Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Writing East Midlands @writingeastmidlands.com · 2h

Brand new writing workshops for autistic adults from the Global Majority👇

Anthonia King leads a fortnightly workshop where intersectionality is honoured and nurtured with writing exercises, prompts and discussions.

⬇️Register below and join BTS online on Tuesdays from 7 - 8:30 pm
buff.ly/67ksg6u

Writing East Midlands @writingeastmidlands.com · 19h

🌿Do you want to encourage your young writer(s) to enter the Solstice Prize?

💡Struggling with where to start or how to encourage them?

We've created a FREE, downloadable pack full of prompts, writing exercises & an example lesson plan to help you spark their imaginations.

bit.ly/WEM_SOLSTICE

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Writing East Midlands @writingeastmidlands.com · 1d

Get your applications in! ➡️➡️➡️ bit.ly/WEMMENTOR

The Mentoring Scheme is closing TOMORROW. It's time to finish proofreading, put down the pen and hit submit. ✅

If you need to make a couple more edits, don't sweat it! But make sure your entry is in by 11.59 pm tomorrow.

Writing East Midlands @writingeastmidlands.com · 1d

Do you live in/around Gainsborough? Fancy a free ticket to the Old Hall?!🏰

Families can gain free entry to Gainsborough Old Hall, this Saturday, when they sign a child up to the Gainsborough Young Writers' Group...🖋️

Visit our website and sign up to get your free family pass.
bit.ly/GAINSBOROUGH...

Writing East Midlands @writingeastmidlands.com · 2d

Raise your hand if you want to make a genuine difference to creative writing events and opportunities for young people in the East Mids! 🙋

Applications to join our Youth Advisory Board for 18-25s are NOW OPEN.

Find out more about what it involves here ⏬
bit.ly/YABAPPLYNOW

Writing East Midlands @writingeastmidlands.com · 2d

Did someone say 'Speak Easy Double Feature'?! 🤩

...No? Just us? WELL, that's what's coming your way this October 24th/25th! Two spooky season specials: One workshop and one open mic! 🎤 BOTH Halloween-themed to get you in the spirit! 👻

Find out more and sign up here ➡️ bit.ly/SPEAKEASYC

Writing East Midlands @writingeastmidlands.com · 3d

NEW poetry workshops for Neurodivergent teens 👀👇

Free to join, online, twice a month and lead by queer and Neurodivergent writer Georgie Brooke! ✨ Starting 16th October but don't worry if your young writer can't make every session.

Sign up here 👉 buff.ly/NS2cQqb

Writing East Midlands @writingeastmidlands.com · 3d

Huge congrats! 💖

Writing East Midlands @writingeastmidlands.com · 3d

Author and one of The Observer's best New Novelists for 2025 Marcia Hutchinson is coming to Leicester! 😍

Throughout this in conversation, she'll be discussing her solo literary debut The Mercy Step and more - with copies available to buy at the event.

Save your place ⏬
buff.ly/RgPBOkm

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Writing East Midlands @writingeastmidlands.com · 4d

Gainsborough parents! 📢 We've got spaces available in our FREE creative writing group for 10-17s!

If you're looking for a Saturday morning activity for your young person and their friends, we've got you covered. All you need to do is sign up and turn up!

Sign up here ➡️ bit.ly/GAINSBOROUGH...

Writing East Midlands @writingeastmidlands.com · 4d

Why should writers learn to write in multiple genres? 🤔

It's not just for fun! The answer may help you to increase your appeal to agents, publishers and your own audience... 👀

Check out author Emma Pass's blog post to find out why you should be writing in more than one genre 👉 buff.ly/5O5Eo0y

Writing East Midlands @writingeastmidlands.com · 5d

🚀 LAUNCHING NOW 🚀 FREE, ONLINE writing workshops lead by Autistic writers for Autistic writers up North!

What makes our BTS workshops so great? Lots of things! For a start: This is YOUR space to write and meet other writers who are also Autistic. ✍️

Find out more and sign up here 👉 buff.ly/HMJ8wc0

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Writing East Midlands @writingeastmidlands.com · 5d

FREE activities for young people aged 14-19 in Mansfield! 🚨📢

Our creative writing group starts NEXT WEEK with published author and poet Leanne Moden. 📖 Whether your young person loves to write or is looking for something new to try, ALL are welcome.

