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suffolkwritersgroup

Welcome to Suffolk Writers Group online

Together with an active team of volunteers, I provide a safe place to take part in daily writing challenges, enter competitions, share work, and ask questions of our friendly, supportive writing community.

Most members live in Suffolk (UK) but we also have a growing number of international members who feel a connection to Suffolk and the creative community we have built here.

If you’d like to be a member, search for ‘Suffolk Writers Group’ on Facebook and request to join. You can also try clicking here .

The Suffolk Writers Group Poetry Anthology

In the spring of 2023, Gary Milson, founder of Little Bear Publications and group member, asked for contributions for an SWG anthology. Some of the featured poets have never had their work in print before and some are regular contributors to literary magazines. I think it captures the inclusive spirit of SWG beautifully.

You can find further details about the book by clicking here.

After moving from Norwich to Ipswich in 2011, I taught creative writing voluntarily at Gainsborough Community Library whilst working as a primary teacher. Three years later, I founded Suffolk Writers Group and began teaching adult writing skills on a professional basis.

In 2021 I published my first poetry collection, Thirty Angry Ghosts , which includes poems in the voice of William Shakespeare, Mary Shelley and Anne Boleyn. (Click here to find out more).

Click here for free educational resources related to the collection.

Since 2021, I have been writing and researching a novel set in 18th-century London. I completed the manuscript in December 2023 and am currently seeking literary representation.

Alongside my activities with the Suffolk Writers Group and my own writing, I lead workshops and work with new and experienced writers on a one-to-one basis. Click here for details.

8 thoughts on “Welcome to Suffolk Writers Group online”

My name is Rhys Moffat- I am a 26 year old history teacher who has recently moved to the area.I would like to use my summer to get into writing and in the long term attempt to write a novel. I was wondering whether the Suffolk writers group would be a good opportunity to meet like minded people. I am a complete novice though, so may well be out of my depth early on.

I look forward to hearing from you,

Kind Regards,

Thanks for getting in touch, Rhys. It’s been great having you at our evening sessions.

Hi, I am interested in the new Ravenswood group, are there any spaces left please?

Yes, there are spaces on Thursday evening. Please email me at [email protected] for details.

Wow, this all looks good work/play. Well done!

Thanks Nick. Yes, it was a really fun course. I’m running another in October. Message me for details.

Hi, I am looking for books written by local authors for our new Farm Shop being built at Hintlesham, our ethos is support local talent, can you help? many thanks, Diana Bryce

I’ve only just received your message. Sorry for the delay. Yes, I know lots of local authors who would love you to stock their books (including me), Could you email me at [email protected] so we can arrange how to go about this?

Best wishes,

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Ipswich Writers Group

30 may 2009.

• June 2009 meeting

26 April 2008

• April meeting

We are a group of writers who meet once a month, talk about words and books, and eat quite a good morning tea.

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Suffolk Writers Group

We meet every Thursday evening in Ipswich, Suffolk to discuss work and take part in writing activities. The group is aimed at intermediate to advanced writers but keen, hard-working beginners are also welcome.

Each session begins with a quick round up of what people have read and/or written in the week. Then we might do any of the following: give feedback on each other's work, read published pieces, work on novel planning, create new characters or discuss tips from other writers. Each week we have a silent writing time contained within the session. (Sorry, we only use pen and paper - no electronic devices).

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ipswichwritersgroup

Ipswich writers’ group.

We are an established, prose-centred writing group with a focus on fiction. We meet in  Ipswich on the last Thursday of the month at 7pm for 7.30pm . Our annual membership fee is in the region of £10 to £12 to cover room hire. 

We hope to appeal to those who have been writing for some time or have a project in hand, who want coherent, intelligent criticism and support and who are capable of giving such criticism themselves. Please note, we are not a creative writing class.

Our intention is to be rigorous but friendly, to provide mutual assistance to writers from the environs of Ipswich who are serious about their work, to give them an opportunity to get away from their desks and interact with other writers. 

Applic ation Process

If you are interested in joining us, you should contact IWG at the email address below in the first instance, stating your writing experience and outlining any project you are working on at present. If it sounds like there might be a fit between your work and that of the group members, you will be asked to submit a short sample of your work. If the piece is suitable for the group you will be placed on our waiting list until such a time as a place becomes available. We like to keep the group small so that all members can be fully involved in submitting and critiquing. 

