William Sutton's Blog, page 5

Writers Hub at the Guildhall

A tremendous evening at the Guildhall (with thanks to Andy Grays and the Guildhall Trust), workshop delivered with panache and eclat by the dynamic duo of Matt Wingett and Tessa Ditner. From usual suspects alongside fresh faces, stories sprang forth in response to picture and object prompts, as we learned from Matt how story can emerge from exploring character. Tessa treated us to an overview of her graphic novel work with Odyssey comics, and set us the tough task of planning our writing goal for 10 years’ time. (Top marks to Margaret Jennings for her Carribean Island answer.)

The Portsmouth Room is a fantastic venue, and we’ll be back there in Portsmouth Bookfest 2025 to celebrate 10 years since the publication of Portsmouth Fairy Tales for Grown Ups, a landmark publication that marked the winds of change filling the sails of the local literary scene. Encore.

Thanks to writers new and old for attending and participating with gusto. It was an exciting night packed with ideas.

Also repeated thanks to our Hub hosts of late. At a Portsmouth Creates event a couple of years back, I made a plea for help in continuing our Hub work. The Kings Theatre and the Guildhall immediately offered to accommodate us, and both have provided admirable support. The New Theatre Royal has chimed in offering workshops space. Through 2025, we hope that the Hub will get on a firmer footing and be able to provide support and devleopment for the writing community as a whole.

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Taking Our Novels Further

Hugely enjoyable workshop series at Petersfield Museum with a small, dedicated crew of writers.

In Take Your Novel Further, we’ve covered thorny issues that trouble us as we move towards a full draft and then into the revision process: are my characters engaging? Does the shape of my story hold? How do I want the reader to feel? Which writers am I channelling? It’s exciting to see writers grapple with first lines, crunch scenes, and pitches, as they move from just getting the words down towards making the words good.

That’s the end of my Petersfield workshops for the year, but I hope to be back in March with a broader workshop programme, inviting in further facilitators, and beginning with a social event for any and all writers in the vicinity. Thanks to Ryan and the team for giving us a warm welcome and creating a cosy environment, just right for writerly discussions.

A few final workshops for this year, then aiming to roll out twice monthly workshops at NTR for Portsmouth’s 2025 City of Literature, alongside extra Portsmouth Bookfest events in Feb/March:

Fri 13 Dec 2-4 pm           Edit Your Writing New Theatre Royal

Wed 4 Dec 7 pm         Editing Club online https://www.wegottickets.com/event/628419

Wed 18 Dec 7 pm       End of year meet-up, Southsea Brewhouse  

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Devil of Euston Square trailer

Spotted this picture of the 2015 re-launch of The Devil of Euston Square and thought I’d share the trailer again for those new to the series.



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Editing Workshops

Hugely enjoyable workshop series at New Theatre Royal and at Petersfield Museum. Thanks to all involved.I’m programming twice monthly workshops at NTR, covering a wider range of #writing.Three #editing] workshops upcoming, for those tussling with structure, shape, colons and commas:29 Nov [Gosport Museum and Art Gallery] https://www.hampshireculture.org.uk/…/how-edit-your-own…4 Dec Editing Club (online)13 Dec Editing Workshop at New Theatre Royal: https://newtheatreroyal.ticketsolve.com/…/shows/1173655551Also not to be missed, our @Portsmouth Writers’ Hub Nov meeting chez @Portsmouth Guildhall Trust, hosted by the remarkable Matt Wingett and Tessa Ditner Amorosi:6 – 8pm 27 Nov @Storytellers: creative writing workshop&social (November Portsmouth Writers’ Hub Meetup) — FREE (https://www.facebook.com/events/1755807391932251/ Please Feel Free to Share:

Victory Radio & the Portsmouth Authors Collective

Thanks to Bob Bruce and Loree Westron for inviting me on to Victory Radio’s weekly spot for Portsmouth Authors Collective. (Broadcast this Thursday 21.11.24 between 10 and 12: https://victoryonline.co.uk/.)

