I design and lead creative writing workshops, mostly by invitation for writing groups or special events. Do contact me if you’d like to explore possibilities, whether face-to-face or online…

I regularly design and lead workshops to accompany the spring exhibitions of art curated by Elaine Blake at Reading Museum and Art Gallery. Visit the museum website to find out what and when.

As part of Malmesbury’s Wessex Week in October 2022, I led a workshop inspired by the dreams, visions and riddles of the Anglo-Saxon world.

During the pandemic I designed and led online workshops, and found this mode more conducive than I expected in supporting people’s writing.

I am an experienced leader of workshops with adults and young people.  I use supportive semi-structured exercises to get the best out of people’s creative and imaginative writing, in prose or poetry.  I am happy to lead small or larger groups, and I particularly enjoy working with people who are less experienced and/or lack confidence, though working with experienced writers is a great pleasure too!  Feedback on my workshops is usually very positive: ‘Organisation was excellent… A lovely, supportive and inspiring atmosphere right from the off – Lesley is a wonderful teacher, full of great ideas and insightful comments…’

Commissioned workshops, mentoring and editing:

I am available by arrangement for commissioned workshops, open or themed, for new and/or experienced writers: please contact me by e-mail.

I also offer mentoring and editing services, by arrangement: please contact me if you’d like to discuss possibilities.

Public workshops 2020:

The most recent public face-to-face workshop I led was on 16th March at Reading Museum where a wonderful exhibition on animals in art was on display.  This was just before full restrictions were imposed on travel and socialising, so we were very fortunate to have this inspirational exhibition – to which Elaine Blake gave her usual insightful introduction – to take our minds off the news.