How We Operate

• Members wishing to submit work for review must do so at least two weeks prior to the meeting
• The word limit is 3,000 words
• Members attending the meeting must review all submissions and bring along marked-up scripts  
• At the meeting, those submitting must listen without challenging, only seeking clarification where necessary
• Feedback should be honest but constructive – all points need to be backed up, allowing members to move their work forwards
• We do not like rudeness, big egos or grandstanding
• Members should come away from our meetings feeling supported, motivated and with lots of positive suggestions and/or encouragement for their work

Please contact Paul ( [email protected] ).

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Suffolk Writers Group

I lead a range of in-person adult creative writing workshops and run poetry courses on Zoom. I also offer creative writing instruction and/or mentoring on a one-to-one basis.

Once a week I hold a writing group at my house in Ipswich for experienced writers.

I've recently published a book of poetry suitable for use in secondary schools called 'Thirty Angry Ghosts' which features poems in the voices of Shakespeare, Mary Shelley and Boudicca amongst others. If anyone would like to arrange a school visit or run a related activity, please get in touch.

Who to contact

I’ve been teaching creative writing and leading groups for adults for the last 10 years. I have had a number of short stories and poems published with my work being featured in Suffolk Magazine, The Telegraph and Best Magazine. I have also completed a range of materials for schools with CGP, both fiction and non-fiction. I have most recently published a book of historical poetry called 'Thirty Angry Ghosts' which is available in Dial Lane Bookshop (Ipswich) and on Amazon.

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Last Updated

Last updated: 13/04/2022

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Wolsey Writers

No performance info available.

“You can make anything by writing.” Have you got a story to tell? A touch of the poet? Are plays your scene? Or do you struggle to find your voice? Wolsey Writers is a creative writing group which meets backstage at the New Wolsey Theatre. It offers a space to let your imagination work, tips on how to improve and encouragement to help you achieve your goals. Whether you’re new to creative writing – or looking to stretch yourself – this workshop will support and inspire you. Wolsey Writers is facilitated by award-winning author, Katie Ward. Her debut novel ‘Girl Reading’ was critically acclaimed on both sides of the Atlantic. For details of the next workshop theme go to @katiewardwriter, #WolseyWriters or facebook/katiewardwriter. Saturdays, 10am – 12 noon. Meet at the Ticket Desk. £13.50 per workshop. Tea & coffee provided. Book your place at 01473 295900 or www.wolseytheatre.co.uk "It was, without doubt, the best course I have ever been on. It has been a delight and a pleasure to come. Katie is an inspirational teacher." "I really enjoyed the course. It has encouraged me to find out more." "Brilliant – looked forward to it every week. Can see it is a lot of work for Katie but please do more!" "I was enthralled from the very start. I’ve learnt a great deal and enjoyed every single moment. Katie is a wonderful teacher – encouraging and enabling." Please note: the New Wolsey Theatre is acting as a ticketing agency for this event.

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Home - About the Event

About the event.

The 2022 program was sponsored by Ipswich Festivals

and supported by the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland

Home - Presenters

Meet our 2024 presenters.

Jacqueline Harvey is now one of Australia’s most popular authors for children.

Frane Lessac is a West Australian author-illustrator with over 50 award-winning children’s books published throughout the world.

Frane Lessac

Author and illustrator

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Matt Stanton is a bestselling children’s author and illustrator who has sold more than one million books in Australia.

Matt Stanton

Author and Illustrator

Katrina Nannestad is a multi award-winning children’s author.

Katrina Nannestad

George Ivanoff is a Melbourne author who’s written more than 100 books for kids and teens.

George Ivanoff

Deborah is an internationally published and awarded author of 30 books.

Deborah Abela

Felice Arena is one of Australia’s much-loved children’s authors.

Felice Arena

Mick Elliott is an author, illustrator, TV producer, scriptwriter, reading ambassador and mischief maker.

Mick Elliott

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FESTIVAL PROGRAMS

Free sessions where school students will meet authors and illustrators, attend performances, take part in workshops and more.

The family program is held after school 4:00 – 5:00 pm Monday to Thursday at Number 1 Nicholas Street, Ipswich and in the Ipswich Community Gallery.

Download the program and follow the booking links.

The 2024 adults program will be held at Woodlands of Marburg 10-11 August 2024.

IPSWICH DRAWN TOGETHER

Take a look at the fantastic artwork from our Ipswich Drawn Together initiative, where children have been invited to submit their own original artwork. Some pieces will be selected to be part of an exhibition in the Community Gallery.

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Suffolk Writers Group started by Ipswich writer links more than 1,000 people in an online community

When members of a writing group got together last month to celebrate the launch of a new poetry book it was the first time most of them had seen their work in print.

All 40-plus contributors whose poems appear in A Tapestry of Poetry are part of an online community of more than 1,000 people linked by one thing – a love of writing.