Talking about my first book Lawless and the Devil of Euston Square is a salutary reminder to me of the long tail of our creative endeavours. Useful as I teach my courses at New Theatre Royal on Historical Fiction and at Petersfield Museum (Take Your Novel Further): as you write, you can’t imagine where your book will end up or how it will be received. You must let yourself be absorbed by the world, the characters, the story.

I had the idea for this book in June 2002: an underground tale of Victorian London, dark but comical, playful but accurate. It took a couple of years to write and a couple to sell. When I later got an agent, he resold it, twice, to bigger publishers. So I was paid three advances for this book (though, as we know, most authors’ overall earnings remain trifling, and most work other jobs).

I was lucky enough to have three books published by Titan Books, giving Sergeant Lawless encounters with the underfoot and undesirable, as the great and good. I learnt about the wonders of Bazalgette’s sewerage network and the secret shames of Soho, the panic around Palmerston’s Follies and London’s hydraulic power network. I had Lawess & Flowers of Sin named Book of the Year in the Mail and the Morning Star (a neat political paradox).

I’ve had a hiatus of working on other projects, notably the workshops helping local writers to improve their books. But maybe I’ll return to Lawless, the thrills of the subversive and illicit hidden beneath the Victorians’ starchy overgarments.

Well done to Loree and the PAC for a successful local authors’ Book Fair at Aspex Gallery yesterday. Encore! I hope we’ll see lots more visibility and noise around our local writing scene in next year’s City of Literature 2025.

@portsmouthcreates

 

Photo: Loree Westron

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Books launching #PortsmouthFiction

I am filled with pride to see friends’ books coming out. Well done, all.

Since my 2016 workshops with Diana Bretherick, in New Theatre Royal‘s Minghella Studio during #PortsmouthBookfest, many writers have come through to publication. Well done, all. Bodes well for #PortsmouthCreates City of Literature 2025.

Sue Harper’s extraordinary Blood and Coal:

Sue gave a sparkling interview at @Southsea Community Cinema last week to a packed house (high on wine & pistachio cake — thanks Aysegul H Epengin)

Pens of the Earth Wild Seas, Wilder Cities:

Wild Seas, Wilder Cities

Amazing project given an inspiring launch in The Guildhall Trust‘s Lens studio, with wonderful readings orchestrated by Helen Salsbury, Richard Salsbury and Vin Adams.

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Eileen Phyall’s About Time:

Launching next Tues 29 Oct at the fabulous Marmion House Hotel

Alexia Daniels’ The House of Light and Air, out soon — available from @Portsmouth Authors Collective markets in November: https://www.amazon.co.uk/House-Light-...

Who’s next? Probably Tom Sykes‘ Tangled Saviours, due out next year.[image error] [image error]

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Writing workshops, Portsmouth Writers Hub ++

If you’ve received support, entertainment and writing mojo through Portsmouth Writers Hub, and hope to get more, consider chucking something into our Crowdfunder: crowdfunder.co.uk/p/help-us-grow-portsmouth-writers-hub  We’re hoping this can get the Hub onto a firmer basis, provide the coordination and organisation to offer more events and support, to make the most of our local writing community, and as seed funding to put in further bids.

I’ve got writing workshops through the autumn online, at Petersfield Museum, Gosport Museum, and New Theatre Royal Portsmouth – beginning with today’s free social event  2 – 4 pm Fri 13 Sept. Futher dates below and more about the workshops here. Do ask me if you have any questions or queries:

Details          william-sutton.co.uk/workshops      Dates            william-sutton.co.uk/events/

Watch out also for:

