A free, fun writing workshop for people from underrepresented groups

This two-hour workshop will give you a great grounding in the basics of writing for children. The session will cover everything from choosing your readership and concept to developing plot and characterisation, with time for questions.

Date and time: Thursday 19th May, 2.00 – 4.00pm

Venue: Belhus Library, 57 Derry Avenue, South Ockendon, RM15 5DX

Tickets: Free, booking essential

Box Office: Book tickets online via the eventbrite ticket page

To register, you must be over 18, reside in the UK and from an underrepresented group*.

Participants will also get the chance to join a writing group after the workshop, offering further support and an all-important writing community.

About the Author

Workshop host Jane Elson was an actress and comedy improviser before she began writing stories and plays. Her books have won many awards including Peters Book of the Year two years running.

Her debut novel, A Room Full of Chocolate, was longlisted for the Branford Boase Award and she has twice been nominated for the Carnegie Medal.

Jane is loud and proud about her dyslexia and when not writing likes to mentor neurodiverse young people and promote the gift of alternative thinking. She was honoured to be named as one of the top 50 Neurodivergent Women by the platform Women Beyond the Box.

Jane’s niche in the market is writing about those children that are often not written about. In her latest book, Storm Horse, Jane returns to the world of the Beckham Estate, also featured in the multi-award winning How to Fly with Broken Wings and Will You Catch Me?

This workshop is being offered in six different library locations in Essex. Online workshops are also available. They are organised by All Stories in partnership with Essex and Thurrock Libraries and Essex Book Festival. You can find details of the other workshops here.

All Stories offers free development opportunities to talented writers from underrepresented backgrounds. The 2022-2023 programme includes writing workshops and writing groups, plus ten mentorships for writers of middle grade and young adult fiction.

*Those who identify as a person of colour, LGBTQ+, disabled, neurodiverse, working class or socio-economically disadvantaged.