Sign up now 👉 bit.ly/MANSFIELDYWG

Writing East Midlands @writingeastmidlands.com · 6d

AI in the Arts: For or Against?🤔

Join Jocelyn Burnham for an evening of exploration, insights and discussion surrounding one of 2025's hottest topics.

Ideal for those who are curious, excited, or worried about AI's impact on the cultural sector.

Free for BTS members!
buff.ly/x9cIntu

Writing East Midlands @writingeastmidlands.com · 6d

Happy #NationalPoetryDay! ❤️🎉

To all the sonnet-scribblers and writers of rhyme, we hope you find time in the day to sit down with a nice cuppa and an empty notebook filled with possibilities! ☕✍️

Wondering what's on at WEM for you poets? Head on over to the website to find out - there's plenty!

Writing East Midlands @writingeastmidlands.com · 7d

🚨ONE PLACE LEFT🚨

Who will snap it up?

🌿The Solstice Nature Writing Workshop is in two days! We can't wait to join Nottingham's Nature Poet Laureate Cara Thompson, at Attenborough Nature Reserve, for an afternoon of zen, writerly goodness.🌿

Register for free right here⤵️
bit.ly/SOLSTICEWORK...

Writing East Midlands @writingeastmidlands.com · 7d

CLICK HERE TO APPLY FOR WRITER MENTORING 👉 bit.ly/WEMMENTOR

You've got one week to send in your extract, synopsis and answers for the chance to be one of eight mentees on our free writer development programme. Got some last-minute Q's? Make sure to get in touch via [email protected] ✉️

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Writing East Midlands @writingeastmidlands.com · 8d

The longlists have been announced! And now it's time to celebrate! 🥳🎉

Join us, our two judges and Derby Poetry Festival at Derby Museums on 13th November where we will be revealing the winners of this year's Aurora Prize for Writing. 🥂

Tickets & see our longlists here 👉 bit.ly/AURORACEREMONY

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Writing East Midlands @writingeastmidlands.com · 9d

🌱 One month left to submit your writing to The Solstice Nature Prize 2025!🌱

Let your young writer explore and grow their writing using nature as a guide. Whether a budding poet, storyteller or journalist, we want to see their writing!

Find out more & submit before 31st October!
bit.ly/WEM_SOLSTICE

Writing East Midlands @writingeastmidlands.com · 11d

Benefits of joining a writing group:

👥 Meet like-minded people
💡 Keep up to date with writing opportunities
📖 Constructive criticism on your WIP

Join Nicky Peacock on 25th November as she reveals how she created & maintained a thriving writing group!

💻 Meeting on Zoom, 6:30 - 8pm.
bit.ly/HTSYOWG

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Writing East Midlands @writingeastmidlands.com · 11d

🍃 One week to go... 🍃

...Until this FREE nature writing workshop for 13-17s with Nottingham's new Nature Poet Laureate! ✍️🌳 Know a young writer looking for some Solstice Nature Prize inspo?

Look no further ➡️ bit.ly/SOLSTICEWORK...

Writing East Midlands @writingeastmidlands.com · 13d

Bring out your creepiest characters and vilest villains! 🧟 Our first FREE Speak Easy workshop of the spooky season is coming to Nottingham T O M O R R O W! 🦇

Writers aged 15-25 wanting to get into the Halloween spirit should sign up via the link below 🎃⏬
buff.ly/HbgtVEg

Writing East Midlands @writingeastmidlands.com · 13d

The Mentoring Scheme closes in just 2 weeks! 😱 Double-check your eligibility by flicking through these FAQs and visiting the website. Everything you need to know is right there!

Remember ➡️ Applications close 9th October 2025 at 11.59 pm ⬅️

Get yours in here 👉 bit.ly/WEMMENTOR

Writing East Midlands @writingeastmidlands.com · 14d

BREAKING NEWS: New job role at WEM! 📢

We're hiring a Marketing and Admin Assistant to support our social media and marketing comms, as well as the day-to-day functioning of the wider WEM team.

If you're passionate about championing local lit development, we want to hear from you:
bit.ly/MARKADMIN

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Writing East Midlands @writingeastmidlands.com · 15d

NEW BTS MASTERCLASS: What if a robot wrote this? ✍️🤖

But how should we feel about it? In this £5 online masterclass, Jocelyn Burnham will be exploring emotion, creativity, copyright and innovation through the lens of AI.

Book your tickets ➡️ bit.ly/BTSAIMC