions for everybody - your name and what you’re working on. 11:45 - Timer starts: write for 45 minutes 12:30 – Break, chat to your neighbours if you like 12:45 - Timer starts: write for 45 minutes 13:30 - The End…feel free to stay and keep writing or chat some more. Bring whatever you need to be able to write. It’s a café, there’s some noise so earbuds/headphones/earplugs are handy. There’s very few mains sockets so charged-up laptops are a good idea too. And please remember everybody, thank our venue by buying a drink or food, and don’t consume anything from outside while you're here. \*\*If you arrive after 11.45 - everyone will be quiet and writing. If there's no spare places then there's sofas on the sales floors below as well as one cafe at the back of the ground floor and another in the lower ground floor. We’re looking forward to writing with you, your hosts, Sarah, Nick, Laura, Anna, John and Solitaire

Screenplay Critique - Act Natural

Shut Up and Write! [London/Waterstones Piccadilly]

Join us at the top of the biggest bookshop in Europe to work in company on your own writing, be it a book, blog, screenplay, dissertation, poem, song, coursework, memoir, play, journal, travel writing, work stuff or anything else. Newcomers always welcome. No one will see what you're writing or give you unsolicited advice. \*\*We often fill the room, so you must RSVP below and please arrive by 11.40 at the latest. \*\*And if you can't make it change then your RSVP to "not going" ASAP to free it for someone else, thanks. WHERE? The Fifth Floor Cafe, Floor 5, Waterstones, 203-206 Piccadilly, W1J 9LE, right by Piccadilly Circus. TIMINGS:- 11.00 - Café starts serving 11:30 - Host of the day will be there - say hello, especially if you’re new. 11.40 - Brief introductions for everybody - your name and what you’re working on. 11:45 - Timer starts: write for 45 minutes 12:30 – Break, chat to your neighbours if you like 12:45 - Timer starts: write for 45 minutes 13:30 - The End…feel free to stay and keep writing or chat some more. Bring whatever you need to be able to write. It’s a café, there’s some noise so earbuds/headphones/earplugs are handy. There’s very few mains sockets so charged-up laptops are a good idea too. And please remember everybody, thank our venue by buying a drink or food, and don’t consume anything from outside while you're here. \*\*If you arrive after 11.45 - everyone will be quiet and writing. If there's no spare places then there's sofas on the sales floors below as well as one cafe at the back of the ground floor and another in the lower ground floor. We’re looking forward to writing with you, your hosts, Sarah, Nick, Laura, Anna, John and Solitaire

A Sci Fi/Fantasy Authors Summer Social

Join us for another London Sci-Fi/Fantasy Authors social! This casual gathering is for aspiring and published writers to share ideas, discuss their work and journeys, and connect with other like-minded creatives in a relaxed and welcoming environment. We’ll be meeting at the Balcony Bar of the BFI Riverfront Bar and Restaurant from 6:30PM on Wednesday, July 15th, 2026! See you there! **\*\*PLEASE NOTE: THE VENUE MAY CHANGE SO PLEASE CHECK BACK TO THE EVENT PAGE BEFORE YOU ARRIVE\*\***

Shut Up and Write! [London/Waterstones Piccadilly]

Join us at the top of the biggest bookshop in Europe to work in company on your own writing, be it a book, blog, screenplay, dissertation, poem, song, coursework, memoir, play, journal, travel writing, work stuff or anything else. Newcomers always welcome. No one will see what you're writing or give you unsolicited advice. \*\*We often fill the room, so you must RSVP below and please arrive by 11.40 at the latest. \*\*And if you can't make it change then your RSVP to "not going" ASAP to free it for someone else, thanks. WHERE? The Fifth Floor Cafe, Floor 5, Waterstones, 203-206 Piccadilly, W1J 9LE, right by Piccadilly Circus. TIMINGS:- 11.00 - Café starts serving 11:30 - Host of the day will be there - say hello, especially if you’re new. 11.40 - Brief introductions for everybody - your name and what you’re working on. 11:45 - Timer starts: write for 45 minutes 12:30 – Break, chat to your neighbours if you like 12:45 - Timer starts: write for 45 minutes 13:30 - The End…feel free to stay and keep writing or chat some more. Bring whatever you need to be able to write. It’s a café, there’s some noise so earbuds/headphones/earplugs are handy. There’s very few mains sockets so charged-up laptops are a good idea too. And please remember everybody, thank our venue by buying a drink or food, and don’t consume anything from outside while you're here. \*\*If you arrive after 11.45 - everyone will be quiet and writing. If there's no spare places then there's sofas on the sales floors below as well as one cafe at the back of the ground floor and another in the lower ground floor. We’re looking forward to writing with you, your hosts, Sarah, Nick, Laura, Anna, John and Solitaire

Shut Up and Write! [London/Waterstones Piccadilly]

