The Writers' HQ Weekender

A glorious literary weekend of words, workshops, writing exercises, stories and discussion (plus tea, biscuits and gold stars!)

Join us in March for the Writers’ HQ Weekender — a writing festival of epic proportions, featuring a heap of writing workshops, expert advice, literary speed dating, an open mic night, an industry discussion panel, food and drink and a whole load of writerly shenanigry!

On 11th – 12th March, 2023, we’re taking over One Church in Brighton to bring you two whole days of writerly goodness. You’ll get to hang with your WHQ buddies, meet the real life workshop leaders behind our online webinars, get inspired by brand new, never-before-seen workshops, take part in ridiculous and spectacular events like speed-pitching your story and live spoken word readings, join in a Q&A with agents, industry professionals and competition judges, and spend the weekend immersed in lovely, lovely words…

Sounds like actual bliss, right?

PLUS: All your food, tea, coffee ‘n’ biscuits is included in the cost (dietary requirements catered for — just let us know when you book)

PLUS: Goodie bags, prize draws, exclusive WHQ merch and the chance to win a critique and a whole year of membership!

PLUS: 15% off ticket prices for Gold Star members (psst upgrade now if you haven’t already)

Are you excited? We’re SO excited.

Saturday Workshops & Events

Welcome!
Come on in and make yourself at home. Grab a goodie bag, stick on a name tag, and settle in with a cuppa and a biscuit – starting as we mean to go on with a chilled out vibe! Gather round for a brief bit of housekeeping to get everyone welcomed, pepped, prepped and we’ll tell you all about what we’ve got planned for the weekend!

Flash Face Off (in real life)!
Join Kathy ‘Flashy’ Hoyle and get your flash fiction flowin’ with a fun, prompt-filled, story-inspiring workshop based on our infamous Flash Face Off challenge. It’s a quickfire session that’ll help you develop character, setting, detail and conflict within your short stories while having a tonne of fun!

The Fundamental Nugget of Human Truth!
What is the meaning hidden deep down in your work? Do you find yourself writing to a specific theme, however subconsciously? Explore the deep down nuggets of truth in your stories with this thoughtful lil’ workshop run by WHQ co-founder Jo Gatford.

Literary Speed Dating!
No, we’re not actually setting you up for a date (though if you find your soulmate at the Weekender please invite us to the wedding!). Instead, take the opportunity to pitch your WIP, story idea or favourite character to a series of fresh-eared writers and spread the literary love!

Open Mic Night!
Bring a story of up to 500 words (or use a piece you’ve created in one of our workshops) and put your name in the hat to read at our Saturday night open mic for wild applause, adoration, supportive feedback and gold stars! Go on, be brave…

PLUS: Free goody bags, prize-draws, merch stall, a tasty dinner, evening drinks ‘n’ music!

Sunday Workshops & Events

No-Pressure Morning Journal Pages!
Grab a coffee, a pastry and your notebook, and settle into the day with some super chilled journaling led by the lovely Veronique Kootstra. Empty your head, de-frag your brain, and get (gently) prepped for a day of writing shenanigans.

The Devil’s in the Details!
Delve into the tiny (but highly impactful) details of your writing in this super focused workshop with Melissa Stirling Reid. Find out how to draw unique, meanintful details out of your writing to complement your characters and plot.

Reflexive Plotting!
What do you do when a story misbehaves and goes off-plan? How do you roll with the plotting punches and know when to let your characters take the reins and when to lay down the authorial law? Join Jo Gatford for this workshop to learn all about how to balance planning and pantsing and find the sweet spot.

Industry Panel & Q&A!
We’ve brought together a dream team of editors, competition judges, agents, mentors and literary experts to discuss how to be objective about your own writing and how to measure success and development. We’ll also be throwing impossible questions at them like: “How do you know when a story is actually finished?!” So, uh, good luck to ’em.

Balance Your Writing Life!
Productivity is a big ol’ lie but there ARE ways to help make each and every writing session feel exciting and focused and full of words. Figure out when, where and how you write best, and how to make it easier and easier to get in that zone with organisational wizard Natalie Reilly!

Unfuck Your Writing!
Stuck in a plot hole? Banging your
head against the writing block wall? Just not sure where your story is supposed to go next? Troubleshoot your story with Jo Gatford and learn some helpful techniques to unstick thyself yourself!

PLUS: Prize draws, merch stall, lunch & refreshments, and final thank yous from the WHQ Team.