For our Rochdale Writes online writing group on Tuesday 25th August the theme will be ‘Birds’.
Birds have always held a special fascination for us humans, the fact that they can fly has always intrigued and now that we know that they are effectively the only surviving dinosaurs adds even more interest.
There will be inspiration from nature and mythology with poetry and images plus plenty of chance to discuss and write, and to share your work.
The group is proving to benefit people who for whatever reason are not able to attend the physical venues for in-person groups. Although based in Rochdale (UK) the group has attracted participants from further afield and all aged 18+ are welcome to join us. You do not need to be a seasoned writer and everyone from complete beginners to professional writers is welcome.
The session is free and you can join using the link below to enter the waiting room from where the facilitator can admit you to the meeting. There is no need to have your camera or microphone switched on and there is a chat window available.
The group has few rules which are basically – please do not be offensive or racist or other such behaviour – otherwise please enjoy the chance to write and share with other writers.
For our Rochdale Writes online writing group on Tuesday 25th August the theme will be ‘Trees’.
There will be inspiration from poetry and images and plenty of chance top discuss and write, and to share your work for those who would like to.
The group is proving to benefit people who for whatever reason are not able to attend the physical venues for in-person groups. Although based in Rochdale (UK) the group has attracted participants from further afield and all aged 18+ are welcome to join us. You do not need to be a seasoned writer and everyone from complete beginners to professional writers is welcome.
The session is free and you can join using the link below to enter the waiting room from where the facilitator can admit you to the meeting. There is no need to have your camera or microphone switched on and there is a chat window available.
The group has few rules which are basically – please do not be offensive or racist or other such behaviour – otherwise please enjoy the chance to write and share with other writers.
Our Rochdale Writes CIC online writing group will meet again on Zoom from 6.30 to 8.00pm (BST) on Tuesday 11th August.
During the session there will be themed writing prompts (including visuals) and discussion with opportunities to create new writing and share it with others. Poetry, fiction, monologues or any other form of creative writing is encouraged.
The group is proving to benefit people who for whatever reason are not able to attend the physical venues for in-person groups. Although based in Rochdale (UK) the group has attracted participants from further afield and all aged 18+ are welcome to join us. You do not need to be a seasoned writer and everyone from complete beginners to professional writers is welcome.
The session is free and you can join using the link below to enter the waiting room from where the facilitator can admit you to the meeting. There is no need to have your camera or microphone switched on and there is a chat window available.
The group has few rules which are basically – please do not be offensive or racist or other such behaviour – otherwise please enjoy the chance to write and share with other writers.
Riverside Writers – Thursday 13th August
This week the Riverside Writers session, 10am to 12noon, in Rochdale Central Library, Number One Riverside, will be led by Seamus Kelly. The session will be themed on objects that Seamus will bring from home for inspiration and discussion with plenty of opportunities to write and share your work.
Please note that this and future sessions will take place in a new location in the library, next to the Maskew Collection pod.
Riverside Writers’ sessions are free of charge and there is no need to book, just come along with something to write with and your imagination.
Opportunity for 18 to 30 year olds – Sunday 23rd August 11pm – 2pm
All About the Birds is a free poetry workshop delivered as part of a wider project with Contact Theatre in Manchester. The workshop will take place at Richard Street Studios in Rochdale and if weather permits will involve a walk over to Broadfield Park. The workshop will be delivered by Maddie Wakeling, cowriter of the play ‘All about the Birds’ with Nassim Al-Banna.
The project will involve young writers in Manchester (UK) and Beirut (Lebanon) exploring themes of freedom, community and connection and exchanging poetic letters.
Please pass on to any young 18-30 writers and ask them to email info@rochdalewrites.co.uk and the message will be passed on so that Maddie can contact them directly.
The next meeting of our group will be this coming Tuesday – 14th July, 6.30pm – 8.00pm (British Summer Time). There will be some inspiration, writing prompts and the chance to share what is created. The session is free of charge, and we especially welcome those who are unable to attend physical venues.
Please feel free to use the link from 6.15 onwards, to make sure you are able to get online. I’ll start the session at 6.30.
The sessions are quite informal but please nothing offensive, racist etc, and only those aged 18+ please. You may choose whether to have camera or microphone enabled.
The Ukrainian Club, 15 Mere Street, Rochdale 6.30pm to 9.00pm
Apologies for a 2nd post in a couple of days – but this promises to be a great event with some very highly regarded short story writers. There are still plenty of spaces available so can either book online with the following link, or encourage someone to come along with you on the night. Opportunities to see short stories performed by their authors are quite rare so why not come along on Thursday?
One of the writers Benjamin Judge was a member of Rochdale’s Weaving Words writing group ‘many’ years ago and we remember his skill in telling tales.
Roch-tales is a set of six brand new short story commissions on the theme of Rochdale by authors Rosie Garland, Reshma Ruia, Abi Hynes, Nicholas Royle, Benjamin Judge, and David Gaffney, and a brand-new sound installation by Rochdale artist Maryanne Royle, a resident of Ebor Mill artists in Littleborough.
Your compere on the night is poet Sarah-Clare Conlon
Schedule
6.30 – enjoy Maryanne Royle’s sound installation in the bar
7. 00 – live readings
7.30 Break
7.45 – live readings
8.15 break
8.30 – open mike – please sign up on the night
9.00 – ends
Roch-Tales is a co-supported by Arts Council England and Rochdale Libraries
The artists
Reshma Ruia is the author of two novels, Something Black in the Lentil Soup, and Still Lives, winner of the 2023 Diverse Book Readers’ Choice Award and a short story collection, Mrs Pinto Drives to Happiness, shortlisted for the 2022 Eastern Eye Award.
Rosie Garland writes poetry, fiction, song lyrics & is lead singer of post-punk band The March Violets. Her work has featured in the Guardian, Mslexia, Bronte Parsonage Museum and commissions include Tate Modern and Whitworth Art Gallery. Her latest collection, This is How I Fight, was the Observer Poetry Book of the Month.
Abi Hynes’ first collection of short stories, Monstrous Longing, was shortlisted for the Edge Hill Prize 2024.
David Gaffney is the author of three novels, most recently Out of the Dark, plus a number of short story collections, as well as several graphic novels with Dan Berry, most recently Rivers. His collection of short stories, Concrete Fields, was longlisted for the Edge Hill prize.
Nicholas Royle is the author of five short story collections and seven novels. He founded Nightjar Press, which publishes original short stories as limited-edition chapbooks.
Benjamin Judge is a writer of short fiction and non-fiction who lives in Rochdale. He is a graduate of the Centre for New Writing at the University of Manchester. Drinking Coffee With my Father in the Most Expensive Cafe in Manchester won the Real Story Prize.
Maryanne Royle is an artist from Rochdale whose practice spans visual art, performance, and music. Maryanne’s work explores history and heritage using sound and performance to create site-specific experiences. She has worked with Leeds 2023, Pioneers Museum, PRS Foundation, and The Whitaker Museum.
