The Writing Squad

The Space
2020-09-08 10:00 - 12:00, 2020-09-05 19:30 - 21:00, 2020-09-01 10:00 - 12:00, 2020-08-29 19:30 - 21:00, 2020-08-25 10:00 - 12:00 UTC
There’s something supportive and encouraging about having that screen full of faces, the tops of heads, shoulders, all concentrating on writing. So we have set up The Space, a dedicated (virtual) space for us to write alone, together.
Think of it as your favourite library, a coffee shop, or a co-working space. It’s a room full of writers at work, and it’s a way of making a commitment to yourself to show up and write. Pop in to The Space to work on any writing project that you like – and in case you need inspiration, an optional writing prompt from Francesca will be emailed in advance, for you to use, adapt or ignore. Or she can send you it when she welcomes you in.
Come and go as your please, and feel free to make yourself a cuppa. We’ll work in silence but halfway through there’ll be the option of joining small-group break-out rooms for 5 minutes, for a quick chat.

Zoom Info will be posted to the Facebook Writing Squad group shortly before we kick off!

THE AWESOME PLAY TEXT / SCREENPLAY READING CLUB
2020-09-03 18:30 - 20:00
SIGN UP HERE, WITH MORE INFO ABOUT HOW THE BI-MONTHLY CLUB WILL OPERATE
Matthew Ingram and Emma Adams want to start thinking about how we can build our critical skills to help us develop as writers. We love watching work, but we think we need to spend more time with the words on the page, learning to ‘read as writers’ too. If you want to join us, then here’s what you need to know:
The first play we will be reading and talking about is: The 2019 Pulitzer Prize Winner in Drama – FAIRVIEW by Jackie Sibblies Drury.
You can find a link for buying the text here 👉 https://www.oberonbooks.com/fairview.html

THE SPACE 4
2020-08-26 12:00 - 13:30
There’s something supportive and encouraging about having that screen full of faces, the tops of heads, shoulders, all concentrating on writing. So we have set up The Space, a dedicated (virtual) space for us to write alone, together.
Think of it as your favourite library, a coffee shop, or a co-working space. It’s a room full of writers at work, and it’s a way of making a commitment to yourself to show up and write. Pop in to The Space to work on any writing project that you like – and in case you need inspiration, an optional writing prompt from Francesca will be emailed in advance, for you to use, adapt or ignore. Or she can send you it when she welcomes you in.
Come and go as your please, and feel free to make yourself a cuppa. We’ll work in silence but halfway through there’ll be the option of joining small-group break-out rooms for 5 minutes, for a quick chat.

Writing with a Journalist's Eye - nasim Asl
2020-08-20 18:00 - 20:00
SQUAD 1-9 WORKSHOP
(with possibility of opening up to squad 10 if places.
Want to learn how to approach information as a journalist? To learn the importance of language and audience across different news mediums?
In this introduction to journalistic approaches, we’ll practice writing concisely and clearly, see how to spot and convey the most important facts, and explore how to structure a news story, write for broadcast and understand the importance of audiences.
We will also think about the relationship between journalism and your creative practice; word choices, clarity, the audience, how things work aurally, and the relationship between words and truth

QUEER SHARE 3
2020-08-19 08:00 - 17:00
An informal and relaxed writing and discussion group for female-identifying and non-binary writers. If you are interested in exploring Queer writing, predominantly poetry, and the issues they raise, this is a space for you.
We’ll share work, writing we admire, ask questions, discuss and write together. Meetings are fortnightly, led by Squad 8 grad, Louise Essex.

SQUAD 10: WORKSHOP WITH MALIKA
2020-08-15 14:00 - 16:00
CORE TEAM ‘SQUAD DAY’ WORKSHOPS
Obviously we don’t know how long we will be meeting on Zoom. At the moment we are planning on resuming face to face Squad Days in October but that may shift.
Initially we will meet on Zoom and these workshops will last two hours.
We will email you about these workshops nearer the time with a link to sign up for them on Eventbrite.
We expect that you will try and come to the ones led by the writer in your specialism or your Core Team member, but do feel free to sign up to any that you are interested in.
Emma Adams is our script specialist, Francesca Haig prose, Malika Booker poetry and Stevie Ronnie is a poet, artist and maker.
All will take place on Saturdays, all starting at 14.00.

SIGN UP HERE

Pitching Workshop with Penguin Random House
2020-08-13 18:00 - 20:00
OPEN TO ALL SQUAD FICTION AND PROSE WRITERS. (Priority will be given to people to didn’t attend last time the PRH team worked with us, if you came to that one and want to come to this one, please don’t sign up but email Steve and we’ll offer you a place if there is room.) If you weren’t at that workshop, sign up in the normal way.
A pitch workshop by Penguin Random House editors (Ana Fletcher, Charlotte Humphery and Mikaela Pedlow from VINTAGE) about jackets, copy and how to tell the story of a book, for anybody interested in how the publishing industry pitches books to readers and how this might influence how you pitch your own work to agents and editors.