Join us at the top of the biggest bookshop in Europe to work in company on your own writing, be it a book, blog, screenplay, dissertation, poem, song, coursework, memoir, play, journal, travel writing, work stuff or anything else. Newcomers always welcome. No one will see what you're writing or give you unsolicited advice. \*\*We often fill the room, so you must RSVP below and please arrive by 11.40 at the latest. \*\*And if you can't make it change then your RSVP to "not going" ASAP to free it for someone else, thanks. WHERE? The Fifth Floor Cafe, Floor 5, Waterstones, 203-206 Piccadilly, W1J 9LE, right by Piccadilly Circus. TIMINGS:- 11.00 - Café starts serving 11:30 - Host of the day will be there - say hello, especially if you’re new. 11.40 - Brief introductions for everybody - your name and what you’re working on. 11:45 - Timer starts: write for 45 minutes 12:30 – Break, chat to your neighbours if you like 12:45 - Timer starts: write for 45 minutes 13:30 - The End…feel free to stay and keep writing or chat some more. Bring whatever you need to be able to write. It’s a café, there’s some noise so earbuds/headphones/earplugs are handy. There’s very few mains sockets so charged-up laptops are a good idea too. And please remember everybody, thank our venue by buying a drink or food, and don’t consume anything from outside while you're here. \*\*If you arrive after 11.45 - everyone will be quiet and writing. If there's no spare places then there's sofas on the sales floors below as well as one cafe at the back of the ground floor and another in the lower ground floor. We’re looking forward to writing with you, your hosts, Sarah, Nick, Laura, Anna, John and Solitaire

Summer Screenwriters Party

Fiction Feedback Workshop

Writers, learn more about writing fiction well through our constructive feedback, comradery and lively discussion. You'll be amazed at what you can learn by listening, and sharing your own words once you feel ready. No pressure. In our regular feedback workshops, we have three writers sharing a sample of their writing for immediate feedback, advice and encouragement. Critique is led and moderated by your host Lisa Goll. Listening to the writing of others and the feedback their piece receives on the night is how we learn. We've been running these sessions since 2010 and there's a reason they fill up so fast! Usually, our workshops are limited to a group of 15 writers in total. Three reading; the rest listening, commenting and giving feedback. For people reading, pieces must be **3,500 words or less** as you'll have about 45mins for reading and discussion on your excerpt from around the table. Most people bring 3,500 words from their novel or a short story of all genres and styles. If you'd like to read, please **post a comment below**. ***You must have booked your place before making a request to read.*** If you are reading, **please bring enough printed copies (at least 10)** of your pages so members can make additional feedback/editing notes for you during the reading. All copies will be returned to you after the feedback has concluded. New members are always welcome in these groups. Most people come along to a few sessions before offering feedback, commenting or requesting to read but it's up to you. If you want to read right away, great, but if you want to come along and see how we roll first, that makes sense too. Again, you'll be surprised by how much you can learn from others by listening to the pieces and their feedback. After the workshop, most of us head to the bar for a social drink or two and extended conversation about the highs and woes of writing. **TICKETS:** £15.00 and please follow the steps to pay via PayPal when you RSVP. Ticket price pays for workshop fees, planning, hosting and organising which involve time and effort. A community of 4,500+ writers takes time to manage. PLEASE NOTE: Refunds or credits will only be provided if the workshop is cancelled by us. We cannot offer refunds or credit for another session if you decide not to attend on the day. **Please change your RSVP if you no longer plan to attend.** We often have people on the waiting list and we'd hate for others to miss out. Location: **The Sutton Arms EC1,** 6 Carthusian St, Barbican, London EC1M 6EB. Closest stations are Barbican, Farringdon and Moorgate. Use the official Meetup app to update your RSVPs, check what's on and last-minute notifications about our events as they happen to your phone. [Download it now](https://www.meetup.com/apps/). These workshops are hosted by me - Lisa Goll, Boss Lady at London Writers' Cafe - I'm a publishing professional with more than twenty years of working within the publishing industry. Added to that, I've been leading LWC workshops for writers since 2010 too. See more about [me on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisagoll/) or Insta me @LisasShare @LondonWritersCafe Question? Post a comment below.

A Sci Fi/Fantasy Writing Session

**DUE TO LIMITED SPACE PLEASE ONLY RSVP IF ATTENDING. IF NO LONGER ATTENDING PLEASE UPDATE YOUR RSVP.** Join us in the upstairs room of the Grafton Pub in Camden for another writing-focused session. Bring whatever you’re working on, whether you’re outlining a new idea or deep into your current WIP. This is a space for writers to connect, share ideas, and find inspiration. Whether you’re looking for feedback, want to brainstorm with others, or simply need a quiet place to write, our goal is to build a supportive and collaborative community for sci-fi and fantasy authors at all stages of their journey. Writing will start at 6:30, but feel free to arrive and leave at your own convenience! We will end at 8:30pm, but the pub is open till 11pm so after it ends people can mingle or go home as they please. **While we encourage collaboration and occasional chat, we ask everyone to be mindful of those focused on writing until 8pm.** **Also please support the venue by buying food or drink from the pub!**