Suffolk Writers Group is a mix of people from all over the county and beyond who range from professional writers to those just starting out. Some join later in life having written nothing since their schooldays.

The book contains more than 100 poems and was the brainchild of Gary Milsom, who compiled and published it after inviting fellow group members to submit their work.

From earning a living, to a way of helping to process life’s ups and downs – and everything in between – everyone has their own reason for wanting to write.

All are welcome to join the group, which is run on Facebook by Mai Black, a creative writing teacher passionate about the value of connecting with other writers.

“I moved from Norwich 12 years ago and had been to a regular group there,” she said. “I couldn’t find anything similar in Suffolk. I found it difficult to connect with other writers and creative people.

“I felt quite lost for about half a year but then found the confidence to set up a community writing group at my local library in Ipswich.” It thrived and a second group soon followed.

Mai started Suffolk Writers Group in around 2016. It grew steadily to around 400 members, but became a real focus when Covid lockdowns stopped people meeting in person.

“It really took off because we were doing daily challenges – there are now 1,400 members. Over lockdown there was a sudden interest, particularly in poetry. A lot of people in the group had never written a poem before, which is why the poetry anthology is lovely.”

Writing has always been important to Mai. “I had always loved writing stories. For me it’s almost like having a second life, a dream life. I’ve always found great comfort in the creative community and I love that I’ve now become an active part in it.

“I taught in primary schools for 10 years then went over to teaching creative writing to adults. Sometimes I work for the Inside Out Community, which is a creative community in Ipswich.”

A popular feature of the writers’ group are the daily challenges – set either by Mai or other members – but there is no pressure to take part and many simply enjoy seeing how others have responded.

“Our group is such a nice community,” she says. There is a lot of friendship and creative stimulus. If people do get things published we celebrate each other’s successes.

“I’d recommend that everyone who is creatively minded joins a writing group. I think it’s the most fun you can have with a group of people – writing together, discussing ideas and sharing work in a fun, supportive environment.

“I’d like to help build an even stronger writing community in Suffolk. I think there’s so much talent and enthusiasm for writing in Suffolk, so I’d love to see that grow in terms of more writing groups, activities in schools and community settings as well as an increasing variety of local get togethers.”

Mai has written a book called Thirty Angry Ghosts, which combines her love of writing with her fascination for historical figures.

“It is poetry written in the voices of famous characters from history. I have a team of actors and we go out and do readings.

“It really tries to get under the skin of people from history and see the world from their point of view,” she said.

The book features such varied figures as Shakespeare, Abraham Lincoln and the 14th century Mali emperor Mansa Musa, reputed to have been the wealthiest person in history.

SMai has also produced two children’s novels and is now writing her first aimed at adults, set in 18th century London.

Gary Milsom, who financed and published the poetry book, lives in Sudbury and has been a member of Suffolk Writers Group for about two-and-a-half years.

“I was just looking through online and thought this looks interesting and joined,” said the businessman, who has a publishing company called Little Bear Publications and also runs a specialist foodstuffs shipping firm.

“I’ve always written,” says Gary, who has produced two novels – The Butterfly and the Bear and Vanessa – and set up his company to publish his own work and sidestep the often tricky task of finding publishers.

“The group is somewhere to connect with like-minded people and it’s nice to share the joy of writing,” said Gary.

He set no rules for contributions to the poetry book and they came in all shapes and sizes, covering a vast range of subjects and emotions … evocations of joy, loss, hope and humour fill the pages.

“I talked to Mai and asked people to send me a poem. There are 40 poets in there and around 35 had never had anything published before,” he said.

“Most of the poets are from Suffolk, there’s one from Essex and one from New Caledonia, an island off the coast of Australia, who used to live in Suffolk.

Sylvia Warry, of Thurston, who writes under the pseudonym of Sylvie Songbird, has four poems in the book, including Growing Home about escaping a controlling relationship.

“It’s probably my favourite ever poem – a victory in self-preservation,” she said.

“When I write poems they often turn into songs,” said Sylvia, a support worker for young people who have been in care.

“I would love to spend lots of time writing poetry. I have always been inclined to write. Writing has always been my strength and my expression.”

She began writing poetry in her teens when she was struggling to find her way in the world.

“I was quite an introvert as a teenager and wrote my first poem aged 16 or 17. It was a reflection on how I felt at the time,” she said.

“I was a little bit lost and uncomfortable in the world. A way of relieving my loneliness and feeling of being disconnected.

“I moved with my mother to France, which was partly why I felt awkward. I couldn’t understand what anyone was saying. It made me feel more isolated and out of touch.