THE SPACE 3
2020-08-12 19:30 - 21:00

Poetry In Translation with Clare Pollard
2020-08-06 19:30 - 21:30
An introduction to poetry translation (into English) with Clare Pollard – poet, translator, and editor of Modern Poetry in Translation. This workshop will have a focus on translating dead women poets in line with the theme of the magazine’s next issue, but will also serve as an introduction to poetry translation more generally. Following on from this workshop, there is the opportunity to submit your translated poems to the Autumn issue of Modern Poetry in Translation, which is being guest edited by Dead [Women] Poets Society.

QUEER SHARE
2020-08-02 18:00 - 19:00
Squad grad Louise Essex is following up her Queer Women Poets meetings, by setting up a regular online meeting for female-identifying and non-binary lovers of poetry & prose. Reading, writing & discussion. Join their Facebook page if you want to be notified of dates for future meetings.

SQUAD 10: WORKSHOP WITH EMMA
2020-08-01 14:00 - 16:00

THE SPACE
2020-07-29 12:00 - 14:30, 2020-07-15 19:30 - 21:00
We’ve noticed during Zoom seminars that even when we’re working silently on writing exercises, there’s something supportive and encouraging about having that screen full of faces, all concentrating on writing. So we’re starting The Space, a dedicated (virtual) space for us to write alone, together.
Think of it as your favourite library, a coffee shop, or a co-working space. It’s a room full of writers at work, and it’s a way of making a commitment to yourself to show up and write. Pop in to The Space to work on any writing project that you like – and in case you need inspiration, an optional writing prompt from Francesca will be emailed in advance, for you to use, adapt or ignore. Or she can send you it when she welcomes you in.
Come and go as your please, and feel free to make yourself a cuppa. We’ll work in silence but halfway through there’ll be the option of joining small-group break-out rooms for 5 minutes, for a quick chat.
SIGN UP HERE

MAKING S.E.O. WORK FOR YOU with Onyi Ekebuisi
2020-07-25 14:30 - 16:30
Everyone talks about SEO – Search Engine Optimisation – but few know how to make it work for their site and content. In this practical workshop Onyi Ekebuisi will give you a simple guide to what SEO is, and what you need to do to your site/s to get attention, attract traffic, retain browsers and have more people find out about you and your work.

SIGN UP HERE (SQ1-9)
Onyi is a Squad grad and after being Regional SEO Manger for Trinity Mirror newspaper group , she has recently moved to be Head of SEO for Wowcher. Originally from Sheffield, Onyi is currently in the Introductory Playwrighting Group at the Royal Court Theatre.

SQUAD 10: WORKSHOP WITH FRANCESCA
2020-07-18 14:00 - 16:00

WRITING SQUAD BOARD MEETING
2020-07-15 13:30 - 15:00
A meeting of the Writing Squad Board.

Squad 10: Yorkshire & North East Introductory Workshop
2020-07-11 14:00 - 16:00
INTRODUCTORY WORKSHOP WITH EMMA & STEVIE

These workshops will give you the chance to meet the Core Team. We will invite you to the ones in your region, but if the date doesn’t suit and you can go to the other set, that’s fine, just let Steve know.
These will be on Zoom and will last two hours, they will be writing games/exercises and, only if you want to, sharing.
The intention of them is to get to know the Core Team and people based near you.
We will email you about these workshops later this week with a link to sign up for them on Eventbrite.

WRITING CHILDREN'S PICTURE BOOKS with Emma Layfield
2020-07-10 14:30 - 16:30
Have you ever considered writing a children’s picture book? Did you know you don’t have to draw the pictures too? This session will explore the picture book market today in the UK and internationally, including hot themes and latest trends. It will also explore how to create and format a picture book. Emma will also discuss what she’s looking for and talk about Hachette’s picture book open days for unpublished writers.

SIGN UP HERE (SQ1-9)
After twenty years of working with Hachette Children’s Group in London, Emma recently took on a new role as Picture Book Development Director, North, based in Manchester. She is responsible for networking, building relationships and looking for business opportunities in the north of England and Scotland, and focused on acquiring picture book talent living in the North West, North East, Yorkshire and Scotland to publish onto the HCG list.