A Sci Fi/Fantasy Feedback Session

Join us at Craft Beer Co. Brixton for our structured Sci-Fi & Fantasy Feedback Session. A supportive, focused space where writers can share their work and receive constructive, thoughtful critique. These sessions are designed not only to help authors refine their writing but also to strengthen our community. Giving feedback is as valuable as receiving it: by learning to critique effectively, we sharpen our own editorial instincts and deepen our understanding of craft. Whether you’re submitting work or attending as a reader, this is a collaborative, growth-focused environment. **FOR THOSE SUBMITTING WORK** **We allow up to 4 people to submit their work** **for feedback. In order to submit please RSVP and send your submission to** **scififantasyauthors@gmail.com no later than the Sunday prior to the session** to give organisers time to review submissions and arrange critique groups in advance. *Priority for submission slots is given to those who have attended a previous session.* To ensure quality and fairness, submission guidelines are as follows: * **A short introduction (2–3 paragraphs max.) explaining:** * The context and status of the piece (early draft? polished?) * What kind of feedback you’re looking for * **An excerpt (chapter or short story) of up to 3,000 words** * +10% flexibility allowed * Strict cut-off beyond that **FOR THOSE PROVIDING FEEDBACK** * Please RSVP and read the “How to Give Feedback” document that will be shared prior to attending. * Bring a device suitable for reading the submitted piece * There is no expectation to read anything in advance. All reading takes place during the session itself. We begin with dedicated silent reading time, ensuring that everyone engages with the piece equally and no one feels pressure to prepare outside the session. Just show up ready to read, think, and contribute. **SCHEDULE** Attendees will be placed into small critique groups of 5–6 people, each with an experienced facilitator to guide discussion and manage time. **6:30–6:45pm** – Arrival, drinks & group seating **6:45–7:30pm** – Silent reading & note-taking **7:30–8:00pm** – Structured feedback delivery **8:00–8:30pm** – Open roundtable discussion & author questions Each participant will have up to 5 minutes to share feedback during the structured critique section. Authors listen without interruption, with space for clarifying questions later in the roundtable. Whether you’re looking to polish a chapter, test an opening, or strengthen your editorial instincts, these sessions are an opportunity to grow together. RSVP early, as places are limited to ensure productive group sizes. If you can no longer attend, please update your RSVP.

Editing Checklist for Fiction Writers

Join us and review your manuscript using examples from published novels. We'll uncover what fiction writers could consider when editing, redrafting and rewriting their own manuscripts and stories. I will bring a selection of published novels that we'll use to find and discuss examples. After this workshop you'll read your own work from a new perspective. There are many methods and levels of editing fiction but this step-by-step approach in an easy-to-apply checklist breaks down the process for writers embarking on their editing process for the first time (or the 100th!). Using the checklist, you'll perceive your story and its components from a new position and understand more about your strengths and weaknesses as a writer and storyteller. We all write to our strengths so knowing where your piece demands more effort is key to self-editing before it is seen by a professional reader (i.e. agents/publishers). Every writer needs an editor and the first edit is always performed by the writer themselves (so unfair!). Learning how to switch from pure creator/writer organically making stuff up to a more objective editorial perspective is not easy but necessary. Devised for any fiction writer out there stumped by what and how to edit their own material. After attending, I hope, you'll be able to see your own work more clearly and what's going to need most of your attention when editing. Did you know? Most writers produce four full, edited drafts before submitting to professional readers (agents or publishers) but this session is for writers grappling with a 1st to 100th draft and beyond! Any questions, please post a comment below and I'll respond. Location: **Upstairs at The Artillery Arms. 102 Bunhill Row, London EC1Y 8ND.** Closest stations are Barbican, Moorgate and Tower Hill. Grab a drink/tea/coffee from the main bar on your way in. Please DO NOT bring any outside food or drink to this event. **Tickets:** £15 for event organisation, content, venue hire and preparation. You will be sent the slides after the workshop too. Please follow the steps via Meetup to pay via PayPal. You can bring a guest (add their ticket to yours) but no children (under 18) for safeguarding reasons. **Refund Policy: Refunds or credits will only be offered if the meetup is cancelled by admin.** Please change your RSVP to 'Not Going' if you can no longer attend as we often have people waiting and we'd hate for them to miss out. If an event secures less than 5 people attending we may decide to cancel and, if that happens, we will refund tickets. **Date & Timing:** Saturday, July 18th. Please aim to arrive on time as we'll start at 14:45pm prompt and finish by 6pm. Doors open from 2:30pm. We will grab a social drink (or two) in the bar afterward if you'd like to meet some others attending. Sorted! Hope to see you there. Lisa