Pens of the Earth’s book Wild Seas, Wilder Cities arriving 21st October, available at the launch for £10; or pre-order from the award-winning Pigeon Books £10.99Sue Harper’s novel Blood & Coal, launched soon (TBC 25 Oct)T’Articulation events:open mic, theme ‘Fruition’, Sunday 29th Sept, Barley Mow.‘Dark Happenings’, online sharing of poetry/prose, 7 pm, Sunday 3rd Nov.series of 4 linked workshops at the Central Library next year.Mandi Garrie hasWriters Room sessions Oct 7th, 11 -1.00 in The History Centre, £5.two ‘Lost Children of Portsmouth’ archive materials’ workshops, Saturday mornings at the Central Library, dates TBCPortsmouth Authors Collectivewill be at various markets: see their Facebook page.meet at 7pm, 3rd Wednesday of month, for Speaking Volumes sessions, Hideaway Cafe, Highland Road, Southsea. Hear authors reading. Open Mic slots.run the PAC Book Club on Victory Radio with Bob Bruce every Thursday.

Portsmouth Writers Hub next meeting at King’s Theatre, 6 – 8 pm Monday 14 Oct.Christine Lawrence is running creative writing workshops at the Pallant Centre, Havent, on the second Sat of the month.For further opportunities, search up Open Ya Mouth, Crowbait, Pompey Poetry Party, The Front RoomPortsmouth Bookfest 2025 programme will be announced at the end of the year, and their short story competition is generally launched quite soon

By no means an exhaustive list—I’m hoping the Hub will eventually host a calendar of writing events. My own workshops listed below.

Writing Workshops Sept-Dec 2024 – William Sutton

Details          william-sutton.co.uk/workshops   Dates            william-sutton.co.uk/events/

New Theatre Royal: Tickets: newtheatreroyal.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/shows/1173655551

From my 2016 workshops with Diana Bretherick, three novelists have made it to publication, and five more from my recent Bookfest workshops. Well done, all.

Fri 13 Sept 2-4 pm           Portsmouth Writers’ Social (free) NTR
Meet some fellow writers and get inspired! This first session is free (donations are appreciated).

Fri 11 Oct 2-4 pm             Writing for Procrastinators NTR
Develop characters, settings, plots and endings. Crash through blocks and get words on the page.

Fri 8 2-4 15, 22 Nov 2-4    3 week-course: Write Your Historical Novel NTR
A short course in Historical Novel writing. Explore the thrill and adventure of historical writing.
Hints for drafting, tips for avoiding pitfalls of research and anachronisms and more.

Fri 13 Dec 2-4 pm             Edit Your Writing NTR
Tackle this crucial part of the editing process with confidence and an eye towards publication.

Gosport Museum, Walpole Road, PO12 1NS
Fri 25 Oct 2-4 pm             Write Your Novel, Gosport
Tickets: Write your novel! Creative Writing workshop | Hampshire Cultural Trust

Fri 29 Nov 6-8 pm            Edit Your Writing, Gosport
Tickets: HOW TO EDIT YOUR OWN WRITING WORDS | Hampshire Cultural Trust  

Petersfield Museum & Gallery
Wed 23 Oct 7-9 pm         Edit Your Writing, Petersfield Museum
Buy 23 Oct: Edit Your Writing – Petersfield Museum and Art Gallery.co.uk

Thurs Nov 14, 21, 28 7-9   3 week-course: Take Your Novel Further, P’field Museum
Buy 14 Nov (3 Week Course): Take Your Novel Further – Petersfield Museum and Art Gallery  

Online Workshops –  william-sutton.co.uk/events/
Sat 12 Oct 10-1          Scribblers Salon online

Sat 2 Nov 10-1            Scribblers Salon online

Wed 6 Nov 7 pm         Editing Club online https://www.wegottickets.com/event/627163

Wed 4 Dec 7 pm         Editing Club online https://www.wegottickets.com/event/628419

Fri 6 Dec 10-1             Scribblers Salon online

Sat 7 Dec 10-1            Scribblers Salon online

Wed 18 Dec 7 pm       End of year meet-up, Southsea Brewhouse  

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Writers End of year meet-up, Southsea Brewhouse

Wed 18 Dec 7 pm           End of year meet-up, Southsea Brewhouse 

 

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Autumn Writing Workshops ’24 Portsmouth Petersfield Gosport & online

It’s been a brilliant year of workshops for me with Portsmouth Bookfest, Ashcroft Arts, Petersfield Museum, and my own online groups, Scribblers Salon and Editing Club. The autumn looks busy — looking forward to it, and to growing our determined and collaborative community of local writers.