“Then I got married and had kids and was really busy with family life. When I broke up with my husband, the creative flow started again. I set myself free and was able to rebuild my identity.”

She now regularly posts her poems on her Sylviesongbird Facebook page.

“What drew me to the writers group were the little challenges. I thought this is great.

I didn’t really consider myself a writer, just someone who likes writing.

“I’m quite dyslexic – I have always found reading a challenge – so I didn’t feel on the same level as the other people. But they made me feel so welcome. I have always felt at home in that group,” she said.

Muriel Driver, from Stoke by Clare, joined the group around 18 months ago. She recently published her first novel, Zondor the Magnificent, a children’s fantasy about a boy and a dog who are transported to a magical land.

“I had the book published with a great deal of encouragement from Suffolk Writers Group,” said Muriel. “It will be the first in a series.

“If I hadn’t been a member of the group it probably wouldn’t have happened yet. It gave me the confidence I needed.”

Muriel’s life used to revolve around a different sort of books – working in accounts.

“Just before Covid struck I was made redundant but later that year I was due to retire anyway,” she said.

“I have been writing stories for evermore. When I was growing up on a farm in north Norfolk in the middle of nowhere my friends were the cats and dogs on the farm and I used to make up stories for them. Once I started school I was hooked.

“So I thought, I will do that. I used to belong to a writers’ group in Clare which folded a while ago. I stumbled across Suffolk Writers Group online and thought ‘that will do nicely’.

She and another member David Howden, an author from Haverhill , now also co-host offshoot group Haven Literary Club, which meets at the Haven Café, in Haverhill, once a month.

Muriel, whose poem Journey of a River is included in the anthology, has been invited to join Year 7 pupils at Stour Valley School in Clare for international book day in Marc – reading from her book, setting writing challenges and holding a question and answer session.

Robert Lenney, of Ipswich, said: “I always wanted to be a writer. I had a very influential teacher at school who was enthusiastic about the war poets and encouraged me to read.

“I’m dyslexic which wasn’t diagnosed until 2004. It was a relief to me to know. I felt school was a bit of a struggle for me.

“With me the dyslexia more affects my organisational skills and understanding instructions. I always read as a child and escaped into books and music.

“I’ve been a member of the group for about three years. It’s a lovely little group and very good with its daily challenges. Mai is very organised. It’s a really well run group and well balanced.

“Everyone is very supportive and friendly and Gary is a godsend as well,” said Robert, who works in care with people with learning problems and the elderly, while also training to teach English as a foreign language.

He cared for his mother through dementia until her death last year.

“Writing was a comfort through difficult periods and I would maybe put my feelings into a poem,” he said.

He has published a poetry book, Heretic, and is also a performance poet.

A Tapestry of Poetry is available online from littlebearpublications.co.uk . It is also stocked in some independent bookshops including Byron and the Bard in Lavenham, Halesworth Bookshop, Dial Lane Books in Ipswich and Woodbridge Books.

To join the writers’ group, search Facebook for Suffolk Writers Group

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Writing Circle

Writing monday.

Presented in partnership with Queensland Writer’s Centre.

Writing Monday is a free, volunteer-led space for writers of all levels. It aims to connect local writers by providing room for you to foster your writing practice.

The sessions will follow the Pomodoro technique of 25-minute writing blocks and 5-minute breaks. After each third ‘ Pomodoro ‘ there is a 15-minute break to relax and recharge. The idea behind the method is to train the brain into working effectively to reach smaller targets and improve overall writing time and productivity.

Writing Monday provides time and space for you to nurture your craft and encourages you to build a routine you can stick to.

BYO writing implements e.g. pencil and paper/ laptop, a bottle of water and your own project.

Please note this is not a workshop but an opportunity to sit down and get words on the page.

Springfield Central Library  Cnr Main Street and Sirius Drive Level 2, Event Space Second and fourth Monday of the month (excluding school holidays)  9.30 am – 12.30 pm

Free event. No bookings required.

Upcoming dates:  12 February 26 February  11 March 25 March  22 April  13 May 27 May 10 June 

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By George Gene Gustines

The animated film “ Mars ” — about a ragtag group of civilians visiting the red planet on a trip financed by a billionaire with an asteroid-sized ego — will premiere Thursday at the Tribeca Festival . It will mark the end to a bittersweet journey for the film’s writers that began more than a decade ago.

“Mars” was written as a live-action film in 2012 by Trevor Moore, Zach Cregger and Sam Brown, the founders of the comedy group The Whitest Kids U’ Know. They met thanks to living in the same dormitory at the School of Visual Arts in New York City, where they performed lots of gigs. From there came tours of the city’s comedy clubs and a television show that ran from 2007 to 2011.