Squad 10: North West Introductory Workshop
2020-07-04 14:00 - 16:00
INTRODUCTORY WORKSHOP WITH MALIKA & STEVIE

These workshops will give you the chance to meet the Core Team. We will invite you to the ones in your region, but if the date doesn’t suit and you can go to the other set, that’s fine, just let Steve know.
These will be on Zoom and will last two hours, they will be writing games/exercises and, only if you want to, sharing.
The intention of them is to get to know the Core Team and people based near you.
We will email you about these workshops later this week with a link to sign up for them on Eventbrite.

UNBLOCKING WRITER'S BLOCK FOR GOOD with Jeremy Dyson
2020-07-01 14:30 - 16:30
Every writer knows the feeling. That’s all it is – a feeling. Jeremy Dyson shares his favourite tips for neutralising the fear of the blank page garnered from over 20 years of professional work.
SIGN UP HERE (SQ1-9)
Jeremy is one of the League of Gentleman. With Andy Nyman he co-wrote and directed the supernatural-themed play Ghost Stories, which ran for over two years in London’s West End, wrote and directed Psychobitches for Sky Arts. Jeremy’s other work includes being script supervisor on the Tracy Ullman Show, script editor on James Cordon’s The Wrong Mans and being story consultant and writing episode 6 of series 2 of Killing Eve.

Squad 10: Yorkshire & North East Introductory Workshop
2020-06-27 14:00 - 16:00
INTRODUCTORY WORKSHOP WITH FRANCESCA & MALIKA

These workshops will give you the chance to meet the Core Team. We will invite you to the ones in your region, but if the date doesn’t suit and you can go to the other set, that’s fine, just let Steve know.
These will be on Zoom and will last two hours, they will be writing games/exercises and, only if you want to, sharing.
The intention of them is to get to know the Core Team and people based near you.
We will email you about these workshops later this week with a link to sign up for them on Eventbrite.

GETTING THERE with Emma Beverley
2020-06-26 14:30 - 16:30
OK, what next? You have had some work published, you have been doing some readings or shows or are thinking about how to get some. You are beginning to think of yourself as a professional writer, or artist, or think maybe you should start thinking of yourself as such. What are the next steps?
Emma will help you set some short and long term aims for your professional and personal life, then identify what steps you need to take to achieve them. It’s about working out what you want to do and what you have to do to get there.
If you signed up for this workshop before it was postponed due to lockdown please sign up again.
SIGN UP HERE (SQ1-9)
Emma is Co-Director at East Street Arts: an international arts organisation dedicated to supporting artists livelihoods. As an independent producer and programmer, Emma presented artworks in a range of contexts including the Royal Court Theatre, the British Council Showcase, pubs, clubs, cafes and derelict storage units.
She was the founding producer for Selina Thompson Ltd, Executive Producer for Eclipse Theatre Company, and Co-Programmer with Leeds European Capital of Culture 2023.

Squad 10: North West Introductory Workshop
2020-06-20 14:00 - 16:00
INTRODUCTORY WORKSHOP WITH EMMA & FRANCESCA

These workshops will give you the chance to meet the Core Team. We will invite you to the ones in your region, but if the date doesn’t suit and you can go to the other set, that’s fine, just let Steve know.
These will be on Zoom and will last two hours, they will be writing games/exercises and, only if you want to, sharing.
The intention of them is to get to know the Core Team and people based near you.
We will email you about these workshops later this week with a link to sign up for them on Eventbrite.

NOT ABOUT NOW - A SHARING
2020-06-17 19:00 - 20:30
A donation from a benefactor made it possible for the Squad to commission poems from our poets mini-goals group.
They were asked to write two poems on any theme they wanted, each was allocated a partner and they edited each other’s work.
This Zoom reading is the first sharing of that work.
All Squads are welcome to come and listen, sign up here. You’ll be sent a link on the day.

DISTANCE DIALOGUES 3: THE ARTIST'S IDENTITY
2020-06-12 14:30 - 16:00
Open to all writers Squads 1-9.
Exploring the relationship between your identity as an artist and identity as a human being. What are the different ways this complex relationship can affect our artistic work and our everyday life?
SIGN UP HERE

THINK LIKE AN ARTIST ACT LIKE A PLUMBER with Steve Dearden
2020-06-11 14:30 - 16:00
Open to Squads 1-9.
So you are a great writer, how do you get work?
This session will identify the tools and techniques for keeping yourself going as a creative, while putting yourself out there to get freelance work that will pay the bills. You’ll get a toolkit, or at least a list of practical things that you will be able to act on immediately. The session is based on Steve’s experience of both developing and employing writers and creatives.
This is a session based on a talk Steve has given to creative students at Leeds, Liverpool John Moores and Newcastle Universities. It is suitable for any one just embarking, or thinking of embarking, on a freelance or mixed portfolio career.

SIGN UP HERE