Details of workshop contents: william-sutton.co.uk/workshops 

Dates TBC Petersfield Museum, Gosport Museum and Art Gallery

Gosport Museum and Art Gallery

Fri 6 Sept 2-4 pm              Writing for Procrastinators, Gosport

Fri 25 Oct 2-4 pm             Write Your Novel, Gosport

Fri 29 Nov 6-8 pm            Edit Your Writing, Gosport

New Theatre Royal: Writing Workshops (ticketsolve.com)

Fri 13 Sept 2-4 pm           Portsmouth Writers’ Social (free) NTR

Fri 11 Oct 2-4 pm             Writing for Procrastinators NTR

Fri 8 2-4 15, 22 Nov 2-4    3 week-course: Write Your Historical Novel NTR

Fri 13 Dec 2-4 pm             Edit Your Writing NTR

Petersfield Museum & Gallery

Wed 23 Oct 7-9 pm         Edit Your Writing, P’field Mus

Thurs Nov 14, 21, 28 7-9   3 week-course: Take Your Novel Further, P’field Museum

 

Workshops online

Latest News and Blog Posts – William Sutton (william-sutton.co.uk)

Fri/Sat 9/10 Aug 10-1 Writing Retreat with Scribblers Salon, P’mth Central Library /
online: https://www.wegottickets.com/event/628424

  

Wed 4 Sept 7 pm        Editing Club online https://www.wegottickets.com/event/622632

Sat 7 Sept                   Scribblers Salon online

Sat 12 Oct 10-1         Scribblers Salon online

Sat 2 Nov 10-1            Scribblers Salon online

Wed 6 Nov 7 pm         Editing Club online https://www.wegottickets.com/event/627163

Wed 4 Dec 7 pm         Editing Club online https://www.wegottickets.com/event/628419

Fri 6 Dec 10-1             Scribblers Salon online

Sat 7 Dec 10-1            Scribblers Salon online

Wed 18 Dec 7 pm       End of year meet-up, Southsea Brewhouse  

 

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Autumn Writing Workshops ’24 Portsmouth Petersfield & online

It’s been a brilliant year of workshops for me with Portsmouth Bookfest, Ashcroft Arts, Petersfield Museum, and my own online groups, Scribblers Salon and Editing Club. The autumn looks busy — looking forward to it, and to growing our determined and collaborative community of local writers.

Details of workshop contents: william-sutton.co.uk/workshops 
Dates TBC at New Theatre Royal, Petersfield Museum

Sat 13 July 10-12  Writing for Procrastinators, Pallant Centre, Havant

Fri/Sat 9 & 10 Aug 10-1   Scribblers Salon Mini-Retreat, P’mth Library/online

Wed 4 Sept 7 pm   Editing Club online

Sat 6 Sept  Scribblers Salon online

Fri 13 Sept 2-4 pm      Portsmouth Writers’ Social (free) NTR

Fri 11 Oct 2-4 pm        Writing for Procrastinators NTR

Sat 12 Oct 10-1   ?? –TBC Scribblers Salon online

Wed 16 Oct 7-9 pm  Edit Your Writing OR Procrastinators, P’field Mus

Sat 2 Nov 10-1   Scribblers Salon online

Wed 6 Nov 7 pm   Editing Club online

Fri 8 2-4 15, 22 Nov   Write Your Historical Novel NTR

Thurs Nov 14, 21, 28    3 wks: Take Your Novel Further, P’field Museum

Wed 4 Dec   7 pm   Editing Club online

Fri 6 Dec 10-1   Scribblers Salon online

Sat 7 Dec 10-1   Scribblers Salon online

Fri 13 Dec 2-4 pm     Edit Your Writing NTR

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