During the Covid-19 pandemic, they decided animation was the best way forward for the feature and opted to crowdfund the film. But in August 2021, tragedy struck when Moore died in an accident .

“It did seem kind of unfathomable to complete this movie without him,” Cregger said during a recent video interview with Brown and Timmy Williams, who is also in the comedy group. They, Darren Trumeter (the fifth member of the group), and Moore, who completed his recordings before the accident, provide the voices for all the characters in “Mars.”

“Trevor’s death changed everything,” Cregger said. Before Moore died, the group was having regular interactions with fans on Twitch and other social media platforms, which helped fuel interest in “Mars.” Continuing that was difficult. “When he died, it kind of became like, this hurts every time,” Cregger said. But they felt a responsibility to their fans, who helped fund the film, to complete the project.

But the long production process has also been a blessing, Brown said. “Not to treat this like a therapy session or anything, but Trevor passed away and we’ve been working on this for years and years,” he said. “There’s part of me that is really dreading having it come to an end because it really does feel like we’re still working with him, and I think it’s such a gift that we have this.”

Cregger estimated they raised a few hundred thousand dollars to make the film. The amount was a mix of a crowdfunding campaign, selling merchandise and royalties from the television show.

“The crowdfunding was kind of a blessing in a lot of ways,” Cregger said. “It gave us the money to make the movie, but we also had accepted money from a lot of people,” which was an obligation that weighed on them. “We’re pretty disorganized, lazy guys and I could easily see us not finishing the movie.” But “if we don’t put ‘The End’ on this and get it out into the world, I think we’re like con artists,” he added.

Williams agreed: “Then we’re bad. We’re like criminals.”

During Covid, Trevor got the script into the hands of Sevan Najarian, an animation and special effects director he had worked with. They had a conversation about making an animated film for cheap, recalled Brown. Pivoting the script from live action was fairly smooth, but there was a learning curve over what animation entailed. “You kind of have this idea: animation is all just drawings and backgrounds, so you’ll do anything,” Brown said. “But in reality, every new space needs a background design and someone has to think about the layout of that.”

Najarian, directing his first full-length feature, said his first step was starting with the voices. “We want to draw characters based on what they sound like,” he said in a telephone interview. The collaboration was a fruitful one. “They are great writers but there weren’t a lot of visual notes in the script,” he said. “We were able to shape the world visually and they really gave us a lot of freedom.”

The ability of Najarian and his team to visualize the script was evident to the writers right away. “One of the first things they showed us was the background for the dentist bar,” Williams said.

The audience will see the bar within the first few minutes of the film. That is where Kyle Capshaw (voiced by Cregger) meets his friend Cooter (voiced by Moore). The script named the bar the “Holy Molar,” but Najarian and his team gave it a logo that is a tooth with a halo and angel wings; designed the barstool cushions to look like the bottom half of dentures and a beer called “Molar Lite;” and threw in a “Tooth Tunes” jukebox.

The bar scene is also where we learn about Kyle, who fears that too much of his life has already been decided. “There are literally no important decisions left for me,” he tells Cooter. On a whim — and suffering from cold feet over his engagement to Candace (voiced by Trumeter) — he decides to enter a lottery to win a trip to Mars, which is set to depart on his wedding day.

“Mars” definitely earns its inclusion in the “Midnight” section of the festival, which is for surprising and shocking movies for mature audiences. The movie has coarse language, sexual situations and over-the-top violence.

“There is a scene with me and Darren’s character that’s going to be my favorite thing to see how people react to it,” said Williams, who plays a character named Wimmy Tilliams, a religious man who is forever changed by the Mars experience. “Can we call it a love scene?”

“Tender scene, let’s say,” Cregger said.

Brown said that jokes from the script were assessed to make sure they worked in today’s climate. “Part of the appeal of the movie is that we had those jokes that we wrote in 2012,” he said. But they reviewed the script to “figure out what’s funny about it that isn’t problematic today.

Cregger added with a laugh: “I think it’s also very, very important to say that any part of this movie that anybody thinks is offensive or crosses a line, Trevor wrote that,” he said.

More sincerely, Cregger is thankful to everyone who backed the film. “We had really, really supportive fans who believed in us and gave us the opportunity to make this movie we wanted to make forever,” he said.

“We were never going to get a studio on board to do it. So this is not just our movie, but it is the big ‘our’ — our online community. That’s who we made it for and who owns the movie.”

George Gene Gustines has been writing about comic books for The Times for more than two decades. More about George Gene Gustines

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